Fighting between Islamic extremist rebels and Mozambique’s army over a key port is threatening to disrupt the East African nation’s burgeoning natural-gas developments, including a multibillion-dollar project led by French energy giant Total SA .

The insurgent group, which is affiliated with Islamic State, seized control of the Mocimboa da Praia port this month and government troops have moved into the area on Mozambique’s northern coast on the Indian Ocean to mount an effort to regain control of the site.

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Jihadists in the restive north-east of Nigeria have taken hundreds of people hostage who had only recently returned home from refugee camps, after local government officials claimed their town was safe.

More than 20 trucks of militants stormed into Kukawa town, in Borno state on Tuesday night. The jihadists captured hundreds of fleeing residents and attacked a nearby military base protecting the town.

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Soldiers in Mali have detained the country’s president, as well as the prime minister and other top officials in an apparent coup attempt.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, PM Boubou Cissé are being held at a military camp near the capital Bamako.

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The Somali National Army [SNA] conducted yet another sophisticated operation on Friday, state-owned media reported, which targeted sections of Kuntuwarey town in the southern part of the country, leading to the liberation of the region, which has been one of the hideouts of al-Shabaab militants.

Kuntuwarey town is located on the road between Somali capital Mogadishu and the port town of Barawe, which is manned by troops from the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces [UPDF]. Friday’s operation was also aided by the Ugandan troops, who have been critical in pushing for law and order in Somalia.

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At least 25 people have been killed in clashes between ethnic groups in a port city in eastern Sudan, according to a doctors’ association.

The Central Doctors’ Committee said in a statement on Wednesday that about 90 others were wounded in the fighting that began on Sunday between members of the Bani Aarem and Nuba ethnic groups in Port Sudan, a key international trade harbour on the Red Sea.

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