Another conflict in Africa
Clashes in Nigeria after elections leave 516 dead.
More than 500 people, mostly Muslims, have died in northern Nigeria in acts of violence that followed the April 16 presidential election, according to a human rights NGO.
"The latest count is 516" dead, according to Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress, based in Kaduna State (in the north), one of the regions affected by the unrest. "There could be more victims. We are continuing to collect data," he added, noting that the dead have been counted so far in regions of Kaduna State.
The previous figure from the Nigerian organization was 250 dead. Nigerian authorities refuse to release an official death toll, claiming they do not want to exacerbate tensions between Christians and Muslims.
Sudão
Nigeria is not the only troubled country in Africa. At least 115 people have died in five days of clashes between government forces and rebel militias in South Sudan, local authorities reported on Sunday. The violence raises concerns about the instability in the region with just over two months remaining before the formal declaration of independence.
Brigadier General Malaak Ayuen, director of the South Sudanese Army's Information Department, said Saturday was the most violent day, with 57 dead and dozens wounded in clashes between regular forces and soldiers loyal to rebel general Gabriel Tanginye.
Over the past five days, General Ayuen continued, South Sudanese soldiers have also engaged in fighting with militiamen loyal to another rebel leader, Peter Gatdet. According to him, 48 people died in the clashes. Ayuen did not provide details on how many of the dead were civilians, rebels, or regular soldiers.
Since January, when the population of South Sudan voted in a referendum to separate from Khartoum and found a new country, hundreds of people have died in episodes of violence in the territory.
Formal secession is expected in July, but a number of issues remain unresolved, such as the sharing of oil revenues, the situation of minorities living on both sides of the border, and control of Abyei, a fertile border area near major oil exploration wells.