Africa

UN warns of renewed Darfur conflict

The UN human rights expert for Sudan warned that fighting between government forces and rebels in Darfur has left tens of thousands displaced over the past two weeks.

Africa

South Africa to leave ICC: reports

A South African deputy minister said that the nation will leave the International Criminal Court, opining that it has "lost its direction" in singling out Africans for prosecution. 

Syria

US drops Cuba from terrorism list

The US government formally removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as a step toward restoring full diplomatic relations. Cuba had been listed since 1982.

Africa

Sudan: mass rape by army in Darfur

Sudanese army forces raped more than 200 women and girls in an organized attack on the north Darfur town of Tabit in October, Human Rights Watch charges.

Africa

China sends combat troops to South Sudan

A 700-strong Chinese battalion is headed for South Sudan as part of a UN "peacekeeping" mission—but the deployment follows China's massive investment in the country's oil sector.

Watching the Shadows

Ex-Gitmo detainee conviction overturned

The convening authority for the Office of Military Commissions overturned the conviction of ex-Gitmo detainee Noor Uthman Muhammed, who has been repatriated to Sudan.

Planet Watch

UN: world refugees break record

War across large swaths of the Middle East and Africa in the first six months of 2014 forcibly displaced some 5.5 million people, signalling yet another record, the UN reports.

Africa

ICC halts Darfur probe; Bashir threatens rebels

The International Criminal Court suspended its Darfur investigation, citing UN inaction in the case, as President Omar al-Bashir accused rebel leaders of being foreign "agents."

North Africa

Sudan arming Libyan Dawn rebels?

The Libyan government—now exiled to the eastern city of Tobruk—formally accused Sudan of smuggling weapons to the Islamist-led rebel alliance that controls Tripoli.