French forces kill Islamist chief Belmokhtar's No. 2

French forces in Mali have killed the No. 2 in command of the militant group, led by Islamist chief Mokhtar Belmokhtar (pictured), that claimed a January attack on an Algerian gas plant and the bombing of an Areva mine in Niger in May.

Kenya Warns ICC Trials Could Threaten Regional Security

Kenya argued on Thursday that putting its top two leaders on trial before the International Criminal Court could compromise security in the often volatile east African region.

The indictments for crimes against humanity against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto "create particular problems in the context of regional peace and security," Kenya's attorney-general Githu Muigai said.

Muigai was speaking on the second day of an annual meeting of the Hague-based ICC's member states, during a session to discuss whether heads of states should be given immunity from prosecution.

"Kenya is the lynchpin in the peace and security of more than 250 million people from Djibouti to the eastern Congo. Kenya is one of the most important pillars in eastern Africa" in the fight against terror, drug trafficking and piracy, Muigai said.

He stressed: "It is not in our humble view a country... the international community should play Russian roulette with."

The United States, Britain and Israel have long had close military and intelligence ties with Nairobi.

British Diplomats Ejected From Hotel

Tension between Kenya and Britain almost reached boiling point when county Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno accused the trio from the British High Commission not following proper protocol, Standard Digital reports.

Relations between the two countries has been frosty over the past few weeks amid the trials of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto at the International Criminal Court. Britain abstained from voting for Kenya at the Security Council and they proposed a video trial for the duo, who are facing charges of crimes against humanity. Kenya rejected the proposal.

The senior officials from Britain were removed from the Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret town where they were attending attending with various community groups based in the North Rift area of the country. 

Read More At: http://http//www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000098325&story_title=british-diplomats-ejected-from-hotel

Cabinet Secretary Criticised Over Sentiments About Rising Crime Rate

Cabinet Secretary in charge of Interior and Coordination of National Government Joseph Ole Lenku’s sentiments for branding retired disciplined forces officers as criminals due to rising incidences of armed robberies has come under sharp criticism from retired officers organizations.

The retired officers from the disciplined forces now want Lenku to apologize over his utterances.

Speaking on Thursday at a press conference in Nakuru, Col Dickson Swegenyi, the executive director of Global Veterans for Peace (GLOVEPA) termed Lenku's utterances as unfortunate.

“Lenku’s words that branded the retired forces officers as criminals due to the rising cases of insecurity across the country are not acceptable,” said Swegenyi.

Swegenyi further added that retired members of the disciplined forces have played a great role in the community through various organizations and needed to be respected.

Nigeria: Cameroon Turns Blind Eye for Extremists

Officials in Nigeria battling an Islamic uprising are accusing Cameroon's security forces of allowing extremists to flee across the border.

Deputy Governor Zannah Umar Mustapha of Nigeria's Borno state says Cameroonian authorities habitually refuse to either arrest or chase militants fleeing after attacks in Nigeria.

At a meeting on Wednesday with army officials, Mustapha called for a stronger military on the porous borders.

Cameroonian Governor Fonka Awa Augustine of the Far North region neighbouring Nigeria has said he is puzzled by such complaints.

He said Cameroon is "in full collaboration" with Nigeria and has "stepped up" co-operation since a French priest was kidnapped last week in northern Cameroon by suspected Nigerian militants and transported into Nigeria.

Read More At: http://www.news24.co.ke/Africa/News/Nigeria-Cameroon-not-helping-fight-extremists-20131121-2

White supremacists jailed for Mandela murder plot

A South African court Tuesday sentenced members of a white extremist militia accused of plotting to kill former president Nelson Mandela after a trial that lasted ten years. The apartheid loyalists received jail terms ranging from five to 35 years.

Al Qaeda-linked group claims murder of journalists

© Photo: RFI

Mauritanian news agency Sahara Medias said Wednesday that it has received a message from Al Qaeda-linked militant group AQIM claiming responsibility for the murder of RFI journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, killed in Mali on Saturday.