Poland seeks extradition of Ukrainian NAZI veteran who was applauded in Canada

By Claudia Chiappa, WARSAW, Poland

Poland’s Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek said Tuesday he has “taken steps” toward extraditing Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Ukrainian Nazi veteran who was honored by Canadian parliamentarians last week.

During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada last Friday, House Speaker Anthony Rota introduced Hunka as a Canadian-Ukrainian war hero, prompting a standing ovation from parliamentarians.

But the tribute triggered a wave of criticism from Jewish organizations, advocacy groups and leaders across the world, because Hunka fought with the First Ukrainian Division — also known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division, which served under command of the Nazis in Adolf Hitler’s World War II fight against Russia’s Red Army.

“In view of the scandalous events in the Canadian Parliament, which involved honoring, in the presence of President Zelenskyy, a member of the criminal Nazi SS Galizien formation, I have taken steps towards the possible extradition of this man to Poland,” Czarnek said on X, formerly Twitter.

In a letter to Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, a body that researches and investigates past crimes against the Polish nation, Czarnek asked it to “urgently examine” whether Hunka is wanted for crimes against Polish people of Jewish origin, adding that “signs of such crimes are grounds to apply to Canada for his extradition.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told media the situation was “extremely upsetting” and “deeply embarrassing” for Canada. Rota has since apologized and said he took “full responsibility” for the incident, but has so far refused to step down from his role.

“What happened on Friday is completely unacceptable,” Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly added Tuesday. “It was an embarrassment to the House and to Canadians, and I think the Speaker should listen to members of the House and step down.”

Canada’s Attorney General Arif Virani said he has not been contacted by the Polish government over the extradition request yet and that “commenting on early stages of an extradition process is not appropriate.”

“What I would say to you is that an extradition process is a sensitive matter that ultimately comes across my desk for a final decision,” Virani added. “Apropos of that, I can’t be commenting on an extradition matter until it actually appears in front of my desk because that would jeopardize the investigation.”

More than 100 dead, 150 injured in Iraq wedding inferno

By Timour Azhari, NINEVEH Iraq

More than 100 people were killed and 150 injured in a fire at a wedding party in Hamdaniya district in Iraq's Nineveh province that left civil defence searching the charred skeleton of a building for survivors into the early hours of Wednesday.

Nineveh Deputy Governor Hassan al-Allaq told Reuters that 113 people had been confirmed dead, with state media putting the death toll at at least 100, with 150 people injured.

The fire ripped through a large events hall in the north-eastern region after fireworks were lit during the celebration, local civil defence said, according to state media.

"We saw the fire pulsating, coming out of the hall. Those who managed got out and those who didn't got stuck. Even those who made their way out were broken," said Imad Yohana, a 34-year-old who escaped the inferno.

Video from a Reuters correspondent at the site showed firefighters clambering over the charred wreckage of the building, shining lights over smouldering ruins.

Preliminary information indicated that the building was made of highly flammable construction materials, contributing to its rapid collapse, state media said.

Ambulances and medical crews were dispatched to the site by federal Iraqi authorities and Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to official statements.

Eyewitnesses at the site said the building caught fire at around 10:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT) and that hundreds of people were in attendance at the time of the incident.

Tanzania welcomes more Chinese investors to support industrialization drive

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

Tanzanian Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, said on Monday that the country has opened its doors wide to more Chinese investors to support the East African nation's industrialization drive.

"Tanzania is ready to do business with you; our doors are wide open," Majaliwa assured the Chinese investors as he closed a one-day China Tanzania Investment Forum Zhejiang (Jinhua) -Tanzania Trade and Investment Conference held on Monday in the port city of Dar es Salaam.

He added that Tanzania has a conducive business environment, politically sound economic policies, macroeconomic stability, abundant natural resources, a relatively educated labor force, and a sizeable market because of the country's unique geographical location.

The forum attracted more than 100 economic and trade representatives led by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Zhejiang Provincial Committee and the Jinhua Municipal People's Government in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Kitila Mkumbo, minister of state in the President's Office responsible for planning and investment, urged local investors to team up with their Chinese counterparts to create a strong and robust industrial base in Tanzania.

