Africa

A military coup in Mali to oust the country’s political leadership has raised prospects of spiraling instability that could result in an opportunity for jihadist groups.

Over the past two days, Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, has launched two suicide assaults across Somalia. The first targeted a popular hotel in Mogadishu, while the second hit a Somali military base outside of Baidoa.

The head of the eastern-based and Khalifa Hafter-aligned Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG), Naji Moghrabi, announced in a televised address yesterday that they are lifting the blockade on the export of oil and gas already produced and in storage.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said they were deeply saddened by the tragic death of at least 45 illegal immigrants and refugees on August 17 in what they had described as the largest recorded shipwreck off the Libyan coast this year.

Libyan Army Spokesman, Colonel Muhammad Gununu has cast into doubt the effectiveness of the new ceasefire announced in the country on Friday.

Chairman of Presidential Council, Fayez Sarraj, has given orders for the Libyan army forces under the Government of National Accord to implement an immediate ceasefire and end all hostilities in Libya.

A patrol of the Anti-Smuggling and Infiltration Unit of Zuwara has rescued 24 migrants off the coast of the city.

Volatile post-election politics continues to limit the government’s ability to address Tunisians grievances.

Niger’s government has extended a state of emergency to the entire region that surrounds the capital Niamey and suspended access to a giraffe reserve where six French aid workers and two Nigeriens were shot dead.