Holdout rebels, sidelined victims, and other hurdles to peace in Darfur

A peace agreement last year between armed groups and Sudan’s transitional government was heralded as a landmark moment, coming as the country charts a new course following the ouster amid mass protests of long-serving ruler Omar al-Bashir.

But in the western region of Darfur – one of several areas covered by the deal – resistance is coming from a major rebel group that refused to sign, as well as conflict-affected communities whose members complain that their voices have not been heard.

In Bid to Boost Its Profile, ISIS Turns to Africa’s Militants

Violence by Islamist extremists in Africa reached a record high last year. Now, the Islamic State is using those attacks to project an image of strength.

The Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate has fallen, its fighters have dispersed and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been killed.

In Petition To The Indian Supreme Court, Shi’ite Leader Waseem Rizvi Demands Removal Of 26 Verses From The Koran That Promote ‘Militancy, Fundamentalism, Extremism, And Terrorism’

Syed Waseem Rizvi, an Indian Shi’ite leader known for issuing provocative statements against the majority Sunni Muslim leadership to gain favor with the country’s Hindu rightwing, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India seeking the removal of 26 verses of the Koran on the grounds that the verses spread extremism among Indian Muslims.

Senegal to open consulate in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara

Senegal will open a consulate in Western Sahara on Monday, joining other African and Arab countries in supporting Morocco’s claim to the disputed territory, two official sources said.

The consulate will be opened by the Moroccan and Senegalese foreign ministers in the Atlantic city of Dakhla, making Senegal the 22nd nation to establish a diplomatic mission in the territory, the sources said.

European leader urges foreign fighters to leave Libya

The European Union on Sunday called for the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, describing it as a “precondition” for a return to stability in the war-torn country.

At a news conference in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, EU Council President Charles Michel described the appointment of a transitional government earlier this year as a “historic moment.” The government is meant to shepherd the country through until general elections on Dec. 24.

France’s Total pulls all staff from Mozambique gas site amid clashes – sources

French energy major Total has withdrawn all its staff from its Afungi natural gas site in northern Mozambique, two sources said on Friday, as clashes between Islamic State-linked fighters and the military rage nearby.

The company, which last week called off the planned resumption of construction at the $20 billion development due to the violence, declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan resume talks on big dam amid tensions

A new round of talks between three African nations began Saturday, officials said, aimed at resolving a yearslong dispute over a giant dam Ethiopia is building on the Nile River’s main tributary.

The three-day talks are taking place in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the current chair of the African Union. The AU is mediating the negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Après l’attaque djihadiste au Mozambique, le site gazier de Total complètement à l’arrêt

Le 24 mars, un raid revendiqué par l’organisation Etat islamique a fait plusieurs dizaines de morts dans la ville de Palma, à quelques kilomètres des installations du groupe français.

Le groupe français Total a évacué tout le personnel de son site gazier dans le nord-est du Mozambique, neuf jours après l’attaque djihadiste dans la commune de Palma, et le projet de plusieurs milliards d’euros était, vendredi 2 avril, complètement à l’arrêt.