Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
militialatest news & developments
Displaced: A family fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo waits to take a boat at the port of Bukavu in South Kivu province. Photo: Amani Alimasi

Kinshasa has ‘created a monster it cannot control’

The DRC army’s alliance with the Wazalendo militia has lead to clashes, deaths and deep ethnic divides in Uvira

Hands off: Somaliand took control of Las Anod from Puntland state in 2007. Photo: Eduardo Soteras/AFP

Fault line cuts Somaliland’s quest for nationhood

The Las Anod conflict complicates the mission for true independence from Somalia

Realpolitik: The Taliban knows its population depends on income from the poppy trade. Afghan men surround bags of heroin and hashish as they negotiate and check quality at a drug market on the outskirts of Kandahar. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan’s poppy fields bloom

It is not clear yet whether the Taliban government will clamp down on the illicit trade

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has called on warring factions to “spare civilians” trapped by the fighting. (AFP)

Libya’s militias agree to UN ceasefire in Tripoli

The United Nations has hailed a deal to ‘end all hostilities’ and ‘protect civilians’ after days of deadly clashes in the capital

Congolese national and former millitia chief Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui.

Congolese militia boss Ngudjolo awaits war crimes verdict

The International Criminal Court is to hand down its judgement against Congolese ex-militia boss Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui.

UN-backed DRC offensive ‘puts civilians at risk’

A UN-backed military operation in eastern Congo is likely to cause widespread suffering for thousands of civilians, warns aid agency Oxfam.

Defiant al-Bashir visits Darfur

Militiamen welcomed the Sudanese president to Darfur on Wednesday, two weeks after an arrest warrant was issued against him for alleged war crimes.

Colombian troops kill guerrilla commander

Colombian troops have killed a Farc guerrilla commander accused of ordering extortion and bombings around Bogota, said authorities.

Kibati’s elusive front line

Despite calls for a ceasefire, fighting continues in the eastern DRC and the atmosphere remains tense, writes Stephanie Wolters.