Guinea-Bissau Votes in a Referendum on Granting the President Expanded Powers

By ASSANA SAMBU and OPE ADETAYO

1:54 PM EDT, August 30, 2026

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Guinea-Bissau was voting Sunday in a referendum to decide on granting new presidential powers ahead of December’s general election, which will return the West African nation to democracy after its latest coup.

There was a low turnout across many voting stations after the opposition urged voters to boycott the referendum, saying it would make the head of the military government more powerful.

The military government seized power in November of last year following a disputed election in which former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both claimed victory.

If passed, the new constitution by the self-styled National Transitional Council will grant more powers to the president and reduce parliamentary representation, among other issues.

The authorities argue that a parliament trimmed from 102 to 65 seats would allow for easier and more robust debates, while new presidential powers would underline the higher authority of the president over the prime minister, which they claim is a source of political instability in the country. Opposition groups reject the claim.

“In a community, there is only one leader. No community or village can have two leaders. We revised the constitution to avoid constant conflict between the president of the republic and the prime minister. We clarified the law and helped the public understand that the president of the republic is the national symbol. It is the president who stands for election in presidential polls,” Gen. Tomás Djassi, the head of the armed forces, said.

Opposition urges boycott of referendum

But the opposition has called on voters to boycott the referendum, saying it is a path for the head of the military government to amass power and calling it a “source of political instability at all levels”.

“This constitution significantly weakens the prime minister and the government, subordinates the National People’s Assembly and political parties, and devalues — or even ignores — the popular will expressed at the polls, carrying all the attendant risks of political and social division and tension,” Muniro Conté, spokesperson for the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, told The Associated Press.

Last year’s coup in Guinea-Bissau worsened West Africa’s democratic crisis, adding it to a growing number of countries in the region under military rule.

Leaders on the continent branded it a “staged” takeover after the military allowed the former president to host a press conference to announce he was being deposed and allowed to leave the country in seemingly favorable circumstances. Skeptics say Embaló had given up the seat to the military after seeing he was losing the election.

Since it gained independence from Portugal in 1973, the only Portuguese-speaking country in West Africa has been rocked by several coups and attempted coups. Before last year’s coup, a failed coup was reported only a month before.

The tiny country of around 2.2 million people has the highest proportion of natural wealth per capita in West Africa, according to the World Bank, but more than half of the country lives in poverty. The country is a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, an issue experts say fuels its political instability.

Nearly 915,000 voters are registered to vote in the referendum, but the majority say the constitution is not a problem.

Widespread discontent among citizens over new constitution

Bacar Camará, a high school teacher in the capital, Bissau, said he would not be voting and disapproves of the referendum, citing a fraught political and social environment.

“The transitional government should focus on creating conditions for better understanding and reconciliation among Guineans,” he said.

Another resident in Bissau, Carolina Djeme, said the constitution is unfamiliar to her.

“I’ll go vote on Sunday. However, I’ll vote ‘no’ because — honestly, and I think this is the case for many other citizens — I don’t know this new constitution well, so I can’t vote ‘yes’,” she said.

Analysts say the military government lacks the legitimacy to change the constitution, which has sparked discontent among the citizens.

“The fundamental question is: Who drafted this constitution, and on whose behalf? To protect which interests or institutions? Who stands to benefit from this constitution?” Paulino Quadé, a Guinean political analyst, said.

———

Adetayo reported from London.

OPE ADETAYO

Adetayo is a West and Central Africa reporter for The Associated Press. He covers news and regional development across West and Central Africa.

Niger Capital Rocked by Attacks on Airport, Presidency

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

29 Aug 2026 08:41

Niger’s capital sees heavy overnight clashes as security forces launch search operations and report attackers neutralized.

Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard in several parts of Niger’s capital, Niamey, early Saturday, Reuters reported, citing two witnesses. The cause of the violence was not immediately known.

A security source told Reuters that “terrorists” had attacked Diori Hamani International Airport and sought to breach the security perimeter surrounding the presidency.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted Base 101, a major military facility in Niamey, but that security forces had retaken control.

“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured ... Situation under control,” Ibrahim wrote.

Attackers “neutralized”

A second security source told Reuters that security forces had begun search operations and that the attackers had been “neutralized,” while others had fled.

The second Reuters witness reported heavy and sustained gunfire around the presidential palace. According to the first witness, gunfire broke out again near Niamey’s international airport at about 0213 GMT.

Niger is key uranium producer

Niger, a resource-rich West African country with substantial uranium, oil and gold deposits, has been under military rule since a July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum.

After taking power, General Abdourahamane Tiani’s junta moved away from Western allies and joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the AES, which broke away from the regional ECOWAS bloc.

The three countries continue to fight insurgencies associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State, despite commitments from their military leaders to strengthen security.

Part of a wider break with Western control

Niger's formal notice comes as the Sahel bloc deepens its break with Western-backed political and security structures.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have already withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, accusing the bloc of serving foreign agendas and imposing pressure on governments that chose an independent political path.

The three states have since moved forward with the Confederation of Sahel States, a framework aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, security coordination, and political independence.

Their leaderships have presented these decisions as part of a wider struggle to end external tutelage, particularly from France and Western institutions that long shaped the political and economic direction of the former French colonies.

What do you need to know?

The latest unrest comes as Niger’s junta increases its control over the country’s uranium industry, after taking over assets belonging to France’s Orano. A government decree last week reassigned former Orano and GoviEx uranium permits to state-backed companies.

Before the junta took control of Orano’s assets around 2024, Niger was an important supplier of nuclear fuel to Europe. At full capacity, the country accounted for about 15% of Orano’s uranium supply.

Earlier this year, deadly attacks killed at least 44 civilians in southwestern Niger in March, while an assault took place near Niamey’s international airport in January.

49 Killed, 33 Wounded in Armed Attack on Cattle Herders in South Sudan

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

28 Aug 2026 17:49

At least 49 people were killed and 33 wounded after armed men attacked a cattle herders’ camp in South Sudan’s Warrap State.

At least 49 people were killed and 33 others wounded after armed men attacked a gathering of cattle herders in South Sudan’s Warrap State, in one of the latest outbreaks of communal violence linked to disputes over grazing land, water resources, and cattle.

The attack took place at around 5 am on Thursday, when armed men from neighboring Unity State and others attacked a cattle herders’ camp in Northern Tonj County, according to Warrap State Information Minister William Wol Mayom Bol, who described the assault as “brutal.”

Bol urged residents to exercise restraint and refrain from retaliatory attacks, saying authorities in Warrap and Unity states were working together to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.

Authorities urge restraint amid communal tensions

Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes told Reuters that the attackers were not all from her state, adding that officials from both states were working to strengthen peaceful coexistence among local communities and prevent the violence from spreading.

Communal conflicts are widespread in South Sudan, particularly among pastoralist communities competing over grazing areas and water sources or involved in cattle theft. The widespread availability of firearms among civilians has also contributed to higher casualty figures and allowed local disputes to escalate into deadly clashes.

The latest attack comes as South Sudan prepares for presidential elections scheduled for December 2026. The vote is expected to be the country’s first presidential election since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

169 killed in massacre 

At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in northern South Sudan, local officials told AFP in March, as violence continues to intensify across the country. South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has endured years of instability marked by civil war, economic collapse, and entrenched corruption.

