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Africa

Malians flee Farabougou as militants seize town, military camp

Four nations meet in Nairobi to boost Red Sea maritime security

Nigeria calls for collective African response to xenophobic attacks

Sahel alliance condemns Niger mutiny attempt, backs authorities

Niger factions face off after mutineers attack Niamey

Africa’s record-breaking heat: Continent holds world’s hottest tempera...

The record for the highest temperature ever recorded was set in the town of Al Aziziyah, Libya

Clan conflicts have displaced nearly 150,000 people in Somalia

Nearly 150,000 people have been displaced in various parts of Somalia in clan conflicts since January, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Monday. This includes around 42,000 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, who were displaced by violence in the town of Luuq in the Gedo region in early July, including 12,000 who fled to hard-to-reach locations outside the town, it said. The violence is believed to have been triggered by a dispute over land ownership that also resulted in the burning of the biggest market in the town. Clan conflicts in the Mudug region from June 26 to July 2 forced over 26,000 people to abandon their homes in the remote areas of Galdogob and Jariiban districts, according to a statement by OCHA. Conflicts in Galmudug killed more than 55 people and wounded more than 60 others. The conflict paralyzed humanitarian service delivery, including the health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in the area, according to the UN. “Those displaced are particularly vulnerable, with women, children and the elderly making up the majority. An estimated 30% of the displaced people are livestock herders who managed to flee with their livestock,” OCHA said in the statement. Khalid Abdullahi, a humanitarian expert in the capital Mogadishu, told Anadolu the internal fighting among communities in Somalia is not new, but it seems that the clashes between rival clans have been increasing this year. He said the federal government should work with the federal member states to scale up efforts to resolve repeated clan conflicts “that hinder peace in the brotherly communities in the country.” Humanitarian needs will remain high in Somalia in 2024 due to recurrent shocks, including climatic events such as drought and floods, conflict and insecurity, widespread poverty and disease outbreaks. 6.9 million people in Somalia need humanitarian assistance in 2024 OCHA said $1.6 billion in funding is required for the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HNRP) in Somalia but only $507 million had been received as of Aug. 2.

Tunisia, US discuss Libya’s political future

Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar expressed support Monday for all efforts to ensure security in Libya. Ammar received US Ambassador to Tunisia Joey Hood and US special envoy for Libya Ambassador Richard Norland to discuss strengthening ties between Tunisia and the US and also Libya’s political future. Regarding the political process in Libya, Ammar said the political solution for the country must be Libyan-Libyan in a framework of consensus and a Libyan leadership under the auspices of the UN, according to the Tunisian Foreign Ministry. He also reiterated Tunisia’s support for all efforts aimed at reaching a “comprehensive and lasting” settlement that would guarantee Libya’s security, stability, unity and sovereignty, the ministry said. Norland paid tribute to Tunisia’s “positive and constructive “role in bridging the gap between the Libyan interlocutors. He reiterated the US’s refusal to impose solutions by force from any party and expressed his country’s willingness to coordinate with Tunisia to move towards a political settlement based on dialogue and negotiation. Libya has been plagued by sporadic security issues amid ongoing political division since 2022. The country is currently governed by two rival administrations: the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh based in Tripoli, which controls the western part of the country, and the government of Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives, which operates out of Benghazi and governs the eastern region and parts of the south. Efforts led by the UN to hold parliamentary and presidential elections have repeatedly stalled, prolonging the country’s political deadlock and exacerbating the security situation in the oil-rich nation.

Ousmane Sonko visits Mali to push for ECOWAS reintegration

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko made his first visit to Mali since taking office in March 2024. This visit is part of Senegal’s diplomatic push to reintegrate Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the countries left the regional bloc following military takeovers. Sonko’s meeting with Mali’s interim president, Colonel Assimi Goita, emphasized the need for West African nations to overcome their differences and rebuild a united regional entity. Sonko envisioned a “Malian empire” connecting Mali with Senegal, Ghana, and beyond. In January, the juntas of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso criticized ECOWAS for imposing what they called “illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible” sanctions instead of supporting their fight against security threats. ECOWAS has been applying pressure through sanctions and rejecting extended transition periods to restore civilian rule. This situation marks the first time in nearly 50 years that ECOWAS members have withdrawn in such a manner. The three nations have since formed their own alliance, The Alliance of Sahel States. Senegalese President Basirou Diomaye Faye, who also visited Mali in May, faces the challenge of reuniting the fractured regional bloc.

Trial begins for Kenyan pastor linked to 400+ cult deaths

Kenyan pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 94 others are on trial for manslaughter over the deaths of more than 400 followers in the Shakahola Forest massacre.

Daesh-allied militants kill 12 in eastern DR Congo

Eastern Congo faces increased militant attacks with 12 dead in North Kivu villages.

Zambia and DR Congo reopen border after trade dispute

After a brief closure due to a trade dispute, Zambia and Congo have reopened their shared border.

