The United Nations says weapons looted during Libya’s 2011 conflict are now stoking violence across West Africa, turning up in the arsenals of extremist groups in Nigeria and throughout the Sahel. Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, told delegates at the UN headquarters in New York that the illicit arms trade fueled by that looting is amplifying insecurity in the region. Speaking on the proliferation of illicit arms, Nakamitsu warned that weapons diverted or…

Mali's military junta has announced a significant $3.5 million bounty for information that could lead to the capture or killing of Iyad Ag Ghaly, the leader of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). This move follows a substantial offensive initiated in April in collaboration with Tuareg rebels. The recent assaults mark the most extensive campaign against the Malian government in over a decade, resulting in numerous fatalities, including that of Defence Minister Sadio Camara. Ghaly, a former…

In response to alarming reports of armed bandits allegedly attacking various communities with a specific focus on school children, police in Lagos are taking decisive steps to reassure the public. A recent police statement highlighted the serious repercussions of circulating false security alerts, which have already resulted in a “tragic and avoidable loss of life” following an incident where a group of youths killed a motorcycle rider. The police emphasized their commitment to accountability, declaring, “Individuals found…

In a significant leadership shift, President Adama Barrow has named Major General Ousman Gomez as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces. This decision comes on the heels of Lieutenant General Mamat O. A. Cham's resignation, which was surrounded by serious allegations of misconduct. In his resignation letter, Cham cited his departure was prompted by "numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse of office inconsistent with the Office of Chief of Defence Staff." Prior to his new role, Gomez held the…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopians headed to the polls Monday for a general election unfolding under the shadow of armed conflict, political friction and the absence of entire regions from the ballot, deepening questions about how representative the vote can be in Africa’s second-most populous country. It is Ethiopia’s seventh election since the military regime was ousted in 1991, but the contest comes at a moment of renewed unrest across parts of the country. Millions of people are unable to vote, including residents of the…

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is bracing for what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls a "catastrophic collision of disease and conflict," as a rapidly advancing Ebola outbreak outstrips efforts to contain it in a region already scarred by armed groups, displacement and severe hunger. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Ituri province is unfolding in conditions that undermine basic public health measures, with insecurity, assaults on clinics and…

In a troubling revelation, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported that around 30,000 armed Fulani militants are currently active in Nigeria, exacerbating issues of insecurity and threatening religious freedoms throughout the nation. The USCIRF's latest report, titled "Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants," characterizes these armed groups as among the most lethal non-state actors engaging in violent activities, particularly in the Middle Belt and…

The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm over a rapidly deteriorating Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, warning that relentless violence and a deepening humanitarian emergency are undermining efforts to contain the virus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the epicenter lies in Ituri Province, a conflict-hit area where nearly five million people live amid persistent insecurity and a severe humanitarian crisis. Ongoing attacks are forcing civilians to flee alongside health…

The Oyo State Police have categorically refuted claims of a successful rescue of the victims, emphasizing the need for community tranquility as they intensify their pursuit of the kidnappers. This alarming incident, involving the mass abduction of students and teachers, unfolded on May 15 when armed assailants stormed several educational institutions. Authorities caution that the circulation of misinformation exacerbates anxiety and misallocates vital security resources that are essential for ongoing rescue efforts.

Supporters of President Joseph Boakai are heralding a proposed piece of legislation as a landmark move toward accountability in post-conflict Liberia. This crucial initiative, which includes the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, aims to tackle the grave injustices faced during Liberia's tumultuous period of political instability and armed conflict from 1979 to 2003. In addition to addressing wartime offenses, the legislation outlines the creation of a dedicated national anti-corruption court that will focus…