[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
Arab entity calls to support police in Yemen, Comoros The Arab League interior ministers urged support for the police in Yemen and Comoros
Comoros opposition chief arrested, gunfire rattles military base President Azali Assoumani won the presidential election with about sixty percent of the vote. An opposition leader was subsequently arrested, and there was a security incident at a military base.
At least three dead in gunfight in Comoros after opposition moves to unseat president, Africa News & Top Stories Rogue Comoran soldiers escaped from prison and announced a plan to unseat President Azali Assoumani. Gunfire was exchanged at the main military base in the capital of Moroni, with three killed.
Gunfire in Comoros capital as opposition plans to unseat president: The Standard The Comoran opposition rejected President Asali Assoumani's victory in the presidential election on 24 March. Opposition leaders set up a "parallel body" to contest Azali's legitimacy, as an attack occurred on a military base in the capital.
Djibouti
Migrants choosing to go home after fatal Djibouti shipwreck The recent fatal shipwreck off the coast of Djibouti has convinced some Ethiopian migrants living in Djibouti to return to Ethiopia.
Djibouti to Open Embassy in Mogadishu. – Radio Dalsan FM 91.5 MHz Warar Sugan Djibouti has announced that it will be opening an embassy in Mogadishu, with President Guelleh scheduled to visit.
London Tribunal rules that Djibouti has breached Doraleh Container Terminal’s rights The London Court of International Arbitration has ordered Djibouti to pay 385 million dollars to Dubai over a port concession cancellation.
For Somaliland and Djibouti, Will New Friends Bring Benefits? Djibouti and Somaliland have been able to court foreign powers due to their strategic location, although this may have drawbacks in addition to benefits.
Mali
Mali just took a huge step towards universal healthcare Mali will begin providing universal healthcare to children under five years old, in an initiative backed by the country's development partners.
Central Mali: Top UN genocide prevention official sounds alarm over recent ethnically The United Nations expressed concerns over potential genocide after a massacre in the Mopti region of Mali resulted in 160 deaths and seventy wounded.
Human Rights Watch: missing Quebecer Edith Blais was kidnapped, taken to Mali Edith Blais of Quebec (a Canadian citizen) and her Italian companion are reportedly being held in Mali after they were abducted in Burkina Faso in December 2018.
Mauritania
Sahel: Former PM Boubacar announces candidacy for Mauritania presidential race Former Mauritanian Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubaca announced his candidacy in the upcoming 30 June presidential election. He is running as an independent with support from the Islamist Tewassoul party.
On Mauritania IMF Cited Gas But Silent on Ponzi Scheme and Censorship Like UN Guterres According to the Inner City Press, at its recent meeting the International Monetary Fund was silent on the issue of slavery in Mauritania while emphasizing gas development.
Mauritania jails bloggers Abderrahmane Weddady and Cheikh Ould Jiddou on false news charges The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling for the release of Mauritanian bloggers Abderrahmane Weddady and Cheikh Ould Jiddou. The two bloggers responded to a summons from the Economic Crimes Unit on 22 March and have been detained since.
Arabian Aerospace - Why Mauritania wants to strike a Paris match Mauritania airlines is seeking to eventually add service to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The airline's director-general said the airline was close to breaking even but had yet to make a profit.
Mauritania: UNHCR Operational Update as of 15 March 2019 - Mauritania ReliefWeb states there are currently more than 2500 refugees in urban areas in Mauritania, in addition to 56,000 in the Mbera camp. Most of the refugees are from Mali.
Mauritania: 2 Bloggers Held for Defamation Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Mauritania to release two bloggers jailed on 22 March on accusations of spreading fake news.
Somalia
US think tank tells off Somalia in maritime row The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has sided with Kenya in its dispute with Somalia over offshore oil auctions.
Mothers send sons to Somalia to avoid knife crime | UK news | The Guardian British-Somali families living in the London area of Islington are sending their children to Somalia in a bid to avoid knife violence.
Minister Dies on Daughter’s Wedding Day Constitutional Affairs Minister Abdirahman Hosh was killed in an explosion at his daughter's wedding.
Breaking: Kenya and Somalia end diplomatic stand Kenya and Somalia have agreed to peacefully end their dispute over the ownership of offshore oil reserves. Somalia had angered Kenya by holding auctions in disputed areas.
Government Fires Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for Calling for Diplomatic Ties with Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs Director Abdulahi Dool has been fired by the Somali government. Dool had called for Somalia to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
Reformed Al-Shabab Founder Robow to be Released from Prison Sheikh Mukhtar Robow aka Abu Mansor has been released from prison in Somalia. Robow was one of the key members of al-Shabaab but denounced the group prior to his imprisonment.
South Sudan
South Sudan peace partners agree to establish presidential protection force South Sudan's government and opposition forces have agreed to establish a presidential protection force. This force will protect President Salva Kiir and the country's vice presidents during the transitional period.
South Sudan militiamen kill 15 people, abduct 6 women, 3 kids: SPLM The rebel SPLM/A-IO faction accused the government of South Sudan with kidnapping six women and killing fifteen others.
South Sudan First Pilot > Gurtong Trust > Editorial A biographical article about Mading Riak, the first licensed pilot from what is today South Sudan.
South Sudan bans Al-Watan newspaper for one month - Journal du Cameroun South Sudanese media regulators have suspended the Arabic language newspaper al-Watan for thirty days. Regulators claimed the paper had violated regulations and operated without a license since 25 April 2018.
Redress over trade losses in South Sudan stalls South Sudan's conflict has caused significant financial losses to companies based in Uganda that provide exports to the war-torn nation.
Radebe refutes claims of 'dodgy' oil deal in South Sudan South African Energy Minister Jeff Redebe announced that South Africa will pursue an oil agreement with South Sudan aimed at reducing fuel prices in South Africa.
Sudan
Sudan reveals contacts with political opposition and armed groups Sudanese Information Minister Hassan Ismail told the Sudan Media Center that the government has held ongoing contacts with the opposition to solve the conflicts in Darfur and other regions. The opposition meanwhile continues to insist on President Omar al-Bashir's resignation.
Sudan demonstrators march on presidential palace, army headquarters Demonstrators in Khartoum marched on the army headquarters and presidential palace. Demonstrations against the government of President Omar al-Bashir have been ongoing since 19 December of last year.
US Supreme Court backs Sudan over USS Cole damages The United States Supreme Court rejected a judgment ordering Sudan to pay victims in the USS Cole attack. The court said the case was highly sensitive and therefore the Sudanese government needed to be served with the lawsuit in Khartoum.
Sudan: Republican Decree On Appointment of Federal Ministers President Omar al-Bashir replaced the cabinet as the country has been affected by ongoing protests since December 2018.
Al-Mahdi awaiting right time to take part in Sudan's protests: NUP The opposition National Umma Party and its leader Sadiq al-Mahdi declined to take part in a protest in Omdurman. Al-Mahdi said he is "waiting for the right moment" before participating.
Sudan release prominent journalist after five-week detention Sudan has released Osman Mirghani, a journalist who has been jailed since December 2018 for supporting protests against the regime.
International Women's Day: Sudan's women lead uprising against Omar Hassan al-Bashir, and suffer for it Student activist Marine Alneel was living in the United States on a student visa, but decided to return to Khartoum to protest against the regime. Female activists have taken a leading role in the protests.
Pressure from the People in Sudan Dame Rosalin Marsden of the Chatham House Africa Programme writes the current crisis in Sudan is caused by the government's neglect of the economy and overspending on security services.