The latest massacre took place in Abiemnom County near the border with Sudan. Elizabeth Achol, health minister in the northern Ruweng administrative area, told AFP that 169 bodies had been buried in a mass grave, while Information Minister James Monyluak confirmed the toll and said the victims included women, children, and elderly people. He warned that the number could rise as more bodies are recovered, while an anonymous diplomatic source initially put the death toll at 70.

Initial reports suggested the attack may have been carried out by an ethnic Nuer group, possibly in retaliation for the killing of traders, according to the diplomatic source. Monyluak said many residents had fled to nearby villages, while others sought refuge at a local United Nations compound, adding that government security forces had since been deployed and brought the area under control.

A UN Mission in South Sudan spokesperson told AFP that peacekeepers were temporarily sheltering around 1,000 civilians at their base and providing emergency medical treatment to people wounded in the attack. The latest violence comes as clashes between government and opposition forces have intensified in Jonglei state over the past two months, displacing around 280,000 people, according to UN figures, while Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, said 26 of its staff members were missing following an airstrike on one of its facilities and suspended medical services in Lankien and Pieri.

The escalation has prompted renewed international concern over South Sudan’s fragile security situation, with the United Nations warning that the country could slide back into full-scale conflict as a power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and longtime rival Riek Machar continues to unravel. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation and called for urgent action to prevent a return to full-scale civil war.

AU Condemns Armed Attacks on UN Peacekeepers in South Sudan

Source: Xinhua| 2026-08-29 23:15:15|Editor: huaxia

ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has condemned armed attacks carried out on Monday on a United Nations (UN) convoy in South Sudan's Jonglei State.

In a press statement issued Friday, the AU said AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf "strongly condemns the fatal attack carried out by unidentified assailants against a joint patrol of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Jonglei State, South Sudan."

The chairperson paid tribute to the two Ethiopian peacekeepers who lost their lives during the attack, which also left seven others injured.

He called on the authorities in South Sudan to immediately investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.

"The AU Commission chairperson extends his sincere condolences to the government of Ethiopia as well as to the families, colleagues, and friends of the peacekeepers who were killed or injured in this heinous attack," the statement added.

The chairperson reaffirmed the commitment of the AU to continue supporting the government and people of South Sudan in their efforts to achieve a credible democratic transition and sustainable peace.

The UN mission said it has deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and support emergency response operations.

Algeria Battles Scores of Wildfires that Have Killed 12, Injured Dozens

64 fires remain active across 10 provinces after authorities extinguished 110 blazes in past 24 hours

Yakoota Al Ahmad and Lina Altawell

28 August 2026

ISTANBUL

Sixty-four wildfires were still burning across 10 Algerian provinces on Friday, most of them in the eastern Jijel province, after authorities extinguished 110 out of 174 fires that erupted nationwide over the past 24 hours.

According to a statement by the General Directorate of Civil Protection, Jijel topped the list of provinces for ongoing fires with 20, followed by Skikda with 14, El Tarf near the Tunisian border with 10, Guelma with six, Annaba with five, and Bejaia with four.

Bouira, meanwhile, is still contending with two fires, while Tebessa, Constantine and Mila are still battling one each.

Emergency teams have continued efforts to extinguish the blazes with aerial support from BE-200 military aircraft, AT-802 firefighting aircraft and Mi-26 helicopters.

Areas where firefighting efforts remain underway include Taxenna, Ziama Mansouriah, El Milia, Ouled Yahia Khedrouche and Chekfa in Jijel, along with areas in Skikda, El Tarf and Annaba.

12 killed, 54 injured

The spate of fires that erupted Wednesday has killed 12 people to date -- five in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou, according to Interior Minister Said Sayoud.

Another 54 people have sustained injuries, including six in critical condition, the minister said.

On Thursday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims.

On the same day, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb traveled to Jijel to oversee firefighting efforts and visit the injured and local residents in affected areas.

The fires come amid a severe heat wave affecting North Africa, where authorities say they have mobilized land and air resources with a view to protecting lives and property.

On Tuesday, Algeria’s meteorological service warned of an anticipated heat wave in several provinces this week, with temperatures forecast to reach 49C in some areas.

According to Civil Protection data, around 4,000 fires were recorded in the period from May 1 to July 20, compared with 1,501 during the same period last year, representing an increase of nearly 167 percent.

Algeria Rallies in Solidarity as Wildfires Hit Northeast

Source: Xinhua| 2026-08-30 00:10:00|

Editor: huaxia

ALGIERS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Algerian communities have been rallying to support families affected by devastating wildfires in the country's northeast, with volunteers organizing donation drives and convoys carrying essential supplies from across the country to the hardest-hit areas.

In Jijel province, days of destructive wildfires have left burned homes, charred vehicles, scorched forests and dead livestock. Images shared by residents on social media showed the extent of destruction in remote mountainous areas, triggering an outpouring of support beyond the affected areas.

Volunteers and local associations have set up collection points to gather drinking water, food, infant formula, baby diapers, clothing, blankets, and other necessities for displaced families.

"As soon as I saw the calls for help from our brothers and sisters in Jijel, I joined the campaign," said Farid, a 27-year-old trader from Algiers, while loading donations at a local collection point on Saturday.

"I bought drinking water and infant milk, loaded them into my van, and I am now on my way to Jijel with a friend to deliver the donations," he said.

The campaign also extended to the Algerian diaspora, with fundraising efforts organized abroad.

Meanwhile, authorities continue efforts to contain the remaining fires and assess the damage.

The Civil Protection Authority said in the latest statement on Saturday that 123 fires were recorded between Aug. 28 and 29 as of 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), of which 118 had been extinguished while five remained active.

Two of the ongoing fires were in Jijel, two in Setif and one in Tebessa, according to the statement.

In Jijel, crews continued battling five ongoing fires and hotspots, supported by two AT-802 firefighting aircraft, a Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter, and an amphibious water-bomber jet BE-200.

Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited Jijel on Friday, inspecting the affected areas by helicopter and meeting with residents.

Ghrieb reiterated the state's commitment to supporting those affected and attended a collective funeral for 39 people in the town of Djemaa Beni Habibi, as search operations continued for the missing, according to local reports.

The prime minister also visited the Dr. Said Chibane Major Burns Hospital in Zeralda, where injured people from the affected areas were receiving medical treatment. He said that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had ordered full medical mobilization for the injured.

The official death toll remains at 12, as announced by Interior Minister Said Sayoud on Wednesday evening, with no updated nationwide figure released since.

The fires come amid a severe heat wave affecting the North African country. The meteorological service warned that temperatures could hit 49 degrees Celsius in some areas this week.

According to Civil Protection data, around 4,000 fires were recorded from May 1 to July 20, a sharp rise of almost 167 percent from the 1,501 recorded during the same period last year.

