[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: the tiny islands spearheading the fight against climate [change] Al-Shabaab appears to have killed P&O executive Paul Anthony Formosa. Experts on the region argue the targeted nature of the killing mean it was likely done because UAE-owned P&O threatened al-Shabaab's control over a Puntland port.
Comoros: Meet Salim Saadi, the Presidential Candidate Challenging the System – Afrika News Salim Saadi is an opposition party candidate challenging President Azali Assoumani. Assoumani has recently been accused by critics of arresting his political opponents.
Comoros supreme court bars key opposition figures from contesting in presidential election President Azali Assoumani is favored to win the upcoming Comoran Presidential election in March. The Supreme Court assisted his candidacy by barring numerous opponents from participating.
SADC won’t meddle in Comoros’ elections The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has said it will participate in the dialogues leading up to the March 2019 Comoran presidential election. However, it will not intervene in the election itself.
Political tensions dent Comoros energy ambitions Comoros has long sought to gain revenue by exploiting its oil and gas resources. The recent arrests of numerous opposition figures have raised the perceived risk for foreign investors.
Comoros: Sudan Affirms Its Readiness for Cooperation With Comoros The speaker of the Egyptian parliament met with his Comoran counterpart and praised efforts by Comoros to invest in Sudan.
Djibouti
Djibouti, DP World port case challenges China’s Belt and Road — Quartz AfricaDjibouti's dispute with Dubai over a port poses difficulties for the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. A Chinese firm had acquired an equity stake in the Doraleh container terminal over the objections of Djibouti, which subsequently tried to seize control of the port.
Ethiopia, Djibouti sign gas pipeline deal Djibouti and Ethiopia have agreed that a new gas pipeline will be constructed to transport Ethiopian gas to a port in Djibouti.
China Merchants Consolidates its Hold in Djibouti A Chinese port operator named China Merchants Port Holdings has been establishing a presence in Djibouti in recent years.
Dozens of Ethiopians drown on forgotten migrant route off of shores of Djibouti Several dozen migrants died when a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti.
Mali
UBA Africa expansion hits Mali Vanguard News Nigeria Union Bank Africa announced it would be opening its first branch in Mali. A company officer cited Mali's low rate of banking penetration.
PHOTOS: Tony Elumelu, Wizkid hang out in Mali The rapper Wizkid posted on Instagram about his performance in Mali. He was seen hanging out with entrepreneur Tony Elemelu from Nigeria and promoting UBA Bank.
PHOTOS: In Mali, Tolerant Islam Runs Deeper Than Jihadism. Malian Sufis represent a largely peaceful tradition at odds with takfiri militants active in the country in recent years.
Mali Secure First U20 Title On Penalties Mali defeated Senegal 3-2 during penalty kicks to win the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The game ended regulation with the two teams tied 1-1.
Troops Kill Senior Militant In Mali — Leadership Newspaper French soldiers killed Yahia Abou Hamman, a senior Islamist militant leader in Mali. Hamman was the leader of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an organization linked to al-Qa‘ida.
Mauritania
BP lauds cost competitiveness of planned Mauritania/Senegal LNG project A senior BP official said the company's offshore project along the border between Mauritania and Senegal is very cost competitive.
Mauritania signs Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Mauritania has ratified the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters, a treaty intended to reduce tax evasion. It should be noted that Mauritania lags in the enforcement of enacted legislation such as the prohibition on slavery.
ERC inaugurates water supply project in Mauritania The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) announced the inauguration of a water supply project. According to ERC the project will supply water to five Mauritanian states currently affected by water shortages.
Italian helmer paints nuanced portrait of womanhood in Mauritania – VarietyDirector Michela Occhipinti has made headlines with her new film Flesh Out. The film describes the Mauritanian tradition of women gaining weight to make them attractive to potential husbands.
Mauritania: Dr. Al-Dirdiri Receives Copy of Credentials of Mauritania Ambassador - allAfrica.com Amidst ongoing protests in Khartoum, Mauritania has decided to send a new ambassador to Sudan.
Mauritania shuts 2 global associations without notice – African Daily Voice Mauritania's government has shut down the al-Khair foundation as well as the World Congress of Muslim Youth, both in Nouakchott. Mauritanian social media activists criticized the closures, which authorities had yet to officially confirm.
Mauritania: a 360° view from the Mbera refugee camp Provides a panoramic view from the Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania.
Somalia
US Judge releases man facing deportation to Somalia A Minneapolis immigration court released Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi. He argued that if deported to Somalia he faced retaliation for his criticisms of al-Shabaab.
Somalia oil drilling quest dives it to turbulence as leaders differ Intra-Somalian disputes over the distribution of resource revenues have delayed the oil license auction process in the country.
Maltese man’s shooting in Somalia was ‘motivated by economics, not politics’ Al-Shabaab appears to have killed P&O executive Paul Anthony Formosa. Experts on the region argue the targeted nature of the killing mean it was likely done because UAE-owned P&O threatened al-Shabaab's control over a Puntland port.
Somaliland: Amnesty International Appeals For The Release Of Poet Abdirahman Aden “Abees” Amnesty International is urging the Somali government to release Abdirahman Ibrahim Adan. Adan is a poet who was detained after reciting a poem urging criminal justice reform.
