Gabon junta allows regulated logging of rare kevazingo tree
Libreville, Gabon Reuters Gabon’s junta has relaxed rules covering the rare kevazingo tree, allowing logging under certain conditions of a hardwood species that can take 500 years to grow to its full height of 40 metres. There is high demand in Asia for kevazingo wood, which is used to make chic tables and speciality guitars, […]
Burkina Faso: How the military junta is conscripting critics to fight Islamist rebels
SOFIA CHRISTENSEN, of Reuters, reports on accusations Burkina Faso’s ruling junta have kidnapped and conscripted some of its critics…
Myanmar poverty deepens, economic growth stagnant, World Bank says
Reuters Poverty in Myanmar is more widespread than at any time in the last six years and growth in the conflict-torn nation is likely to remain at a measly one per cent in the current fiscal year with little respite in sight, the World Bank said on Wednesday. Escalating violence, labour shortages and a depreciating […]
Myanmar’s Rohingya in the crosshairs as fighting escalates in Rakhine
Reuters Myanmar’s Muslim-minority Rohingya community is once again under threat of attacks and displacement as fighting between a powerful ethnic army and the country’s ruling junta escalates in the western state of Rakhine, according to UN and aid agencies. Thousands of Rohingya are estimated to have fled for safety towards neighbouring Bangladesh since mid-May, which […]
Burkina Faso extends junta rule by five years
Reuters Burkina Faso’s ruling junta will remain in power for another five years after participants in national talks on Saturday proposed extending the transition back to democracy by 60 months from July, according to the text of an approved new charter. People waving flags in Burkina Faso on 29th September, 2023. PICTURE: Reuters/ Yempabou Ouoba […]
Chad’s Deby sworn in as President after three years of military rule
N’Djamena Reuters Chad’s newly elected President Mahamat Idriss Deby was sworn in to succeed his late father on Thursday, after three years as an interim leader under military rule in the central African country. Deby seized power after rebels killed his father, long-standing President Idriss Deby, as he was visiting troops fighting militias in the […]
Myanmar rebel group claims control of town, denies targeting Rohingya
Reuters A powerful armed ethnic group in Myanmar said on Sunday it had won control over a town in the western state of Rakhine after weeks of fighting, denying accusations it had targeted members of the Muslim-minority Rohingya during the offensive. Khine Thu Kha, a spokesman for the Arakan Army, said its soldiers had taken […]
Mali talks propose junta rule for three more years
Bamako, Mali Reuters Participants in Mali’s national dialogue on Friday recommended extending the military-led transition to democracy by three years and allowing junta leader Assimi Goita to stand in the eventual election. The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020, and tensions have risen over the junta’s failure to […]
Myanmar warlord at centre of battle for key border town
Reuters Armed soldiers loyal to a turncoat warlord patrol the streets of south-eastern Myanmar’s frontier town of Myawaddy, as troops of the ruling junta and rebels jostle for control of the outpost that handles more than $US1 billion in border trade every year. The struggle for Myawaddy has highlighted the role played by Colonel Saw […]
Malian group asks Supreme Court to annul junta’s ban on political activities
Bamako, Mali Reuters The Malian Supreme Court should annul the ruling junta’s order to suspend political activities, a group of Malian political parties and civil society organisations said in an appeal on Monday. The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020. Tensions have risen in recent weeks over the […]