AfroPix Expands Pan-African and Caribbean Cinema Initiative, Delivering Revolutionary Creator Compensation

August 28, 2026 11:28 pm

Pan African Visions

Streaming platform drives the “First to 54” mission, working directly with filmmakers and creators as well as partnering with national film boards to scale independent cinema across the continent and showcase cinema and video content from every African country

LONDON — August 2026 — AfroPix, the dedicated streaming platform for authentic African and Caribbean cinema, is accelerating its cross-continental rollout, establishing official distribution pipelines with national film boards, cultural ministries, festival curators and directly with African filmmakers and creators to ensure content from every single Sub-Saharan African country and the Caribbean is represented on the platform.

Operating as a UK-registered global streaming platform, AfroPix is built to solve the systemic distribution and monetization bottlenecks that have historically undermined regional talent. Under its transparent creator-first compensation structure, creators are paid for every single view regardless of audience size, calculated at a clear rate per view illustrated globally in US dollars (such as $0.03 USD per view, translating to $300 USD for 10,000 views and scaling up to $3,000 USD for 100,000 views), providing a sustainable revenue model designed to empower independent cinema across emerging markets.

“We are on a mission to tell African stories,” said Tyrone Satchwell, Founder & CEO of AfroPix. “By building strategic partnerships across Africa and the Caribbean, we are executing our mission to ensure authentic representation from every nation in those regions, while building a sustainable, equitable creative ecosystem. We want African filmmakers and digital creators to get in touch with us directly to bring their content onto the platform and share their work with global audiences.”

Key Pillars of the AfroPix Model:

Disrupting Creator Economics: Bypassing traditional algorithmic monopolies and low local advertising CPMs by paying creators fairly for every single view regardless of audience size, illustrated in USD globally at a clear rate per view (e.g., $300 USD for 10,000 views, scaling up to $3,000 USD for 100,000 views).

Empowering 10,000 Filmmakers: Slated to begin in mid-2027, AfroPix is launching a committed initiative to train 10,000 filmmakers across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a firm guarantee that a minimum of 50% of participants will be women to drive measurable female empowerment.

Actively partnering with national film boards, creators and film festivals across Africa and the Caribbean to establish official distribution pipelines and bring regional cinema directly to global audiences—proven by recent milestone rollouts such as the Ethiopian International Film Festival showcase.

Veteran Leadership: Co-founded by CEO Tyrone Satchwell (director of the acclaimed documentary Inclusion Delusion), alongside Gambian-British actor Lamin Tamba and industry veteran Chris Deering (former President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe).

AfroPix is live and operational, bringing independent features, documentaries, and shorts to global viewers. Viewers and creators can explore the platform at www.afropix.com.

About AfroPix

AfroPix is a streaming platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating authentic African and Caribbean stories. Through direct partnerships with national film boards, festivals, and independent creators, AfroPix delivers high-quality and authentic regional cinema to global audiences while ensuring filmmakers are fairly compensated based on audience engagement.

The Ethiopian International Film Festival and AfroPix Launch Official Showcase as Part of PanAfrican and Caribbean Cinema Initiative

August 29, 2026 12:09 am

Pan African Visions

Landmark partnership brings Ethiopian cinema to a global audience while advancing AfroPix’s mission to feature authentic stories from every Sub-Saharan African nation and the Caribbean.

ADDIS ABABA / LONDON — July 30, 2026 — The Ethiopian International Film Festival (EIFF) and AfroPix, the dedicated streaming platform for authentic African cinema, have officially launched the Ethiopian Showcase. The strategic partnership expands the digital footprint of contemporary Ethiopian feature films, documentaries, and shorts globally.

The showcase marks a key operational milestone in AfroPix’s broader cross-continental mission: establishing official distribution pipelines with national film bodies and festival curators to ensure content from every single Sub-Saharan African country, as well as the Caribbean, is represented on the platform.

Under AfroPix’s creator-first compensation structure, participating filmmakers earn significantly higher returns than traditional global video platforms—paying creators $3,000 per 100,000 views to provide a sustainable revenue model designed to empower independent cinema across emerging markets.

“We are on a mission to ensure authentic African and Caribbean stories reach global audiences with zero friction,” said Tyrone Satchwell, Founder & CEO of AfroPix. “Partnering with the Ethiopian International Film Festival allows us to highlight the exceptional talent of Ethiopian storytellers as part of our ultimate ‘First to 54’ national showcase initiative across the continent and throughout the Caribbean diaspora.”

The curated selection offers viewers direct access to acclaimed narrative and documentary works selected in partnership with EIFF leadership.

“This partnership allows us to extend the festival’s impact beyond physical venue screenings,” added Yirgashewa Teshome, Founding Director of the Ethiopian International Film Festival. “It gives Ethiopian filmmakers international exposure, dedicated digital distribution, and a sustainable path to commercial monetization.”

About AfroPix

AfroPix is a social enterprise and streaming platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating authentic African and Caribbean stories. Through direct partnerships with national film boards, festivals, and independent creators, AfroPix delivers high-quality regional cinema to global audiences while ensuring filmmakers are fairly compensated based on audience engagement.

About the Ethiopian International Film Festival ( EIFF )

Founded by filmmaker Yirgashewa Teshome, the Ethiopian International Film Festival is Ethiopia’s premier annual cinematic event, dedicated to celebrating local talent, fostering international cultural exchange, and advancing the growth of regional filmmaking.

Cameroon Muslim Leaders Condemn Rising Femicide

August 29, 2026 1:49 pm

Pan African Visions

CIDIMUC said it would support efforts by public authorities to tackle violence against women

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, PAV – The Council of Imams and Muslim Dignitaries of Cameroon (CIDIMUC) has condemned a recent wave of femicide in the country, calling the killings a grave violation of human dignity and religious values.

The council’s statement comes after seven women were reportedly killed in seven days in Yaoundé, Douala, Belabo and Tibati, prompting renewed concern over violence against women in Cameroon.

The reported killings include a female student in Yaoundé who was allegedly thrown from a moving vehicle, a young woman reportedly killed by her boyfriend, and a 19-year-old woman who was allegedly killed by her 22-year-old partner in the Effoulan neighbourhood of Yaoundé. In Douala, a 34-year-old mother of two was reportedly stabbed to death in her home by her husband while their children were present.

The latest cases have added to mounting concern over the scale of violence against women in the country. According to figures presented by the minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Cameroon recorded 50 femicide cases during the first four months of 2026, alongside 166 cases of rape and 13 infanticides.

The figures indicate a continuing rise in domestic killings of women, with reported femicides increasing by 37% since 2023. Human Rights Watch has also reported widespread violence against women in Cameroon, saying nearly 40% of women have experienced physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Its reporting documented at least 77 femicides in 2024.

CIDIMUC said it would support efforts by public authorities to tackle violence against women and called on Imams and Muslim dignitaries to intensify awareness campaigns.

The council’s statement comes after seven women were reportedly killed in seven days in Yaoundé, Douala, Belabo and Tibati

The council said religious leaders had an important role to play in promoting respect for life, protecting human dignity and challenging attitudes that could contribute to violence.

The intervention comes amid growing calls from civil society organisations, women’s rights groups and community leaders for stronger prevention measures and greater public awareness of domestic violence. The council said its commitment would be centred on supporting efforts to protect life and uphold human dignity, as concern grows over the continuing violence against women in Cameroon.

