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Sudan Blames Failed Coup Attempt on Bashir Loyalists

A coup attempt thwarted in Sudan Tuesday was planned by military and civilian operatives associated with former President Omar al-Bashir, the country’s prime minister said in a televised statement.

“What happened [was] an orchestrated coup by factions inside and outside the armed forces and this is an extension of the attempts by remnants since the fall of the former regime to abort the civilian democratic transition,” Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said.

“This attempt was preceded by extensive preparations represented by lawlessness in the cities and the exploitation of the situation in the east of the country, [to] close national roads and ports and block oil production,” Hamdok added.

The alleged coup attempt highlighted the challenges Sudan faces as it undergoes a democratic transition, more than two years after the military’s overthrow of Bashir during mounting public opposition to his three-decade rule.

A military official said an unspecified number of troops from the armored corps tried to seize military headquarters and state television.

The official also said more than three dozen troops that included high-ranking officers have been arrested in connection with Tuesday’s events.

Speaking on the state-owned television station, Sudan’s information minister and government spokesperson Hamza Balul confirmed security forces arrested a number of top military officers and political leaders. He said all of the detained individuals are Bashir supporters and are being interrogated.

Balul sought to assure Sudanese citizens that conditions are safe in the capital.

“The situation is now under full control after the arrest of the military and civilian leaders of the failed coup attempt, who were captured in Shajarh military base in Khartoum and they are now under investigation,” he said. “The concerned authorities are on search for the remaining individuals from the supporters of the former administration who participated in the failed coup attempt.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the coup attempt and warned it could delay the country’s transition to democracy, according to his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.

“Any effort to undermine Sudan’s political transition will jeopardize the hard-earned progress made on the political and economic fronts,” Dujarric said in a statement.

“The secretary-general calls on all parties to remain committed to the transition and the realization of the aspirations of the Sudanese people for an inclusive, peaceful, stable, and democratic future,” Dujarric added.

The Sudanese military ousted Bashir in April 2019. Since then, Sudan has been governed by the Sovereign Council under a precarious power-sharing agreement between military and civilian officials.

Balul says the government will continue to defend the 2019 revolution through the support of its citizens and will not allow anyone to, in his words, “spoil this journey.”

He assured the Sudanese people that the transitional government is committed to implementing all reforms enshrined in last year’s peace deal with former rebel groups.

“We in the civil government institutions assure that we will not neglect the gains of the Sudanese people,” he said.

Transitional government authorities have accused factions loyal to Bashir of previous coup attempts.

Since Bashir’s ouster, Sudan’s government has taken steps toward normalizing relations with the West. The U.S. removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in December 2020.

Hamdok’s government has also undertaken a series of tough economic reforms to qualify for debt relief from the International Monetary Fund. The steps, which include a slashing of state subsidies, are seen by many Sudanese as too harsh.

Sudan is expected to hold elections in 2024.

Source: Voice of America

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Nine Chad Villagers Killed in Jihadist Assault

Nine people have died in an attack on a village in the Lake Chad area that is plagued by violence led by jihadist groups, a local governor and an NGO said Tuesday.

The region borders Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon, and fighters from Boko Haram and a rival splinter group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), have used it for years as a haven from which to attack troops and civilians.

“Elements from Boko Haram attacked Kadjigoroum and killed nine people and set fire to the village” on Sunday night, regional governor Mahamat Fadoul Mackaye told Agence France-Presse by telephone.

Chadian authorities use the Boko Haram label to refer to both militant groups.

The head of a local NGO confirmed the attack and death toll at the village, asking not to be identified.

In August, 26 soldiers died in a Boko Haram raid on marshy Lake Chad’s Tchoukou Telia island, about 190 kilometers (120 miles) north of the capital, N’Djamena.

In March 2020, 100 Chadian troops died in an attack on the lake’s Bohoma peninsula, prompting an offensive the following month led by Chad’s then-President Idriss Deby Itno.

After pursuing the militants deep into Niger and Nigeria, Deby said there was “not a single jihadist anywhere” on the Chadian side of the lake region.

The attacks, however, have increased against the army and civilians.

Deby was killed in April 2021 during fighting against rebels in the north and was succeeded by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, as the head of a military junta.

Source: Voice of America

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HRW: Kenya Has Failed to Protect Women, Girls From Abuse During Pandemic

A prominent human rights group has accused Kenya’s government of failing to adopt preventive measures to protect women and girls during pandemic lockdowns and curfews. Human Rights Watch says the government failed to ensure access to health, economic, and social support services, adding to an increase in sexual and other forms of abuse against women and girls.

In a 61-page report entitled “I had nowhere to go,” Human Rights Watch documented how the government failed victims of gender-based violence as the government introduced lockdowns, issued restrictions of the movement of people to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Agnes Odhiambo is human rights researcher on Women’s Issues. Speaking Tuesday at a press conference in Nairobi, she said the pandemic has increased violence against women, as they were confined to their homes.

