North Africa

Playing the ‘slavery card’ against Tuaregs

Specious charges that the Tuareg still practice slavery are being used by Mali’s regime—and echoed by the Western media—to justify the mounting wave of ethnic attacks.

North Africa

AQIM manifesto found in northern Mali: report

A document found in a demolished building in Timbuktu purports to reveal plans by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb to establish "command and control" over northern Mali.

North Africa

Mali: French beat back MUJAO in Gao

Tension remains high in Gao after a pitched battle over the weekend as French troops beat back an attempt by MUJAO fighters to retake the remote northern Malian city.

Africa

Senegal opens court to try former Chad dictator

Senegal’s new Extraordinary African Chambers officially opened to try Chad’s ex-dictator Hissene Habre, accused of thousands of political killings during his eight-year rule.

North Africa

Mali: French fight Tuaregs in Kidal?

With French forces carrying out air-strikes in preparation for an advance on Kidal, it remains unclear if the remote town is under the control of jihadists or Tuareg separatists.

North Africa

Jubilation in Timbuktu —and ethnic cleansing

Amid music and celebration in northern Mali since a French-led advance swept the jihadists from power, come growing reports of Tuareg and Arab residents forced to flee in reprisals.

North Africa

US drone base for Niger: report

The US military is preparing to establish a drone base in Niger along the eastern border of Mali, where French forces are currently waging a campaign against jihadist rebels.

North Africa

ICC prosecutor warns Mali on rights abuses

International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda warned the Malian government over reports of human rights abuses by Malian forces in the drive to re-take the north.

North Africa

Mali: US airlifts French forces

In a mission slated to last two weeks, US Air Force C-17 transport planes are ferrying troops and material from France to Mali for the offensive against jihadist rebels.