Sierra Leone University Scraps Hard-Bound Dissertations In Shift To Digital Submissions

August 29, 2026 12:38 am

Pan African Visions

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — The University of Sierra Leone has abolished the requirement for students to submit hard-bound copies of their dissertations, introducing an electronic-only submission system in a move aimed at reducing costs, cutting waste and modernising academic administration.

The directive, issued by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal on August 28, 2026, takes immediate effect and applies to student dissertations across the university.

Under the new policy, faculties and departments will no longer be permitted to require students to submit hard-bound copies of their dissertations to the university.

Students may still print and bind copies for their personal records, but such copies will not be accepted as official submissions.

Move welcomed by former student

The decision has received support from some former students of the university.

Mohamed Kamara, 29, a former alumnus of Fourah Bay College, welcomed the move, describing it as consistent with a broader global shift towards digital academic administration.

“This is a great move by the university. I hope other universities will follow FBC,” Kamara said.

He added that electronic submission is increasingly becoming the norm for universities around the world, making the University of Sierra Leone’s decision timely.

Reducing the financial burden

The university said the policy is intended partly to reduce the financial burden on students and prevent avoidable waste.

The production of hard-bound dissertations can add considerable costs for students, particularly those completing postgraduate research who may previously have been required to produce multiple physical copies.

By making electronic submission the official process, the university is eliminating the need for students to incur compulsory printing and binding expenses.

The move also reflects the growing reliance on digital platforms in higher education, where research, academic assessment and institutional records are increasingly managed electronically.

Plagiarism detection system

The new system will also introduce additional safeguards for academic integrity.

According to the university’s directive, all electronic dissertation submissions will be screened to ensure that they meet minimum standards for academic writing and proper authorship.

The university said it is in the process of deploying a plagiarism detection system.

Only dissertations that pass the required verification process will be accepted and archived, according to the notice.

The introduction of electronic screening could strengthen the university’s ability to detect plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct before research is formally accepted.

Building a digital archive

The university said it has adequate digital storage infrastructure to securely archive approved dissertations that meet the required standards.

The shift could also help the institution build a more organised digital repository of student research, reducing its reliance on physical storage.

However, the university’s notice does not indicate whether the archived dissertations will eventually be made publicly accessible or remain available only to authorised university users.

Departments warned against non-compliance

The directive requires Deans, Heads of Departments and faculty members to communicate the policy change to academic staff and students without delay.

The university has also warned that any deviation from the directive will be subject to appropriate administrative action.

This means individual departments and academic staff are not expected to impose separate requirements for hard-bound copies where the new university-wide policy applies.

The notice was authored by Dr Tonya Musa, Director of Communication and International Relations, and issued from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

A significant shift for Sierra Leone’s higher education sector

The University of Sierra Leone described the move as part of its commitment to modernisation, reducing costs for students and responsible resource management.

The decision represents a significant departure from the traditional paper-based approach to dissertation submission in Sierra Leone.

For students, the immediate benefit is likely to be the removal of compulsory printing and binding costs. For the university, the transition offers an opportunity to streamline the submission, verification and long-term preservation of academic research.

The effectiveness of the new system, however, will depend on reliable digital infrastructure, clear submission procedures and adequate support for students and academic staff during the transition.

For Kamara and other supporters of the policy, the change is a sign that Sierra Leone’s universities are beginning to align their academic processes with evolving international practices.

With the directive now in force, the University of Sierra Leone has made clear that electronic submission, rather than hard-bound copies, will be the official route for student dissertations.

Sierra Leone Confirms 17 Nationals Among Dead in Conakry Landfill Landslide

August 29, 2026 6:26 pm

Pan African Visions

The victims — 14 men and three women — were identified during a joint exercise involving Guinean authorities and officials from the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Conakry, according to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

Contents

A disaster across the border

Families wait for certainty

A regional tragedy

Sierra Leoneans in Guinea

The challenge of identification

A warning for West Africa’s cities

Recovery continues

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Seventeen Sierra Leonean nationals are among the people confirmed dead after a massive landslide struck a landfill in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, in a disaster that has left families on both sides of the border waiting for answers.

The victims — 14 men and three women — were identified during a joint exercise involving Guinean authorities and officials from the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Conakry, according to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The deaths were confirmed as recovery and identification efforts continued at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in the Gbessia area of Conakry, where the collapse triggered a major emergency operation.

The disaster has brought renewed attention to the risks faced by people living and working around large waste disposal sites in some of West Africa’s rapidly expanding cities.

For Sierra Leone, however, the tragedy has taken on a deeply personal and diplomatic dimension, with dozens of its nationals among those affected.

A disaster across the border

In an update issued on August 28, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Government of Guinea had reported 34 fatalities from the disaster.

The ministry cautioned that the figures could change as authorities continue recovery and identification operations.

The Sierra Leonean Embassy has so far confirmed 54 Sierra Leonean survivors — 32 women, 17 men and five minors.

The government said immediate humanitarian assistance had been provided to survivors, including food, clothing and other essential supplies.

“Further consular and humanitarian needs are being assessed in coordination with the relevant authorities,” the ministry said.

The latest figures represent an update to an earlier statement issued by the Sierra Leonean government on August 25, as officials continued efforts to establish the identities of victims and determine the whereabouts of people who remained unaccounted for.

The embassy in Conakry remains in contact with Guinean authorities and affected families as the recovery operation continues.

Families wait for certainty

Behind the official figures are families confronting one of the most difficult stages following a mass-casualty disaster: waiting for confirmation about relatives and loved ones.

The Sierra Leonean government has urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information about victims and missing people, describing the situation as sensitive and still evolving.

Authorities have asked members of the public to rely on information that has been officially verified.

The warning comes as social media and informal networks can rapidly circulate names, photographs and casualty figures following major disasters, sometimes before authorities have completed formal identification.

For families separated from relatives living or working in Guinea, the uncertainty can add another layer of distress.

The government has extended condolences to the families of the Sierra Leoneans who died and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Guinea.

“The Ministry appreciates the cooperation and assistance of the Government of the Republic of Guinea throughout the recovery, identification, and humanitarian response efforts,” the statement said.

A regional tragedy

The landslide has also exposed a broader challenge confronting many growing African cities: how to manage increasing volumes of waste while protecting communities living close to disposal sites.

Waste dumps and landfills can become places where vulnerable communities seek work or income, particularly where informal waste collection and recycling provide livelihoods.

Such sites can become increasingly dangerous when large quantities of waste accumulate on unstable ground and heavy rainfall places additional pressure on slopes and waste mounds.

The risks are particularly significant in densely populated urban areas, where communities may expand around waste disposal facilities faster than infrastructure and environmental safeguards can keep pace.

Conakry, Guinea’s coastal capital, has experienced rapid urban growth, placing pressure on its waste-management systems and other urban infrastructure.

The Dar-es-Salam disaster has therefore become more than a local emergency. It has highlighted questions about how rapidly growing West African cities can manage waste, protect vulnerable communities and prepare for extreme weather and environmental hazards.

Sierra Leoneans in Guinea

The presence of dozens of Sierra Leonean victims and survivors also reflects the long-standing movement of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Sierra Leone and Guinea share a border and deep historical, cultural and economic ties. People regularly cross between the two countries for trade, employment, family connections and other activities.

