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The war in Ethiopia has spiralled into a massive humanitarian crisis. Hundreds have been killed and many more have been displaced. Ethiopian Prime Minister is riding high on military gains while Tigray's leadership is unwilling to surrender.

"War is an epitome of hell. I know because I have been there and back," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after he received Nobel Peace Prize last year.

Today, he is a wartime leader who is marching his troops into his own country. On Thursday, (November 12), Abiy claimed a major victory as his forces captured western Tigray. But this came at a high cost. The ethnic faultlines have re-emerged. There are reports of a massacre.

Hundreds of civilians, hacked to death by forces loyal to the regional leadership. If these reports are confirmed, this would amount to war crimes.

Abiy has promised a swift end to the fighting. A return to normalcy in no time. He has named a new local leader to oversee the transition.

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"We are confident that in a relatively short period of time, we will accomplish our objectives and create a conducive environment for life to return to normalcy for our citizens in Tigray," said Ahmed.

But this is easier said than done. Tigray is a battle-hardy province. Its leader has vowed to fight till the end. Although he is putting up a brave front the Prime minister too is buckling down for the long haul.

In Addis Ababa, the government launched a civilian blood drive. Hundreds turned up to donate. The war is popular among non-Tigrayans.

But casualties are mounting. A long conflict could destabilise not just Ethiopia. But the larger, horn of Africa region.

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In the early stages, Abiy claimed his feud was with Tigray's ruling party and not its people. But that's becoming increasingly hard to believe.

On Friday Ethiopian police visited a UN office in Amhara. They wanted a list of Tigrayan people working there.

Moreover, A Tigrayan official at the African Union was also fired. The order came directly from Ethiopia's defence minister. The reason? Alleged disloyalty.

The fighting in Tigray has displaced more than 14,000 people. Among them are thousands of minors. They are fleeing en masse to neighbouring Sudan.

But the country does not have the resources to host these many people. The only way Ethiopia can avoid more bloodshed is if PM Abiy relents and agrees to talks with Tigray's leadership.

The 2019 Abiy would have wanted talks. All he needs to do is listen to his own advice.

The war in Ethiopia has spiralled into a massive humanitarian crisis. Hundreds have been killed and many more have been displaced. Ethiopian Prime Minister is riding high on military gains while Tigray's leadership is unwilling to surrender.

The war in Ethiopia has spiralled into a massive humanitarian crisis. Hundreds have been killed and many more have been displaced. Ethiopian Prime Minister is riding high on military gains while Tigray's leadership is unwilling to surrender. "War is an epitome of hell. I know because I have been there and back," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after he received Nobel Peace Prize last year. Today, he is a wartime leader who is marching his troops into his own country. On Thursday, (November 12), Abiy claimed a major victory as his forces captured western Tigray. But this came at a high cost. The ethnic faultlines have re-emerged. There are reports of a massacre. Hundreds of civilians, hacked to death by forces loyal to the regional leadership. If these reports are confirmed, this would amount to war crimes. Abiy has promised a swift end to the fighting. A return to normalcy in no time. He has named a new local leader to oversee the transition. × "We are confident that in a relatively short period of time, we will accomplish our objectives and create a conducive environment for life to return to normalcy for our citizens in Tigray," said Ahmed. But this is easier said than done. Tigray is a battle-hardy province. Its leader has vowed to fight till the end. Although he is putting up a brave front the Prime minister too is buckling down for the long haul. In Addis Ababa, the government launched a civilian blood drive. Hundreds turned up to donate. The war is popular among non-Tigrayans. But casualties are mounting. A long conflict could destabilise not just Ethiopia. But the larger, horn of Africa region. × In the early stages, Abiy claimed his feud was with Tigray's ruling party and not its people. But that's becoming increasingly hard to believe. On Friday Ethiopian police visited a UN office in Amhara. They wanted a list of Tigrayan people working there. Moreover, A Tigrayan official at the African Union was also fired. The order came directly from Ethiopia's defence minister. The reason? Alleged disloyalty. The fighting in Tigray has displaced more than 14,000 people. Among them are thousands of minors. They are fleeing en masse to neighbouring Sudan. But the country does not have the resources to host these many people. The only way Ethiopia can avoid more bloodshed is if PM Abiy relents and agrees to talks with Tigray's leadership. The 2019 Abiy would have wanted talks. All he needs to do is listen to his own advice.

Ethiopia: Casualties mount as Tigray conflict turns into humanitarian crisis

Raising fears that the conflict within Ethiopia could draw other regions of the country, Ethiopia on Saturday said that forces loyal to Tigray region fired into neighbouring Amhara region. Statement from Ethiopian government said that the rocket attack by Tigrayan forces damaged 'airport areas' in this region.

"In the late hours of Nov. 13, 2020, a rocket was fired towards Bahir Dar and Gondar cities. As a result, the airport areas have sustained damages," an Ethiopian government statement said.

"The TPLF junta is utilising the last of the weaponry within its arsenals," the statement said, referring to the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Tigray ruling party.

AFP quoted a doctor to say that two military personnel were killed and upto 15 injured in the city of Gondar that was target of the fire.

The conflict between federal forces and Tigray region has already spiralled into a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Sudan which does not have adequate resources to take care of this population.

TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael told AFP Saturday he did not have information about the reported attacks but noted that TPLF leaders have said "any airport used to attack Tigray will be a legitimate target".&nbsp;

The airports in Bahir Dar, the regional capital, and in Gondar are used by both military and civilian aircraft.

Residents reported hearing gunfire in both cities Friday night, though an Amhara regional government statement said "the situation was controlled within a few minutes" and "our cities are in peace".&nbsp;

"There were at least two dead" and "10 or 15 injured", AFP quoted a&nbsp;doctor at a hospital in Gondar who spoke on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

He said the casualties appeared to have resulted from an explosion, not from bullets.

"I have seen abdominal, chest and leg injuries," he said, adding there were "no civilians at all" among the dead or injured.&nbsp;

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week launched military operations in Tigray, saying the move was provoked by TPLF attacks on federal military camps in the region -- a claim the TPLF denies.&nbsp;

Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed, some in a gruesome massacre documented by Amnesty International, and thousands have fled fighting and air strikes in Tigray, whose leaders Abiy accuses of seeking to destabilise the country.

Tigray has been under a communications blackout since the operation began, making it difficult to verify claims from both camps about the situation on the ground.

Military officials have vowed to keep the conflict contained in Tigray, and Abiy has repeatedly promised a quick, decisive victory.

But Amhara and Tigray are embroiled in long-running disputes over land along their shared border that analysts worry could draw Amhara into the conflict.

Thousands of Amhara militiamen have already headed towards Tigray to fight alongside federal forces, according to Amhara security officials.

Both Bahir Dar and Gondar were calm Saturday morning, residents said.

One resident of Bahir Dar told AFP there were "two heavy explosions around 10:50 pm".

"After that there was gunfire for 15 minutes, and then it went quiet," the resident said.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

Raising fears that the conflict within Ethiopia could draw other regions of the country, Ethiopia on Saturday said that forces loyal to Tigray region fired into neighbouring Amhara region.

