* Terrible mistake in yesterday’s newsletter. I wrote that Sudan’s capital was Kabul. It is, of course, Khartoum. I think I’ve typed ‘Kabul’ so much lately that my fingers did it out of muscle memory. Thanks so much to everyone who emailed me. It’s great to have such attentive readers, especially when I so badly failed to be attentive myself. Barry. *
Nigeria
A criminal gang has killed 43 people in a raid on a market in northern Nigeria. The gangs, referred to locally as bandits, have been active for years, though incidents have surged in recent months. The military is struggling to contain the criminals, who are often well-equipped, as they engage in kidnappings for ransom and deadly raids on villages, towns and markets. The crisis has piled pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari, who is under particular pressure to curb the kidnappings.
More from AFP via France 24 here.
Myanmar
Myanmar’s ruling junta said today it planned to free 5,600 prisoners who were arrested for taking part in demonstrations against a military coup in February. The announcement came just days after the junta’s leader was barred from attending a regional summit in what was seen as a significant snub. More than 7,300 political prisoners are currently being held, according to rights groups. The UN said last month that the junta was abducting the family members of people it is seeking to arrest in connection with the protests, including children and babies.
More from the Guardian here.
Ethiopia
The Ethiopian government today admitted it launched air raids on Mekelle, the capital of the country’s Tigray region, after initially denying reports from eyewitnesses and the rebel group that controls the city. The government said it had successfully targeted communications and weapons facilities operated by the TPLF rebels, while the TPLF said three civilians were killed in the raids. Ethiopia’s almost year-long civil war has been marked by horrific sexual violence and has pushed hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of starvation.
More from BBC here.