Ivory Coast
The long-awaited trial of 18 suspects believed to behind a 2016 attack by al-Qaeda gunman in the Ivorian town of Grand-Bassam is due to get underway next week.
Nineteen people, including four French citizens, died in the incident and dozens others were wounded.
The attack took place at the Etoile du Sud hotel in the seaside resort, which is located some 40 kilometres east of Côte d’Ivoire's economic capital, Abidjan.
Three young assailants stormed the beach, popular with locals and foreigners, firing Kalashnikovs at people before being shot dead by Ivorian security forces.
Charges against them
A source told the AFP news agency that the 18 suspects due to appear in court next week stand accused of ‘acts of terrorism in association with a collective organisation’.
The assault was the first of its kind in Côte d’Ivoire, and was believed to have been in retaliation to anti-jihadist operations carried out by France and its allies in the Sahel region.
It severely impacted the country’s tourism industry which had already been weakened by years of post-election crises.
Judicial sources say the trial will likely run until 22 December.
Go to video
Kenya court suspends privatisation of 11 companies
Go to video
Mali: the army claims to have repelled 4 jihadist attacks
Go to video
Nigeria: 4 soldiers and militiamen killed in a jihadist ambush
Go to video
Kenya: first hearing on suspected murder of British soldier
Go to video
East African court rejects appeal against TotalEnergies oil megaproject
Go to video
South Africa: 12-year prison sentence for "instigator" of 2021 riots