Raising fears that the conflict within Ethiopia could draw other regions of the country, Ethiopia on Saturday said that forces loyal to Tigray region fired into neighbouring Amhara region. Statement from Ethiopian government said that the rocket attack by Tigrayan forces damaged 'airport areas' in this region. "In the late hours of Nov. 13, 2020, a rocket was fired towards Bahir Dar and Gondar cities. As a result, the airport areas have sustained damages," an Ethiopian government statement said. "The TPLF junta is utilising the last of the weaponry within its arsenals," the statement said, referring to the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Tigray ruling party. AFP quoted a doctor to say that two military personnel were killed and upto 15 injured in the city of Gondar that was target of the fire. The conflict between federal forces and Tigray region has already spiralled into a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Sudan which does not have adequate resources to take care of this population. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael told AFP Saturday he did not have information about the reported attacks but noted that TPLF leaders have said "any airport used to attack Tigray will be a legitimate target". The airports in Bahir Dar, the regional capital, and in Gondar are used by both military and civilian aircraft. Residents reported hearing gunfire in both cities Friday night, though an Amhara regional government statement said "the situation was controlled within a few minutes" and "our cities are in peace". "There were at least two dead" and "10 or 15 injured", AFP quoted a doctor at a hospital in Gondar who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said the casualties appeared to have resulted from an explosion, not from bullets. "I have seen abdominal, chest and leg injuries," he said, adding there were "no civilians at all" among the dead or injured. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week launched military operations in Tigray, saying the move was provoked by TPLF attacks on federal military camps in the region -- a claim the TPLF denies. Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed, some in a gruesome massacre documented by Amnesty International, and thousands have fled fighting and air strikes in Tigray, whose leaders Abiy accuses of seeking to destabilise the country. Tigray has been under a communications blackout since the operation began, making it difficult to verify claims from both camps about the situation on the ground. Military officials have vowed to keep the conflict contained in Tigray, and Abiy has repeatedly promised a quick, decisive victory. But Amhara and Tigray are embroiled in long-running disputes over land along their shared border that analysts worry could draw Amhara into the conflict. Thousands of Amhara militiamen have already headed towards Tigray to fight alongside federal forces, according to Amhara security officials. Both Bahir Dar and Gondar were calm Saturday morning, residents said. One resident of Bahir Dar told AFP there were "two heavy explosions around 10:50 pm". "After that there was gunfire for 15 minutes, and then it went quiet," the resident said. (With AFP inputs)

Tigrayan rocket attack damaged 'airport areas' in neighbouring region, says Ethiopia

United States "strongly urged" de-escalation of violence and end to the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The reaction came after reports of mass killing in a town. The mass killings were reported by Amnesty International. Tibor Nagy, the top US diplomat for Africa tweeted and made the appeal for calm.

"We condemn the massacre of civilians in Mai-Kadra and strongly urge immediate steps to de-escalate and end conflict throughout the Tigray region. It is essential that peace be restored and civilians be protected," he tweeted.

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We condemn the massacre of civilians in Mai-Kadra and strongly urge immediate steps to de-escalate and end conflict throughout the Tigray region. It is essential that peace be restored and civilians be protected.
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The conflict in Tigray has given rise to fears of a civil war in Ethiopia where federal forces are engaged in fighting with Tigray region of the country. The conflict has already become a humanitarian crisis as casualties are mounting and more than 14,000 people in Ethiopia have been displaced due to hostilities.&nbsp;

These people are fleeing to neighbouring Sudan where the government is not well equipped to take care of sudden influx of so many people. The conflict of Ethiopia with its own region is threatening to become a regional issue.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, ordered military operations in Tigray last week, shocking the international community which fears the start of a long and bloody civil war.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-casualties-mount-as-tigray-conflict-turns-into-humanitarian-crisis-343025">Ethiopia: Casualties mount as Tigray conflict turns into a humanitarian crisis</a>

On Friday (November 13, 2020) United Nations warned of possible war crimes in Tigray region.

UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for a full investigation into the report of mass killings in the town of Mai-Kadra, where Amnesty said it had "digitally verified gruesome photographs and videos of bodies strewn across the town or being carried away on stretchers".

"If confirmed as having been deliberately carried out by a party to the current fighting, these killings of civilians would of course amount to war crimes," she said in a statement.

Amnesty said it had not been able to confirm who was responsible for the killings, however witnesses blamed forces backing the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

(With AFP inputs)

United States "strongly urged" de-escalation of violence and end to the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The reaction came after reports of mass killing in a town.

United States "strongly urged" de-escalation of violence and end to the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The reaction came after reports of mass killing in a town. The mass killings were reported by Amnesty International. Tibor Nagy, the top US diplomat for Africa tweeted and made the appeal for calm. "We condemn the massacre of civilians in Mai-Kadra and strongly urge immediate steps to de-escalate and end conflict throughout the Tigray region. It is essential that peace be restored and civilians be protected," he tweeted. We condemn the massacre of civilians in Mai-Kadra and strongly urge immediate steps to de-escalate and end conflict throughout the Tigray region. It is essential that peace be restored and civilians be protected. — Tibor Nagy (@AsstSecStateAF) November 13, 2020 × The conflict in Tigray has given rise to fears of a civil war in Ethiopia where federal forces are engaged in fighting with Tigray region of the country. The conflict has already become a humanitarian crisis as casualties are mounting and more than 14,000 people in Ethiopia have been displaced due to hostilities. These people are fleeing to neighbouring Sudan where the government is not well equipped to take care of sudden influx of so many people. The conflict of Ethiopia with its own region is threatening to become a regional issue. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, ordered military operations in Tigray last week, shocking the international community which fears the start of a long and bloody civil war. Also Read | Ethiopia: Casualties mount as Tigray conflict turns into a humanitarian crisis On Friday (November 13, 2020) United Nations warned of possible war crimes in Tigray region. UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for a full investigation into the report of mass killings in the town of Mai-Kadra, where Amnesty said it had "digitally verified gruesome photographs and videos of bodies strewn across the town or being carried away on stretchers". "If confirmed as having been deliberately carried out by a party to the current fighting, these killings of civilians would of course amount to war crimes," she said in a statement. Amnesty said it had not been able to confirm who was responsible for the killings, however witnesses blamed forces backing the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). (With AFP inputs)

Ethiopia: US urges immediate de-escalation of Tigray conflict

Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the horrific Rwandan genocide pleaded not guilty in a United Nations court. He was produced in the court after being on the run for a quarter of the century. Formerly one of Rwanda's richest men, Kabuga allegedly helped set up hate media that urged ethnic Hutus to "kill the Tutsi cockroaches". He also funded militia groups.

Kabuga, now in his 80s, was arrested in France in May. He was then transferred to the court in The Hague in October. He faces charges of a key role in killing of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.&nbsp;

The frail Kabuga sat in a wheelchair behind a glass screen in the courtroom, wearing a coronavirus mask. A court official helped him adjust his headphones. His defence lawyer Emmanuel Altit said Kabuga was "very tired" and "preferred not to speak", when asked by judge Iain Bonomy if the former businessman wanted to enter a plea.&nbsp;

"Given the situation, I would be grateful if you could consider this lack of response as a plea of not guilty on all the counts, under the rules and procedures," Altit told the court.

Kabuga, who until his arrest near Paris was one of the world's most wanted men, had already denied the charges in his court appearances in France.

The Rwandan faces seven counts including genocide, incitement to genocide, extermination and persecution.

The UN court will later decide if he will be transferred to its branch in Tanzania for trial.

Contributed to deaths

The UN says 800,000 people were murdered in a 100-day rampage that began in April 1994 in Rwanda, in scenes of horror that shocked the world.

Kabuga was then an ally of the ruling party in Rwanda. He allegedly helped create the Interahamwe Hutu militia group and the Radio-Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), whose broadcasts incited people to murder.

The indictment, read by court official said, "RTLM broadcasts contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of persons identified as Tutsi civilians."

The radio station also identified the hiding places of Tutsis where they were later killed, it said.&nbsp;

He is also accused of helping to buy machetes that were distributed to genocidal groups, and ordering them to kill Tutsis. Kabuga spent years on the run using a succession of false passports, with investigators saying that he had been helped by a network of former Rwandan allies to evade justice.&nbsp;

Following his arrest in a small apartment near Paris, his lawyers argued that Kabuga -- who says he is aged 87 but according to the arrest warrant is 84 -- should face trial in France for health reasons. But France's top court ruled he should be moved to UN custody on a warrant issued in 1997 by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Kabuga was initially to be transferred to the UN court's facility in Arusha, Tanzania, which took over the ICTR's duties when it formally closed in 2015.

But a UN judge ruled he should first be taken to the court's Hague branch for a medical examination, and it was not immediately known when or if Kabuga might be transferred to Arusha.

(With AFP inputs)

Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the horrific Rwandan genocide pleaded not guilty in a United Nations court. He was produced in the court after being on the run for a quarter of the century.

Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the horrific Rwandan genocide pleaded not guilty in a United Nations court. He was produced in the court after being on the run for a quarter of the century. Formerly one of Rwanda's richest men, Kabuga allegedly helped set up hate media that urged ethnic Hutus to "kill the Tutsi cockroaches". He also funded militia groups. Kabuga, now in his 80s, was arrested in France in May. He was then transferred to the court in The Hague in October. He faces charges of a key role in killing of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The frail Kabuga sat in a wheelchair behind a glass screen in the courtroom, wearing a coronavirus mask. A court official helped him adjust his headphones. His defence lawyer Emmanuel Altit said Kabuga was "very tired" and "preferred not to speak", when asked by judge Iain Bonomy if the former businessman wanted to enter a plea. "Given the situation, I would be grateful if you could consider this lack of response as a plea of not guilty on all the counts, under the rules and procedures," Altit told the court. Kabuga, who until his arrest near Paris was one of the world's most wanted men, had already denied the charges in his court appearances in France. The Rwandan faces seven counts including genocide, incitement to genocide, extermination and persecution. The UN court will later decide if he will be transferred to its branch in Tanzania for trial. Contributed to deaths The UN says 800,000 people were murdered in a 100-day rampage that began in April 1994 in Rwanda, in scenes of horror that shocked the world. Kabuga was then an ally of the ruling party in Rwanda. He allegedly helped create the Interahamwe Hutu militia group and the Radio-Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), whose broadcasts incited people to murder. The indictment, read by court official said, "RTLM broadcasts contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of persons identified as Tutsi civilians." The radio station also identified the hiding places of Tutsis where they were later killed, it said. He is also accused of helping to buy machetes that were distributed to genocidal groups, and ordering them to kill Tutsis. Kabuga spent years on the run using a succession of false passports, with investigators saying that he had been helped by a network of former Rwandan allies to evade justice. Following his arrest in a small apartment near Paris, his lawyers argued that Kabuga -- who says he is aged 87 but according to the arrest warrant is 84 -- should face trial in France for health reasons. But France's top court ruled he should be moved to UN custody on a warrant issued in 1997 by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Kabuga was initially to be transferred to the UN court's facility in Arusha, Tanzania, which took over the ICTR's duties when it formally closed in 2015. But a UN judge ruled he should first be taken to the court's Hague branch for a medical examination, and it was not immediately known when or if Kabuga might be transferred to Arusha. (With AFP inputs)

Rwandan genocide 'financier' pleads not guilty before UN

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed replaced his army chief on Sunday and elevated deputy army chief to his position. The move came as the country fought its own Tigray region. The five-day conflict has seen number of wounded soldiers continuously increase. Abiy's office did not specify any reason for the latest move and only said that Deputy Army Chief Berhanu Jula will take over as army chief from his predecessor General Adem Mohammed. No announcement has been as of now as to in what capacity General Mohammed will serve the army.

The announcement came as a medical official told AFP that nearly 100 government soldiers had been treated for gunshot wounds at a hospital in the northern Amhara region, the latest indication that fighting has been intense.&nbsp;

Abiy and military leaders have touted Ethiopian soldiers' successes against forces loyal to the Tigray ruling party, but a communications blackout in the region has made their accounts difficult to verify.

On roads in the northern part of Ethiopia's Amhara region, ambulances can frequently be seen ferrying wounded combatants to hospitals. 
In the town of Sanja, 98 government soldiers have been treated for "gunfire" injuries, a doctor told AFP.

"We have had 98 cases. All of them are soldiers from the national army," said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

He said there were no fatalities at the hospital, but noted more serious cases have been transported to larger hospitals in the city of Gondar and elsewhere.

Reports of dead and wounded soldiers have mounted in recent days in Amhara, where a humanitarian aid worker said three died and 35 were treated on Saturday. On Friday 105 were reported injured and five killed in the region.

There are growing fears that Ethiopia will soon witness a civil war between the government forces and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party of the Tigray region.

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed, the winner of last year's Nobel peace prize, sent federal troops and aircraft into Tigray in a major escalation of a long-running feud.

Sunday's reshuffle also saw new appointments for deputy army chief, foreign minister and federal police commissioner, while the president of Amhara was transferred to head Ethiopia's intelligence service.

No reason was given for those changes either.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed replaced his army chief on Sunday and elevated deputy army chief to his position. The move came as the country fought its own Tigray region.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed replaced his army chief on Sunday and elevated deputy army chief to his position. The move came as the country fought its own Tigray region. The five-day conflict has seen number of wounded soldiers continuously increase. Abiy's office did not specify any reason for the latest move and only said that Deputy Army Chief Berhanu Jula will take over as army chief from his predecessor General Adem Mohammed. No announcement has been as of now as to in what capacity General Mohammed will serve the army. The announcement came as a medical official told AFP that nearly 100 government soldiers had been treated for gunshot wounds at a hospital in the northern Amhara region, the latest indication that fighting has been intense. Abiy and military leaders have touted Ethiopian soldiers' successes against forces loyal to the Tigray ruling party, but a communications blackout in the region has made their accounts difficult to verify. On roads in the northern part of Ethiopia's Amhara region, ambulances can frequently be seen ferrying wounded combatants to hospitals. In the town of Sanja, 98 government soldiers have been treated for "gunfire" injuries, a doctor told AFP. "We have had 98 cases. All of them are soldiers from the national army," said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said there were no fatalities at the hospital, but noted more serious cases have been transported to larger hospitals in the city of Gondar and elsewhere. Reports of dead and wounded soldiers have mounted in recent days in Amhara, where a humanitarian aid worker said three died and 35 were treated on Saturday. On Friday 105 were reported injured and five killed in the region. There are growing fears that Ethiopia will soon witness a civil war between the government forces and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party of the Tigray region. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed, the winner of last year's Nobel peace prize, sent federal troops and aircraft into Tigray in a major escalation of a long-running feud. Sunday's reshuffle also saw new appointments for deputy army chief, foreign minister and federal police commissioner, while the president of Amhara was transferred to head Ethiopia's intelligence service. No reason was given for those changes either. (With AFP inputs)

Ethiopia PM replaces army chief amid conflict with Tigray region

Ethiopia is hurtling towards a civil war. The northern province of Tigray is in open rebellion. On Wednesday -- the local ruling party attacked federal troops stationed here. Prime minister Abiy Ahmed described it as an act of betrayal...

"The army has been attacked from behind by its own citizens and many have been martyred, wounded and properties destroyed. This force of destruction has been engaged in many counterproductive activities for the past many months," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-a-civil-war-is-brewing-in-ethiopia-340946/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Cracks in the union first emerged in September. Tigray held parliamentary elections - without permission from the centre. The vote was declared illegal. It was the first indication of what was in store.&nbsp;

At the heart of this brewing civil war is a battle for influence. Tigray accounts for just 5% of Ethiopia's population. But thanks to a well-trained army.And a strong economy. It has always enjoyed disproportionate power in government.

That changed when Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. Major Tigrayan officials were either fired or sidelined. It was part of his crackdown on corruption. In response, the Tigray government declared prime minister Abiy as illegitimate.

"The authoritarian unitary government that has illegally usurped power of the federal government is committing treason and injustice by forging alliance with external forces and setting out the country's sovereignty in a bid to subdue people of Tigray," said spokesperson of the Tigray government

The situation is precarious right now. A state of emergency has been declared in Tigray. Federal troops have moved in. Electricity, internet and telephone connections have been cut. Prime minister Abiy has made it clear that he will fight till the end.

The war itself is likely to be devastating. Tigray claims that federal troops in the region have defected. Combined with the region's own forces. They could be a handful for the Ethiopian army.&nbsp;

There is also the risk of the rebellion spreading elsewhere. Ethiopia is home to 80 ethnic groups. Unresolved tensions could resurface - if a civil war breaks out.

Prime minister Abiy is a champion of dialogue. He ended a two-decade conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. And pacified rebel groups.&nbsp;

All without deploying troops. But the attack on Ethiopian soldiers was the red line for him. The question is -- can Africa's oldest union survive his war?

Ethiopia is hurtling towards a civil war. The northern province of Tigray is in open rebellion. On Wednesday -- the local ruling party attacked federal troops stationed here.