Mkumbo said Tanzania's industrialization agenda could be realized by inviting and attracting large-scale investors from across the globe, especially China.

Chen Mingjian, Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said Tanzania, as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, has made attracting investment and foreign capital a crucial economic policy goal.

Chen said Chinese companies view Tanzania as a place for mutual development and growth, adding that many Chinese companies have established Tanzania as an essential production base, exporting products to various African countries, and creating over 150,000 jobs in Tanzania.

The Chinese delegation came with areas of interest in investment, including pharmaceuticals, food production, agricultural machinery, agricultural products, logistics, building machinery and materials, aluminum and copper raw materials, hardware tools, mining machinery, machinery products, and industrial and domestic boilers.

U.S. suspends aid to Gabon after military takeover

WASHINGTON, US

The Biden administration on Tuesday suspended most non-humanitarian aid to Gabon after a military takeover in the country last month that was at least the second this year in an African nation.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a “pause in certain foreign assistance programs” to Gabon, pending a review of the circumstances that led to the ouster of the country’s former leader President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Blinken said in a statement that the suspension would not affect US government operations in the oil-rich central African nation. The statement did not elaborate on what US-funded programs would be affected or how much money would be placed on hold.

Gabon is the second country to have seen a military takeover following the overthrow of the government in Niger earlier this year. The US also suspended some aid to Niger but has yet to formally determine if what happened was a coup.

“This interim measure is consistent with steps taken by the Economic Community of Central African States, the African Union, and other international partners, and will continue while we review the facts on the ground in Gabon,” Blinken said. “We are continuing US government operational activities in Gabon, including diplomatic and consular operations supporting US citizens.”

Earlier this month, Gabon's new military leader was sworn in as the head of state less than a week after ousting the president whose family had ruled the nation for more than five decades.

Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema took the oath in the presidential palace in Libreville. Oligui is a cousin of the ousted President Ali Bongo Obdimba, served as a bodyguard to his late father and is head of the Republican guard, an elite military unit.

Bongo had served two terms since coming to power in 2009 after the death of his father, who ruled the country for 41 years, and there was widespread discontent with his family’s reign. Another group of mutinous soldiers attempted a coup in 2019 but was quickly overpowered.

The former French colony is a member of OPEC, but its oil wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few — and nearly 40% of Gabonese aged 15 to 24 were out of work in 2020, according to the World Bank. Its oil export revenue was $6 billion in 2022, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Algeria, Morocco spar over Western Sahara at UN

UNITED NATIONS, New York

Moroccan and Algerian representatives to the United Nations sparred over the fate of Western Sahara on Tuesday, with Algiers calling for the revival of a long-stalled referendum on the fate of the former Spanish colony.

"We Algerians have chosen the camp of justice, decolonisation, freedom, self-determination and human rights," said Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama.

"This commitment applies to the cause of the Sahrawi people, who have been waiting for nearly half a century for the UN to do them justice."

Considered by the United Nations to be a "non-self-governing territory", 80 percent of Western Sahara is controlled by Morocco, which envisions autonomy for the region, though with it ultimately remaining under Rabat's control.

Algeria meanwhile has long supported the Polisario Front, an independence movement led by the region's Indigenous Sahrawi population.

A UN mission has been deployed in Western Sahara since 1991, tasked with organising a referendum on the territory's future.

The referendum has never taken place, and in late 2020 the Polisario announced it was resuming fighting after a long cease-fire.

"If the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara had really turned it into a paradise, with or without the granting of autonomy, why is this referendum being prevented?" Bendjama said, while also conveying his country's condolences to Morocco, in the wake of the country's deadly earthquake earlier this month.

"You can't shed crocodile tears and at the same time attack a country that is still living through a tragedy," Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilale shot back.

Hilale also reiterated Rabat's stance on Western Sahara, calling for the respect of "Morocco's national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"Morocco is in (the) Sahara and will remain so until the end of time," he said.

Emboldened by US recognition of Morocco's claims over Western Sahara in 2020, in return for Rabat's rapprochement with Israel, the kingdom has since deployed increasingly offensive diplomacy to rally other countries around its position.

Egypt presidential election dates announced

CAIRO, Egypt

Egypt will hold a presidential vote on December 10 to 12, 2023, the country's election authority announced Monday.

Walid Hassan Hamza, chairman of Egypt's National Election Authority, said the winner will be declared on December 18. 

"The final results of the presidential elections will be announced and published in the official newspaper no later than January 16th. Therefore, the entire election process will conclude before January 17th, 2024." 

Although yet to formally announce his candidacy, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is widely expected to win reelection. 

Experts had predicted that Sisi would move forward the 2024 election, ahead of a predicted switch to a flexible exchange rate which could exacerbate tensions. 

The votes come as the country battles an economic crisis, with inflation sky-rocketing in recent months and the currency losing half its value since March 2022. 

The government has kept the exchange rate pegged since early this year. 

Sisi, 68, has been in power since 2014, when he was first elected. He won again in 2018 against one of his own political allies. 

He further consolidated his power in 2019 following a change to the constitution which allows him to stand for a  third term. The changes also adjusted the length of presidential terms from four to six years, allowing Sisi to stay in power until 2030 should he win.

Tigres president killed after Colombian team's home loss

BOGOTÁ, Colombia

The president of Colombian second division club Tigres FC, Edgar Paez, was shot dead following his team's defeat on Saturday, the club announced.

The 63-year-old was returning home by car with his daughter after the 3-2 home loss to Atletico FC when he was killed by two men on a motorbike close to the stadium, local media reported.

His daughter escaped unharmed and authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the murder.

"The Tigres family and the sporting community are devastated by this event," the club said in a statement.

"His commitment to the team and his dedication to the development of the sport in our region left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Fernando Jaramillo, President of the Major Division of Colombian Professional Football (DIMAYOR) which runs the professional leagues, mourned the death of Paez.

"He was always distinguished by his respect for his friends, by his strong but respectful positions and by the love he professed for the sport that we are all passionate about: football," Jaramillo said.

There will be a minute's silence for Paez in the next two rounds of matches.

Sudanese army, paramilitary forces exchange violent artillery shelling around army's general command

KHARTOUM, Sudan

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday exchanged violent artillery bombardment in the vicinity of the army's General Command, according to eyewitnesses.

The RSF launched a violent artillery attack on the army's General Command from its bases in south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, eyewitnesses said.

Video clips published by local media show smoke columns rising from around the army's General Command in central Khartoum as a result of the clash.

Over the past 10 days, the RSF has been launching missile attacks towards the army's General Command from its bases in eastern and southern Khartoum.

"The clashes have intensified between the two sides for the tenth day around the army's General Command with sounds of strong explosions heard amid rising columns of smoke from the area," the independent Sudan Tribune news portal reported on Monday.

The SAF, in turn, responded with fierce artillery strikes on a number of neighborhoods in the eastern Nile area in Bahri city, where the RSF fighters are heavily deployed, according to the eyewitnesses.

"The SAF has launched drone attacks on RSF positions south of Khartoum," an eyewitness who requires anonymity told Xinhua.

People walk in the Metche camp, where around 40,000 people are currently living in Metche, Chad, September 20, 2023. /CFP

In the meantime, the emergency room of Al-Jarif Sharq district, a northern Khartoum suburb, said in a statement that the area had come under violent bombardment, calling on the residents to remain inside their homes and stay away from doors and windows.

The RSF, for its part, said in a statement on Monday that it had shot down a MIG warplane of the army, accusing the SAF of "exercising a scorched earth policy" by deliberately bombing residential neighborhoods, markets, and vital facilities in the capital and cities of Darfur and Kordofan states, causing deaths and injuries among thousands of innocent civilians.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, resulting in at least 3,000 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries, according to figures released by the Sudanese Health Ministry.

