The peacekeepers’ nationalities have not been confirmed.

UN troops have been in Mali attempting to stabilise the country since 2013.

The country, bordering Niger and Burkina Faso, has struggled with Islamist militants who have regularly attacked international peacekeepers and the Malian military.

The UN mission there, Minusma, has had 146 deaths, and has the highest number of fatalities of current UN operations.

In a statement, the UN Security Council condemned the attacks and said targeting peacekeepers “may constitute war crimes under international law”.

“This operation to protect civilians in the region also aimed to bring medical assistance to people in need,” the head of Minusma, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said in the statement.

Minusma said that three of the peacekeepers and the Malian soldier were killed during a joint operation on Friday morning near Menaka, close to the border with Niger. At least 15 other peacekeepers and a civilian were also injured.

The other UN peacekeeper was killed in what they described as “complex attack” using explosives and rocket launchers in the country’s central Mopti area. Three others were said to have been seriously wounded in that incident.

–

Source: BBC

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The result follows victory over their West African rivals in this year’s CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations final and moves them into a last-four meeting with either Iran or Spain in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

In very wet weather at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, both sides did well to play through the conditions, with Mali dominating to opening half.

The Eaglets took the lead on the quarter-hour mark, as Hadji Drame broke in on the Ghanaian goal before putting his shot past Black Starlets goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim for his third goal of the tournament.

Ghana then had the ball in the opposite net just before half-time, however Ibrahim Sulley’s effort was disallowed for a foul by team-mate Kudus Mohammed in the build-up.

Just after the hour mark, Mali scored their winner through Djemoussa Traore.

He beat the back-tracking Danlad Ibrahim with a long-range effort after the Ghana goalkeeper misjudged his rush off his goalline to make an attempted clearance outside his box.

With 20 minutes to go, Ghana halved the deficit through a Mohammed penalty after substitute Sadiq Ibrahim was fouled in the Mali box but, in the end, the Eaglets held on to secure a second appearance in the last four at a U-17 World Cup in as many tournaments.

Their only disappointment is a suspension to Mali captain Mohamed Camara for the semi-finals through the accumulation of yellow cards.

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Source: FIFA

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The French manager announced his decision after their 0-0 draw against Morocco on Tuesday at home, saying his role has become complicated.

Giresse spoke to the Confederation of African Football’s website after their draw as the Eagles remain rooted at the bottom of the Group C with two points from four matches.

“It has become complicated for me. There are times when you must know how to stop,” Giresse told CAFOnline.com.

The French manager’s position had become untenable after a 6-0 drubbing by the Atlas Lions in the reverse fixture in Rabat.

The loss became one of the biggest losses in the history of the Malian senior national team.

Giresse was in charge of the side between 2010 and 2012, leading Les Aigles to third place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

He was re-appointed in March 2015, but failed to steer the West Africans to glory as they failed to go past the group stage at the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

Mali are scheduled to face Mauritania in a Last 16 match at the WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana on Monday, September 11.

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Credit: MTNFootball

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Five of those who died were Malian security guards. The Malian military said the assault had been repulsed and four of the gunmen killed.

No group has claimed Monday’s attack. Islamist militants frequently target the UN mission in Mali.

More than 100 members of the force have been killed.

The country’s security has gradually worsened since 2013, when French forces repelled allied Islamist and Tuareg rebel fighters who had much of the north, including Timbuktu.

French troops and a 10,000-strong force of UN peacekeepers have been battling to stabilise the former French colony.

–

Source: BBC

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In a joint communiqué issued at the end of a day’s working visit to Mali by President Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, 28th May, 2017, it was resolved that the two countries reinforce their co-operation in the areas of trade, agriculture, security and the process of West African integration.

To realize an increase in the free movement of goods and persons, and the corresponding economic and commercial benefits to the two peoples, both countries reaffirmed their commitment towards the implementation of the ECOWAS protocols on the free movement of goods and persons.

On agriculture, and in order to curb the smuggling of agrochemicals, the two countries agreed to put measures in place to stop the illegal movement of agrochemicals from Ghana into Mali, as well as take steps towards the diversification of agriculture in the two countries.

Touching on the issues of security, it was agreed that a framework to exchange and share information in tackling terrorism, violent robberies and organized crime be established.

“To efficiently address the issue of illegal activities at the borders, notably corruption and racketeering, both sides agreed to hold regular meetings in order to put an end to these practices,” the communiqué noted.

With relations between the peoples of Ghana and Mali spanning several centuries, President Akufo-Addo, in his remarks to his Malian counterpart stressed that “even though there has been a change in direction and leadership in Ghana, our fundamental commitment to a close and sustaining relationship with the people of the Republic of Mali remains unchanged. Ghana continues to be by your side and continues to seek a relationship of intimacy and friendship.”

