- The Interior Minister of Tunisia, Rafik Haj Kacem, has disclosed that suspected Islamist extremists might have been planning to attack foreign missions in the country, as the police found plans of embassies and explosives after they engaged them on a recent gun fire. The diplomatic corps in Tunis is on high alert.
Minister Kacem said the 3 January clash had left 12 extremists killed. After the fierce battle, the police have confirmed the arrest of 15 fighters who were alleged to have stormed Tunisia through Algeria.
Mr Kacem added that a list of names of foreign diplomats in Tunisia were found by the police, although he did not disclose their names to the media.
Tunisia's Interior Minister believed that the men formed part of Algeria's terrorist group of the Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat. This radical group has been fighting to declare Algeria an Islamic state and claims to be the North African representation of al Qaeda.
This would not be the first time terrrorists acted in Tunisia. At least 19 people – mostly German tourists - were killed as a bomb went off outside a synagogue on the southern Tunisian island of Djerba in April 2002. Al Qaeda acknowledged responsibility for the attack. There have been no incidents in Tunisia since then.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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