Chad war heats up again; Sudan supresses protests

Chad launched air-strikes against rebels supposedly backed by Sudan, while Sudanese security forces used tear gas to break up opposition protests in Khartoum.

Human Rights Watch charges massacres in eastern Congo

A new Human Rights Watch report documents in detail the deliberate killing of more than 1,400 civilians during Congolese army operations against a Rwandan Hutu militia this year.

Family of Gitmo detainee files lawsuit against Kenyan government

The family of Kenyan Guantánamo Bay detainee Mohamed Abdulmalik filed suit against the Kenyan government claiming he was illegally detained, tortured and renditioned to US authorities.

More than 65,000 Eritrean refugees languish in Sudan

Sudan hosts more than 66,000 Eritrean refugees, the first of whom arrived in 1968 during the war of independence against Ethiopia. They say they now fear persecution in Eritrea and refuse repatriation.

Global warming will increase war in Africa: study

Climate change could increase the likelihood of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50% within the next two decades, according to a new study by leading researchers.

ICC begins trial for Congolese nationals accused of war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague opened the trial of two Congolese militia leaders charged in the killings of more than 200 men, women, and children.

US charges eight in collaboration with Somali insurgents

The Justice Department unsealed indictments against eight defendants for recruiting and providing financial support to the Somali insurgent organization al-Shabaab.

Eritrea: rights report blasts torture state

A new report by the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights details “extensive and systematic” rights violations faced by thousands of political prisoners in Eritrea.

Record number of Africans reach Yemeni shores this year

The past 10 months have seen the highest number of Africans reaching Yemeni shores compared to figures for the same period in 2008 and 2007, when large numbers began travelling to Yemen by boat.

Somalia: more insurgent amputations

Shabab insurgents amputated a foot and a hand from each of two young men accused of robbery in the southern port of Kismayu. The militants compelled thousands of residents to watch.

Guinea: crackdown toll nears 160

The African Union and France are threatening sanctions after the Guinean army fired on protesters in the capital, Conakry, killing 157.

Great powers fight in Somalia?

The same day a US Special Forces helicopter raid reportedly killed a Shabab insurgent leader in Somalia, residents at the southern village of Erile reported a second chopper raid by French forces