Security

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 3,300 army personnel to help combat illegal mining activities, Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement on Thursday. “The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which is expected to cost about 492 million rand ($26 million), is aimed …

NATO member countries condemned on Tuesday Russia’s decision to formally withdraw from the historic treaty limiting conventional military forces in Europe, and decided to suspend their participation. Russia decided in 2007 to suspend its participation in this treaty on conventional weapons in Europe, which entered into force in 1992 after …

South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele says criminals have declared war on citizens, following a surge in crime levels in the country. This is after the country’s transport minister was robbed at gun-point in a daring attack on Monday. Sindisiwe Chikunga was travelling from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng when the incident …

The British High Commission in Uganda has warned of “a growing terror threat in Uganda, including targeting of foreigners”, hours after the US embassy issued a similar alert. Both diplomatic missions on Tuesday warned their citizens against attending large gatherings, including worship activities. They also cautioned against participation in music …

Madagascar’s presidential candidate, Jean Jacques Ratsietison, was arrested in Madagascar during a demonstration in the capital Antananarivo. The opposition has alleged that this month’s election is being rigged in favour of the incumbent, Andry Rajoelina. The electoral commission has not commented on the allegation. Several recent attempts to stage demonstrations …

Lawyers for ousted Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum have asked an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court to reinstate him as president. According to the lawyers, “the detention and overthrow of Mr Bazoum violated his rights.” Bazoum has been held since soldiers seized power on July 26, accusing him …

At least nine people were killed in gun battles after armed men stormed into a jail in Guinea’s capital over the weekend and briefly freed former president Moussa Dadis Camara and other detained officials, the justice ministry said on Monday. Authorities found the bodies of three attackers, four soldiers and …

More than 60 soldiers and prison officers have been fired in Guinea, following the escape of former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara and two others. Capt Camara was recaptured and returned to prison a few hours after being freed from his cell by “heavily armed commandos” early on Saturday. Those …

Chadian authorities announced the recall of the charge d’affaires in Israel for consultation following “unprecedented deadly violence in the Gaza Strip”. In a statement from the country’s foreign affairs ministry, the government condemned “the loss of human lives of many innocent civilians” and called “for a ceasefire leading to a …

At least five civilians were killed when rebels attacked a town in northwest Central African Republic on Thursday, the latest reported escalation in a decade-long conflict, a local official said. “Members of an alliance of armed groups known as the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) assaulted the town of …