That movement means disasters in one country can quickly become a concern for authorities and families in the other.

For Freetown, the response has consequently involved not only humanitarian concerns but also consular responsibilities.

The Sierra Leonean Embassy in Conakry has been working with Guinean authorities on identification, recovery and assistance to survivors.

The government says it will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as more information becomes available.

The challenge of identification

Identifying victims following a major disaster can be a complex and painstaking process.

Authorities must establish identities before families can receive definitive confirmation, particularly when victims come from different communities or countries.

The joint identification exercise involving Guinean authorities and Sierra Leonean diplomatic officials is intended to establish accurate records while ensuring that information released publicly is verified.

That process is especially important in a disaster where the number of people affected may continue to change as recovery teams search the site.

Sierra Leone’s government has therefore urged restraint in the circulation of unverified information.

The ministry’s warning underscores a central challenge after disasters: the need to provide families with information quickly while ensuring that casualty figures and identities are not released prematurely or incorrectly.

A warning for West Africa’s cities

The Conakry landslide has also renewed attention to the environmental pressures created by urbanisation across West Africa.

As populations grow, cities must contend with rising waste generation, limited disposal capacity, inadequate drainage and settlements expanding into areas exposed to environmental hazards.

Landfills are often located on the outskirts of cities, but urban expansion can gradually bring homes and informal economic activity closer to them.

For people who depend on waste sites for their livelihoods, avoiding such locations may not always be economically possible.

That creates a difficult policy challenge for governments: improving waste-management infrastructure while ensuring that people who depend on informal waste economies are not left without alternative livelihoods.

The disaster in Conakry is a stark reminder that environmental risks can become humanitarian crises when infrastructure, population growth and extreme weather intersect.

Recovery continues

For now, attention remains focused on the recovery and identification operation in Conakry.

Sierra Leonean officials continue to work with their Guinean counterparts while monitoring the condition and needs of survivors.

The confirmed death toll of Sierra Leonean nationals stands at 17, but authorities have stressed that the situation remains fluid.

For the families of those who died, the numbers represent far more than statistics.

Each confirmed victim means another family receiving devastating news. Each survivor represents a person who must now begin rebuilding their life after a disaster that has already changed the lives of communities across the border.

As recovery efforts continue at Dar-es-Salam, the tragedy is likely to leave a wider question for authorities in Conakry and elsewhere in the region: how can rapidly growing cities protect the people who live and work closest to the places where their waste ends up?

For Sierra Leone, the immediate priority is more personal — accounting for its nationals, supporting survivors and ensuring that families receive accurate information as the difficult work of recovery continues.

Niger Authorities Contain Military Mutiny in Niamey

August 29, 2026 / 8:18 PM

Sharjah 24 – QNA: Nigerien authorities successfully contained a military mutiny in the capital, Niamey, after a group of soldiers rebelled against officers at a key facility, according to Defence Minister Salifou Mody.

Describing the incident as a severe breach of military discipline, Mody noted that the rogue troops opened fire on sensitive sites before defense and security forces intervened swiftly to restore order.

The unrest had sparked widespread concern as heavy gunfire and explosions echoed across the city overnight and into Saturday morning.

The sounds of fighting shook areas near the main international airport, which houses Military Base 101, as well as the Plateau administrative district, home to the presidential palace and vital government institutions.

In response to the security breach, the ruling military council, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), issued a call for solidarity.

The council urged citizens via Facebook to remain united as armed forces continue to protect the nation.

Niger has remained under military governance since a July 2023 coup led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, which deposed the country's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

In Niger's Capital, Attackers Assaulted the Airport and Attempted to Break into the Presidential Building

Kyiv • UNN

August 29 2026, 12:58 AM 

Explosions and gunfire were heard in Niger's capital near the airport, the presidential palace, and a military base. Security forces regained control and are searching for the attackers.

In Niger's capital, attackers assaulted the airport and attempted to break into the presidential building

Explosions and intense gunfire rang out in Niger's capital, Niamey, on the morning of August 29, while attackers assaulted Diori Hamani International Airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter near the presidential building. Reuters reports this, citing sources in the security services and eyewitnesses, UNN writes.

According to one of the agency's sources, the attackers also targeted Military Base 101 in Niamey. Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a representative of Niger's Consultative Council, said that security forces subsequently regained control of the facility.

Another cowardly attack on Base 101, and once again our defense and security forces ensured a controlled situation, she wrote.

Security forces are searching for the attackers

A second Reuters source in the security services said that some of the attackers had been "neutralized," while others fled. Security forces then launched search operations.

Reuters witnesses reported heavy and continuous gunfire around the presidential palace. Gunfire was also heard again in the area of the international airport at around 02:13 GMT.

Reuters notes that it was unable to independently verify all statements by the sources and local government representatives. Niger's military government had not officially commented on the situation at the time of publication.

Niger has been under military rule since the 2023 coup. Along with Mali and Burkina Faso, the country is part of the Alliance of Sahel States and continues to fight Islamist groups linked to "al-Qaeda" and the "Islamic State."

Niger's Military 'Gradually Regaining Control' After Mutiny at Military Base

Niger Airport

Niger's military on Saturday said it was "gradually regaining control" after mutineers started holding soldiers hostage at a military base next to the capital's airport and fired shots.

In a statement read out on public television and signed by Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, authorities called on the public to "remain calm and freely go about their business."0

The statement said that "a group of soldiers acting in breach of military regulations attempted to detain some of their comrades at the Base 101 barracks in Niamey and opened fire on several sensitive sites in the city. The prompt reaction of the defence and security forces made it possible to contain this mutiny and gradually regain control of these sites."

"Insurgents from within the armed forces" also tried to enter the presidential palace in Niger's capital Niamey on Saturday, security sources told AFP, but were repelled by the presidential guard.

Overnight, residents reported hearing heavy gunfire in several neighbourhoods of the capital, near the presidential palace and around the airport, which is home to a major military base.

The first shots were heard at about 1 am local time and continued until daybreak, according to a video published by a local journalist filming the area around the airport.

Another local resident said he heard "bursts of gunfire" at about 7 am local time.

"I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back," he added.

"The weapons we're hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night."

Another resident in the west of Niamey said he heard sporadic small arms fire at about 5 am.

Several social media posts also reported shooting and explosions in the city, particularly in the administrative area where the presidential palace and national television station are located.

State television was off air for over an hour before being restored at around 10 am.

The origins of Saturday's shooting were not immediately clear but in a post on its official social media pages the military said: "In light of current events, let us remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information. Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland."

Jihadist attacks

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta that has struggled to contain jihadist violence, which has blighted the west African country for around a decade.

The military base at the airport has seen two previous attacks this year, first by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) in January, then in late June by their rivals the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda.

The jihadist groups not only target civilians and the military but are also struggling for dominance over each other in the Sahel, and especially in Niger.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the military regime that emerged from a coup in July 2023, spoke in January of "a flaw in the system" that "enabled the attack", whose "objective was to destroy all of the air capabilities" of the army.

