Region

North Africa and the Sahel

Stories under this heading cover North Africa and the Sahel. North Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. It stretches from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania to Egypt's Suez Canal and the Red Sea. The Sahel spans from the eastern shores of the African continent, starting from Sudan and continuing up to the Atlantic shores of Mauritania and Senegal.

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ICC reports on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur

ICC reports on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reported strong evidence of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan’s Darfur region. On Thursday (10 July), the ICC’s deputy prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, told the U.N. Security Council that current reports describe famine, attacks on hospitals and aid convoys, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and the forced recruitment of children to fight as soldiers. Khan also argued that 'abductions for ransom had become common practice'.

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ICC reports on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur

ICC reports on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reported strong evidence of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan’s Darfur region. On Thursday (10 July), the ICC’s deputy prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, told the U.N. Security Council that current reports describe famine, attacks on hospitals and aid convoys, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and the forced recruitment of children to fight as soldiers. Khan also argued that 'abductions for ransom had become common practice'.
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The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration was expelled from eastern Libya immediately upon arrival

The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration was expelled from eastern Libya immediately upon arrival

On Tuesday (8 July), Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, was expelled from the country by the internationally unrecognised government of eastern Libya, along with three European ministers. The delegation had hoped to reach an agreement with the government of army leader Khalifa Haftar to stop migrants leaving the country.
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Russia expanding military footprint in Africa while skirting sanctions

Russia expanding military footprint in Africa while skirting sanctions

Russia is expanding its military footprint in Africa, delivering sophisticated weaponry to sub-Saharan conflict zones where a Kremlin-controlled armed force is on the rise. Skirting sanctions imposed by Western nations, Moscow is using cargo ships to send tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery and other high-value equipment to West Africa, according to the Associated Press.
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Is the Sahel Europe’s soft underbelly?

Is the Sahel Europe’s soft underbelly?

The Sahel region stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and consists, according to the UN, of ten countries which sit, wholly or partly, within it: Senegal,  Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria Other neighbouring countries however, such as Benin, Togo Sudan and Central African Republic, due to their proximity, and to the fact that they increasingly share the same problems, are often included when the Sahel is discussed.
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Mali suspends artisanal gold mining permits for foreign companies after series of accidents

Mali suspends artisanal gold mining permits for foreign companies after series of accidents

Mali said it was suspending licenses for foreign artisanal gold mining companies after a series of fatal accidents in the West African country, one of Africa’s top three gold producers. Gen. Assimi Goita, president of Mali’s transitional government, ordered “the suspension of artisanal mining permits granted to foreigners,” according to a statement issued following a Council of Ministers meeting which was read out on the national television station ORTM.
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EU backs North Africa hydrogen pipeline

EU backs North Africa hydrogen pipeline

Algeria, Tunisia, Austria, Germany and Italy have agreed to construct a hydrogen pipeline to bring clean fuel generated with renewable energy in North Africa to the European Union, in a move hailed as one of the bloc’s “most important renewable energy projects”. But analysis of Algeria and Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategies reveals that neither country is likely to be in a position to export the fuel in any meaningful quantity when the pipeline is due to start operating in 2030.