AU - Africanews

1. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger launch Sahel regional force

   The 5000-strong force is the latest in a series of measures by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to achieve closer integration

2. Abuja celebrates the sound of peace and unity with “Reggae”

   As the rest of the world prepares for the end of the year festive period, Reggae fans and artists gathered in Abuja, Nigeria to celebrate Reggae festival 2025

3. Egypt's el-Sissi urges UN Security Council reforms for Africa's larger role

   El-Sissi made the plea for a “more pluralistic” world order at a conference of the Russia-Africa partnership held in Cairo, which was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and ministers from more than 50 African countries

4. 9 killed, 10 wounded in South Africa pub shooting

   Nine people have died and at least 10 others were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of Sunday, authorities said

5. Burkina Faso starts building first expressway in push to modernize

   The project falls under army ruler Captain Ibrahim Traore's Faso Mebo initiative, an ambitious plan to modernize the Sahel country