The EIS and JNIM are also active in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, allies of Niger and also ruled by military juntas that seized power in coups.

Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, is home to the headquarters of Niamey's Russian Africa Corps partners and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, of which Niger is a member with Burkina Faso and Mali.

The site is sensitive. Between December and January, it hosted a large shipment of uranium concentrate, which was held up while awaiting export. No movement of the shipment has been identified since.

Niger Military Repels Coup Attempt

Heavy gunfire rocks capital overnight, state TV signal cut briefly

29 Aug 2026 at 17:30

WRITER: AFP

Air Force Base 101, at the international airport complex in Niamey, the capital of Niger, is also the headquarters of the Russian Africa Corps, which has been helping the military government fight jihadist militias. (Photo: AFP)

Niger’s national television station went off air on Saturday after a night of heavy gunfire in parts of the capital Niamey, including around a military base near the city’s airport which has been attacked twice this year by jihadists.

A security source subsequently confirmed to AFP that the presidential guard had repelled an attempted incursion by “insurgents from within the armed forces” at the presidential palace in Niamey.

Heavy gunfire was heard in several neighbourhoods of the capital throughout the night, notably in the city centre near the presidential palace, but also in the airport area where there is a major military base.

The state television signal was cut for just over an hour before being restored at about 10am local time.

The ​defence ​ministry ‌said the armed forces were progressively ​retaking ⁠control of ‌sites targeted in the ⁠attack, according to a ​statement read on ​state ‌television after it resumed broadcasting.

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta that has struggled to contain jihadist violence, which has blighted the west African country for around a decade.

However, intelligence sources said Saturday’s events were not linked to jihadists but to mutinous troops from regional military bases that converged on the capital overnight.

Some factions in the military blame the leadership for the high human toll that the fight against the jihadists has taken on frontline soldiers.

“In light of current events, let us remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information,” the military said in a statement on its social media pages.

“Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland.”

One local resident told AFP that there was “heavy gunfire and explosions” at Base 101 in Niamey, a report confirmed by several other witnesses.

At 9am, a black screen replaced the programming of Tele Sahel both via satellite and online. Soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and national television studios, residents added.

The first shots were heard at about 1am local time and continued until daybreak, according to a video published by a local journalist filming the area around the airport.

Another local resident said he heard “bursts of gunfire” at about 7am.

“I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back,” he added.

“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.”

Videos online showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport.

Rival jihadist groups

Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadists, first by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) in January, then in late June by their rivals the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda.

The jihadist groups not only target civilians and the military but are also struggling for dominance over each other in the Sahel, and especially in Niger.

Twenty assailants were killed and four soldiers wounded in the January assault, authorities said at the time.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the military regime that emerged from a coup in July 2023, spoke in January of “a flaw in the system” that “enabled the attack”, whose “objective was to destroy all of the air capabilities” of the army.

In June, at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, as well as 22 attackers, according to the defence ministry. Both attacks were repelled by the army.

The EIS and JNIM are also active in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, allies of Niger and ruled by military juntas that seized power in coups.

The three countries quit the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) bloc, turned their backs on traditional Western partners in the fight against jihadist violence, especially France, and sought closer ties with Russia.

Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, is home to the headquarters of Niamey’s Russian Africa Corps partners and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, of which Niger is a member with Burkina Faso and Mali.

The site is sensitive. Between December and January, it hosted a large shipment of uranium concentrate, which was held up while awaiting export. No movement of the shipment has been identified since.

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Niger Says Military Activity in Niamey Brought Under Control

Security forces regain control of critical sites targeted in capital, defense minister says

Isshak Abdraman Issa

29 August 2026

YAOUNDE, Cameroon/N'DJAMENA, Chad

Niger's defense minister said Saturday that military activity in the capital Niamey had been brought under control and security forces had regained control of critical sites that were targeted.

Gen. Salifou Mody's remarks were broadcast on national television after heavy gunfire and explosions were reported around Diori Hamani International Airport and the Presidential Palace in Niamey.

Mody said a group of soldiers had "broken away from military order" and attempted to detain some of their fellow soldiers at the Base 101 military facility in Niamey before opening fire on several critical sites in the capital.

He said the activity was brought under control thanks to the swift intervention of Nigerien defense and security forces, adding that control was gradually restored in the targeted areas.

Mody urged residents of Niamey to remain calm and continue their daily activities as usual.

Heavy gunfire around Niamey airport, Presidential Palace

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard overnight and into the morning around Diori Hamani International Airport and the Presidential Palace in Niger's capital.

Following the attack, which also targeted the Base 101 military facility at the airport, security forces regained control of the area and launched an operation.

Diori Hamani International Airport had already been attacked twice earlier this year. The airport and the nearby military base were targeted in January, while the airport and the Base 101 military facility came under attack in June.

Niger Junta Says it is Back in Control After Soldiers' Mutiny Rocks Capital

Niger's junta said Saturday it was back in control after mutineers held soldiers hostage at a military base next to the capital's airport. Russian forces reportedly helped members of Niger's presidential guard recapture the air base, killing some of the mutineers, according to diplomatic and security sources.

29/08/2026 - 08:33

By FRANCE 24

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Niger's ruling junta said it was back in control after mutinous soldiers set off armed clashes in Niger's capital Saturday, moving on the presidential palace and disrupting the state broadcaster.

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani that has struggled to contain jihadist violence flaring in the west African country for around a decade.

After hours of heavy exchanges around some of its most sensitive sites, the junta said it had largely wrested back control from the rebel soldiers.

The fighting appeared to have subsided later Saturday, even if a regional security source and an African diplomatic source said the rebelling troops still held two barracks around Niamey.

But by Saturday evening, diplomatic and security sources told AFP that members of Niger's presidential guard helped by Russian forces had recaptured the air base, killing some of the mutineers.

When fighting broke out shortly after midnight, soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station, Tele Sahel, which went off the air for just over an hour, before being restored around 10:00am (0900 GMT).

Niger's ruling junta later declared, in a statement read on state television, that it was gradually taking back control after hours of clashes.

"There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace," a security source told AFP, adding that the presidential guard had pushed them back. 

Niger's defence minister, General Salifou Mody, said on state television that a group of soldiers had held some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey, opening fire at "certain sensitive sites" in the city, without specifying which ones.

Troops and security forces had quickly taken back control, he added, calling on local people to remain calm.

'Bursts of gunfire'

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani that has struggled to contain jihadist violence flaring in the West African country for around a decade.

"Everything is calm again, we can't hear any more shooting," a resident of the Yantala district close to the presidential palace said late Saturday morning.

The gunfire began in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting the military to issue a statement on its social media pages urging people to stay calm and "avoid sharing unverified information".

"Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland," the statement said.

One resident said that there was "heavy gunfire and explosions" at Base 101 in Niamey, a claim confirmed by several other witnesses.

 Junta supporters called for "sincere patriots" to demonstrate in support of the authorities at a major Niamey square.  

By late afternoon, a few dozen people had converged on the square, where military music praising General Tiani was playing while a platform intended for speeches was being set up.

Neighbouring Algeria condemned Saturday's events and pledged support for the Niamey government.

The first shots were heard at about 1:00am local time and continued until daybreak, according to a video published by a local journalist filming the area around the airport.

