Tag: Africa

Gunmen Kill Nigerian Army General on Highway From Capital

ABUJA—Gunmen shot dead a Nigerian army general as he was traveling by car on a major road from the capital, Abuja, the army said on Friday, in the first such fatal gun attack on a senior serving military officer. Armed robberies and kidnappings for ransom, particularly in the northwest, have become so frequent that many…


‘It’s a War Zone’: South African Army Activates All Reserve Members Amid Widespread Looting

The South African government activated all army reserves and will deploy up to 25,000 troops to quell deadly civil unrest, looting, and rioting across the country. The country’s defense minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, told Parliament she had “now submitted a request for deployment of about 25,000 members” and other members to the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, according to…


South Africa Looking Into Deploying More Military to Quell Unrest

The South African government is looking into expanding the deployment of the military after days of looting and violence, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, according to a statement from his office on Wednesday. Ramaphosa made the comments during consultations with the leaders of political parties on ways to address the ongoing unrest. The leaders urged him…


South African Mother Throws Baby to Safety From Burning Building

JOHANNESBURG—A 2-year-old girl survived unharmed after her mother threw her to safety as they escaped a burning high-rise building in the South African city of Durban during protests. The mother, 26-year-old Naledi Manyoni, told Reuters on Wednesday that she had been on the 16th floor when the fire started on Tuesday. She ran down the…


Illegal Immigrants Try To Enter Spanish City in 2nd Clash in 3 Days

MADRID—More than 100 African men used grapples and threw stones at police as they tried to scale a high border fence and enter a tiny Spanish territory in North Africa in the middle of the night, authorities said Wednesday. Two Spanish police officers were injured in the incident, which was the second attempt in three…


Death Toll Rises to 26 as Violence, Looting Spreads in South Africa

Authorities in South Africa said that rioting and looting continued on Tuesday, with the death toll rising to 32 as the military and police have struggled to deal with the violence across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. The violence appeared to have been sparked by former President Jacob Zuma’s arrest for being in contempt of court, starting with…


Forces From Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Say They Are Pushing South

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia—Forces from Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray said on July 12 they were pushing south and had recaptured a town from government forces, underscoring their determination to keep fighting until the region’s pre-war borders are restored. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the claim because communication links to the region are down. Conflict…


South Africa to Deploy Army to Quell Violence as Ex-Leader Zuma Faces Court

JOHANNESBURG—South Africa will deploy soldiers to quell the violence that erupted in the wake of former president Jacob Zuma’s jailing, the military said on Monday, after days of riots and looting left at least six people dead. Disturbances worsened as Zuma challenged his 15-month prison term in the country’s top court after weekend unrest by…


South Africa Deploys Army to Quell Unrest Linked to Zuma Jailing

JOHANNESBURG—South Africa deployed soldiers on Monday to quell violence that erupted in the wake of former president Jacob Zuma’s jailing, after days of riots left at least six people dead. Police said disturbances had intensified and 219 people were arrested as the controversial ex-leader challenged his 15-month prison term in the country’s top court. Smoke…


Egypt Upholds Death Sentence for 12 Senior Muslim Brotherhood Figures

CAIRO—Egypt’s highest civilian court on Monday upheld death sentences for 12 senior Muslim Brotherhood figures over a 2013 sit-in which ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters, judicial sources said. The ruling, which cannot be appealed, means the 12 men could face execution pending approval by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. They include Abdul Rahman…