According to the latest report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), some 5.3 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan.

Over one million people have crossed into neighboring countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, OCHA said.

DR Congo declares new ‘war’ on M23 rebel group

KINSHASA, DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo may yet be headed for another war between its armed forces – FARDC and the M23 rebel group – going by the speech of President Felix Tshisekedi at the UN General Assembly.

East African Regional Force officers meet with M23 rebels during the handover ceremony at Rumangabo camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on January 6, 2023.

The two sides have been on some form of ceasefire since March 2023, but sporadic violence has often ensued between the M23, and some groups allied to the FARDC.

But Tshisekedi told the 78th General Assembly of the UN on Wednesday that the group has refused to surrender to dialogue.

“This terrorist group, Rwanda’s auxiliary, is not respecting any of the commitments entered into by the heads of state of the region as part of the Luanda and Nairobi processes. Not only have they not left the positions they conquered, but they continue to massacre civilians and refuse pre-cantonment and cantonment, demanding a dialogue that will never be granted to them,” the Congolese leader said.

This is not the first time Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of fuelling the M23 rebellion. Kigali has rejected all the accusations in the past. Earlier this month, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda told Jeune Afrique that the blame game was diversionary.

“Why not blame the right people for the situation? If there are criticisms to be made of Rwanda, we accept them. But why don’t you ask me why Rwanda is not dealing with the problem of these people? That is not my responsibility. The members of the M23 are Congolese citizens,” Kagame said in an interview on September 12.

Rwanda has often insisted that the long-term solution, including dialogue, must involve the M23.

The Nairobi Process under the East African Community had initially isolated the M23 until they respect the ceasefire.

In the DRC, however, stakeholders say there are signs of new war. A press release issued by civil society in North Kivu on September 20 notes that “for the past week, new waves of M23 rebels have burst into Masisi territory via neighbouring Rutshuru.”

Telesphore Mithondeke, the rapporteur for civil society in North Kivu, said the “M23 men are returning from accelerated training to prepare assaults on FARDC positions.” Mithondeke claims that the rebels are redeploying with the intention of attacking the armed groups known as Wazalendo that claim self-defence.

Mithondeke said that on September 19, violent fighting broke out between “self-defence elements on the Busumba axis (North Kivu), which lasted all day and caused a number of collateral damages to the population, including mass forced displacement and the looting of private property. Until now, the situation there remains uncertain.”

"Congolese authorities said the army “is ready for any eventuality”.

The authorities accuse the M23 of not implementing the recommendations of the heads of state of the EAC.

The Minister for Communication Patrick Muyaya stated that for the time being, the government would not enter into dialogue with the M23, who are described as “criminals”. The M23 accuses the Congolese president of “obstructing the return of peace”.

“We are also proud of the progress made in stabilising eastern DRC because of the EAC Regional Force, setting the DR Congo the path to sustainable peace and stability,” Kenyan President William Ruto told the UN assembly.

"We are welcoming the truce between rebels and the Congolese army as the two sides are staring each other in the face following the resistance put up by elements of the local self-defence groups”, asserted the rapporteur for civil society in North Kivu.

US 'Abrams tanks' arrive in Ukraine

KYIV Ukraine

The United States delivered the first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a Telegram post on September 25 following the New York Times report.

Zelensky didn't mention how many tanks were delivered. The U.S. pledged to provide Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sept. 21 during a bilateral meeting with Zelensky that the initial tranche of U.S. tanks would arrive in Ukraine the following week as a part of a larger package that includes ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and artillery.

Zelensky called the new American $325-million package "historic," saying the new package will include "artillery, missiles for HIMARS, missiles for air defense, additional air defense systems, tactical vehicles," and more.

In January, Biden announced the decision to send 31 Abrams tanks, a force equivalent to one Ukrainian tank battalion, just as other countries pledged Leopard 2 and Challenger 2 tanks.

Abrams tanks, which offer greater mobility and firepower than Soviet and Russian battle tanks Russia deployed to Ukraine, are expected to support Ukrainian defensive and offensive efforts.

