AFRICAN UNION SLAPS SANCTIONS ON GUINEA JUNTA

Leaders of African States have imposed a barrage of new sanctions on the military rulers in Guinea due to the massacre on many supporters of the opposition. The head of states that are part of the African Union Peace and Security Council decided that it was necessary to take such actions such as denying visas, travel restrictions, and the freezing of assets. A list of of those that are going to targeted by the sanctions will be sent to the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Conference and a group of French-speaking nations in order to give the issue a global perspective. The EU has also placed an arms embargo on members of the junta.

By: Aminat T. Odunewu

Guinea Placed Under Arms Embargo

Members of ECOWAS, Economic Community of West African States, have decided to place a weapons embargo on Guinea's military government. This decision was made during a special summit in Nigeria on Saturday. The chairman of ECOWAS, Umaru Yar'adua, has been asked to gain support from the African Union, European Union and the United Nations in order to condemn the attacks that Camara's troops carried out on an opposition rally. The attack killed 157 civillians and 1200 more were injured. Amnesty International also claims that women were raped and sexually abused by Camara's troops and the African Union has asked for him to resign. The case is currently being looked at by the International Court of Justice.

By. Aminat Odunewu

Nigerian Rebel Disarms Under Amnesty

Many Nigerians gathered in the Dela State area yesterday to witness the last rebel give up his arms in return for amnesty and education. Government Tompolo, who is the head of the main rebel fraction in the western Delta arrived in Warri after pledging support for Yar Adua. Tompolo was one of the main leaders of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communites(FNDIC), who were responsible for the oil shut down in the Delta in 2003. He is the last rebel to give up his arms since the amnesty, which expired on Sunday, was offered in June. Ateke Tom, the head of the Ijaw Niger Vigilante Group, and 5,000 of his fighers all gave up their weapons during a ceremony on the beach. He was sure to warn that if resources were not put into the Delta, fighting would continue.
By: Aminat T. Odunewu