The United Nations Security Council is considering a plan by the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to deploy troops in Mali. The French government has urged the UNSC to pass the resolution approving the force by December 20.
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who was shot on October 13, returned to Mauritania one week ago after an extended convalescence in France. Yesterday he announced that he will return to France briefly for further medical treatment, raising questions about the state of his health. At the same press conference, Abdel Aziz also stated his opposition to an external military intervention in Mali.
AFP: “Renewed Flooding Threatens Niger Capital.”
Garowe on “Jubaland”:
According to Jubaland authorities, there have been five committees set up to establish the Jubaland state in southern Somalia.
The committees include a Security Committee, Election Committee, Selection Committee, Logistics and Financial Committee, and an Awareness Committee, according to Jubaland sources. Each committee consists of 11 members.
The committees will be fundamental in creating the Jubaland state that has been backed by IGAD regional bloc.
IRIN:
After almost a decade of rebel rule, northern Côte d’Ivoire is coming to terms with a new authority as the government of President Alassane Ouattara, who assumed power some 18 months ago, establishes its presence in a region which effectively split from the rest of the country.
Aman Sethi’s op-ed on the Muslim protests in Ethiopia.
Seven gendarmes were jailed on Thursday for taking part in last year’s military mutinies in Burkina Faso, in the first trial linked to the outburst of deadly riots, protests and looting in the normally peaceful West African nation.
A new video from Abubakar Shekau of Nigeria’s Boko Haram.
What else is happening?
Sahel Blog 