Ethiopia is hurtling towards a civil war. The northern province of Tigray is in open rebellion. On Wednesday -- the local ruling party attacked federal troops stationed here. Prime minister Abiy Ahmed described it as an act of betrayal... "The army has been attacked from behind by its own citizens and many have been martyred, wounded and properties destroyed. This force of destruction has been engaged in many counterproductive activities for the past many months," he said. Watch | Cracks in the union first emerged in September. Tigray held parliamentary elections - without permission from the centre. The vote was declared illegal. It was the first indication of what was in store. At the heart of this brewing civil war is a battle for influence. Tigray accounts for just 5% of Ethiopia's population. But thanks to a well-trained army.And a strong economy. It has always enjoyed disproportionate power in government. That changed when Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. Major Tigrayan officials were either fired or sidelined. It was part of his crackdown on corruption. In response, the Tigray government declared prime minister Abiy as illegitimate. "The authoritarian unitary government that has illegally usurped power of the federal government is committing treason and injustice by forging alliance with external forces and setting out the country's sovereignty in a bid to subdue people of Tigray," said spokesperson of the Tigray government The situation is precarious right now. A state of emergency has been declared in Tigray. Federal troops have moved in. Electricity, internet and telephone connections have been cut. Prime minister Abiy has made it clear that he will fight till the end. The war itself is likely to be devastating. Tigray claims that federal troops in the region have defected. Combined with the region's own forces. They could be a handful for the Ethiopian army. There is also the risk of the rebellion spreading elsewhere. Ethiopia is home to 80 ethnic groups. Unresolved tensions could resurface - if a civil war breaks out. Prime minister Abiy is a champion of dialogue. He ended a two-decade conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. And pacified rebel groups. All without deploying troops. But the attack on Ethiopian soldiers was the red line for him. The question is -- can Africa's oldest union survive his war?

Can Ethiopia survive a civil war?

Violence escalates in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. PM said Illegal Activities are happening in regional state Tigray.

Ethiopia: Trigary placed under state of emergency | WION News | World News

It was unclear if the attack was linked to a continuing struggle between the army and groups seeking to form a breakaway state called Ambazonia in the English-speaking west.

Gunmen kill at least six children in attack on Cameroon school

Soldiers opened fire on Nigerians protesting against police brutality in the Lekki district of the commercial capital Lagos on Tuesday, and at least two people were shot, four witnesses told Reuters.

Thousands of Nigerians have demonstrated nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that rights groups had for years accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders. The unit was disbanded on Oct. 11 but the protests have persisted with demonstrators calling for a raft of law enforcement reforms.

"They started firing ammunition toward the crowd. They were firing into the crowd," said Alfred Ononugbo, 55, a security officer after the soldiers opened fire. "I saw the bullet hit one or two persons," he said.

The condition of those two people was not immediately known. Amnesty International has said at least 15 people had been killed since the protests began.

In a Twitter post, the Nigerian Army said no soldiers were at the scene of the shooting on Tuesday night in Lekki, an upmarket district where the toll gate has been the site of daily protests in Lagos, Africa's biggest city.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted pictures of him visiting people in hospital who were victims of what he referred to as the "unfortunate shooting incident at Lekki".

He said 25 people were being treated for mild to moderate injuries, two were receiving intensive care and three had been discharged.

"As the Governor of our state, I recognise the buck stops at my table and I will work with the FG (federal government) to get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilise all security operations to protect the lives of our residents," said Sanwo-Olu, adding that he would give a state broadcast on Wednesday morning.

The Lagos state government earlier said it would open an investigation into the shooting, which witnesses said began at about 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).

A Nigerian army spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Inyene Akpan, 26, a photographer, said more than 20 soldiers arrived at the toll gate in Lekki and opened fire. He said he saw two people being shot.

Akinbosola Ogunsanya, a third witness, said he saw around 10 people being shot. Ogunsanya, who said lights went out shortly before the soldiers arrived, also said he saw soldiers remove bodies.

Another witness, Chika Dibia, said soldiers hemmed in people as they shot at them.

Video verified by Reuters showed men walking slowly in formation toward demonstrators, followed by trucks with flashing lights, and the sound of gunfire popping. Another video showed the toll gate itself, with a protester waving a Nigerian flag, as people ran amid the sounds of gunfire.

A Reuters witness heard sirens and gunfire.

Defence meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday held scheduled talks with the defence minister and the chief of defence staff around 6:15 p.m. (1715 GMT) to discuss national security, two presidency officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman for the president did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Nigerian army was due to begin a two-month national exercise on Tuesday. When the move was announced on Saturday, it denied the move was part of a security response to the demonstrations. Days earlier, the military said it was prepared to help maintain law and order.

The weeks-long protests were sparked by a video that began circulating in early October purportedly showing officers shooting a man in southern Delta state. Police denied the shooting.

Authorities on Tuesday imposed a round-the-clock curfew on Lagos as the state governor said protests had turned violent.

It is one of five of Nigeria's 36 states to have announced such measures in the last two days. The national police chief also ordered the immediate deployment of anti-riot forces nationwide following increased attacks on police facilities, a police spokesman said.

Soldiers opened fire on Nigerians protesting against police brutality in the Lekki district of the commercial capital Lagos on Tuesday, and at least two people were shot, four witnesses told Reuters.

Soldiers opened fire on Nigerians protesting against police brutality in the Lekki district of the commercial capital Lagos on Tuesday, and at least two people were shot, four witnesses told Reuters. Thousands of Nigerians have demonstrated nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that rights groups had for years accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders. The unit was disbanded on Oct. 11 but the protests have persisted with demonstrators calling for a raft of law enforcement reforms. "They started firing ammunition toward the crowd. They were firing into the crowd," said Alfred Ononugbo, 55, a security officer after the soldiers opened fire. "I saw the bullet hit one or two persons," he said. The condition of those two people was not immediately known. Amnesty International has said at least 15 people had been killed since the protests began. In a Twitter post, the Nigerian Army said no soldiers were at the scene of the shooting on Tuesday night in Lekki, an upmarket district where the toll gate has been the site of daily protests in Lagos, Africa's biggest city. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted pictures of him visiting people in hospital who were victims of what he referred to as the "unfortunate shooting incident at Lekki". He said 25 people were being treated for mild to moderate injuries, two were receiving intensive care and three had been discharged. "As the Governor of our state, I recognise the buck stops at my table and I will work with the FG (federal government) to get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilise all security operations to protect the lives of our residents," said Sanwo-Olu, adding that he would give a state broadcast on Wednesday morning. The Lagos state government earlier said it would open an investigation into the shooting, which witnesses said began at about 7 p.m. (1800 GMT). A Nigerian army spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Inyene Akpan, 26, a photographer, said more than 20 soldiers arrived at the toll gate in Lekki and opened fire. He said he saw two people being shot. Akinbosola Ogunsanya, a third witness, said he saw around 10 people being shot. Ogunsanya, who said lights went out shortly before the soldiers arrived, also said he saw soldiers remove bodies. Another witness, Chika Dibia, said soldiers hemmed in people as they shot at them. Video verified by Reuters showed men walking slowly in formation toward demonstrators, followed by trucks with flashing lights, and the sound of gunfire popping. Another video showed the toll gate itself, with a protester waving a Nigerian flag, as people ran amid the sounds of gunfire. A Reuters witness heard sirens and gunfire. Defence meeting President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday held scheduled talks with the defence minister and the chief of defence staff around 6:15 p.m. (1715 GMT) to discuss national security, two presidency officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. A spokesman for the president did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Nigerian army was due to begin a two-month national exercise on Tuesday. When the move was announced on Saturday, it denied the move was part of a security response to the demonstrations. Days earlier, the military said it was prepared to help maintain law and order. The weeks-long protests were sparked by a video that began circulating in early October purportedly showing officers shooting a man in southern Delta state. Police denied the shooting. Authorities on Tuesday imposed a round-the-clock curfew on Lagos as the state governor said protests had turned violent. It is one of five of Nigeria's 36 states to have announced such measures in the last two days. The national police chief also ordered the immediate deployment of anti-riot forces nationwide following increased attacks on police facilities, a police spokesman said.

Nigerian soldiers fire at protesters, at least two hit - witnesses

The use of child labour has risen in cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast over the past decade despite industry promises to reduce it, academics said on Monday, largely supporting earlier findings that were questioned by both states.

The prevalence of children doing hazardous work, including using sharp tools, has also gone up in the world's top two cocoa producers, according to the study funded by the US&nbsp;government.

