In the news

The United States’ annual counterterrorism training program for African forces began Sunday in Ivory Coast, as Islamist fighters control large areas and coups increase, Reuters reports. The training program, known as Flintlock, will bring together more than 400 soldiers from across West Africa. Central to this year’s training is coordination …

Mali’s National Assembly has unanimously approved a plan allowing the military leader to rule the country for up to five years. Mali’s interim government now has the power to lead the West African nation for the next five years and no date has yet been set for future polls. Elections …

An armed Amhara group is accused of killing dozens of people and looted property in the Gidda Ayana district of Oromia state. The district’s top official, Adane Alamirew, confirmed the attack but said he was unable to identify the number of people killed and the extent of the damage due …

A patient standing on a hospital balcony was killed by a stray bullet fired by security forces at protesters against military rule in Sudan on Sunday, Reuters reported, citing doctors. A 51-year-old man was shot while trying to get fresh air amid heavy tear gas in the city of Bahri, …

Authorities in Nigeria have announced the seizure of 120 tonnes of imported animal hides and skins, often sold as food, in the city of Lagos, local media reported. According to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac), they were intercepted on suspicion that were already processed …

Thousands of Moroccans took to the cities streets on Sunday, to demonstrate against rising prices and to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the launch of a major reform movement. Thousands of people demonstrated in the Moroccan cities of Rabat and Tangier, to protest against rising prices and to call for …

Security forces in Zimbabwe arrested and detained dozens of opposition supporters over the weekend in the town of Masvingo ahead of a rally organized by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) which is launching the party’s campaign for the by-elections next month. At least 80 supporters of Zimbabawean opposition were …

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday rejected Malian government’s demand to withdraw French troops from the country “without delay” and warned against any threat to their security. “We have announced the re-articulation of the system and it will be applied in good order to ensure the security of the United …

Mozambican defence minister says many people displaced from Cabo Delgado region by jihadist violence will be able to return by June this year, media report. Defence Minister Cristóvão Chume said the jihadists had been weakened, and there had been no attacks in recent days. He said security was progressively improving …

Liberia’s main opposition Unity Party is now the second to withdraw from the four-party coalition that’s planning to challenge President George Weah in next year’s elections. This latest move leaves the coalition in disarray. The first party to pull out was the All Liberian Party, of millionaire Benoni Urey. The …