Young female entrepreneur who operates a renewable energy company in Somalia.The founder of a Somali renewable energy company discusses her business. Somawatt Energy offers renewable power for a year at a much lower cost than the expensive electricity consumed by most Somalis.
Somalia: Chinese Deal Angers Fishing Communities, Sparks Concerns Over Sovereignty and Piracy allAfrica.com Some citizens of Somalia are raising questions about the government's decision to allow up to thirty-one Chinese vessels to fish in Somali waters.
Somalia traders boycott Khat from Kenya, Opt for Ethiopia Khat suppliers located in Kenya are boycotting the supply of the stimulant to Somalia due to a border post-dispute. Somalia has imported some alternative Khat supplies from Ethiopia.
Expelled Somalia Ambassador arrives in Mogadishu The Somali ambassador to Kenya returned to Mogadishu after a dispute over an offshore area with significant oil and gas resources.
Gunmen kill head of Dubai-owned P&O ports operation in Somalia's PuntlandGumnen killed P&O supervisor Paul Anthony Formosa on his way to Bosaso port in Puntland. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, and unusually for the group said it had warned him beforehand and he refused to leave.
New evidence to soften diplomatic row between Kenya, Somalia The dispute between Kenya and Somalia over offshore energy rights calmed. The Norwegian surveying firm revealed that it had only worked in Somali waters, contrary to its prior claim that it had surveyed the entire area.
PM Dr. Abiy holds talks with President of Somaliland Administration Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed held talks with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss progress made on cooperation between the federal government and breakaway region.
Murdered Maltese caught in the crosshairs of Somalia’s violent politics The Malta times disputes the claim by al-Shabaab that the executive Paul Anthony Formosa had been in Somalia illegally. Formosa was an executive at Dubai-owned P&O who was killed in Puntland, with al-Shabaab claiming responsibility.
Ethiopia finally accepts leadership of Al-Shabaab combat in Somalia Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn from Ethiopia was appointed the director of AMISOM, the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Huge explosions rock Somali capital Mogadishu, deaths reported Over twelve people were killed in two bomb blasts in Mogadishu on 28 February. A nearby journalist said it appeared al-Shabaab was responsible, and said the bomb appeared particularly powerful.
South Sudan
Machar's former spokesman says he forgives his kidnappers Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan James Dak is a former spokesman for South Sudanese opposition leader Riek Machar. He was released from prison by South Sudan President Salva Kiir, after being kidnapped in Nairobi in 2016. Dak said he forgave his captors.
South Sudan's Nilepet needs for better corporate governance Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan Juba-based lawyer Chol Deng Anyieth writes in Sudan Tribune about corporate governance issues facing state-owned oil producer Nilepet. The directors are all appointed by the President and may lack independence.
South Sudan spends $135,000 to renovate houses of vice-presidents - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan The government of South Sudan has used approximately 135,000 dollars allocated to implement the peace agreement to renovate the houses of a current vice president, and the late Vice President of Sudan Dr. John Garang.
Sweden donates 13 million Dollars to UNFPA for health care in South Sudan The government of Sweden has donated sixteen million dollars to provide for reproductive health services to women in South Sudan.
UN Commission recommends renew of South Sudan investigation, seeks oil scrutiny A United Nations Commission urged that probes be conducted into crimes against humanity by both the government and rebels in the recent conflict. The commission also urged an investigation into the South Sudanese oil sector.
Civilians flee as fighting continues in South Sudan’s Yei River State Civilians in Yei River state are fleeing ongoing fighting in the region in spite of the September 2018 peace agreement.
South Sudan water minister says oil minister interfering in her activities South Sudanese Water Minister Sophia Pal Gai accused the country's oil minister of supplying water without her involvement and interfering in ministry activities.
Sudan
Sudan protest hub: Khartoum varsity profs arrested for attempted rally Sudanese security forces arrested a group of fourteen university professors at Khartoum University. Other groups protesting against the regime have included doctors, students, and members of unions.
U.S.'s Pompeo says hopeful that peaceful regime change takes place in Sudan - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed his support for regime change in Sudan. Pompeo insisted that such regime change could only take place without American involvement.
Arab League says Sudan’s protests “internal affair” - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki called ongoing demonstrations in Sudan—with over fifty-one killed—to be an internal affair. Numerous other Arab states have also been supportive of the Sudanese regime.
At least 79 journalists arrested in two months of protests in Sudan Reporters Without Borders (RSF) estimated that seventy-nine journalists have been arrested in Sudan since protests began on 19 December 2018.
Sudan uprising: Protesters undaunted by State of Emergency The Sudanese government has declared a state of emergency, with protests ongoing since 19 December. However, protesters do not seem to be deterred by the declaration.
Sudan uprising: Mass demonstrations expected to converge in Khartoum today Demonstrations from activists calling for the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir were scheduled to converge on Khartoum on 28 February. Protests also took place elsewhere in Sudan.
Troika statement is "gross interference" in Sudan's internal affairs: FM Sudan said a statement by Norway, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada criticizing the state of emergency represented an unacceptable interference into Sudanese affairs.