The levels were higher than in 2010 when companies including Mars, Hershey, Nestle and Cargill agreed to reduce the worst forms of child labour in Ghana and Ivory Coast's cocoa sectors by 70% by 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/new-african-made-films-challenge-hollywood-stereotypes-335937" hreflang="en">New African-made films challenge Hollywood stereotypes</a>

The two West African countries - which together produce about two-thirds of the world's cocoa - had both questioned the methodology used in an earlier version of the report prepared by researchers from the University of Chicago and seen by Reuters in April.

Ghana again questioned the data in the new report, released on Monday after the US Department of Labor appointed a group of independent experts to conduct a review.

Mars said in a statement it had committed $1 billion to a responsible sourcing strategy and called for legislation to address the root causes of child labour on West African cocoa farms.

Hershey and Nestle referred Reuters to the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) industry group. Cargill did not respond to a request for comment.

Monday's report cut the estimate of the number of children currently working in cocoa production in the two countries to 1.56 million, from more than 2 million in the April study, saying it had changed the ways it weighted its data. It did not give comparative totals from 10 years earlier.

"COMPLEXITY AND SCALE"

But it said the proportion of children from agricultural households in cocoa growing areas that are engaged in child labour in the cocoa sector across Ivory Coast and Ghana had increased to 45% in 2018/19 from 31% in 2008/09.

The corresponding levels for hazardous work had risen to 43% from 30%, it added.

"Despite the efforts made by the governments, industry and other key stakeholders in combating child labour and hazardous child labour during the past 10 years, the child labour and hazardous child labour prevalence rates did not go down," the report said.

It added that rates of child labour had stabilised since the last survey in 2013/14 and school attendance in cocoa growing areas had risen even as cocoa production surged.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/hundreds-join-hands-to-fight-fire-on-africas-highest-mountain-kilimanjaro-334789" hreflang="en">Hundreds join hands to fight fire on Africa's highest mountain - Kilimanjaro</a>

WCF president Richard Scobey said the report showed child labour remains a persistent challenge but that government and company programmes to reduce it were making a difference.

"Targets to reduce child labour were set without fully understanding the complexity and scale of a challenge heavily associated with poverty in rural Africa and did not anticipate the significant increase in cocoa production over the past decade," he added in a statement.

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), a foundation backed by industry and civil society, said what it called past sampling errors made it difficult to draw accurate comparisons over time.

Ghana's government was quoted in Monday's report questioning the reliability of the figures that showed a reduction in the number of child labourers from the April estimate, while maintaining a similar prevalence rate.

"This raises eyebrows about the reliability of the findings for any meaningful policy formulation and implementation," Ghana's ministry of employment and labour relations said.

Ivory Coast welcomed the revised results and both countries reiterated their commitment to eradicating child labour in cocoa farming.

US lawmakers have criticised the industry and US&nbsp;customs authorities asked cocoa traders earlier this year to report where and when they encounter child labour in their supply chains.

The use of child labour has risen in cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast over the past decade despite industry promises to reduce it, academics said on Monday, largely supporting earlier findings that were questioned by both states.

The use of child labour has risen in cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast over the past decade despite industry promises to reduce it, academics said on Monday, largely supporting earlier findings that were questioned by both states. The prevalence of children doing hazardous work, including using sharp tools, has also gone up in the world's top two cocoa producers, according to the study funded by the US government. The levels were higher than in 2010 when companies including Mars, Hershey, Nestle and Cargill agreed to reduce the worst forms of child labour in Ghana and Ivory Coast's cocoa sectors by 70% by 2020. Also read: New African-made films challenge Hollywood stereotypes The two West African countries - which together produce about two-thirds of the world's cocoa - had both questioned the methodology used in an earlier version of the report prepared by researchers from the University of Chicago and seen by Reuters in April. Ghana again questioned the data in the new report, released on Monday after the US Department of Labor appointed a group of independent experts to conduct a review. Mars said in a statement it had committed $1 billion to a responsible sourcing strategy and called for legislation to address the root causes of child labour on West African cocoa farms. Hershey and Nestle referred Reuters to the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) industry group. Cargill did not respond to a request for comment. Monday's report cut the estimate of the number of children currently working in cocoa production in the two countries to 1.56 million, from more than 2 million in the April study, saying it had changed the ways it weighted its data. It did not give comparative totals from 10 years earlier. "COMPLEXITY AND SCALE" But it said the proportion of children from agricultural households in cocoa growing areas that are engaged in child labour in the cocoa sector across Ivory Coast and Ghana had increased to 45% in 2018/19 from 31% in 2008/09. The corresponding levels for hazardous work had risen to 43% from 30%, it added. "Despite the efforts made by the governments, industry and other key stakeholders in combating child labour and hazardous child labour during the past 10 years, the child labour and hazardous child labour prevalence rates did not go down," the report said. It added that rates of child labour had stabilised since the last survey in 2013/14 and school attendance in cocoa growing areas had risen even as cocoa production surged. Also read: Hundreds join hands to fight fire on Africa's highest mountain - Kilimanjaro WCF president Richard Scobey said the report showed child labour remains a persistent challenge but that government and company programmes to reduce it were making a difference. "Targets to reduce child labour were set without fully understanding the complexity and scale of a challenge heavily associated with poverty in rural Africa and did not anticipate the significant increase in cocoa production over the past decade," he added in a statement. The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), a foundation backed by industry and civil society, said what it called past sampling errors made it difficult to draw accurate comparisons over time. Ghana's government was quoted in Monday's report questioning the reliability of the figures that showed a reduction in the number of child labourers from the April estimate, while maintaining a similar prevalence rate. "This raises eyebrows about the reliability of the findings for any meaningful policy formulation and implementation," Ghana's ministry of employment and labour relations said. Ivory Coast welcomed the revised results and both countries reiterated their commitment to eradicating child labour in cocoa farming. US lawmakers have criticised the industry and US customs authorities asked cocoa traders earlier this year to report where and when they encounter child labour in their supply chains.

Child labour rising in West Africa cocoa farms despite efforts: Report

A group of residents of Tanzania are currently battling fires on Mount Kilimanjaro alongside firefighters and students.

Africa’s highest mountain, the Kilimanjaro sits at 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) above sea level, and witnesses 50,000 tourists every year.

The fires simmered down owing to hard winds on Sunday, but then took off again after the wind died out. No deaths and injuries have been reported so far, and no property damage has occurred yet.

"The fire is still going on and firefighters from TANAPA, other government institutions and locals are continuing with the efforts to contain it," Pascal Shelutete, a TANAPA official told Reuters.

The fire began at the area called Whona, where climbers rest. This falls in the way of two major routes up the mountain Mandara and Horombo.

The TANAPA official told Reuters that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure no danger looms over people’s lives, and that the equipment remains unharmed.

"The fire is big and they are continuing to fight it," Alex Kisingo, deputy head at the College of African Wildlife Management, told Reuters. The college is located near the mountain.

The institution has sent out 264 staff members and students to aid efforts in controlling the fire. Additionally, they are helping local authorities deliver food and water to the firefighters.

A group of residents of Tanzania are currently battling fires on Mount Kilimanjaro alongside firefighters and students. Africa’s highest mountain, the Kilimanjaro sits at 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) above sea level, and witnesses 50,000 tourists every year.

A group of residents of Tanzania are currently battling fires on Mount Kilimanjaro alongside firefighters and students. Africa’s highest mountain, the Kilimanjaro sits at 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) above sea level, and witnesses 50,000 tourists every year. The fires simmered down owing to hard winds on Sunday, but then took off again after the wind died out. No deaths and injuries have been reported so far, and no property damage has occurred yet. "The fire is still going on and firefighters from TANAPA, other government institutions and locals are continuing with the efforts to contain it," Pascal Shelutete, a TANAPA official told Reuters. The fire began at the area called Whona, where climbers rest. This falls in the way of two major routes up the mountain Mandara and Horombo. The TANAPA official told Reuters that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure no danger looms over people’s lives, and that the equipment remains unharmed. "The fire is big and they are continuing to fight it," Alex Kisingo, deputy head at the College of African Wildlife Management, told Reuters. The college is located near the mountain. The institution has sent out 264 staff members and students to aid efforts in controlling the fire. Additionally, they are helping local authorities deliver food and water to the firefighters.

