Nigeria, Syria, Benin
Today's three stories you should know
Nigeria
One hundred children who were kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school in central Nigeria appear to have been freed, according to a Christian group. Nigeria’s government has yet to comment and it is unclear whether they were rescued or a ransom was paid. But more than 300 children were taken in the incident and, while 50 escaped, there has been no news of the whereabouts of the remainder. Nigerian authorities have been under considerable public pressure since the mass kidnapping, which came amid increasing insecurity across the central and northern regions of the country. Criminal gangs kidnapping people for ransom, often schoolchildren, have plagued Nigeria for years.
More from Reuters here.
NB: Proximities recently published a deep dive on insecurity in Nigeria for paid subscribers. Consider going paid for weekly Q&As that put our world in context.
Syria
Syria today marks one year since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled by rebels after 13 years of grinding war. Celebrations were planned for the central Umayyad Square in the capital Damascus, as well as events and military parades in other parts of the country. Since coming to power, new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, once an al-Qaeda leader, has become a fixture on the international stage but has struggled to unite competing factions and ethnic groups across the country with extreme violence still erupting periodically.
More from AP here.
Benin
Yet another coup attempt in West Africa, this one apparently unsuccessful. On Sunday morning, soldiers stormed a state television channel in Benin, appearing on air to announce President Patrice Talon had been toppled, borders closed and state institutions dissolved. Gunfire and explosions were reported near the president’s residence and Nigeria said it sent fighter jets to strike the rebels. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later said the coup had been thwarted, and Talon said the situation was “totally under control.” West Africa has been hit by a deluge of coups in recent years with several countries now under military control.
More from Africa News here.
NB: Proximities recently published a deep dive on West Africa’s slew of coups for paid subscribers. Consider going paid for weekly Q&As that put our world in context.