Pakistan-Afghanistan, Sudan, Cameroon

Today's three stories you should know

Pakistan-Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Taliban government said a Pakistani air raid killed 10 civilians, nine of them children, the latest in a series of deadly incidents between the neighbors. Pakistan has not commented. The strike came after several violent attacks in Pakistan that Islamabad blamed on an armed group based in Afghanistan. “Defending our air space, territory, and people is our legitimate right,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. “At an appropriate time, a necessary response will be given.” A ceasefire had held for several weeks after border clashes erupted, but the two have failed to agree a binding peace deal.

More from Reuters here.

Sudan

Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates’ president, said the UAE wanted “an immediate end” to Sudan’s civil war and condemned “atrocities by both parties.” The UAE, though, is widely believed to be the main backer of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which in the last month carried out a campaign of ethnically motivated slaughter in the city of el-Fasher. US President Donald Trump, at the apparent urging of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has said the U.S. will work to bring the war to an end. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are vying for influence on the African continent.

More from Gulf News here.

Cameroon

Cameroon’s opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fled to Gambia as fallout over a disputed election continues. Last month’s vote returned 92-year-old President Paul Biya to power for an eighth term—a result that was rejected by Tchiroma and led to street protests in which up to 55 people were killed by security forces. Gambia’s information ministry confirmed that Tchiroma was in the country and said he was there “purely on humanitarian grounds” and for “the purpose of ensuring his safety.” Biya, who is the world’s oldest leader, is rarely seen in public and is believed to spend most of his time in Europe.

More from AP here.