All Africa
French take airport at Timbuktu as Islamist forces disappearThe聽12th-century iconic city of Islamic learning and trade is both strategic and symbolic. French forces are punching north into the area held for the past year by Islamist forces.聽
For French troops nearing rebel ground, Mali fight is no ordinary missionOn the road in central Mali: French soldiers say they are 'doing their duty,' while watching soccer and eating cassoulet. But they know Islamist fighters have advantage with terrain.- On North Africa's western flank, long-simmering conflict causes uneaseMorocco has strengthened its hold on the contested 鈥� and resource-rich 鈥� Western Sahara. But efforts to maintain the status quo could renew unrest, adding to the current instability across North Africa.
With France bearing down, key rebel in Mali splits from IslamistsA prominent member of Ansar Dine, an Islamist militant group that recently overran northern Mali, announced that he and his fighters were breaking with the group.
In remote Western Sahara, prized phosphate drives controversial investmentsMorocco's mining of the lucrative fertilizer ingredient in occupied Western Sahara has sparked charges it is violating international law 鈥撀燼nd that global customers are looking the other way.
Can Mali use surge of patriotism to heal its political divides?Patriotism is surging in Mali with a military campaign to oust Islamist gunmen from the north. Whether the feeling lasts could be vital to the country鈥檚 future, say observers.聽- Along Sudan's border, old disputes trigger new violence, hungerOil and ethnic rivalries are behind Sudanese military strikes in the sensitive South Kordofan-Blue Nile region along the new border between Sudan and South Sudan. At this week's African Union summit in Ethiopia, leaders are calling for a halt to the bombing and aid for civilians.
No terrorist 'safe haven' in North Africa? That's a tall order.The attack on the gas plant in Algeria took place in the middle of a complex, sprawling desert region the size of the continental United States.聽
Same players, different ties: France's delicate role in MaliFor Malians, the French-led intervention has been an emotional roller-coaster. At times critical of their former colonizer in the past, many are now cheering French troops.
What are Western and African powers up against in Mali, Algeria?Leaders around the world are vowing to strike back hard at Islamist militancy that is surging across North Africa. Here are some of the challenges they face.
In Mali, French forces move north amid plea for faster African deploymentsMalian troops have entered the key garrison town of Diabaly after French airstrikes pushed out Islamist rebels. But many residents wonder if they're gone for good.聽
A town on Mali's frontline switches back and forthThe recent history of Diabaly calls into question the quality of聽the Malian troops that are needed to hold on to such areas cleared by the French military intervention.- A second life for the West's secondhand clothing 鈥� in UgandaAmerican and European thrift store rejects are making their way in bulk to markets in the developing world, but in Uganda they are threatening the local textile industry.
US recognizes Somalia government after two decades of anarchyFor the first time since 1991, the United States has recognized a government in the war-torn East African nation, setting the stage for strengthening political ties between the two countries.聽
Islamists promise fight across Sahara, but response disjointedForeign military intervention in Africa looked impossible - until last week. French launched airstrikes in Mali. Then European and American oil workers got kidnapped in Algeria.
France gets deeper in Mali war: Are they ready?The recent rebel capture of the village of Diabaly renewed concerns that French air power in tandem with Malian ground forces would not be enough. Now French troops are headed north.
How the French got to airstrikes in Mali: A briefing from BamakoFive key questions about how Islamic militants took over northern Mali -- and why the French are trying to stop them.- Refugees no more, Liberians ponder if they're ready to go homeLiberians who fled their home lost their refugee status last year. The UN has helped repatriate 155,000 people since 2004, but聽painful memories of two civil wars keep some from returning home.
With French airstrikes, has the war to retake northern Mali begun?Today's expansion of the French air campaign beyond central Mali has left many wondering if the war has started聽鈥� without much international coordination.- As French forces hit rebels in Mali, Paris wants to avoid Europe's AfghanistanThe poor showing by Mali's Army against Islamist radicals in the key city of Konna this week has France worried enough to send troops.