The governor of Nigeria's Katsina State has told locals to arm themselves against would-be attackers, saying security wasn't only the government's responsibility. Aminu Masari has blamed residents for giving in too easily to attackers amid ongoing kidnappings and raids by armed gangs.
Also in this edition, Mali marks one year since a military coup toppled former presdient Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The country has seen a tumultuous 12 months, with the interim president unseated in a second military takeover and the transitional leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, surviving an assassination attempt in July. Despite the turbulent political landscape and a jihadist insurgency, Goita says he is committed to holding transparent elections next February.
Plus, Tunisia calls in the army to help get its Covid-19 vaccination campaign on track. More than 22,000 Tunisians are registered as having died due to the virus.