Hundreds join hands to fight fire on Africa's highest mountain - Kilimanjaro

When war ravages a country, it destroys not only lives but countless ideas that made the country what it was. It disrupts artistic discourse and brings artist's expression under threat. These are the very people who can offer a unique perspective and solutions that can heal the scars of society and make it move towards a better, brighter future. Providing platform to artists is hence an act that assumes great importance.

Somali Arts Foundation (SAF) is doing just that. In war torn and lawless Somalia, it is bringing many untold stories to the fore and through the perception and perspective of the artists. Somali Arts Foundation has been started in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

It is challenging negative social norms as well. Fardowsa Hussien, a 25-year-old professional photographer told Voice of America how she had to face sexism from her fellow countrymen. Whenever she went out with her camera, she was at the receiving end of comments like 'shame on you' and that it was not a work befitting a 'Somali lady'. She gets encouragment from ladies however.

Somali Arts Foundation is helping Hussien showcase her work and meet other artists. The foundation is now seeking to promote creative industries in the country.

Sagal Ali, the founder of SAF said that she wants to work with every talented Somali.

When war ravages a country, it destroys not only lives but countless ideas that made the country what it was. It disrupts artistic discourse and brings artist's expression under threat.

When war ravages a country, it destroys not only lives but countless ideas that made the country what it was. It disrupts artistic discourse and brings artist's expression under threat. These are the very people who can offer a unique perspective and solutions that can heal the scars of society and make it move towards a better, brighter future. Providing platform to artists is hence an act that assumes great importance. Somali Arts Foundation (SAF) is doing just that. In war torn and lawless Somalia, it is bringing many untold stories to the fore and through the perception and perspective of the artists. Somali Arts Foundation has been started in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. It is challenging negative social norms as well. Fardowsa Hussien, a 25-year-old professional photographer told Voice of America how she had to face sexism from her fellow countrymen. Whenever she went out with her camera, she was at the receiving end of comments like 'shame on you' and that it was not a work befitting a 'Somali lady'. She gets encouragment from ladies however. Somali Arts Foundation is helping Hussien showcase her work and meet other artists. The foundation is now seeking to promote creative industries in the country. Sagal Ali, the founder of SAF said that she wants to work with every talented Somali.

Somalia: First modern arts institution gives platform to artists in war-torn country

South Africa plans to lease state land for farming in a bid to redress longstanding racial imbalances, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday, calling the campaign a "national priority".

The programme involving some 700,000 hectares (1.7 million acres) of vacant or underutilised land will also create jobs.

Plots will be available for 30-year lease, providing they are put to agricultural use, starting later this month, according to an announcement last week by the Land Reform department.

The initiative is part of a wider land reform programme aimed at fixing disparities caused by decades of the apartheid and colonialism during which most of the land was reserved for the minority white population.

Ramaphosa noted that while the state had already sold or leased 8.4 million hectares of land to "previously disadvantaged individuals" between 1994 and 2018, only 10 per cent was commercial farmland.

When the ruling African National Congress (ANC) came to power in 1994 on the back of the victorious anti-apartheid struggle, the government pledged to redistribute 30 percent of South Africa's 60,000 commercial farms to blacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 2017 study led by former president Kgalema Motlanthe painted the picture of a "slow and ineffective pace of land reform".

Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of boosting agriculture in a country where more than 40 percent of the rural population and almost 60 percent of city dwellers had "inadequate access to food" in 2019 -- figures likely to have increased this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Women, youth and people with disabilities will be given priority access to the state farm leases, which are non-transferable and include compulsory training.

More than two million South Africans lost their jobs between April and June this year as a result of lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In addition, unemployment is consistently higher among black South Africans, according to government statistics.

South Africa's parliament is meanwhile debating constitutional amendments that would allow the expropriation of certain farmland without any compensation.

A deadline for its decision was pushed back to the end of December 2020 due to coronavirus.

South Africa plans to lease state land for farming in a bid to redress longstanding racial imbalances, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday, calling the campaign a "national priority".

South Africa plans to lease state land for farming in a bid to redress longstanding racial imbalances, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday, calling the campaign a "national priority". The programme involving some 700,000 hectares (1.7 million acres) of vacant or underutilised land will also create jobs. Plots will be available for 30-year lease, providing they are put to agricultural use, starting later this month, according to an announcement last week by the Land Reform department. The initiative is part of a wider land reform programme aimed at fixing disparities caused by decades of the apartheid and colonialism during which most of the land was reserved for the minority white population. Ramaphosa noted that while the state had already sold or leased 8.4 million hectares of land to "previously disadvantaged individuals" between 1994 and 2018, only 10 per cent was commercial farmland. When the ruling African National Congress (ANC) came to power in 1994 on the back of the victorious anti-apartheid struggle, the government pledged to redistribute 30 percent of South Africa's 60,000 commercial farms to blacks. A 2017 study led by former president Kgalema Motlanthe painted the picture of a "slow and ineffective pace of land reform". Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of boosting agriculture in a country where more than 40 percent of the rural population and almost 60 percent of city dwellers had "inadequate access to food" in 2019 -- figures likely to have increased this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Women, youth and people with disabilities will be given priority access to the state farm leases, which are non-transferable and include compulsory training. More than two million South Africans lost their jobs between April and June this year as a result of lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, unemployment is consistently higher among black South Africans, according to government statistics. South Africa's parliament is meanwhile debating constitutional amendments that would allow the expropriation of certain farmland without any compensation. A deadline for its decision was pushed back to the end of December 2020 due to coronavirus.

South Africa to lease state land to redress inequality

Africa has become the battlefield for global powers. China, India, US, EU, Israel are fighting it out in the continent. Who is winning? and What's it in for Africa. WION's Palki Sharma tells you all about the race for Africa.

Gravitas Plus: The race for Africa

Five activists go on trial in Paris on Wednesday for trying to seize an African funeral staff from France's pre-eminent indigenous art museum, hoping to increase pressure on the government to restitute items they say were stolen.

Emery Mwazulu Diyabanza, a 41-year-old Congolese&nbsp;activist, led the operation at the Quai Branly museum last June, denouncing "the pillage of Africa".

"We're taking it home," he said in a video posted on social media after removing the 19th-century funeral staff from Chad and parading it around the building.

Since then Diyabanza has staged similar operations at indigenous art museums in the southern French city of Marseille and in Berg en Dal, in the Netherlands.

"It was important to approach this trial with a combative spirit, even if it's risky," Diyabanza told AFP.

"We had no intention of stealing this work, but we will continue as long as the injustice of pillaging Africa has not been remedied," he said.

He and the four others are charged with attempted theft of a registered artwork, and face up to 10 years in prison and 150,000 euros ($176,000) in fines.

Diyabanza himself sued the French state after his arrest in June, accusing it of "theft and receiving stolen goods" in amassing the huge collection of native artworks beginning in the&nbsp;colonial&nbsp;era.

'An insult'

French officials condemned the stunt, which came after President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;pledged shortly after his 2017 election to study the restitution of African cultural treasures.

France has since returned a ceremonial sword to Senegal and&nbsp;promised to return some two-dozen works to Benin.

"The issue of restitution... deserves a serious debate," said Emmanuel Kasarherou, director of the Quai Branly, which is a civil party in the trial against Diyabanza.

Kasarherou, a Kanak from the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, this year became the first indigenous person ever to head a major French national museum.

His museum "is documenting the origins of its collections and how they were obtained, and using this work as a basis, we can move forward," he told AFP.

Critics accuse the French state of not doing enough, citing for example the auction of sacred statues in Paris last summer despite requests by Nigeria to halt the sale.

An&nbsp;expert report commissioned by Macron in 2018&nbsp;counted some 90,000 African works in French museums, but suggested a "circulation" of some works between museums rather than an outright return, saying not all were pillaged or stolen.

"Macron has acknowledged the pillaging, but he's the one who decides how many works are returned, and whether or not there should be a property transfer -- it's an insult for us," Diyabanza said.

Five activists go on trial in Paris on Wednesday for trying to seize an African funeral staff from France's pre-eminent indigenous art museum, hoping to increase pressure on the government to restitute items they say were stolen.

Five activists go on trial in Paris on Wednesday for trying to seize an African funeral staff from France's pre-eminent indigenous art museum, hoping to increase pressure on the government to restitute items they say were stolen. Emery Mwazulu Diyabanza, a 41-year-old Congolese activist, led the operation at the Quai Branly museum last June, denouncing "the pillage of Africa". "We're taking it home," he said in a video posted on social media after removing the 19th-century funeral staff from Chad and parading it around the building. Since then Diyabanza has staged similar operations at indigenous art museums in the southern French city of Marseille and in Berg en Dal, in the Netherlands. "It was important to approach this trial with a combative spirit, even if it's risky," Diyabanza told AFP. "We had no intention of stealing this work, but we will continue as long as the injustice of pillaging Africa has not been remedied," he said. He and the four others are charged with attempted theft of a registered artwork, and face up to 10 years in prison and 150,000 euros ($176,000) in fines. Diyabanza himself sued the French state after his arrest in June, accusing it of "theft and receiving stolen goods" in amassing the huge collection of native artworks beginning in the colonial era. 'An insult' French officials condemned the stunt, which came after President Emmanuel Macron pledged shortly after his 2017 election to study the restitution of African cultural treasures. France has since returned a ceremonial sword to Senegal and promised to return some two-dozen works to Benin. "The issue of restitution... deserves a serious debate," said Emmanuel Kasarherou, director of the Quai Branly, which is a civil party in the trial against Diyabanza. Kasarherou, a Kanak from the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, this year became the first indigenous person ever to head a major French national museum. His museum "is documenting the origins of its collections and how they were obtained, and using this work as a basis, we can move forward," he told AFP. Critics accuse the French state of not doing enough, citing for example the auction of sacred statues in Paris last summer despite requests by Nigeria to halt the sale. An expert report commissioned by Macron in 2018 counted some 90,000 African works in French museums, but suggested a "circulation" of some works between museums rather than an outright return, saying not all were pillaged or stolen. "Macron has acknowledged the pillaging, but he's the one who decides how many works are returned, and whether or not there should be a property transfer -- it's an insult for us," Diyabanza said.

Five activists go on trial for seizing African artwork from Paris museum

India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that New Delhi offers Africa "an honest partnership" and believes in "empowering rather than extracting from" local.

He said, "India offers Africa an honest partnership, and room to maximize its space under the sun and multiply its options. Africa is of course not without options, and by no stretch does India claim to be the only one. However, what we can promise is to be Africa’s most steadfast partner."

Highlighting how despite the "pandemic and through the lockdown", New Delhi "kept its critical supply lines open to Africa. Indian medicines reached and were made available to patients in many African countries" and "These adverse times will not last; but Africa-India friendship and cooperation, trust me, will."

The comments come even as New Delhi has been reaching out to the continent especially as a development partner and helping in capacity and human resource building.

India has provided duty-free, quota-free market access 33 African least developing nations and has invested in oil and gas sector--like an investment of $ 7 billion in a gas field in Mozambique and half a billion dollars in South Sudan. In terms of human resource, 50,000 training slots have been given by India to African students under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programmes.

EAM said, “Africa’s rise as one of the global system’s poles is not just desirable, it is absolutely necessary" and is "fundamental to our foreign policy thinking" as "broader global rebalancing is incomplete without the genuine emergence of Africa. Only then will the world’s strategic diversity come into full play."

Since 2015, 34 high-level visits, at the level of Indian President, Vice-President or Prime Minister, have taken place to Africa and in last 6 years, 100 African leaders have visited India for bilateral or multilateral meetings.&nbsp;

The Third India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015 in Delhi saw all 54 African nations participating. India has missions now in 38 African nations, a quarter of which have opened in the past two years.

India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that New Delhi offers Africa "an honest partnership" and believes in "empowering rather than extracting from" local.

India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that New Delhi offers Africa "an honest partnership" and believes in "empowering rather than extracting from" local. He said, "India offers Africa an honest partnership, and room to maximize its space under the sun and multiply its options. Africa is of course not without options, and by no stretch does India claim to be the only one. However, what we can promise is to be Africa’s most steadfast partner." Highlighting how despite the "pandemic and through the lockdown", New Delhi "kept its critical supply lines open to Africa. Indian medicines reached and were made available to patients in many African countries" and "These adverse times will not last; but Africa-India friendship and cooperation, trust me, will." The comments come even as New Delhi has been reaching out to the continent especially as a development partner and helping in capacity and human resource building. India has provided duty-free, quota-free market access 33 African least developing nations and has invested in oil and gas sector--like an investment of $ 7 billion in a gas field in Mozambique and half a billion dollars in South Sudan. In terms of human resource, 50,000 training slots have been given by India to African students under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programmes. EAM said, “Africa’s rise as one of the global system’s poles is not just desirable, it is absolutely necessary" and is "fundamental to our foreign policy thinking" as "broader global rebalancing is incomplete without the genuine emergence of Africa. Only then will the world’s strategic diversity come into full play." Since 2015, 34 high-level visits, at the level of Indian President, Vice-President or Prime Minister, have taken place to Africa and in last 6 years, 100 African leaders have visited India for bilateral or multilateral meetings. The Third India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015 in Delhi saw all 54 African nations participating. India has missions now in 38 African nations, a quarter of which have opened in the past two years.

India offers Africa an honest partnership: EAM Dr S Jaishankar 

Meanwhile, the Health Department said that the strike was concerning, warning that it could lead to public health risks.

No funerals for next three days as SA funeral homes goes on strike

Authorities say they will be built with care and improve transport links, connecting new urban developments and bypassing central Cairo's congestion

Egypt cuts highways across pyramids plateau, alarming conservationists

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Congo Republic and Senegal are among those worst-hit this year,

Severe floods hit 760,000 people in West and Central Africa

Mali military rulers said on Saturday they were postponing their first meeting over the transfer of powers due to "organisational reasons" nearly two weeks after ousting the president in a coup.

The junta had invited civic groups, political organisations and former rebels to consultations on Saturday, but said in a statement that the meeting was postponed to a later date.

A protest coalition that had campaigned against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the June 5 Movement, had not been invited to participate in the meeting.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mali-junta-wants-military-rule-for-three-years-agrees-to-free-president-322652">Also read:&nbsp;Mali junta wants military rule for three years, agrees to free president</a>

The group has demanded that the military junta give it a role in the transition to civilian rule which the military has promised, though without a timetable.

After an escalating series of mass protests, young army officers mutinied on August 18, seizing Keita and other leaders and declaring they now governed the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-african-leaders-add-to-pressure-on-mali-after-coup-322437">Also read:&nbsp;West African leaders add to pressure on Mali after coup</a>

The coup shocked Mali's West African neighbours and ally France, heightening worries over instability in a country already struggling with an Islamist insurgency, ethnic violence and economic malaise.

Mali's influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, a key player in the mass opposition protests that led to Keita's ouster, said Friday that the new military rulers did not have "carte blanche".

His comments came as a new document published on the Malian government's Official Journal said the junta's head had been effectively invested with the powers of head of state.&nbsp;

West African leaders, meanwhile, on Friday demanded an immediate civilian transition and elections within 12 months as they considered sanctions.

Mali military rulers said on Saturday they were postponing their first meeting over the transfer of powers due to "organisational reasons" nearly two weeks after ousting the president in a coup.

Mali military rulers said on Saturday they were postponing their first meeting over the transfer of powers due to "organisational reasons" nearly two weeks after ousting the president in a coup. The junta had invited civic groups, political organisations and former rebels to consultations on Saturday, but said in a statement that the meeting was postponed to a later date. A protest coalition that had campaigned against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the June 5 Movement, had not been invited to participate in the meeting. Also read: Mali junta wants military rule for three years, agrees to free president The group has demanded that the military junta give it a role in the transition to civilian rule which the military has promised, though without a timetable. After an escalating series of mass protests, young army officers mutinied on August 18, seizing Keita and other leaders and declaring they now governed the country. Also read: West African leaders add to pressure on Mali after coup The coup shocked Mali's West African neighbours and ally France, heightening worries over instability in a country already struggling with an Islamist insurgency, ethnic violence and economic malaise. Mali's influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, a key player in the mass opposition protests that led to Keita's ouster, said Friday that the new military rulers did not have "carte blanche". His comments came as a new document published on the Malian government's Official Journal said the junta's head had been effectively invested with the powers of head of state. West African leaders, meanwhile, on Friday demanded an immediate civilian transition and elections within 12 months as they considered sanctions.

