3rg Security Bulletin – Africa Updates 26th Feb 2014

 In Africa

Africa Updates 26th Feb 2014

Latest security updates from the Africa region from the 3rg team:

NIGERIA

Dozens of pupils are reported to have been killed in a raid by suspected Boko Haram militants in Yobe State. Police told international media that all the dead were boys and that some of the bodies “were burned to ashes.” Residents of the town of Buni Yadi said the attackers struck at night, slitting the throats of some students. They said that others were shot. Initial reports estimate that as many as 40 students were killed. The military has confirmed that an attack took place on “student hostels” but says it cannot yet give further details.

Source: BBC News

President Goodluck Jonathan said the fight against Boko Haram “will improve.” Jonathan criticised the governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, who recently stated that the Boko Haram militants were better armed and more motivated than the Nigeria military. He also defended his decision to suspend the outspoken central bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, suggesting it had nothing to do with the governor’s decision to expose corruption in the oil sector.

Source: BBC News

Nigeria has sealed its Northern border with Cameroon in an effort to shut out Islamist militants using its neighbour as a launch pad for attacks, the military said on Sunday. The closure extends from northern Borno state, by Lake Chad, to the southern end of Adamawa state, around halfway along Nigeria’s 1,500-mile border with Cameroon.

Source: Reuters

Boko Haram has released a video statement saying it plans to widen its reach to attack oil refineries in the south and continue its assault on Muslim clerics that do not agree with its harsh interpretation of Islamic law. In the video statement, the self-proclaimed leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, also claimed responsibility for killing Sheik Adam Albani, a prominent Muslim cleric and known critic of the insurgent group.

Source: Voice of America

SOMALIA

A huge car bomb has blown a hole in the wall of Somalia’s presidential palace, followed by a fierce gun battle inside. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has told the UN envoy to Somalia he was not harmed. It is not clear how many people died in the attack but a minister told international media the situation was “under control.” The heavily guarded complex is home to the president, prime minister, speaker of parliament, other ministers and a mosque, which was hit during the attack. Security Minister Abdi Karim Hussein told international media that some of the attackers had been killed and others captured. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Source: BBC News

CAR

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday appealed to the international community to send an additional 3,000 troops to CAR. Ban told the Security Council he will be making a recommendation for a UN peacekeeping force with a robust mandate to protect civilians and promote stability. Ban also proposed that the African Union force be provided with logistical and financial support, including rations, water and fuel, estimating that such a “bare essentials” package would cost $38 million for six months.

Source: Reuters

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