Friday January 11th, French combat helicopters flew into northern Mali to stop the advance of islamist fighters who control the north of the country, and that includes the local branch of Al Qaeda. And France is now waging war in the Sahara desert, to rid Mali and the entire region of these groups. How does this impact the Hollande presidency? Will it define his political future?
The US has decided to lend logistical support to France’s efforts in battling al Qaeda-inspired groups in Mali, but made clear it will not send troops. According to foreign policy expert Richard Downie, the US faces legal limits on its role.
A bloody Algerian military raid on a gas field seized by Islamist militants has resulted in the death of at least several foreign nationals. Foreign governments have expressed concern at being kept in the dark over the operation.
As French-backed Malian troops pushed north, retaking the town of Konna Friday, a French envoy said Mali's Islamist rebels were "well-armed, well-equipped, well-trained and determined.”
When jihadists overrun a major gas export site in the Sahara desert, Algerian authorities prove quick to react. As dramatic events unfold near the Libyan border, the world wakes up to conflict in neighbouring Mali and asks if Algiers is part of the problem or part of the solution.
When jihadists overrun a major gas export site in the Sahara desert, Algerian authorities prove quick to react. As dramatic events unfold near the Libyan border, the world wakes up to conflict in neighbouring Mali and asks if Algiers is part of the problem or part of the solution.
The French army has joined Malian troops to take on Islamist fighters in the north, but just when will West African forces be able to join them? Next, we see how Malians are coping with life at a time of crisis. Finally, a trial in Cameroon brings gay rights into the spotlight.
Algeria has confirmed that several kidnappers and hostages -which included foreign nationals and Algerians- were killed in a raid to regain control of seized a natural gas plant on Wednesday morning.
IN THE WORLD PAPERS - Thurs. 17/01/13: Unrest in Mali and the hostage crisis in Algeria are getting a lot of attention in the international press today. As is Obama's gun control plan. The Guardian's Gary Younge says "this is how to be president".
