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The leader of the Darfur rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Khalil Ibrahim, has been killed as he was leading his forces on the way to the Republic of South Sudan, according to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
Ibrahim’s death at the age of 53 was confirmed to Sudan Tribune by a number of well-placed sources. Whereas the sources failed to specify the manner or location of his death, JEM was expected to issue a statement in the coming hours confirming the death of its leader.
At least 40 people have been killed in Nigeria in Christmas Day bomb attacks, including some on churches during services.
A purported spokesman for Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing of a church outside the capital Abuja and other violence that has stoked fear and anger in Africa’s most populous nation.
At least 61 people have been killed during several days of fighting in northeast Nigeria between security forces and a radical Muslim sect responsible for a series of increasingly bloody attacks in Africa’s most populous nation, authorities said Saturday.
The fighting between suspected members of the sect known as Boko Haram and a joint task force of police and military began Thursday in Borno and Yobe states in Nigeria’s arid northeast corner bordering Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The fighting left residents cowering in their homes amid gunfire and explosions.
Rebels from Sudan’s Darfur region have begun moving towards the capital Khartoum, their spokesman said Thursday, more than three years after they made an unprecedented attack on the capital.
“Now our troops are moving from Darfur in an easterly direction towards the capital Khartoum,” Gibril Adam Bilal, of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), told AFP from London.
“Our main fight with this government has already started.”
Sudan’s army spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.
Bilal said JEM had reached En Nahud, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Darfur in North Kordofan state, on a mission to change the regime led by President Omar al-Bashir.
Five suspected rebels and two civilians died in the clashes, the army says.
The BBC’s Mame Campbell Toure in Dakar says the recent upsurge in fighting has shocked people, as it follows a long period of calm.
The Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) has been fighting for the region’s independence since 1982.
A peace deal was signed with the largest rebel faction in 2004 and the level of violence had subsided.
Notorious South Sudanese Rebel Leader George Athor was killed yesterday in a cross fire with the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) in Morobo county – says Vice President Dr Riek Machar.
Speaking to the press just an hour ago, Riek read said that, “On December 19th, 2011 an SPLA Border Patrol at Morobo County of Central Equatoria State clashed with elements that were in company of Lt. Gen. George Athor. This took place around 1800 Hours. George Athor and one other soldier were killed instantly.
Kenya Air Force helicopters have destroyed Al Shabaab camps and killed several militants in Somalia.
On December 13 the military choppers destroyed al-Shabaab camps at Garbaguso, Afmadow airstrip and Usingo.
The raids were also conducted by the Navy, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) spokesperson Colonel Cyrus Oguna said during the weekly briefing on the progress of the Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia.