Sudan, Morocco, Niger.

Today's three stories you should know.

Sep 10, 2023

Sudan

At least 40 people have been killed in a drone attack on a market south of Sudan’s capital Khartoum, according to activists and aid workers, as the country’s military continues to battle a powerful militia. The Rapid Support Forces group is in control of much of the capital and government forces have frequently launched air attacks in an effort to dislodge it. After five months of failed truces, there are now no talks taking place between the warring sides who instead appear focused on the battlefield.

Morocco

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in Morocco after a massive earthquake killed more than 2,100 people on Saturday. Ruined and remote mountain villages are proving difficult to reach with fallen rocks blocking already dilapidated roads. Locals are digging through the rubble with their hands in some areas, according to reports. “We know there is a great urgency to save people and dig under the remains of buildings,” Arnaud Fraisse, founder of Rescuers Without Borders, told the Associated Press news agency as he waited on the green light from Paris to deploy his organization. “There are people dying under the rubble, and we cannot do anything to save them.”

Niger

Niger’s military junta, which came to power in a July coup, today accused France of massing troops in several West African countries with a view to “military intervention.” Relations with France have collapsed after Paris refused to recognize the coup leaders and instead threw its full support behind toppled leader Mohamed Bazoum. President Emmanuel Macron said he would not respond directly to the junta’s claim when questioned about it at the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.