The Ethiopian government said Wednesday that major cities in the Amhara region had been “freed” after days of fighting between army troops and militia fighters.There has been no official toll from the unrest, but hospital doctors in two of the affected cities told AFP that many civilians had been killed or injured.Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s …

Ethiopia says Amhara cities ‘freed’ after days of fightingWed, 09 Aug 2023 17:36:13 GMT Read More »

Kenya’s government and the opposition launched fresh talks Wednesday aimed at resolving a bitter political feud following a spate of violent protests over the high cost of living and calls for electoral reforms.But even as the formal dialogue kicked off in Nairobi, both sides insisted there would no form of power-sharing to resolve the crisis in …

Kenya political rivals launch fresh talks after protestsWed, 09 Aug 2023 14:14:43 GMT Read More »

West African nations and the United States gave priority to diplomacy to end the crisis in coup-stricken Niger ahead of a regional summit on Thursday to consider options that include military intervention.The summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) takes place under the chairmanship of Nigeria, the regional superpower and advocate of …

Diplomacy centre-stage on eve of W.Africa summit on NigerWed, 09 Aug 2023 13:30:48 GMT Read More »

Ethiopian troops appeared to be pushing back militia fighters in two cities in the conflict-hit Amhara region, residents said Wednesday, after local authorities reported that “relative peace” was being restored.There has been no official casualty toll from the Amhara violence, but two hospital doctors told AFP that a number of civilians have died and many …

Ethiopia troops push back Amhara fighters: residentsWed, 09 Aug 2023 12:19:50 GMT Read More »

Two weeks after the coup in Niger, France has abandoned its tough tone on the crisis and is now inclining towards diplomatic solutions, with military action seemingly ruled out for now, experts said.West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS had given coup leaders a deadline of last Sunday to reinstate elected president Mohamed Bazoum, or face potential …

France softens tone on Niger coupWed, 09 Aug 2023 10:52:57 GMT Read More »

West African bloc ECOWAS, which meets Thursday after threatening to intervene in the Niger crisis, has become a key player in the management of regional conflicts.First set up in 1975 to promote economic development among its 15 members, it has since stepped in in conflicts from Sierra Leone to Mali.- 15 members -ECOWAS, based in the …

West African bloc ECOWAS: key factsWed, 09 Aug 2023 08:30:45 GMT Read More »

Coup-hit Niger’s neighbours have not ruled out military intervention, Nigeria’s president said, ahead of a West African coalition’s crisis summit in Abuja on Thursday.Bola Tinubu, who also chairs the bloc ECOWAS, still believes diplomacy is the “best way forward” to resolve the crisis, according to his spokesman.So far efforts by ECOWAS and the United States …

Nigeria says not ruling out force in Niger ahead of West African summitWed, 09 Aug 2023 05:55:29 GMT Read More »

Kenya’s government and the opposition are set to launch talks Wednesday aimed at resolving a bitter political feud following a spate of deadly protests over electoral reforms and the high cost of living.Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has organised 10 days of demonstrations since March — most blighted by violent confrontations with the police — to demand …

Kenya’s government, opposition begin talks after protestsWed, 09 Aug 2023 02:33:59 GMT Read More »

Nigeria’s president has not ruled out military intervention in neighbouring Niger after its president was ousted in a coup but believes diplomacy is the “best way forward” to resolve the crisis, his spokesman said Tuesday.Bola Tinubu, also head of the West African bloc ECOWAS, weighed in for the first time since the soldiers behind the coup …

Diplomacy ‘best way forward’ in Niger but force still on table: NigeriaTue, 08 Aug 2023 22:39:52 GMT Read More »

Nigeria’s president, who is also head of the West African bloc ECOWAS, has not ruled out military intervention in Niger but believes diplomacy is the “best way forward” to resolve the crisis, his spokesman said Tuesday.President Bola Tinubu weighed in for the first time since the soldiers behind the coup in Niger defied the bloc’s …

Diplomacy ‘best way forward’ in Niger, force still on table: NigeriaTue, 08 Aug 2023 21:24:04 GMT Read More »