Another resident said he heard "bursts of gunfire" at about 7:00am local time, adding that the weapons heard "are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry".

"I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back," he said.

Another resident in the west of Niamey said he heard sporadic small-arms fire at about 5:00am.

Rival jihadist groups

Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadists, first by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) in January, then in late June by its rival, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda.

The jihadist groups not only target civilians and the military but are also struggling for dominance over each other in the Sahel, and especially in Niger.

Twenty assailants were killed and four soldiers wounded in the January assault, authorities said at the time.

In June, at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, as well as 22 attackers, according to the defence ministry. Both attacks were repelled by the army.

The EIS and JNIM are also active in neighbouring allies Burkina Faso and Mali, which are also ruled by military juntas that seized power in coups.

The three countries quit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, turned their backs on traditional Western partners in the fight against jihadist violence, especially France, and sought closer ties with Russia.

Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, is home to the headquarters of Russia's Africa Corps in Niamey and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, of which Niger is a member with Burkina Faso and Mali.

The site is sensitive. Between December and January, it hosted a large shipment of uranium concentrate, which was held up while awaiting export. No movement of the shipment has been identified since.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP )

Niger's Defense Ministry Says Soldiers Attempted Mutiny

Emmy Sasipornkarn | Dharvi Vaid Dhulia | Zac Crellin 

Reuters, AFP

Gunfire and explosions were heard across Niamey overnight. The attack posed the latest threat to Niger's military junta, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup.

Niger's Ministry of National Defense ‌on ⁠Saturday said ⁠​a group of soldiers shot at "sensitive" locations in Niamey in an apparent mutiny.

Gunfire and explosions had been heard across Niger's capital in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Attackers had targeted Diori Hamani International Airport, which also houses a military air base.

They also attempted to breach the presidential palace, althoughthe presidential guard was able to push the attackers back.

"Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defense and security forces ensured ... Situation under control," said lawmaker Bana Wagana Ibrahim, who serves on the Consultative Council.

Niger military 'gradually regaining control'

The situation remained tense on Saturday evening as some mutineers remained camped out near the airport. The whereabouts of the leader of Niger's military junta Abdourahamane Tchiani, remained unclear.

The military said it was "gradually regaining control" after mutineers took soldiers hostage at a base near the airport in Niamey, AFP news agency reported. 

Authorities urged the public to "remain calm and freely go about their business" in a statement read out on public television and signed by Defense Minister General Salifou Mody.

The attack posed the latest threat to Niger's military junta, led by Tchiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup.

Niger, like its Sahelian neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, has for years been ruled by a military junta that has struggled to stem a jihadi insurgency.

Junta requests support from Russia's Africa Corps

Russia's ambassador to Niger, Viktor Voropayev, told Russian media that the junta requested assistance from Russia's Africa Corps to help suppress the mutiny.

The Africa Corps is based in the same Niamey airport that was attacked by the rebelling soldiers.

Niger's northern neighbor Algeria, meanwhile, offered its "full solidarity and firm support, with a view to overcoming this ordeal and promoting a rapid return to stability."

National TV signal reportedly cut after gunfire

The shooting began around 1 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) and continued until daybreak.

Locals said that the country's national television had gone off air.

Tele Sahel's satellite and online programming was replaced with a black screen at 9 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), AFP reported. It was restored around one hour later.

Niamey has been targeted by jihadists twice this year: once by the so-called "Islamic State in the Sahel" group (EIS) and again in June by their rivals from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

Edited by: Sean Sinico, Dmytro Hubenko and Wesley Dockery 

Niger’s Security Forces Battle Mutinous Soldiers in the Capital

5:02 PM EDT, August 29, 2026

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — A group of soldiers in Niger rebelled against officers at a key military base and fired at sensitive locations in the capital, Niamey, in an apparent mutiny and threat to the country’s struggling junta, authorities said Saturday.

Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard overnight into Saturday, including at Niamey’s main airport that houses the military air base and in a district where the presidential palace is located. Security forces were deployed to key locations.

By Saturday evening, the situation remained tense with the mutineers camped at the airport while the presidential guard remained in control of the presidency, according to several analysts and one diplomat. The whereabouts of military leader Abdourahamane Tchiani are unclear.

The unrest appeared to have been triggered by grievances over the country’s security woes and the incessant killing of security forces, analysts said. Some of the mutinous soldiers came from the southwest of the country, among the regions worst-hit by insecurity, according to one European diplomat.

Niger’s junta came to power after a 2023 coup which it said was prompted by the elected government’s inability to stem armed violence. Since then, the impoverished West African country of more than 25 million people has severed ties with longtime Western security partners, turning instead to Russia. But the junta has been unable to stem jihadi violence and rampant killing of security forces, fueling unrest within the military, observers say.

Niger’s Defense Minister Gen. Salifou Mody said a group of soldiers took some officers hostage at the base and shot at “sensitive sites” in a “break with the discipline and military regulations.”

Security forces were deployed around the airport and in the Plateau district, and the situation at key military barracks remained unclear.

Niger requests help of Russia’s Africa Corps

The ruling military council, known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, called for unity. “Our Defense and Security Forces are mobilized for the Defense of the Fatherland. Let us remain united, vigilant and supportive,” it said in a Facebook post.

State broadcaster RTN stopped its live transmission for some time on Saturday morning, but later resumed its broadcast.

Nigerien military authorities have requested the assistance of Russia’s Africa Corps to “suppress” the mutiny, Russian media quoted Moscow’s ambassador to Niger Viktor Voropayev as saying. The Africa Corps is stationed at the base at the airport from where they provide security support to Niger.

“The mutineers are ordered to lay down their arms,” the ambassador was quoted as saying. He did not say whether the requested support was being provided.

Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the country has assured Niger, its southeastern neighbor, of its “full solidarity and firm support, with a view to overcoming this ordeal and promoting a rapid return to stability.”

Niger’s military junta has struggled to stem violence, fueling unrest

It is the third time this year that the base at the Diori Hamani International Airport has been attacked, after two earlier assaults by jihadi rebels.

The attacks are “becoming commonplace and will continue to fuel unrest and aggravate tensions within the army ranks,” said Heni Nsaibia, West Africa senior analyst at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a conflict monitor.

“Deteriorating insecurity drove the coups that swept across the central Sahel, and the latest events show how these same pressures are now fueling unrest within the militaries that seized power,” Nsaibia said.

The airport is a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the joint Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali military force. All three countries are now under military rule, following a string of coups in Africa’s Sahel region, but are struggling with insecurity.

The mutiny adds to pressure on the military authorities, which have been unable to contain deadly jihadi violence.

Before the 2023 coup, Niger had been the West’s last reliable partner in the region in battling jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in the Sahel.

However, the country’s security forces, aided by Russia’s Africa Corps, have been overstretched on multiple fronts by jihadi groups whose repeated attacks in the last year have resulted in mass casualties within the military.

Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DR Congo Spreads to 2 New Health Zones with a Total of 60 Areas Now Affected

11:06 AM EDT, August 28, 2026

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has spread to two new health zones in eastern Congo, with a total of 60 now affected, according to the latest government figures published on Friday.

