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News in 'Security/Conflict' section

Cote d’Ivoire: UN probes mass graves claims

October 12, 2012 UNOCI Bos Albert Gerard Koenders

The UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has begun excavation in Duékoué, in the west of the country, where some human remains have been found in a well.

Sources say this was prompted by claims that mass graves exist in various parts of Cote d’Ivoire in the aftermath of the post-election violence in 2011.

Malians split over new army post for ex-junta leader Sanogo

October 10, 2012 Mali's ex-junta leader Amadou Sanogo

Former military junta leader, Capitan Amadou Sanogo, has been appointed chairman of the army reform committee set up by the interim government.

The appointment comes on the heels of an international conference on the Malian crisis slated for 19 October in the capital, Bamako.

Nigeria accepts int’l court ruling on oil-rich Bakassi peninsula

October 10, 2012 Nigeria's AG and Justice Minister Mohammed Bello Adoke

The Federal Government of Nigeria has finally decided not to seek a review of the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which transferred the controversial Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon in 2002.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, explained that the country had considered the merits and the demerits of the case and finally decided not to press for a review of the ICJ decision.


 

Will Nigeria meet Bakassi ruling deadline?

October 8, 2012 Nigerian Pres. Goodluck Jonathan

With two days left for Nigeria to appeal the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) granting the Bakassi Peninsula to neighbouring Cameroon, anxiety is growing among Nigerians over whether their government will meet the deadline to appeal against the judgment.

Ahead of the 10 October deadline for Nigeria to seek review of the case, President Goodluck Jonathan last week set up a committee to advise the government on the way to pursue the review of the ICJ decision.

S. Leone: EU Observers urge media, politicians to eschew ‘hate speech’

October 8, 2012 EU delegation meets Pres. Ernest Bai Koroma

The European Union Observer Mission to Sierra Leone has called on local journalists and political parties to refrain from the use of hate speech to ensure a peaceful election in the post-war West African nation.

The EU mission made the call at a weekend press conference officially launching its observation of next month’s Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.

Ex-Gbagbo General Goes on Trial in Abidjan

October 8, 2012 Gen. Brunot Dogbo Ble

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo sits in a cell of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague awaiting trial, but back home the trial of one of his loyal military commanders kicks off in the capital, Abidjan.

General Dogbo Ble, former Commander of the Republican Guard, was a prominent figure in last year’s post-election violent conflict that engulfed Abidjan and left scores dead.

Sierra Leone: Rights body releases mining town violence findings

October 4, 2012 A victim shot during the Bunbuna violence

Sierra Leone’s Human Rights Commission has released findings from a public inquiry into alleged gross violation of human rights in the mining town of Bunbuna, indicting the police for overreacting in quelling a violent strike at the local mine.

During the mine workers strike last April, violence erupted and  left one person killed and several others wounded in Bunbuna, Tonkolili District, in the north of Sierra Leone.

 

Nigerian Senate Wants Review of Bakassi Ruling

October 1, 2012 FLASHBACK: Pres Goodluck Jonathan taking oath in May 2011

With a few days left for Nigeria to request a review of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling giving the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, the Nigerian Senate has released some ‘facts’ it alleges were not tendered during the ICJ proceedings in the land dispute pitting the two countries.

The upper legislative House now wants the Executive to use these facts in seeking the review before expiration of the 10 October, 2012 deadline for appeal.

 

Media body troubled by attacks on Guinean press

September 26, 2012 A scene of protest in Conakry

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) says it is “deeply concerned” about the recent spate of attacks targeted at the media in Guinea, considering that within one month, two politicians have attacked two radio stations, while party militants continue to assault journalists. 

The Foundation said in a statement Tuesday that it was reiterating its call on the authorities to be critical of these attacks and safeguard the lives and rights of journalists and media personnel in Guinea.

 

Mali: Who’s at the helm in Bamako?

September 24, 2012 Mali's ex-junta leader Amadou Sanogo

Despite the official hand-over of power by the military junta to the interim civilian administration in Bamako, reality on the ground suggests that ex-junta leader Captain Amadou Sanogo and his soldiers are still pulling the strings.

Captain Sanogo and a group of soldiers last March overthrew the civilian government of former President Amadou Toumani Toure, claiming that the army was not getting adequate support to fight the advancing rebels in the north.