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France court hands Liberian rebel life in prison
France court hands Liberian rebel life in prison
by  AFP

A Paris court on Wednesday sentenced a former Liberian rebel commander to life in jail for violence against civilians and complicity in crimes against humanity after France's first trial linked to Liberia's civil wars. The prosecution had sought a life sentence against Kamara during the three-week trial, which involved witnesses who came from Liberia.

Senegal opposition leader calls for calm ahead of court hearing
Senegal opposition leader calls for calm ahead of court hearing
by  AFP

Senegal's main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Wednesday urged his supporters to remain calm on the eve of a court hearing in a rape case against him that has previously sparked deadly riots. Sonko, who is expected in court at noon (GMT and local) Thursday, told his supporters that the summons would be an "ordinary" procedure that he had in fact been "demanding for a very long time".

Tanzania Maasai file case over wildlife protection area
Tanzania Maasai file case over wildlife protection area
by  AFP

Maasai pastoralists have filed a court case against Tanzania's government, challenging its decision to cordon off land for wildlife protection, a lawyer representing the community said Wednesday. The case was filed in September, he said, weeks before a regional court ruled in favour of the government in a separate petition.

Burkina junta chief heading to Mali in first foreign trip
Burkina junta chief heading to Mali in first foreign trip
by  AFP

Burkina Faso's new military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, was heading to Mali on Wednesday for his first foreign trip since taking power on September 30, officials in both countries said. Both leaders came to power at the head of army officers angered by failures to roll back Islamists linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Floods wash away salt industry and tourism at Senegal's 'Pink Lake'
Floods wash away salt industry and tourism at Senegal's 'Pink Lake'
by  AFP

Maguette Ndiour stands on the edge of Senegal's Lake Retba, famous for its pink-hued waters, and points to a mound of salt slowly being shovelled into bags by men toiling under the hot midday sun. - No more pink - Worse, said Ndiour, the salt plays a key role in imbuing the lake with its signature tinge -- "so if there is no more salt, we can't have the pink."

Netherlands beat Zimbabwe for consolation win at T20 World Cup
Netherlands beat Zimbabwe for consolation win at T20 World Cup
by  AFP

Paul van Meekeren's three wickets helped the Netherlands claim their first victory of the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage Wednesday as their five-wicket win all but eliminated Zimbabwe. The Netherlands bowled out Zimbabwe, who elected to bat first, in 19.2 overs despite a 24-ball 40 by the in-form Sikandar Raza.

DR Congo's faltering fight against illegal cobalt mines
DR Congo's faltering fight against illegal cobalt mines
by  AFP

Five thousand diggers pack tightly together at the bottom of a crater in southeastern DR Congo, swinging hammers and picks to prise chunks of speckled blue-gold ore from the earth. As the diggers gouge at blue-tinged soil, hundreds of dust-covered porters trudge up a ramp leading out of the pit, their backs bent under the weight of sacks of ore.