The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have turned their backs on traditional Western allies in favor of Russia.
West African nations write to UN over Ukraine’s Sahel role Read More »
About 79,000 people have been displaced in southern Ethiopia after heavy rains led to the overflow of the region’s Omo River across 34 districts, local media reported on Tuesday. Ato Tadele Hate, a local chief, told Sheger Radio that consecutive days of downpour wreaked havoc on agricultural fields and livestock, calling on the federal government and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent assistance. “This devastation is becoming a recurring issue,” lamented Hate. “The heavy rains last year caused similar problems, and now the current flooding has hit areas where people had already been relocated due to last year’s floods.” He also stressed the need for immediate measures to divert the Omo River and prevent future overflows. Hate expressed concern for the city of Omorate, which is located on the bank of the Omo River and faces high risk of being severely impacted by the flooding. “Unless urgent action is taken, we fear that Omorate, home to thousands, might be completely wiped out by the floods,” he warned. Southern Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable in the rainy season to frequent and severe landslides and flooding. Tilahun Bishaw, the local head of the Ethiopian Red Cross Association, indicated that the rains are expected to continue and the situation to worsen unless immediate action is taken.
79,000 displaced as Omo river overflows in southern Ethiopia Read More »
It was reported that four soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, Nigeria. In a written statement, Edward Buba, Director of Media Operations at the Nigerian Ministry of Defense, stated that terrorists ambushed a military unit near the Niger border, close to the Bachaka Kurya Forest in Sokoto State. Buba noted that four soldiers lost their lives in the attack. Following the assault, Buba reported that a significant number of terrorists were killed in the ensuing clash with the soldiers. “Important ammunition belonging to the terrorists was seized. The remaining terrorists fled to Niger,” he added.
Four soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Nigeria Read More »
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger petitioned the president of the UN Security Council on Tuesday to denounce the Ukrainian government’s “open and assumed support for international terrorism” particularly in Africa’s Sahel region. The move follows recent comments by Ukrainian officials suggesting that Kyiv had played a role in attacks by Tuareg separatist rebels that caused the deaths of many Malian soldiers last month in the northeastern village of Tinzawaten on the border with Algeria. In a joint letter, the three countries’ foreign ministers said their governments were shocked by the comments of Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, “admitting Ukraine’s role in the cowardly, barbaric and criminal attacks” between July 24 and 26. It added that the remarks were confirmed by Yurii Pyvovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal. Yusov said the rebels received “the necessary information they needed” to conduct the attacks after Malian army allies of Russia’s Wagner Group confirmed “losses” in the clashes. The letter called on the Security Council to “take appropriate measures against these subversive actions which strengthen terrorist groups in Africa.” It said the official’s comments go beyond the scope of foreign interference, which is condemnable itself. “This is official and unequivocal support by the Ukrainian government for terrorism in Africa, particularly in the Sahel. These acts also constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our States, a clear aggression and support for international terrorism, in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant international conventions,” the letter says in part. The three countries, ruled by military juntas, have signed a defense pact under their formation called the Confederation of Sahel States. The Tinzawaten area has been a battleground between separatist forces and the Malian army over the past decade. Mali and Niger earlier this month severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, citing comments by the Ukrainian military official suggesting that Kyiv played a role in the July attacks.
Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger accuse Ukraine of supporting terrorism in Sahel Read More »
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is working to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the regional bloc. According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), the ECOWAS Parliamentary Joint Committee Meeting was held in Abidjan, the former capital of Côte d’Ivoire. Benjamin Kalu, Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives and chair of the meeting, stated that the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS would exacerbate security issues in the region. Kalu noted that ECOWAS Parliament is using diplomacy to resolve the issues with these three countries, saying, “We will keep the doors open for them to return to this family. We need them.” He also mentioned that committee members from the ECOWAS Parliament will soon visit Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s Departure Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in February, forming the Sahel States Alliance (AES) and held their first summit in Niamey, Niger, on July 6. At the summit, a joint declaration was signed to establish the “Confederation of Sahel States” consisting of the three countries, and Malian President Assimi Goita was elected as the rotating president of AES for one year.
ECOWAS seeks return of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to regional bloc Read More »
The attacks targeted multiple villages near the Burkina Faso border, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Terrorists attack Niger, killing 15 civilians Read More »
On Tuesday, the African Union’s health authority declared a public health emergency in response to a rising outbreak of mpox, which has been increasing since July. In an online briefing, Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), emphasized the need for urgent and robust measures to combat the outbreak. As of August 4, the Africa CDC reported 38,465 mpox cases and 1,456 deaths across the continent since January 2022. The outbreak has affected multiple African nations, with significant impacts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and cases have now been confirmed in nearly all East and Central African countries. Mpox is transmitted through close contact and can cause rashes, flu-like symptoms, and pus-filled lesions. While most cases are mild, there have been confirmed fatalities. Additionally, the World Health Organization will convene its emergency committee on Wednesday to consider whether to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Africa CDC declares mpox a public health emergency Read More »
Communities around the world observed World Elephant Day on Monday, focusing on raising awareness about protecting elephants from various threats. At the Adventures with Elephants reserve in Bela Bela, South Africa, the annual event featured a herd of rescued elephants grazing and cooling off by the water in the heat. Managing Director Sean Hensman highlighted the significant pressures on elephant habitats, noting, “It’s a day to celebrate elephants and consider their broader conservation needs. Elephants face immense pressure due to shrinking land as human populations surge. Africa’s population is expected to reach 3 to 4 billion by 2050, reducing land available for elephants.” Elephant handler David Mupupu pointed out the drastic decline in African elephant numbers since 1920, from 4 million to just 400,000 today, representing a 90 percent decrease. “We must take care of our elephants,” he emphasized. The World Elephant Day Society reports that both African and Asian elephants are increasingly endangered by poaching and habitat destruction. The organization plans to work with conservation groups to develop effective policies to combat poaching and protect elephant habitats. World Elephant Day, established in 2012, is observed annually on August 12.
World elephant day highlights urgent need for conservation ffforts Read More »
The death toll in Nigeria from Lassa fever, a deadly hemorrhagic disease, rose to 163 on Thursday. According to a statement from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Lassa fever outbreak continues to spread across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Nigerian government previously announced that three medications have been identified for treating the disease. During the dry season, which typically runs from November to May, Lassa fever cases tend to increase. In 2023, a total of 1,227 cases of Lassa fever were detected and 219 people lost their lives. Lassa fever, which is also found in several other African countries like Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, was first detected in Nigeria in northeastern Borno state in 1969. On Jan. 23, 2019, the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency due to a Lassa fever outbreak. The disease is transmitted through contact with rat feces, can spread from person to person, and can cause fatal hemorrhagic fever. Authorities are warning the public to avoid contact with rats and other rodents.
Death toll in Nigeria from Lassa fever rises to 163 Read More »
In a televised address, junta spokesperson Abdourahamane Amadou stated that Niger’s decision was made in solidarity with Mali’s government and people
Niger cuts ties with Ukraine over Mali-Wagner attack comments Read More »