According to President Akufo-Addo, “we cannot and will not accept that other people can come and develop the continent of Africa for us. It will not happen, and the sooner all of us work together and recognize the necessity of collaborating on a platform that will lead to the prosperity of our peoples, the better.”

Touching on the fight against terrorism, President Akufo-Addo assured President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita that “in Nana Akufo-Addo and in his government, the people of Mali have a strong and steadfast friend.”

He expressed the appreciation of the peoples of West Africa for “the sacrifices the Malian people, who are in the frontline of the fight against terrorism, are making to guarantee the peace and security not just of their own country, but the region as a whole.”

To this end, he reiterated Ghana’s commitment to “standing beside you in that fight and want you to know that whatever, within our modest means, we can do to promote the success of that struggle, you can count on us.”

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Source: Flagstaff House

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the suspension of Mali’s Football Association (FEMAFOOT) has been lifted by the sport’s world body Fifa.

Mali were originally banned from global football in March after the country’s Sports Minister Housseïni Amion Guindo had dissolved the executive committee of FEMAFOOT.

Fifa, who do not look kindly on government interference, had said the ban would only be lifted when the FEMAFOOT board was reinstated.

On Saturday, CAF announced that a letter dated 28 April 2017 and signed by Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura had confirmed the reinstatement of FEMAFOOT’s executive committee, thereby allowing Mali back into the international fold.

CAF say Mali are now clear to participate in the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon from 14 to 28 May 2017.

Ethiopia would have replaced holders Mali at the tournament if the suspension had not been lifted.

Mali will be based in Libreville for the U-17s Nations Cup and are set to play in Group B alongside Angola, Niger and Tanzania.

The hosts Gabon will take on Cameroon, Ghana and Guinea in Port Gentil in Group A.

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This, they, said, would create jobs for the youth in the coming years.

In a communiqué issued on Saturday, January 14, at the end of the 27th Africa-France Summit held in Bamako, Mali, the Heads of State agreed to the realisation of the commitment within the framework of the International Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Agenda is a follow up to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement on climate change and the African Union’s Agenda, 2063.

With French President, François Hollande, in attendance, development assistance amounting to 20 billion Euros to participating countries, by 2018, was pledged by France.

To this end, the Heads of State and Governments indicated that education and vocational training would be high priorities, as these will improve “human development and the integration of young Africans in the labour market”.

They, therefore, agreed to strengthen the management of education systems on the continent by focusing on quality, particularly by putting in place efficient training and assessment policies, as well as promoting top-quality vocational training.

An appeal was made to international partners to increase their support for the sectors of education and vocational training in Africa, and also for consideration to be given to modern, accessible and vocational content, which met the needs of the labour market.

The communiqué also touched on the importance of mobility and the movement of skills on the continent, in order to encourage economic dynamism and innovation.

In addition, the importance of innovation and digitisation to encourage the diversification of economies was highlighted.

Participating countries at the Summit also pledged to support incentive-based policies to facilitate innovation, including incubator and acceleration programmes for startups and clusters, as well as access to finance and investment capitals.

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Nana Akufo-Addo will be in Mali to hold bilateral talks with his Malian counterpart, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, as well as sign some trade agreements.

The two leaders will also discuss recent happenings in The Gambia and proffer possible solutions.

Nana Addo was sworn into office on January 7, 2017, as the 5th President of the 4th Republic.

Since the swearing-in, Nana Addo has been busy forming his government, and has so far named 36 ministers to serve in various ministries, and has also appointed 12 persons as his backroom staff.

The President has asked Parliament to speed up the vetting process for his appointees in order to enable him begin government business.

Prior to his swearing-in, Nana Akufo-Addo visited Nigeria on a three-day visit, where he attended the 2016 Future of Africa Awards ceremony in Lagos.

He also called on the President of Nigeria, Mahammadu Buhari at the state house in Nigeria.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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One of the commercial sex workers is said to be five-months pregnant.

The operation, which started at 11 p.m, was part of efforts by the Cantonments Police to rid the streets of Accra of prostitutes.

Those arrested were aged 18 to 40.

A number of them fled when they saw the police approaching, while others rained insults on the police for attempting to arrest them.

Areas

The commercial sex workers were arrested while they were busily soliciting patronage near the Danquah Circle, the Togolese Embassy, the Italian Embassy and their environs.

Briefing journalists on Monday, the Cantonments Police Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Iddi Seidu, said the exercise was executed as a result of the numerous complaints received from diplomats and other residents of the area.

“The complaints received about the activities of these prostitutes indicate that the commercial sex workers make a lot of noise at midnight,” he said.

The Cantonments Police Commander said some of the residents also claimed that they were usually harassed by the prostitutes in the evenings when they were returning home from work.

In all, 30 policemen, including three senior officers, were involved in the operation.

He said the police had interrogated the suspects and taken their statements.

“They have all been charged with soliciting for immoral purpose and will be put before court,” he said.

Source: Daily Graphic

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