Inside Nigeria’s centres for jihadists and their captives

On an arid plot of land in northern Nigeria, veiled women hurry past vegetable stalls and men idle outside endless rows of tarpaulin tents in what, at first glance, appears to be a typical camp for displaced people.

In reality, Hajj Camp in Borno State is a centre for processing tens of thousands of jihadists, their families and those who lived under their control. In exchange for freedom, the government persuaded them to turn themselves in — a move aimed at ending an insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) group that has killed thousands and displaced over two million since 2009.

Sudan Fears ‘Ghost of Civil War’ as Explosions Rock Capital

The civilian death toll is climbing and concern over a broader conflict is growing as rival generals vie for control of Africa’s third-largest country.

Sudan’s nightmare scenario is coming to pass.

Fighter jets screamed over Khartoum, the capital, on Sunday, firing rockets into a city of millions. Artillery barrages slammed into the military headquarters, reducing it to a tower of flames. Civilian planes were bombed at the city’s airport, where terrified passengers cowered on the terminal floors.

Russian mercenaries in Sudan: What is the Wagner Group’s role?

The Russian mercenary group has been accused of plundering Sudan’s gold resources to bankroll operations in Ukraine.

After battles have broken out in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), questions have arisen over the involvement of the Wagner Group, a powerful Russian mercenary organisation that has been active in Sudan for years.

What is happening in Sudan? A simple guide

Here is a look at the power struggle and violence that are taking place in the country.

Fighting has erupted in Khartoum and other cities in Sudan as powerful rival military factions battle for control, increasing the risk of a nationwide civil war.

Private armies wreak havoc

Mercenaries thrive while democracy dies…

Last week, Russia claimed to have taken control of the city of Bakhmut after an eight-month battle with Ukrainian forces – the longest and bloodiest fight of the war so far. The assault was not carried out by the Russian armed forces, however, but by a private army that has been fighting alongside regular Russian troops since the invasion: the infamous Wagner Group.