The shipments may add momentum to the counteroffensive, which has begun to break through Russian defense lines.

Russian forces launched 19 drones, 12 Kalibr cruise missiles, and two anti-ship Onyx missiles against Ukraine's south early on Sept. 25, killing and injuring civilians and damaging port infrastructure.

The Air Force said air defense downed all the drones and 11 Kalibr missiles, mostly over Odesa Oblast.

First responders have found the bodies of two people under the rubble of a grain warehouse in Odesa hit in Russia's overnight attack, Governor Oleh Kiper reported on Sept. 25.

Earlier the same day, Kiper said a woman sustained injuries in Odesa due to the blastwave.

The attack significantly damaged the Odesa Sea Port and an abandoned hotel on the port's territory, Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces reported.

Debris from drones and missiles fell in the Odesa suburbs, damaging warehouses and a private household, the military added.

Since the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in mid-July, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's agricultural infrastructure, ports, and grain stockpiles.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported on Sept. 25 that some Shahed drones were shot down over Kryvyi Rih. The governor said debris caused a fire at an industrial facility without specifying how many loitering munitions were downed over the city.

The remaining Kalibr missile was downed over Mykolaiv Oblast, according to Vitalii Kim, the regional governor. No damages were reported in the region.

Russian forces also dropped four aerial bombs on Beryslav in Kherson Oblast on the morning of Sept. 25, killing three people and injuring another, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

According to the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office, houses, farms, and cars have been damaged or destroyed in the airstrike.

Partially occupied Kherson Oblast is a regular target of Russian attacks.

Meanwhile, Russia's 14th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment commander, his deputy, and an intelligence officer were killed or wounded in a Sept. 24 loitering munition attack on the Khalino airfield near Kursk, Ukrainian media outlet Babel reported on Sept. 25, citing a military intelligence source.

Kursk is located around 100 kilometers north of Ukraine's border. Russian authorities report almost daily attacks on the region.

Roman Starovoit, Kursk region governor, claimed a drone attack in the morning of Sept. 25, saying several houses and an administrative building have been damaged.

Babel reported, citing intelligence sources, that the Sept. 25 attack hit a facility of Russia's Interior Ministry.

Claims of Ukrainian drone strikes within Russian territory have increased in recent weeks, though Kyiv rarely takes responsibility for such attacks.

Ukrainian authorities have not publicly commented on any of the recent Kursk drone attacks.

Russian Black Sea Fleet commander killed in Sevastopol strike

By Alexander Khrebet, KYIV Ukraine

The Russian Black Sea Fleet commander was killed along with 33 other officers in a Sept. 22 strike on the fleet's headquarters in occupied Sevastopol, southwest Crimea, Ukraine's military said.

Dense black smoke rises above the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in occupied Sevastopol, southwestern Crimea, following the Ukrainian missile strike on Sept. 22. 

Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the Russian Black Sea Fleet commander, was among those killed in the missile strike that also injured 105 Russian soldiers and left the headquarters building in ruins, according to Ukraine's Special Operation Forces.

The Special Operation Forces claimed responsibility for the attack on the headquarters, which reportedly was struck with at least two U.K.-provided Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

Satellite imagery by Planet Labs revealed extensive damage the strike caused to the building. Both Ukraine and Russia confirmed that the headquarters was struck following the attack.

Admiral Viktor Sokolov

The next day after the attack, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview with the Voice of America that at least nine people were killed and 16 were injured in the strike.

Budanov said several senior Russian officers were wounded in the attack, including generals Alexander Romanchuk and Oleg Tsekov, leading Russian troops in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In recent months, there were several high-profile strikes on Russian forces in the area, including one on Sept. 13 targeting a Russian shipyard using marine drones and missiles that damaged landing craft and a submarine, both of which were undergoing repairs at the time of the strike.

Meanwhile, the Special Operations Forces Command reported that Russian forces suffered 62 casualties in the Sept. 13 strike against the Minsk landing craft docked in the Sevastopol shipyard.

