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Kenyan recruiter charged after luring Kenyans to fight in Ukraine for Russia
1 day ago•Source: BBC
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Risks of Renewed War in Ethiopia's Tigray Looms as Peace Unravels
Fears of a renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia are prompting displacement from Tigray, where residents face shortages and rising prices as the Pretoria peace deal frays amid rising tensions with Eritrea and Amhara ahead of June elections, threatening broader regional stability if fighting resumes.
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Sudan condemns Uganda's hosting of RSF chief, calling it a grave breach of humanity
Sudan condemned Uganda for hosting RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and meeting with President Museveni, saying the move violates international law and is an affront to humanity, as the RSF and the Sudanese army wage a brutal conflict with atrocities and genocide accusations, while regional mediation continues.
Gabon Clamps Down on Social Media Over 'False Information' Fears
Gabon’s media regulator suspended social media until further notice, citing spread of false information, cyberbullying and personal-data leaks; platforms were not named, though WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok are widely used. The move comes amid post-coup unrest and civil-service strikes, with officials saying the ban aims to prevent social conflict and protect national security, while reaffirming freedom of expression as a right.
Ethiopia revokes Reuters journalists' accreditation ahead of AU summit
The Ethiopian Media Authority declined to renew accreditation for three Reuters journalists in Addis Ababa and revoked Reuters' accreditation to cover the 39th African Union summit, following a Reuters investigation about a secret camp in Sudan; Reuters says it will continue reporting on Ethiopia in line with its Trust Principles.
Dawn motorcycle raids leave dozens dead in northwestern Nigeria villages
Armed bandits on motorcycles raided three villages in northwestern Nigeria, killing dozens, burning homes and abducting residents; tolls reported between about 32 and 46 across the villages of Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso and Pissa, highlighting ongoing insecurity linked to bandit and jihadist activity in the region.
Gunfire near Conakry's central prison triggers security lockdown
Heavy gunfire near Conakry’s central prison prompted police and special forces to deploy, with armored vehicles and roadblocks around the Kaloum district. The exchange lasted about 30 minutes, authorities offered no immediate confirmation of motives or suspects, and access to the area was later reopened. The prison has a history of violence, including a 2023 jailbreak that left several dead.
West Africa jihadists weaponize cheap drones in widening campaign
Jihadist groups in West Africa are increasingly using commercially available drones for reconnaissance and attacks. Acled reports about 69 drone strikes by the al-Qaeda–aligned Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in Mali and Burkina Faso since 2023, with roughly 20 by Islamic State affiliates (ISWAP and ISSP) across Nigeria and neighbouring countries. The latest attack on Jan 29 targeted a Nigerian military base in Borno, and ISSP also attacked Niger's Niamey airport, signaling a broader trend: drones lower costs and risk for militants and enable high‑impact operations. Experts call for preemptive strikes against drone sites and stronger counter-drone defenses to curb this escalation.
Ethiopia presses Eritrea to pull back troops amid border tensions
Ethiopia has demanded Eritrea withdraw troops it says are inside Ethiopian territory, accusing Asmara of outright aggression and of conducting joint maneuvers with rebel groups on Ethiopia’s frontiers. Addis Ababa linked the standoff to talks over access to the sea via the port of Assab and warned that a troop withdrawal could pave the way for negotiations, noting a long history of border clashes and recent shifts during the Tigray conflict. Eritrea has denied crossing the border, as tensions remain high.
Tigray on the Brink: Ethiopia Faces Renewed War Risk
Fears of renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region grow as cash shortages, empty shelves, and soaring prices return; after the 2020–2022 war that killed hundreds of thousands, experts warn the conflict could spill over and destabilize the Horn of Africa.
MSF hospital strike in Jonglei leaves staff missing as fighting intensifies in South Sudan
MSF says a hospital in Jonglei state was hit by government air strikes, leaving staff missing and destroying the main warehouse; a separate MSF facility in Pieri was looted the same day. MSF evacuated patients beforehand and reported one staff member injured. The violence reflects a renewed flare-up between government forces and Machar-aligned forces, with humanitarian access restricted in opposition-held areas and MSF warning that attacks could leave about 250,000 people in Lankien and Pieri without healthcare.
Kenyan Family Seeks Answers After Relative Killed in Ukraine While Fighting for Russia
A Kenyan family pleads for help repatriating the body of 29-year-old Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, who was recruited from Qatar to fight for Russia and was killed in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine; with no official confirmation of his death and limited communication from Kenyan or Russian authorities, rights groups warn of ongoing African recruitment to Russia as Ukraine cautions foreign nationals about joining or traveling to Russia.