Mark Banchereau

The United Nations says the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have abducted at least 130 sick and wounded men in two hospitals in a major city in eastern Congo.

The U.N. children’s fund is accusing armed men, likely on both sides of the conflict in eastern Congo, of raping scores of children over the past weeks as rebels expand their footprint and push government forces out.

A 50-year-old West Africa regional bloc is facing significant challenges after three junta-led countries — Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — formally left the group, known as ECOWAS.

Some African Americans are among those are taking advantage of a new law in Benin that grants citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade.

Niger’s ruling junta suspended the BBC for three months over its coverage of an extremist attack that allegedly killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians.

Human Rights Watch says Mali’s armed forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, committed abuses against civilians since the withdrawal of a UN peacekeeping mission late last year.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into a former governor and two top army officials in Congo for “possible crimes against humanity” during a deadly protest crackdown last year.

On Dec. 1, 1944, hundreds of West African riflemen who fought for France during World War II were likely killed by the French army after demanding their unpaid wages.

Interpol says it arrested 1,006 suspects in Africa during a massive two-month operation, clamping down on cybercrime that left tens of thousands of victims, including some who were trafficked, and produced millions in financial damages.

Senegal's governing party is poised to win a majority of seats in the National Assembly. The country's main opposition parties conceded defeat Monday in the country's parliamentary election.