Independent Online News
Paris says it is unable to work with putschists, leaving efforts to counter Islamists in Sahel in disarray
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris and agencies
France will begin withdrawing troops from Niger this week following a coup in the west African country, in what marks a turning point in western nations’ efforts to counter a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region.… Read the rest
When the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced he would withdraw France’s ambassador and troops from Niger after a military takeover, the new regime welcomed a historic step forward for the country.
At least 5.4 million people have been displaced by the fierce fighting that broke out in the country in April
Peter Beaumont and Zeinab Mohammed Salih in Omdurman
Humanitarian officials say the widening conflict in Sudan has left them trying to “plan for the apocalypse” as aid supply lines are disrupted and more people are displaced both internally and across the country’s borders.
Denis Mukwege won the Nobel peace prize in 2018 for his campaign against sexual violence
Reuters in Kinshasa
The Nobel peace prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, renowned for helping victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced plans to run for president in December.
It seems likely Russia will target the grid with its missiles again, but engineers say they are better prepared now
Luke Harding in Hostomel
On 25 February 2022, Oleksandr Danyliuk woke up to see Russian soldiers.… Read the rest