[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, Djibouti, and Comoros Islands and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the On the Margins Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.]
Comoros
Comoros court jails another 20 opposition figures | News24 Opposition Juwa party leader Ahmed al-Barwane and a colleague were sentenced to jail on politically-tinged assault charges.
How Comoros’ Authoritarian President Capitalized on a Migration Row With France France and Comoros resolved a dispute over Comoros refusal to accept deported citizens from Mayotte, a territory disputed by the two countries.
Comoros to hold crucial elections in March 2019 - Africa Feeds Comoros President Azali Assoumani announced Presidential and regional elections will occur on 24 March 2019.
Comoros opposition leaders sentenced to life with hard labour Several opposition leaders including a former Vice President and leader of the army were sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor, though some are in exile.
Comoros approach Caf seeking Cameroon's disqualification from Afcon 2019 | Goal.com Comoros is seeking to disqualify Cameroon from participating in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after it lost the right to host the tournament.
Djibouti
Charlie Hebdo suspect arrested in Djibouti Peter Cherif - a suspected accomplice in the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack - was arrested in Djibouti and faces extradition to France for questioning
Monjasa Announces New Supply Location in Djibouti Danish marine fuel supplier and trader Monjasa announced the opening of a new facility in Djibouti.
Djibouti carries out mass immunization activity to protect children against polio amid outbreaks The Djiboutian Ministry of Health has completed a successful polio vaccination program in an at-risk country.
US building new hangars at Djibouti UAV base The United States has awarded a contract to build four hangars at a base hosting UAVs.
Living with superpower enemies: Just another day for Djibouti locals Citizens of Djibouti describe their experience living in a country hosting military forces from the United States, China and other nations.
Mauritania
Mauritania: UNHCR Operational Update as of 15 December 2018 - Mauritania | ReliefWeb Mauritania is currently hosting 2000 refugees in urban areas and about 56,000 Malian refugees, primarily in the Mbera camp.
From Mauritania to Qatar: Slavery an Old Evil Takes Many Forms A discussion of the prevalence of slavery in Africa including in Mauritania. Slavery was only prohibited in 1983, and criminal penalties were introduced only in 2007.
ICE plans to deport Lockland man back to known slave state, Mauritania Update: as of January 2019 Amadou Sow's deportation has been temporarily delayed. He faces deportation to Mauritania, where slavery remains prevalent.
Mauritania's camel-back mission to win hearts and minds | News24 Mauritania's government is increasing efforts to win public support in villages like Ould Initi. These efforts include both development and security programs.
Mauritania: Blogger still detained one year after court decision quashing his death sentence | Amnesty International Anti-slavery activist Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mkhaïtir remains in captivity despite an appeals court ruling a year ago overturning his death sentence.
How Mauritania exports religion to Saudi Arabia—And not just the other way around A discussion of the role of religious exchange in relations between Saudi Arabia and Mauritania.
Somalia
Somalia: UN condemns deadly car bombings in Mogadishu The UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia condemned an attack on 9 November in Mogadishu.
Former Somalia extremist now running for office is arrested | News24 Ethiopian forces were involved in the arrest of Sheikh Mukhtar Robow. Robow was the former second in command of al-Shabaab who defected and was now running for regional office.
U.S. opens diplomatic mission in Somalia after 28 years - Vanguard News Nigeria The United States reestablished a permanent diplomatic mission in Somalia. It had been closed 28 years earlier.
Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2444 (2018), Security Council Lifts Sanctions on Eritrea, Renews Arms Embargo against Somalia - Eritrea | ReliefWeb The UN Security Council decided to maintain the arms embargo on Somalia, even as the embargo against Eritrea was lifted.
Somalia converts high security prison to intelligence training facility The Somali government has decided to repurpose a notorious maximum security prison.
Somalia: Mastermind of al-Shabab bombings executed al-Shabaab militant Abdikadir Abukar was executed for his role in 2017 bombings in Somalia
South Sudan
Facebook Under Fire for South Sudan Child Bride Auction Facebook faces criticism after a child bride auction in South Sudan went forward on the site.
MULVEY: Landmark case against S. Sudan for sexual violence against women, girls South Sudan faces legal action from Legal Action Worldwide at CEDAW for the treatment of women since independence.
UK must not fail the people of South Sudan A group of twenty-seven British MPs urged the government to support peace efforts in South Sudan.
Uganda serves as main conduit for weapons to South Sudan: report - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan Uganda appears to have covertly supplied the South Sudanese army during that country's conflict in violation of sanctions.
WHO extends Ebola vaccination to S. Sudan - The East African The World Health Organization (WHO) is offering Ebola vaccination in South Sudan.
South Sudan: 125 women and girls treated for sexual violence in one week Doctors Without Borders USA provided medical assistance to 125 women affected by sexual violence in South Sudan.
Sudan
Sudan Wallows in Economic Crisis Sudan is currently facing a serious economic crisis and protests by opposition supporters. Inflation is currently increasing at a sixty-nine percent rate.
Protests continue across Sudan as another opposition leader arrested Sudan faced protests in late December after the arrest of a prominent opposition leader, Omar al-Digair.
UN wants crucifixion off Sudan law books, respect for ICC warrants The United Nations is asking Sudan to abolish crucifixion, and to honor ICC warrants.
Seven killed in Sudan plane crash - The East African Seven Sudanese government officials were killed in a plane crash.