Connect with us

Politics

Militants in Mali sustain attacks on counter-terror forces

After its Friday suicide attack on the Mali headquarters of a regional Sahel force known as G5, militants in Mali on Sunday rammed a bomb-laden car into a patrol convoy carrying soldiers belonging to the French counter-terror force Barkhane in the northern Malian city of Gao, killing at least two civilians, officials said

Published

on

After its Friday suicide attack on the Mali headquarters of a regional Sahel force known as G5, militants in Mali on Sunday rammed a bomb-laden car into a patrol convoy carrying soldiers belonging to the French counter-terror force Barkhane in the northern Malian city of Gao, killing at least two civilians, officials said.

The Friday attack killed two soldiers and a civilian.

The Malian defence ministry said at least two civilians were killed in the attack near the northern exit of the city.

About a dozen people, including both civilians and soldiers, were wounded, the ministry added.

The ministry had initially said that French soldiers were among the dead, but they later revised that statement. A French army spokesman confirmed that a patrol of around 30 soldiers had come under attack in Gao on Sunday and that there were a number of civilians killed, but would not immediately give more details.

“There are several injured among the French soldiers who were travelling in two vehicles and which were completely destroyed in the explosion. Their base has been evacuated.”

France began a military intervention in Mali in January 2013 to drive out al Qaeda-linked militants who hijacked a rebellion in 2012 by ethnic Tuaregs and attempted to take control of the central government in Bamako.

Politics

‘Big Brother’ Uganda to mediate between Somalia and Somaliland

Published

on

Uganda has revealed plans to play mediating role between its neighbour, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland following the over three decade split between the countries.

According to a statement from the Ugandan government, President Yoweri Museveni decided to accept the position during a visit by Jama Musse Jama, a special representative from Somaliland, on Friday.

“President Museveni agreed to be the unification facilitator between Somaliland and Somalia,” it said.

Somalia and Somaliland are both inhabited basically by Somalis— with small Oromo minorities in both, and a large Swahili minority in the latter, as well as shared dominant religion and social values.

“We don’t support secession because strategically, it is wrong,” Museveni was quoted in the statement as telling the envoy.

Although Somaliland split apart from Somalia in 1991, its independence has not been widely acknowledged internationally. While Somalia has been embroiled in civil war, it has largely been quiet.

Reunification could improve the Horn of Africa nation’s ability to confront problems, such as an uprising by Islamist group, Al Shabaab.

Continue Reading

Politics

Kenya’s Ruto wants global support for Haiti

Published

on

Kenya’s President William Ruto wants the United Nations Security Council to officially support the mission to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti.

Kenya, an East African powerhouse, is active in Haiti, and recently announced it was ready to be part of a multinational force. It committed to deploy 1,000 police officers to the country and  “accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti.”

Ruto, during his address, insisted that the Caribbean country “deserves better from the world.” “Kenya is ready to play its part in full, and join with a coalition of other nations of goodwill – and there are many— as a great friend and true sibling of Haiti,” Ruto said while addressing world leaders.

Haiti begged for assistance last year to fight off vicious gangs that had largely taken over the city of Port-au-Prince.

According to diplomats, the council might vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing the deployment of international police as early as next week.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, which left in 2019.

Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January and countries across the world have been cautious about supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry who has argued that fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity.

Violent crimes, including kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies, and carjacking are prevalent in the country.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Politics4 hours ago

‘Big Brother’ Uganda to mediate between Somalia and Somaliland

Uganda has revealed plans to play mediating role between its neighbour, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland following the...

VenturesNow5 hours ago

Nigeria’s intra-Africa trade increased by 40.8% to N1.84 trillion

Nigeria’s trade with the rest of Africa increased from N1.306 trillion in 2022 to N1.839 trillion in the first half...

Metro6 hours ago

Nigerian labour union mobilises state chapters for ‘total strike’ that will shut down nation

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it has mobilised all state chapters and affiliate unions of the...

VenturesNow16 hours ago

Somalia to secure debt relief by December— IMF

Multilateral lender, International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that Somalia is on the verge of securing full debt relief from...

Sports1 day ago

Nigerian couple makes history with Paralympic qualifications

Nigerian para-table tennis players, Kayode Alabi and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, have made history by becoming the first African couple to qualify...

Video1 day ago

Video: UN environment chief, Munang wants climate capacity investment for African youths

In the video, the Deputy Regional Director of the African office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Richard Munang,...

Metro1 day ago

Sudan War: Gen. Al-Burhan says he’s ready for peace talks

Sudan’s Army Chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan says he is now open for peace talks that could bring the war...

Tech1 day ago

African Development Bank partners Google to transform Africa’s digital space

The African Development Bank (ADB) has teamed up with Google with the aim of advancing digital transformation in Africa. The...

Culture1 day ago

US rappers, Meek Mill, Lil Durk pay tribute to late Nigerian Afropop star, MohBad

American rappers, Meek Mill and Lil Durk have joined the hordes of celebrities worldwide who have paid tributes to late...

Strictly Personal1 day ago

As African leaders give excuses, peers reach for the skies, By Tee Ngugi

Many Africans might have missed an event that should have been at the centre of the news. On August 23,...

Trending