Africa

Elizabeth Ohene considers Ghanaians' wanderlust as her compatriots join those taking risks to claim asylum abroad.

Amid renewed violence that has led to “successive gross violations” of international humanitarian law in two north-eastern provinces of the Central African Republic (CAR), the most senior United Nations relief official in the country has called for free and unhindered access to civilians impacted by the clashes between rival armed groups.

Ahead of a major donors conference in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, seeking to generate global action to tackle the complex crisis in Africa’s Lake Chad Basin, the top United Nations relief official highlighted that investing in support for the region will in turn help strengthen broader security around the world for all to benefit.

The United Nations Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the UN Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau, known as UNIOGBIS, and urged all political actors in the country to implement the provisions of the Conakry Agreement signed last October.

February 22, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan people's Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N) announced the end of recent clashes in South Kordofan with the Sudanese army but pointed to the continued shelling attacks on its positions by the government artillery.

The Sudanese army and the (SPLM-N) on Tuesday traded accusations over the violation of a cessation of hostilities in South Kordofan state. The military escalation occurred after the killing of seven cattle herders by unknown gunmen, 38 kilometres west of Kadougli.

The SPLM-N leadership said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the SPLA-N chief of general staff reported that Monday's clashes have stopped and reiterated its commitment to the unilateral cessation of hostilities.

The rebel group further accused the government of planning the attack, adding it sought in vain to involve local tribes in the operation. It further reiterated that the killing of cattle keepers was committed by the Sudanese government militias.

The statement, which comes in reply to the accusations of the Sudanese army that the rebel fighters had started the hostilities and violated the truce, said Monday's fighting took place at the SPLM-N-controlled Almchaih village.

"So, the SPLA-N cannot attack an area it already controls," the statement pointed.

The SPLM-N leadership said it will continue to observe the truce as long as the Sudanese army remains out of the rebel-controlled areas.

"SPLM leadership reiterate to the Sudanese people its commitment to the cessation of hostilities whenever the other party commits itself. Also, we will not initiate an attack but we will not hesitate to defend ourselves".

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The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic has reported that its troops on patrol were ambushed yesterday outside of Ippy in Ouaka prefecture.

Africa will be looking to double the number of places it has at an expanded World Cup from 2026.

The gang broke into the South African reserve on Monday, taking staff hostage.

Officials agree to review ban on women travelling without a male guardian after a public outcry.

Nigeria striker Brown Ideye joins compatriot John Mikel Obi at Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda after signing a three-year contract.

Finance minister Pravin Gordhan raises top rate of tax to 45% to help reduce deficit.

Mr Badjie is said to have personally presided over torture sessions under ex-President Yahya Jammeh.

The United Arab Emirates is building a military base in Berbera in Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland.

A South African court says the government had no right to leave the ICC without consulting parliament.

As relief organizations increase response to the humanitarian emergency in the north-east of Nigeria, timely donor support amounting to a little over $1 billion is required to sustain life-saving assistance to millions people devastated by Boko Haram-linked violence, the United Nations relief aid wing has said.

Polygamy is widely accepted all over Nigeria but one of the country's most prominent Muslim leaders is trying to ban the practice - in some cases.

The UN has declared a famine in parts of South Sudan, the first to be announced anywhere in the world in six years. So why has famine returned?

A state of famine has been declared in parts of South Sudan, the first globally since 2011. Alastair Leithead reports.

More than 600 black South Africans drowned in WW1 when their ship was struck by a Royal Mail vessel. But why did the captain blamed for the tragedy do nothing to help?

The bodies of at least 87 migrants wash up in Libya after they drowned trying to reach Italy by sea.