[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 says abuse of passports-for-cash scheme worries Gulf allies Comoran officials say their Gulf allies are concerned about Iranians purchasing Comoran passports.
Farflung humans mingled on remote islands off Africa People living in Borneo, Africa and the Middle East can trace some ancestry to the Comoros.
Levaraging Remittances to Finance Development The UN development programmer for Africa urged the Comoros to use remittances for development.
Saudi-MWL delegation continues its visit to Comoros A delegation from Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World League visited the Comoros.
Bristol students battle to save bats on brink of extinction Bristol university student Sarah Richdon leads efforts to save Livingstone’s Fruit Bat in the Comoros.
Police search offices of Belgian company supplying passports to Africa Belgian police searched the office of Semlex on allegations of corruption and money laundering.
Djibouti
جيبوتي» تمنحرئيسالأكاديميةالعربية «وسامالاستقلال» The government of Djibouti awarded the independence medal to Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar for his role in maritime education.
30 Drown in Journey from Yemen to Djibouti The United Nations reports that 30 African refugees drowned attempting to flee Yemen to Djibouti.
Chinese-built and funded Ethiopia-Djibouti electric rail line begins commercial operations A 736km electric rail line from Ethiopia to Djibouti has commenced operations.
One take on Djibouti: World War III will start here Does the concentration of foreign military bases in Djibouti mean the country could be affected by a future conflict?
The Japanese government set to start naval security aid to Sri Lanka, Djibouti Japan will begin providing aid to the navies of Sri Lanka and Djibouti.
Djibouti President says global powers presence in his country will not undermine the peace of the region Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh downplayed concerns that foreign military bases pose a threat to stability.
Ethiopia to install natural gas pipeline from Djibouti Ethiopia’s mines ministry announced an agreement to supply natural gas to Djibouti with a Chinese investment.
Somaliland and Djibouti: Kith and Kin Article highlights recent visit by Somaliland President to Djibouti.
Mali
UN threatens sanctions against Mali parties blocking peace The UN Security Council issued a statement threatening sanctions against Malian actors blocking a recent peace agreement.
Algeria rules out sending troops to Libya, Mali to help fight terrorism Algeria has rejected the possibility of sending forces to neighboring countries.
Bank official, tech exec announce Presidential bids Two candidates announced they will enter the upcoming Presidential election, potentially against incumbent Boubekar Keita.
Families of Mali military hostages killed in French Airstrikes According to RT, French military airstrikes killed several Malian soldiers being held hostage.
Why some Malians join armed groups A perspective from local media on the appeal of armed groups to some Malians.
Amid growing insecurity, time to reassess UN peacekeeping presence in Mali, Security Council told Ahead of elections with the potential for instability the UN is called for intensified peacekeeping efforts.
Mali's president reassures after gunmen kill 14 soldiers Mali’s President said the people would not be intimidated by a recent attack by gunmen that killed 14 soldiers.
Landmine kills 24 in fresh Mali attack Twenty-four people including women and children were killed in a land mine attack carried out by extremist groups.
Mauritania
Drawing the writers and the publique at Traversées Mauritanides Blogger Isabel features her drawings from a Mauritanian book festival.
أربعون بالمائة من مكاتب شرطة موريتانيا بالداخل مؤجرة Mauritanian Prime Minister Yahya Ould Hadine revealed the governments dependence on leased police stations.
AU Rebukes Mauritania over Persistent Slavery The African Union criticized Mauritania for a lenient sentence handed down to a suspected slaveowner.
موريتانيا: تقطيعإدراييحولبنشابوكوريإلىمقاطعات Some Western tourists are visiting Mauritania despite recent political instability.
Mauritania private newspapers on sale after month's absence Mauritanian private newspapers returned to newsstands after a month-long absence triggered by paper shortages.
Mauritania: UNHCR Operational Update as of 15 January 2018 An update from UNHCR on Malian refugees in Mauritania.
Mauritania revamps currency Ten old Mauritanian ouguiya were replaced with one new ouguiya in an effort to reduce inflation.
Dunes, canyons and oases: The many charms of Mauritania An article from India discusses travel options in Mauritania.
Mauritania launches Sahel Irrigation Initiative Regional Project The Mauritanian government has launched an initiative to promote irrigation in the country’s Sahel region.
Somalia
مركزالملكسلمانيمددخدماتهالطبيةلليمنيينفيجيبوتي The Saudi-based King Salman center opened a facility to treat Yemeni refugees in Djibouti.
Somalis are the Victims of US State-Building Efforts American support for the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia has contributed to support received by groups such as al-Shabaab.
Somali president sacks Mogadishu mayor, names replacement The President of Somalia replaced the mayor of Mogadishu with the current information minister.
Kenya must act on those destabilising Somalia Junet Mohamed argues that Kenya must work to reduce the influence of destabilizing actors in Somalia, including those based in Kenya.
Filming a social experiment about Somalia Reelmedia has produced a film describing the distances many Somalis have to walk to find safe water sources.
South Sudan
Talks underway for release of Kenyan pilots held hostage in South Sudan Two Kenyan pilots are currently being held hostage by armed groups in South Sudan.
'Time has come' for South Sudan sanctions: AU chief African Union chief Moussa Faki called for sanctions against South Sudanese actors blocking a peace agreement.
South Sudan livid over US ambassadors remark, summons envoy South Sudan summoned the US ambassador to protest recent comments by American UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
South Sudan archivists fear loss of historical texts Archivists from South Sudan have expressed their concerns over the destruction.