Riots rock West Africa

Angry protests over an electoral dispute in Togo, with police using tear gas against opposition supporters, follow similar scenes two weeks earlier in Ivory Coast.

“Free trade” deepens African hunger: study

The push to privatize government functions and instate “free trade” policies has sparked a hunger crisis for millions of people in African nations, researchers conclude in a new study.

Somali pirates to aid Haitian earthquake victims?

An account from the pan-Latin American Matriz del Sur agency claims that Somalia’s pirates are seeking to send booty as aid to Haiti’s earthquake victims.

ICC orders pre-trial chamber to reconsider al-Bashir genocide charges

The International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber reversed a Pre-Trial Chamber decision that denied the application for genocide charges against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Nigeria: rights group urges ICC to investigate Jos violence

The Nigeria-based Socio-Economic Rights & Accountability Project called upon the International Criminal Court to open an inquiry into the deadly sectarian vioelnce in Jos.

Terror wave targets independent Somaliland

A wave of bombings in Somaliland raises fears that the Shabab insurgents in neighboring Somalia are trying to destabilize the de facto independent republic.

Thembuland announces secession from South Africa

King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of South Africa’s AbaThembu people announced that the tribal homeland—covering a vast area of the republic’s territory—has seceded.

Botswana Bushmen to bring land dispute to World Court

The First People of Kalahari announced that the San Bushmen will take their land dispute case against the Botswana government to the International Court of Justice.

Nigeria: town under curfew following sectarian violence

Nigerian authorities imposed a curfew in the north-central city of Jos after four days of fighting between Muslims and Christians killed at least 200 people.

Somalia: displaced people on the run again as fighting hits Beletweyne

Thousands of internally displaced in Somalia’s central town of Beletweyne are on the move again following 10 days of fighting between rival Islamist militias.

US prosecutors charge suspected Somali pirate with hijacking more ships

The US filed a new indictment against alleged Somali pirate Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse, claiming that he led the takeover of two additional ships. Muse pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nigeria: militants blow up Chevron pipeline —again

The Nigerian army confirmed that a Chevron pipeline had been sabotaged, leading to the shutdown of 20,000 barrels a day in the Niger Delta.