General Dogbo Ble, the former chief of the Republican Guard, has gone on trial over the killing of a colonel during violence after elections nearly two years ago.

General Ble and seven other members of the security forces are accused of the killing, during clashes between former president Gbagbo’s supporters and those of current president Ouattara.

The general was one of the few senior military officials who did not switch allegiance to President Ouattara as the clashes drew to an end.

“History can follow a capricious path, sometimes meandering slowly for decades only to accelerate abruptly and take a vertiginous turn. The immediate cause of Catalonia’s sudden outbreak of secessionist fever is so-called fiscal looting.”

“But money isn’t the only cause of secessionist sentiment. We Catalans have long been attached to our distinct identity and never accepted the loss of national sovereignty after being defeated by the Spanish monarchy in 1714. For three centuries, Catalonia has striven to regain its independence. Most attempts to establish a state were put down by force.”

“At the core of Catalonia’s unique identity is the Catalan language, which is distinct from Spanish. Since the re-establishment of Spain’s democracy in 1977 and Catalonia’s autonomy in 1979, Catalan has been revived in the region’s schools. However, a recent ruling by Spain’s Constitutional Court threatens this policy. To most Catalans, our language is a red line. If the current system of autonomy can’t guarantee protection of it, independence is the only solution.”

US President Barack Obama has stopped a Chinese-owned company from investing in wind farm projects on land it had acquired in Oregon.

Obama issued a presidential order, asking Ralls Corp to clear equipment of the sites, which are located near a naval facility, within 14 days and to sell the land within three months.

Hundreds of Libyans surrendered their weapons to the new Libyan Army at the weekend, following public outcry at armed militia.

See here for report in The Times.

The amnesty, which took place in Tripoli and Benghazi, entered those taking part into a free prize draw with the opportunity to win items including a Hyundai hatchback, flat screen televisions and iPads.

The judicial commission of inquiry into the fatal shootings of 44 people at the Marikana mine protests last month, began today.

Set up by the president Jacob Zuma, the probe is mandated to determine the involvement of the police, managemant of the mine, the trade unions, government and Lonmin.

It comprises of a three member panel, including a retired Supreme Court Appeal Judge Ian Farlam, and is expected to submit its analysis in four months time. The final report will be submitted within one month of the investigation drawing to a close.

The United States implored Rwanda to publicly denounce Congolese rebels, who have seized vast areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s East. The appeal outlined the United States’ frustration over the Rwandan’s alleged role in propping up the M23 Congolese rebel movement, which has also resulted in the slashing of aid by donor countries to Rwanda.

Though Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 rebels, it is yet to publicly condemn the movement.

A disarmament drive by security forces in Libya has resulted in more than a thousand Libyans handing in their weapons.

Libya’s current leader Mohamed Magarief pledged to disarm all illegal militias after the killing of the US ambassador in Benghazi.

Weapons from pistols to tanks were collected at collection points in Tripoli and Benghazi.

Kenyan warships attacked the Somali port of Kismaya on Saturday night, despite al Shabaab rebels stating that they were abandoning the city, reported residents.

According to al Shabaab, two children were killed, and several others wounded. In a statement, the Kenyan military spokesperson, Col. Cyrus Oguna, denied this, and argued that the rebels said they had abandoned the town to lure the Kenyan troops into a trap.