Libreville, Gabon | AFP | The Cameroonian army on Friday denied its troops were responsible for alleged atrocities against separatists in English-speaking regions after unverified footage apparently involving soldiers was posted online. “These accusations of atrocities are dreamt up. We are victims of disinformation and fake news,” army spokesman Colonel Didier …
Read More »Burundi compiles new electoral roll despite protest
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | The inscription of voters for a constitutional referendum that could allow Burundi’s president to prolong his rule began Thursday in Burundi, the independent national electoral commission (CENI) announced. If accepted by the electorate, the constitutional change passed by the government last October would enable President …
Read More »At least 50 arrested over Guinea post-electoral violence
Conakry, Guinea | AFP | Police have arrested at least 50 people following an arson attack that killed five children in central Guinea after last weekend’s local elections, local official said Thursday. Unrest has flared in the West African country after the ballot, with seven deaths recorded so far across …
Read More »Mozambique plans constitution changes to bolster peace
Maputo, Mozambique | AFP | Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi vowed Wednesday to introduce constitutional changes to decentralise power as part of peace efforts between his Frelimo party and the opposition Renamo group. Renamo rebels fought a 16-year war against the ruling Frelimo party until 1992, and unrest again boiled over …
Read More »Guinea appeals for calm after 7 killed in post-electoral violence
Conakry, Guinea | AFP | A Guinean minister and the international community appealed for calm on Wednesday after seven people were killed, including five young children, in violence linked to fraud allegations that marred local elections at the weekend. Sunday’s vote was the first of its kind since the end …
Read More »UN urges fair trial for anti-Kabila army rebel
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) on Wednesday urged a fair trial for an army officer who deserted and is accused of rebellion. “We are calling for the holding of a fair trial for Mr (John) Tshibangu,” Monusco spokeswoman Florence …
Read More »HRW urges review of Moroccan activist’s jail sentence
Tunis, Tunisia | AFP | Human Rights Watch called on Morocco Tuesday to urgently reexamine the sentencing of an activist to five years in prison based on a confession that it said may have been coerced. El Mortada Iamrachen, a 31-year-old member of a protest movement in Morocco’s neglected northern …
Read More »Militia chief turns himself in to Kasai authorities in DR Congo
Kananga, DR Congo | AFP | A militia chief accused of waging a weeks-long terror campaign in DR Congo’s Kasai region has surrendered to the authorities, a local official said Tuesday. “Chief Kalamba Dilondo came to Kakenge of his own accord (on Monday),” Jacopo Pembe Longo, administrator of Mweka territory …
Read More »12 patients stabbed in their hospital beds in DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | Unidentified assailants stabbed 12 patients in their hospital beds in the restive DR Congo city of Goma, with fears it was the work of Ugandan Islamist rebels, officials said on Tuesday. Three of the victims were seriously hurt in the knife rampage overnight Sunday-Monday …
Read More »Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon despite ‘defeated’ claims
Maiduguri, Nigeria | AFP | Boko Haram fighters stormed a village in northeast Nigeria and murdered two civilians, while six people were killed in an attack in northern Cameroon, a local resident and security sources told AFP on Monday. The attacks came as Nigeria’s military again maintained the jihadists had …
Read More »