Several Gunfired as Ivory Coast soldiers mutiny spreads to Abidjan

A mutiny by Ivory Coast soldiers over pay has spread to the commercial capital Abidjan, with soldiers taking over the country's army headquarters.

They fired in the air as they took control of the base in the city's Plateau district. The mutiny began on Friday in the central city of Bouake.

It then spread to a number of military camps around the country.

Defence Minister Alain-Richard Donwahi has gone to Bouake to discuss the protesters' demands.

An MP in the city said the soldiers wanted $8,000 and a house each.

The BBC's Alex Duval Smith in Ivory Coast says the mutiny brings back memories of Ivory Coast's 10-year civil war, which ended in 2011.

Breaking: DR Congo leader Jean-Pierre Bemba sentenced to 18 years in prison by ICC for war crimes and sexual violence

Former vice-president of Democratic Republic of Congo convicted for his part in a campaign of rape and murder in Central African Republic in 2002-3

Former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba

Former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for rape and pillage committed by his troops, becoming the highest level official to be handed down a sentence at the international criminal court.

Bemba, wearing a blue suit and tie, watched impassively from the dock during the hearing at The Hague on Tuesday.

France to increase troop numbers in Ivory Coast after beach attack

French Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

(Reuters) - France will nearly double the number of troops it has in Ivory Coast, the defence minister said on Saturday on a visit during which he laid flowers at the site of an attack on tourists that killed 19 people.

Jean-Yves Le Drian placed a bouquet on the beach in Grand Bassam, a resort town 40 km (25 miles) from Abidjan, where gunmen shot swimmers and sunbathers before storming hotels last month, an attack claimed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Four French citizens were killed.

Alassane Ouattara re-elected as Ivory Coast president, official results show

Ivory Coast incumbent Alassane Ouattara has won a second term as president with 83.66 percent of Sunday’s vote, the country’s Independent Electoral Commission has announced.

Brazil 2014: Stephen Keshi blasts Nigerian fans

           Local World Cup viewers tune out after opener

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has lashed out at the country’s fans, saying it is a shame they have abused his person for the team’s showing at Brazil 2014. The Super Eagles and coach Keshi came under heavy fire from angry fans after they could only manage a 0-0 draw with Iran in their opening group game at the World Cup in Brazil.

But Keshi has taken serious exception to the fans’ rage, saying there was no justification for them to insult his person. “I am disappointed, totally disappointed (by the personal attacks), but it’s their thing, no wahala (no problem),” blasted Keshi in Brazil.

Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast World Cup 2014

Colombia are dangerously lying in wait for England even if Roy Hodgson’s men do make it to the knockout stages.

£40million-rated James Rodriguez and substitute Juan Quintero deservedly ensured the South Americans secured their second consecutive win, outplaying an Ivory Coast side whose big-name players Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony disappointed.

Colombia top Group C with six points and will win it with a draw against Japan in their final match on Tuesday.

The Africans could also qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Greece in their final group game and they would have been lifted by a solo goal by former Arsenal striker Gervinho that set up a tense finish.

Both sides had started Group C with victories and the tens of thousands of Colombian fans who’d made the pilgrimage to Brasilia were in particularly optimistic mood.

Morocco 2015: Super Eagles, Black Stars in Pot 1

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has put in motion the road to Morocco 2015 as the seeding for the potentials draws were made on Saturday.

CAF approved dates for the AFCON Morocco 2015 at its meeting at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. According to CAF, the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 will be played from 17th January through 8th February 2015. The distribution of groups between the host cities of the tournament was also formalized.

Nigeria , Other West African Leaders Disagree with EU Trade Plans

ECOWAS leaders has  disagree with the European Union free trade deals . Nigeria and the rest of the regional block refused to open their economies to free trade with the European Union at a summit on Saturday.

Nigeria, the regional heavyweight Nigeria voiced concerns which stalled the deal of any further negotiations over the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) since ECOWAS countries resisted lifting tariff barriers over fears that they could crush nascent industries unable to cope with European imports.