Boko Haram beheads Christian leader in Nigeria

ABUJA, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of a Christian leader in northern Nigeria.Reverend Lawan Andimi was abducted by gunmen believed to be Islamist militants in early January.In a statement, the Nigerian president described the killing of Reverend Andimi as deliberately provocative.He also revealed that…

Algeria to host six African foreign ministers on Libya conflict

Haftar’s battle for Tripoli has displaced tens of thousands of people ALGIERS, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria will host foreign affairs ministers from six northern and sub-Saharan African countries on Thursday to discuss the conflict in Libya. The Algiers meeting of ministers from Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad, Mali and Niger…

At least 15 people dead as boat capsizes in DR Congo: Mayor

A boat capsized KINSHASA, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 15 people died after a boat capsized in a lake in western Democratic Republic of Congo, a local mayor said.More people are missing from the Monday accident in Lake Mai-Ndombe, the Mayor of Inongo, Cosmos Mboo Wemba, said.The cause of…

Burkina FASO: Militants kill 36 civilians in market attack

OUAGADOUGOU, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirty-six civilians were killed in Burkina Faso on Monday in what the government called a terrorist attack on a market in Sanmatenga province. Armed militants forced their way into the market of the village of Alamou and attacked people there before burning the structure to…

Rwanda to scrap visa fees for over 90 countries

President Kagame speaks at King’s College, London International School for Government LONDON, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rwanda is considering scrapping visa fees for citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as the African Union and La Francophonie member countries, President Paul Kagame has announced. Kagame made the announcement at the International…

Sudan’s starving lions getting help

KHARTOUM, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The starving lions at the Dinder park in Sudan, whose photos caused an online outcry earlier this week, are now getting treatment.A plea from the Sudan Wildlife Research Centre (SWRC), and an online campaign, have resulted in help arriving for the malnourished lions. One of…

Billionaire pays Zimbabwe doctors to return to work

UK-based Strive Masiyiwa HARARE, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s junior doctors have agreed to return to work, ending a strike that has lasted for over four months, after they accepted an offer from a Zimbabwean telecoms billionaire.The strike was one of the longest in the country’s history and brought the…

South Sudan: Fresh attack in UN-administered Abyei leaves 29 dead

Abyei is now under the administration of the UN interim security force JUBA, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 29 civilians, including children have been killed in an attack by armed assailants in the disputed region of Abyei, the regional administrator said. The incident took place Wednesday at Kolom Village…

Pres Putin keeps key ministers in new Russian government

MOSCOW, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed a new government, keeping key officials including the ministers of foreign affairs and defence. The list of appointments released by the Kremlin showed Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu would be staying on in the government. The…

US calls for immediate resumption of Libya oil operations

TRIPOLI, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States called for animmediate resumption of Libya’s lifeline oil exports that have been blockedby forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar since last week. “The suspension of National Oil Corporation (NOC) operations risksexacerbating the humanitarian emergency in #Libya and inflicting furtherneedless suffering on…