The Minsk's crew was on board when the attack occurred as the ship was scheduled to leave the dock the next day, according to Ukraine's military.

Mali junta delays February presidential election for 'technical reasons'

BAMAKO, Mali

Mali’s ruling junta on Monday announced a delay to a presidential election scheduled for February that was aimed at returning civilian leaders to power in the jihadist-hit West African nation.

FILE: A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Bamako, Mali, on July 29, 2018.

The two rounds of voting—initially set for February 4 and 18, 2024 – “will be slightly postponed for technical reasons”, government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga said in a statement read out to reporters.

Those reasons include issues linked to the adoption this year of a new constitution and a review of the electoral lists, he said.

He also cited a dispute with French company Idemia, which the junta says is involved in the census process.

“The new dates for the presidential election will be communicated later,” Maiga said.

Authorities are also refusing to organise legislative elections, initially scheduled for the end of 2023, before the presidential election.

The junta “has decided to organise, exclusively, the presidential election”, the statement said.

Other elections will be held on a schedule “established by the new authorities, under the directives of the new president”.

The postponement is yet another delay to the junta’s schedule for handing back power to elected civilians.

The soldiers, who carried out back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, had earlier promised legislative elections for February 2022.

But the junta, led by Assimi Goita, announced at the end of 2021 that it was unable to respect the timetable agreed with the regional bloc ECOWAS.

It said it needed more time to carry out deep reforms.

Security situation

In response, ECOWAS in early 2022 imposed heavy sanctions on Mali, severely affecting the poor and landlocked country.

It lifted them the following July when the junta agreed to leave power in March 2024, and announced an electoral calendar that set the presidential election for February 2024.

The junta had also scheduled a constitutional referendum for March 2023, which finally took place in June.

Critics of the new constitution describe it as tailor-made to keep the junta in power beyond the presidential election.

Since Mali’s back-to-back putsches, West Africa has seen a series of military coups, including in Burkina Faso and Niger, which have also been hit by jihadism and violence, as well as in Guinea.

The militaries in each case have said they are carrying out “transitions” before a return to “constitutional order”.

Mali currently faces heightened activity by jihadist groups and a resumption of hostilities in the north by armed separatist groups.

Since August, there has been a series of attacks against army positions and civilians in the Timbuktu and Gao regions.

The junta pushed out France’s anti-jihadist force in 2022 and the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA in 2023.

It has turned politically and militarily towards Russia.

Monday’s statement made no mention of recent security developments, saying only that junta leader Goita intends “to return to a peaceful and secure constitutional order, after carrying out as a priority institutional political reform”.

Pentagon chief in Kenya for defense talks

NAIROBI, Kenya

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled Monday to Kenya for talks with defense officials about security and counterterrorism.

Before departing for Nairobi, Austin thanked U.S. troops at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, highlighting what he called their “very impressive” role in evacuating U.S. diplomats from Sudan in April.

“This facility is really important. We stood up a capability here following the 9/11 attacks as we were working our efforts against violent extremist organizations,” Austin said. “Since that time, not only has this location helped us to do that, but we've also expanded the kinds of things that we can do from this location to include some of the things that you recently helped us with like evacuating our diplomats from Sudan.”

Austin on Sunday praised Somali forces for making “impressive progress” in the fight against al-Shabab but cautioned that the terror group still can “export terror from ungoverned spaces.”

Austin met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Djibouti Sunday as part of his first visit to the African continent as defense secretary. 

Earlier, Austin met with the Djiboutian president and defense minister, thanking them for hosting the United States’ primary base in Africa and for supporting Somalia in its fight against extremist groups.

Somalia’s army and allied clan militias have continued to drive al-Shabab fighters out of central Somalia as part of the country’s military offensive since the president declared “total war” against the militants in August 2022.

But terrorists continue to strike at Somali forces, with a truck bombing near a security checkpoint in the central Somali town of Beledweyne killing 21 people and wounding 52 others Saturday. 