RSF leader calls for war probe, pledges peace commitment

Dagalo emphasized that despite the RSF’s attempts to avoid conflict, they were left with no option but to defend themselves following a surprise attack

Ancient Egyptian treasure trove found in 63 tombs

A treasure trove of gold, jewelry, and other ancient relics has been unearthed in Egypt.

SAF stalls Geneva Peace Talks, strengthens ties with Iran

Hardliners within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are reportedly working to undermine the initiative

Africa accelerates shift to renewable energy

Africa is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global transition to renewable energy

Ethiopian, Somali officials engage in reconciliation talks in Ankara

Turkish shuttle diplomacy aids Ethiopian and Somali reconciliation talks in Ankara aiming for improved diplomatic ties.

Over 16 missing after boat capsizes in northern Nigeria’s Sokoto

A boat carrying over 30 people capsized in Nigeria’s Sokoto state, leaving at least 16 people missing and presumed dead.

Red Cross hopes Sudan talks will ease humanitarian crisis

The Red Cross hopes upcoming Sudan talks will lead to increased humanitarian access and a potential ceasefire.

Flooding displaces thousands in western Ethiopia

Heavy flooding in western Ethiopia has displaced around 16,000 people, local media reported on Monday. The floods, caused by intense rainfall, affected four districts in the Gambella region, according to the state-owned Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC). The floods damaged homes and agricultural fields, leaving the community in urgent need of aid, the regional communication bureau reported. The displaced individuals have been relocated to safer, drier areas. Authorities, along with relevant stakeholders, are working to address the situation, said Gatbel Moon, a local disaster risk management official. This flooding is part of a recurring issue in the region, as August is the rainy season in Ethiopia, frequently resulting in severe floods in Gambella and other areas.

Ex-Gambian President Jammeh’s accused hit squad general detained

The Gambian military has announced the detention of former General Bora Colley, who is accused of being part of a hit squad targeting opponents of exiled former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. According to a statement from the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF), Colley was detained on August 9 after voluntarily surrendering to the GAF Military Police at Yundum Barracks. The statement noted that intelligence services had been monitoring Colley’s residence in Banjul on the day of his arrest. Colley is currently in custody and cooperating with Military Police during the investigation. Colley is alleged to have been a member of the “Junglers,” a hit squad established by Jammeh to “suppress the Gambian people, silence opposition, and carry out execution orders” between 2003 and 2006. Yahya Jammeh’s Rule Yahya Jammeh took power in Gambia through a military coup on July 22, 1994, and ruled the country for 22 years. During his presidency, Jammeh was accused of various human rights violations, including torture, rape, and executions. He lost the presidential election to Adama Barrow on December 1, 2016. Jammeh initially refused to accept the election results and rejected calls to step down. He declared a 90-day state of emergency on January 17, 2017, but eventually left the country for Equatorial Guinea on January 21, 2017, after pressure mounted. Jammeh announced in May that he would return to Gambia.

DR Congo releases 527 prisoners to address overcrowding.

On August 10, 2024, Constant Mutamba, the Minister of Justice of the Democratic Republic of Congo, announced the release of nearly 527 prisoners from the Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa. Mutamba also delivered 2,000 mattresses, part of a 7,000-mattress order, to improve conditions for inmates. He emphasized the government’s commitment to the rule of law and pledged further releases of unjustly detained prisoners. He assured that no prisoner would sleep on the floor as new beds are being manufactured and the prison’s health center and several pavilions are being renovated. A new prison is also planned for Maluku. The government previously announced plans to release at least 7,000 inmates from Makala, the country’s largest jail, which, designed for 1,500 inmates in 1957, now holds over 15,000 people under notoriously poor conditions.

Tanzanian police arrest key opposition leaders amid heightened tensions

Police in Tanzania arrested several key opposition figures Sunday in the southern highlands city of Mbeya. Those arrested include former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu. Lissu, a leading figure in the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) party, was reportedly beaten severely by police before being taken to an undisclosed location, according to party officials. The arrests took place ahead of World Youth Day celebrations, which Chadema’s youth wing, Bavicha, had planned to mark with a public gathering. Authorities swiftly moved to prevent the event, citing concerns over potential unrest. The crackdown came at a time when President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been pursuing a reconciliation process with the opposition, raising questions about the sincerity of these efforts. Freeman Mbowe, Chadema’s chairman, condemned the arrests and the police’s actions. “We strongly condemn the police for arresting our top party leaders, including those from the Chadema Youth Council, Bavicha,” Mbowe said. He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained. Lissu, who survived a 2017 assassination attempt, has been a vocal critic of the government. His recent declaration to challenge President Samia in the 2025 elections has heightened tensions. Reports suggest that Lissu and Chadema’s Secretary General, John Mnyika, were separated from other detainees, with eyewitnesses claiming that Lissu was brutally beaten before being taken away. Human rights advocate Onesmo Ole Ngurumwa warned that the government’s actions threaten to undermine national unity and democratic reforms as the country approaches local elections in October. “What is happening in Mbeya is a bad sign that we could revert to the dark days. If political meetings are banned, young people might create social movements outside the party system, which are much harder to deal with,” he said.