“Women were at increased risk of violence because of increased social isolation spending a lot of time in the home, in the house being stuck with someone who is abusing you. Many women did also not get information on how they could get help during lockdowns,” Odhiambo said. “The breakdown of community structures for support and networks in communities also means that many women did not have somewhere to go and get help.”

Human rights watch investigators spoke to 13 survivors, community workers, experts and officials working with the police program meant to combat violence against women.

Victims told the rights group they were sexually abused, faced beatings and were thrown out of their homes. Young girls were forced to marry at a younger age and to undergo female genital mutilation.

The investigators found that most survivors did not report the abuse to the authorities because they believed they would not receive assistance.

Others believed they would have to bribe authorities to get assistance and could not pay.

Beverline Ongaro works at the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. She told journalists they would work with Kenyan authorities to ensure survivors get protection and justice.

“It provides us with an insight on the barriers survivors face and what needs to be done by duty barriers from survivors perspective and ultimately for the government to comply with its human rights obligations as under treaties and under Kenyan law particularly the constitution,” said Ongaro. “Allow me to reiterate that when we tolerate GBV [gender-based violence], it violates the human rights of the survivors and also their humanity.”

Kenya’s government has passed a number of laws in response to gender-based violence. It also has established guidelines for responding to such violence by police, specialized medical personnel, and justice officials.

But perpetrators of these abuses often find a way to around the rules, using money and connections.

Human Rights Watch is calling on the government to build a solid rights-based framework to protect and give justice to women and girls in the future.

Source: Voice of America

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Adagio Therapeutics Provides COVID-19 Antibody Program Updates as well as Business Highlights and Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

New Data Supporting Potential of ADG20 for Both the Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19 to be Presented at IDWeek 2021

Patient Population in Global EVADE Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial of ADG20 Expanded following IDMC Assessment

$355.8 Million IPO Completed to Fund Continued Advancement of Portfolio of Antibody-based Solutions for Infectious Diseases with Pandemic Potential

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adagio Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: ADGI) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, today reported updates on its lead COVID-19 antibody program, ADG20, as well as recent business highlights and second quarter 2021 financial results.

“Across the globe, COVID-19 continues to be a significant health crisis affecting nearly every age group. With the continued emergence of new variants, broadly neutralizing therapies that can be used for both the treatment and prevention of the disease are critical to address the current endemic as well as potential future outbreaks,” said Tillman Gerngross, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of Adagio. “Our team is working closely with our global CRO partners on the execution of our ongoing global clinical trials of ADG20, STAMP and EVADE, while also preparing for the anticipated worldwide commercialization of ADG20, if approved.

“ADG20 is a highly differentiated antibody that we are advancing through pivotal trials for both the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. We are pleased by the recent assessment of unblinded data by the IDMC for the EVADE trial, and their support of our plans to expand enrollment to include adolescents and pregnant or nursing women,” said Lynn Connolly, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Adagio. “To date, we have generated a compelling data package for ADG20 that includes broad neutralization of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the known variants of concerns in in vitro models as well as a favorable pharmacokinetic and tolerability profile in our Phase 1 trial. Further, at this year’s IDWeek, we will release additional data from our Phase 1 trial as well as details regarding our dose selection process for treatment and prevention, which we believe further support the important role this novel antibody can play in combatting the ongoing pandemic.”

ADG20 COVID-19 Program Highlights

  • New ADG20 Data to be Presented in Multiple Posters during IDWeek: At the IDWeek 2021 Virtual Conference, Adagio plans to present additional data highlighting the potential for ADG20 to provide protection from COVID-19 for up to one year based on its extended half-life in humans combined with its broad and potent neutralizing ability demonstrated in laboratory testing. In addition, the data support the evaluation of a 300mg dose, delivered as a single intramuscular injection, in the ongoing Phase 2/3 STAMP (treatment) and EVADE (prevention) global clinical trials. The data will be presented in multiple posters, which will be available to registered attendees on the virtual platform throughout the duration of the conference, being held from September 29 – October 3, 2021. The presentations include:
    • 1086: A Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physicologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model that a priori Predicts Intramuscular (IM) Pharmacokinetics of ADG20: an Extended Half-life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
    • 633: Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Single Ascending-Dose Study Assessing Safety, Serum Viral Neutralizing Antibody Titers (sVNA), and Pharmacokinetic (PK) Profile of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
    • 1089: Use of a Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model to Support Dose Selection of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
    • 1088: A Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model to Support Dose Selection of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • Patient Population Expanded in EVADE following IDMC Data Assessment: The independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) for the EVADE Phase 2/3 trial of ADG20 for the prevention of COVID-19 recently provided a recommendation to expand Phase 3 trial enrollment to include adolescents 12 years and older and pregnant or nursing women, as well as a decrease in the protocol-specified, in-clinic post injection monitoring time. The IDMC’s recommendations were based on their review of unblinded safety and tolerability data through the Day 28 post-treatment visit from 200 participants enrolled in the Phase 2 lead-in portion of the trial.
  • Partnership with Biocon Biologics Expands the Reach of a Potent and Broadly Neutralizing COVID-19 Antibody Treatment to Patients in India and Select Emerging Markets: In the second quarter of 2021, Adagio partnered with Biocon Biologics Ltd. to combat the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in southern Asia. The partnership provides Biocon rights to manufacture and commercialize an antibody therapy based on ADG20 in India and additional select emerging markets based on the commercial manufacturing process developed for ADG20. As part of the agreement, Biocon will be granted access to data from Adagio’s Phase 2/3 clinical trials as well as its anticipated Emergency Use Authorization package and other regulatory submissions to support approval or emergency authorization in India and other select emerging markets.