Security forces had been tipped off about the truck and were inspecting it when it detonated, Beledweyne District Omar Osman Alasow told VOA.

The meeting between Austin and Mohamud came two days after a small arms fire attack on a military barracks in Kulbiyow, Somalia, left one U.S. contractor and a partner force member injured, a senior defense official told VOA.

A pro-al-Shabab outlet claimed the attack injured four U.S. forces and nine members of Kenya’s forces. The senior defense official told VOA that was "overblown,” adding that no U.S. service member was injured, and the contractor's injuries did not require medivac.

Recent violence has led Somali officials to seek a 90-day delay in the scheduled drawdown of African Union peacekeepers to account for what the Somali government calls “several significant setbacks.”

“He (President Mohamud) wants to do everything that he can to maintain momentum,” Austin said in response to VOA, without commenting further on the Somali request to the African Union.

Three thousand African Union forces are expected to withdraw from Somalia by the end of this month, with all African Union forces set to withdraw by the end of next year.

Pulling support for Somalia too early, or not devoting enough resources to countering Islamic extremists in Africa, could allow terror groups to overrun the country much like the Taliban did while the U.S. was withdrawing its military forces there, says Bill Roggio, a former soldier and editor of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal, which publishes reporting and analysis of global counterterrorism efforts.

“We're operating on the margins against these jihadist groups, barely keeping them contained,” Roggio told VOA."

Meanwhile, U.S. defense officials say the U.S. has not seen a withdrawal of a substantial number of Wagner Group forces following the death of its leader last month.

“Wagner still has a substantial presence on the continent,” Austin told reporters Sunday in Djibouti.

More than one month since Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death, the U.S. has not yet seen a “decisive shift” in Wagner’s relationship with the Kremlin or signs that Moscow has absorbed the group’s operations across Africa, a senior defense official said.

“I think what you'll see in the future here is probably some competition within the ranks to (see) who's going to be the next leader,” Austin told reporters Sunday. “I think you'll also see potentially the Russian government moving to either replace Wagner with some other kind of element or using Russian forces to support efforts on the continent.”- Agencies

Burkina Faso troops join raid on militants in Niger

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso

The armies of Burkina Faso and Niger have killed an unknown number of militants in joint operations, local media has reported.

The attack comes a week after Burkina Faso’s parliament approved the deployment of troops to Niger in order to fight the Islamist uprising along the countries' common border.

Burkina Faso’s state-owned RTB TV channel said on Sunday that raids where launched after troops spotted “a column of terrorists” leaving Niger for Burkina Faso.

Joint forces “neutralised these attackers in pairs on 100 motorbikes and destroyed most of their logistics” in eastern Burkina Faso's Kantchari area, the channel added.

Earier this month, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali established a defence pact, named the Alliance of Sahel States, in a bid to support each other against any armed rebellion or external aggression.

Libya mayor arrested over flood disaster

DERNA, Libya

The mayor of Derna, a Libyan city devastated by intense flooding, has been arrested in connection with the disaster, officials say.

Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi was among numerous officials charged in connection with the disaster that killed thousands in eastern Libya earlier this month.

Last week, angry Derna residents burned the mayor’s house in protest.

The office of the attorney general, based in the capital Tripoli, said on Monday that the officials were "responsible for managing the country's dam facilities" and therefore it had launched a criminal case against them.

Some of the officials, including Mr al-Ghaithi, have already been detained prior to the trial.

In a statement on Monday, the attorney general’s office accused the officials of numerous failings, such as mismanaging funds meant to maintain the dams that burst and caused the floods in Derna.

His office also said that the officials had showed neglect by failing to take precautions, leading to flood-related deaths and economic losses for Libya.

Mr al-Ghaithi has further been accused of abusing his authority.

Libya is divided into two, rival administrations - one in the east and one in the west. As the attorney general is based in Tripoli, in the west, it is not clear to what extent he can order arrests in the east.

On Sunday, the eastern government said that the number of confirmed deaths from the floods had reached 3,868.

The attorney general's office said that investigations into other officials were ongoing and there could be more arrests.