The two new zones affected are Biena and Manguredjipa in Congo’s North Kivu province, where the case fatality rate is much higher than the overall rate of 48%, due in part to delayed response efforts, according to Congo’s Ministry of Health data.

It said the outbreak has recorded 5,794 confirmed cases, including 2,786 deaths, as it is spreading at an unprecedented speed, faster than efforts to track and slow it.

The outbreak is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike and intense population movements. The World Health Organization has said that it remains out of control and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the deadliest on record, which killed more than 11,000 people, primarily in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Aid group Doctors Without Borders said on Friday it had opened a new treatment center in Beni in North Kivu to enable a faster response in what it said was one of the hardest-hit areas.

While the large majority of cases are concentrated in northeastern Ituri province, North Kivu has an Ebola fatality rate of close to 69%, one of the highest in the country, according to the latest government figures.

The new center “enables the rapid treatment of patients, strengthens contact tracing and supports the health authorities in their efforts to contain the spread of the virus,” Doctors Without Borders said in a statement.

On Thursday, Congo began vaccinating health workers and other front-line workers with the Ervebo vaccine that was effective in past Ebola outbreaks caused by a different, more common type called Zaire.

Clinical trials are underway to find a licensed vaccine for the rare Bundibugyo virus that is causing the current outbreak and which has no approved vaccines or treatments.

Although the current outbreak was declared in mid-May, officials believe it had been spreading since February. It has spread from three health zones to nearly 60, with most cases and deaths occurring outside the network of monitored contacts and within communities.

Efforts to bring the outbreak under control — from limited public gatherings to social distancing and airport closures — have disrupted life in the six affected provinces, particularly Ituri, which has been ravaged by rebel violence.

The government has introduced measures, including installing health and sanitary equipment at some locations, but advocacy groups say more needs to be done to build trust within the community.

While neighboring Uganda declared itself free of Ebola last month, the risk of further cross-border spread remains, WHO said Wednesday.

WHO expert Marie Roseline Belizaire said that the Central African Republic is now considered the country at highest risk of spillover, followed closely by South Sudan, as the outbreak in eastern Congo has expanded toward border areas.

Scientists Investigate if a Herpes Virus is Behind the Mass Deaths of Sardines off South Africa

By MICHELLE GUMEDE

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Scientists in South Africa are investigating why masses of sardines have washed up dead or dying along parts of the country’s west and south coast — and if a herpes virus detected in the fish is responsible.

The mass mortality of sardines this month has so far stumped the country’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, though scientists have come to at least one conclusion: it is the first time that the virus in question — pilchard herpesvirus, or PHV — has been identified in sardines off South Africa.

PHV, which was linked to two mass sardine mortality events in Australia in the 1990s, can cause inflammation and thickening of sardines’ gills, which interferes with their oxygen uptake, according to the South African environment department.

Sardines and pilchards are the same type of fish, with sardines being the younger, smaller ones.

PHV is a fish virus and poses no known risk to human health, the department said, and its detection does not mean that healthy sardines caught commercially or canned sardine products are unsafe to eat.

Dozens of sardines taken from affected areas, some dead and some alive, are being examined by scientists at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and a local university.

In some initial results, dead fish collected from the mass mortality events showed consistently high levels of PHV, the department said in a statement, while live fish that were examined had varied levels of the virus.

Scientists have also considered whether harmful algae found in the ocean or unusually cold sea temperatures or low oxygen conditions might be responsible for the sardine deaths, but “the evidence increasingly points to PHV as the leading explanation,” the environment department said.

Dalene Vosloo, a biological sciences lecturer at South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal who is not involved in the investigation, said the herpes virus may not tell the whole story and “it remains possible that multiple factors contributed to the mortality event.”

Changes in water quality or temperature can make fish more vulnerable to disease, she said.

While the investigation continues, the sardine deaths have caused other complications.

The Koeberg Nuclear Power Station north of Cape Town on South Africa’s west coast — the only nuclear power station in Africa — had to cut power by 50% at one of its two units after dead sardines clogged a seawater intake, according to the national electricity company that runs the station.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

MICHELLE GUMEDE

Gumede is a Johannesburg-based text news reporter for The Associated Press. She covers a wide range of news topics, including health, climate change, and politics in

Mauritania Intercepts a Migrant Boat with 161 Aboard, Including 17 Children

By AHMED MOHAMED

3:36 PM EDT, August 27, 2026

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — Mauritania said Thursday it intercepted a boat off its coast carrying 161 migrants trying to make their way to Europe.

The country’s coast guard said in a statement it “rescued” the migrants off the coast near the fishing village of Amhijrat, north of the capital, Nouakchott.

The boat was carrying people from Senegal, Guinea and Gambia, including 17 children. It had left Gambia’s capital Banjul eight days ago and was trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.

The coast guard said the 161 people are expected to be transferred to a migrant reception center in Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital.

“They were in distress due to a lack of water and food,” an immigration official told The Associated Press. “The boat’s engine was extremely worn out and exhausted, and the vessel could no longer move forward, it therefore came to a stop at sea.”

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Mauritania’s waters have become a major route for people from sub-Saharan Africa seeking a better life in Europe as economic opportunities remain scarce at home.

Last month, the United Nations refugee agency said nearly 150 people died or went missing from boats off Mauritania attempting to go to Europe.

The route toward the Canary Islands is “one of the world’s deadliest” with long distances and unseaworthy and overcrowded boats. At least 1,200 migrants died in 2025 along the West Africa-Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, according to the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project.

Former Head of Rwanda’s Presidential Guard Dies in Prison, His Brother Says

10:57 AM EDT, August 26, 2026

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Tom Byabagamba, a former commander of President Paul Kagame’s elite presidential guard who later was convicted of inciting insurrection, has died in prison after spending a dozen years behind bars, his brother said. He was 59.

Byabagamba, who held the rank of colonel before he was stripped of it, was the brother of former presidential adviser and now-exiled dissident David Himbara, who announced Byabagamba’s death Tuesday in a statement on X.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved brother, Colonel Tom Byabagamba, who passed away while in prison in Rwanda,” Himbara said. He did not give a cause of death.

There was no immediate comment from authorities in Rwanda, where the subject of Byabagamba is taboo. He was commander of the presidential guard until he apparently had a falling out with the president and was removed from his post in 2010, with no reason given.

Rwandan authorities detained Byabagamba in August 2014 along with another officer, Brig. Frank Rusagara. In 2016, the Military High Court sentenced them to several years in prison over charges including inciting insurrection and tarnishing the government’s image. Rusagara died in prison last year.

Many critics saw the trial as flawed, and Human Rights Watch said the case followed a pattern of silencing government critics at home and abroad.

In 2019, the Court of Appeal reduced Byabagamba’s initial 21-year sentence to 15 years.

Rwanda’s government denies targeting its opponents, even as Kagame’s critics say his authoritarian stance leaves no room for internal dissent. Many senior army officers have fallen out with Kagame, with some fleeing into exile because they believed their lives had been threatened.

Kagame is credited for transforming Rwanda from a country in shambles after the 1994 genocide. But he also faces persistent criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media and suppression of political opposition. He denies the accusations.