Mali junta postpones first meeting over transfer of powers

A study conducted by researchers of the United Kingdom&nbsp;has rvealed that chemicals present in insect spray can kill the novel coronavirus.

The preliminary study has been conducted by scientists&nbsp;at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

The scientists found that an ingredient commonly found in insect repellent —&nbsp;Citriodiol — may have the power to kill&nbsp;anti-viral properties, if mixed with the virus in the liquid phase.

"Mixing a virus suspension with Mosi-guard spray or selected constituent components resulted in a reduction in SARS-CoV-2," said the study.

At a high concentration, "Mosi-guard gave a significant decrease... resulting in no recoverable virus," it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-first-coronavirus-reinfection-case-confirmed-in-hong-kong-322896">Also read:&nbsp;World’s 'first' coronavirus reinfection case confirmed in Hong Kong</a>

The ingredient,&nbsp;Citriodiol, is known to kill other forms of coronavirus, and is found in&nbsp;Asia, South America and Africa, and is made&nbsp;made from oil in the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree.

The study has not been externally peer-reviewed and has been released as a foundation basis for other scientists around the world who are&nbsp;researching for possible solutions for COVID-19.

"DSTL is hopeful that the findings in this research can be used as a springboard for other organizations to expand and develop the research, as well as to confirm the findings in this publication," the Minsitry of Defence&nbsp;said.

This is&nbsp; not the first time the use of this ingredient is being mentioned for killing the virus. In May,&nbsp;Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had revealed that the British armed forces were being given the insect repellent as an&nbsp;"additional layer of protection" against exposure to the virus after the&nbsp;Surgeon General had assured that it would cause no harm to the soldiers.

A study conducted by researchers of the United Kingdom has rvealed that chemicals present in insect spray can kill the novel coronavirus. The preliminary study has been conducted by scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

A study conducted by researchers of the United Kingdom has rvealed that chemicals present in insect spray can kill the novel coronavirus. The preliminary study has been conducted by scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The scientists found that an ingredient commonly found in insect repellent — Citriodiol — may have the power to kill anti-viral properties, if mixed with the virus in the liquid phase. "Mixing a virus suspension with Mosi-guard spray or selected constituent components resulted in a reduction in SARS-CoV-2," said the study. At a high concentration, "Mosi-guard gave a significant decrease... resulting in no recoverable virus," it added. Also read: World’s 'first' coronavirus reinfection case confirmed in Hong Kong The ingredient, Citriodiol, is known to kill other forms of coronavirus, and is found in Asia, South America and Africa, and is made made from oil in the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. The study has not been externally peer-reviewed and has been released as a foundation basis for other scientists around the world who are researching for possible solutions for COVID-19. "DSTL is hopeful that the findings in this research can be used as a springboard for other organizations to expand and develop the research, as well as to confirm the findings in this publication," the Minsitry of Defence said. This is not the first time the use of this ingredient is being mentioned for killing the virus. In May, Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had revealed that the British armed forces were being given the insect repellent as an "additional layer of protection" against exposure to the virus after the Surgeon General had assured that it would cause no harm to the soldiers.

Chemical present in insect spray can kill coronavirus: Study

Africa is set to be declared as a 'polio-free- region by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 25, fiur years after cases re-emerged in northeastern Nigeria.

The WHO thanked volunteers, donors, local leaders and communities, and front line health workers who put in efforts round the clock to save children from the crippling disease.

"Thanks to the relentless efforts by governments, donors, frontline health workers, and communities, up to 1.8 million children have been saved from the crippling lifelong paralysis," the WHO said in a statement.

Wild polio, classified as an endemic had been crippling the childen of Africa by leaving them paralysed. The WHO and health experts were successful in finishing the disease from the continent, until few years ago when handful cases re-emerged in Nigeria. However, four years after the recent cases, the continent is now certified as polio-free.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-pace-slows-worldwide-except-for-southeast-asia-eastern-mediterranean-who-322990">Also read|&nbsp;Pandemic pace slows worldwide except for Southeast Asia, Eastern Mediterranean: WHO</a>

The local doctors have expressed joy of relief for this achievement.&nbsp;"Happiness is an understatement. We've been on this marathon for over 30 years," said Tunji Funsho, a Nigerian doctor and local anti-polio coordinator for Rotary International.

The official announcement was made through a videoconference, which was attended by the&nbsp;WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and key figures including philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

After Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be the only countries to have polio cases now.

African officials had to fight not only with polio, but also with extremists who protested against the vaccine, alleging the vaccine was an excuse to negatively affect children's health. Various health officials had to face the threat of violence from extremists groups. The health officials took help from 'health informants' and local leaders to gain trust of such groups.

"People trust their local traditional leaders who live with them more than the political leaders," said Grema Mundube, a community leader in the town of Monguno, in the far north of Nigeria.

"Once we spoke to them and they saw us immunising our children, they gradually accepted the vaccine," he continued.

Dr Musa Idowu Audu, coordinator for the WHO in Borno also took a moment to remember and thank the leaders and the officials who lost their lives or became victims of violence while making sure the vaccines reach the affeted children. Remembering the days and thanking teh officials for their efforts, eh said,&nbsp;"International agencies, local governments, donors — all partners took the bull by the horns to find new strategies to manage to reach these children."

Audu also said that while he is happy that Africa will now be a 'polio-free' continent, he hopes no new case arrives from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and all children, in future, get vaccinated on time.

Africa is set to be declared as a 'polio-free- region by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 25, fiur years after cases re-emerged in northeastern Nigeria.

Africa is set to be declared as a 'polio-free- region by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 25, fiur years after cases re-emerged in northeastern Nigeria. The WHO thanked volunteers, donors, local leaders and communities, and front line health workers who put in efforts round the clock to save children from the crippling disease. "Thanks to the relentless efforts by governments, donors, frontline health workers, and communities, up to 1.8 million children have been saved from the crippling lifelong paralysis," the WHO said in a statement. Wild polio, classified as an endemic had been crippling the childen of Africa by leaving them paralysed. The WHO and health experts were successful in finishing the disease from the continent, until few years ago when handful cases re-emerged in Nigeria. However, four years after the recent cases, the continent is now certified as polio-free. Also read| Pandemic pace slows worldwide except for Southeast Asia, Eastern Mediterranean: WHO The local doctors have expressed joy of relief for this achievement. "Happiness is an understatement. We've been on this marathon for over 30 years," said Tunji Funsho, a Nigerian doctor and local anti-polio coordinator for Rotary International. The official announcement was made through a videoconference, which was attended by the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and key figures including philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. After Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be the only countries to have polio cases now. African officials had to fight not only with polio, but also with extremists who protested against the vaccine, alleging the vaccine was an excuse to negatively affect children's health. Various health officials had to face the threat of violence from extremists groups. The health officials took help from 'health informants' and local leaders to gain trust of such groups. "People trust their local traditional leaders who live with them more than the political leaders," said Grema Mundube, a community leader in the town of Monguno, in the far north of Nigeria. "Once we spoke to them and they saw us immunising our children, they gradually accepted the vaccine," he continued. Dr Musa Idowu Audu, coordinator for the WHO in Borno also took a moment to remember and thank the leaders and the officials who lost their lives or became victims of violence while making sure the vaccines reach the affeted children. Remembering the days and thanking teh officials for their efforts, eh said, "International agencies, local governments, donors — all partners took the bull by the horns to find new strategies to manage to reach these children." Audu also said that while he is happy that Africa will now be a 'polio-free' continent, he hopes no new case arrives from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and all children, in future, get vaccinated on time.

WHO to certify Africa 'polio free' after 30 years of fighting

Two days after the military coup in Mali, now there is more clarity on who was behind his hostile takeover and what they hope to achieve from it. Watch report.

Military coup in Mali: African Union suspends Mali's membership

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