West Africa – Page 6 – CounterVortex

The Andes

Bolivia’s African king speaks for coca growers

The "King of the Afro-Bolivians," Julio I, is said to be South America's last reigning monarch, although he lives as a peasant cocalero in the Yungas region on the Andean slopes north of La Paz. The descendants of slaves brought in by the Spanish to work haciendas and silver mines, the Afro-Bolivians today have constitutionally protected autonomy. They have joined with their indigenous Aymara neighbors to demand greater rights for the coca-producing high jungle zone. Julio, of Kikongo royal blood, was crowned in a ceremony recognized by the Bolivian state in 2007. Last month marked 10 years of his official reign. (Photo: Casa Real Afroboliviana)

North Africa

Libya: Black African migrants face ‘slave markets’

The International Organization for Migration reports that its staff have documented "slave markets" on North African migrant routes, preying on young African men bound for Libya.

North Africa

Mass round-up of migrants in Algeria

Some 1,400 African migrants—including whole families and asylum-seekers—were rounded up by riot police in a series of raids in Algiers, and apparently face summary deportation.

Africa

AQIM claims Ivory Coast terror attack

Gunmen from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack on a beach resort in Ivory Coast that killed 14 civilians and two soldiers.

Africa

AQIM claims Burkina Faso attack

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb issued a statement saying the Ouagadougou attack was carried out by "mujahideen brothers" of its West African franchise, al-Mourabitoun.

Africa

Burkina Faso: counter-revolution collapses

Burkina Faso's interim President Michel Kafando was formally reinstated after coup leaders capitulated in the face of popular pressure and mediation by regional leaders.

Africa

Counter-revolution in Burkina Faso

The democratic transition begun by last year's popular revolution was aborted by a military coup d'etat in Burkina Faso, sparking street protests in which three have been killed.

Africa

Ivory Coast fights Ansar Dine along Mali border

Ivory Coast sent troops into Mali after Islamist militia Ansar Dine staged a series of raids along the border between the two countries, briefly seizing several towns.

North America

Gullah nation hit hard by Charleston massacre

Some of those slain at Charleston's Mother Emanuel church were members of the Gullah people, a "nation within a nation" that preserves West African cultural traditions.

Africa

Burkina Faso: regime to identify Sankara remains

In a bid to win popular support, the interim regime in Burkina Faso has pledged a new investigation to verify the burial place of slain revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara.

North Africa

Mali: French pursue jihadis; talks open with MNLA

France expands military operations across the Sahel to chase down jihadist insurgents, as Mali opens peace talks with Tuareg separatists that have seized much of the country.

Southeast Asia

Chinese mining interests take hit in Philippines

The Philippines high court issued a "temporary environment protection order" against 94 Chinese-owned "small-scale mines" operating on the margins of the law in Luzon region.