Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for March 3rd

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today's In the News post are updates on bombings in Nigeria, Spain's new policy for African immigrants, economic revelations in Niger, the continued violence in the Central African Republic, civic engagement against Boko Haram, Somali rebels' actions, new information about the Rwandan genocide, and the role of celebrities in African affairs.

At least 74 killed in Nigerian bombings.
Authorities in northern Nigeria say Islamic militants are suspected of killing at least 74 people in separate attacks late Saturday. Witnesses and a State Security Service agent say militants killed 39 people and razed all the thatched-roof huts overnight in Mainok village in northeastern Nigeria. – Voice of America
To read more, please visit the Voice of America site here.

As Africans surge to Europe's door, Spain locks down
Ten years ago Spain spent more than 30 million euros building up the barriers around Melilla and Ceuta, its two enclaves surrounded by Morocco on the northern coast of Africa, which offer the only land borders between the promise of Europe and the despair of Africa. And for a while the investment seemed to work. But in the past year, large groups of sub-Saharan immigrants have been charging the rows of seven-yard-high chain-link fences here with increasing frequency, or trying to swim around them, believing with good reason that if they can just get past they will ultimately end up in Europe. They often end up injured, not just from falls and the newly laid concertina wire, but at the hands of the Moroccan and Spanish authorities trying to stop them. – New York Times
To read more, please visit the New York Times site here.

Niger's consciousness awakening over national resources
"We're seeing a real awakening of people's consciousness on this issue; something is happening" says Boubacar Soumane, communications manager for EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) Niger. As yet another deadline looms for an agreement between Areva and the Nigerien state on the contract for the French nuclear giant's uranium operations at Arlit (on February 28th), the issue is clearly capturing the public imagination. Almost every week there have been demonstrations on the streets of the country's main cities - particularly Niamey and Agadez. The protestors, although their numbers are generally small, call for a better deal for Niger citing the now well-known figure that Areva's annual turnover is four times the size of Niger's entire national budget - some 9 billion Euros against 2 billion Euros. – African Arguments
To read more, please visit the African Arguments site here.

Canadian aid worker describes 'horrific' violence in central Africa as Christians, Muslims fight to the death
The Central African Republic's descent into chaos has been gruesome: villages burned to the ground, massacres with rusty machetes and a million displaced by Christian and Muslim militias that deliberately target civilians. The escalating sectarian violence in the former French colony has uprooted a quarter of the population, threatened to destabilize the geographic centre of Africa and shocked even veteran Canadian aid workers like Julian Donald. – National Post
To read more, please visit the National Post site here.

Youth Vigilantes Stand Up to Boko Haram, but at a Cost
Shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states in May 2013, stories about youth groups patrolling various sections of Maiduguri emerged. Collectively referred to as the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), the vigilantes employed knives, machetes, cutlasses, and other crude weaponry to rid their neighborhoods of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. – Think Africa Press
To read more, please visit the Think Africa Press site here.

Somalia's sacked soldiers threaten Mogadishu's security
Residents of Mogadishu have raised concerns about their safety after the Somali army recently fired hundreds of disgruntled soldiers, many of whom are believed to still be in possession of their arms. Somali military officials said early in February that 700 army soldiers were "relieved of their duties" following the restructuring of the army to make it a more professional force. – Inter Press Service
To read more, please visit the IPS site here.

Clinton documents reveal response to Rwanda genocide criticism
Newly released documents from the Clinton presidential library reveal how the administration worked to explain the often-criticised US response to genocide in Rwanda. Documents preparing President Bill Clinton for an interview with a Washington Post reporter, Tom Lippman, suggest a range of responses to possible criticisms of the administration's response to one of the most serious post-war humanitarian crises. – The Guardian
To read more, please visit the Guardian site here.

From Ben Affleck and George Clooney to Madonna and Bono: A scorecard for celebrities in Africa
This Wednesday, Ben Affleck testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as an expert on Africa. Yes, Ben Affleck: actor-director Ben Affleck, Argo Ben Affleck and, lest we forget, J-Lo Ben Affleck. Ben Affleck, whose tuxedo stands a decent chance of being analyzed on live television during the Oscars this Sunday. He was invited to guide American lawmakers on their policy toward the Democratic Republic of Congo. – Global Post
To read more, please visit the Global Post site here.