Recent Business Highlights

  • David Hering, Global COVID-19 Vaccine Expert, Appointed as Chief Operating Officer: Adagio recently appointed David Hering as the company’s chief operating officer. Mr. Hering joins Adagio from Pfizer, where he most recently served as the global mRNA business lead, a business specifically created to manage global COVID-19 efforts as well as future vaccines utilizing mRNA technology, and led the launch of the first-ever COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. Prior to his most recent role at Pfizer, Mr. Hering was president, North America at Pfizer, where he led a 700-person organization across a portfolio of vaccine products for COVID-19 and meningococcal and pneumococcal diseases.
  • $355.8 Million Initial Public Offering (IPO) Successfully Completed: In August 2021, Adagio sold 20,930,000 shares of common stock, including the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 2,730,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $17.00 per share. The gross proceeds of the offering, before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Adagio, were approximately $355.8 million.
  • Collaboration with Scripps: Adagio entered into an exclusive research agreement with The Scripps Research Institute to identify broadly protective vaccine candidates for the prevention of influenza and beta coronaviruses.
  • Board of Directors Expanded with Industry Leaders to Support Future Growth: Adagio recently announced appointments of three industry veterans and area experts to its board of directors:
    • Tom Heyman, former president of the Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC);
    • Anand Shah, M.D., former deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and
    • Michael S. Wyzga, president of MSW Consulting, Inc. and former CFO of Genzyme

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

  • As of June 30, 2021, Adagio had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $392.5 million, which includes net proceeds from its Series C financing completed in April. Pro forma cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2021 is $719.6 million after giving effect to our initial public offering which closed on August 10, 2021.
  • Research & development expenses including in-process research and development for the second quarter of 2021 were $37.6 million.
  • Selling, general & administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2021 were $7.1 million.
  • Net Loss for the second quarter was $44.7 million, or $0.18 per share.

About ADG20
ADG20, a monoclonal antibody targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, is being developed for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. ADG20 was designed and engineered to possess high potency and broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and additional clade 1 sarbecoviruses, by targeting a highly conserved epitope in the receptor binding domain. ADG20 displays potent neutralizing activity against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as all known variants of concern. ADG20 has the potential to impact viral replication and subsequent disease through multiple mechanisms of action, including direct blocking of viral entry into the host cell (neutralization) and elimination of infected host cells through Fc-mediated innate immune effector activity. ADG20 is administered by a single intramuscular injection, and was engineered to have a long half-life, with a goal of providing both rapid and durable protection. Adagio is advancing ADG20 through multiple clinical trials on a global basis.

About Adagio Therapeutics

Adagio (Nasdaq: ADGI) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential. The company’s portfolio of antibodies has been optimized using Adimab’s industry-leading antibody engineering capabilities and is designed to provide patients and clinicians with a powerful combination of potency, breadth, durable protection (via half-life extension), manufacturability and affordability. Adagio’s portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies includes multiple, non-competing broadly neutralizing antibodies with distinct binding epitopes, led by ADG20. Adagio has secured manufacturing capacity for the production of ADG20 with third-party contract manufacturers through the completion of clinical trials and, if approved by regulatory authorities, through initial commercial launch. For more information, please visit www.adagiotx.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” and “future” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning, among other things, the timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials of ADG20, including the timing of our planned IND submissions, initiation and completion of studies or trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for, our product candidates; our ability to identify patients with the diseases treated by our product candidates and to enroll these patients in our clinical trials; our manufacturing capabilities and strategy; and our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Adagio’s prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 6, 2021 and in Adagio’s future reports to be filed with the SEC, including Adagio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Adagio undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contacts:

Media Contact:
Dan Budwick, 1AB
Dan@1abmedia.com

Investor Contact:
Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communications
monique@thrustsc.com

ADAGIO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

June 30,
2021		 December 31,
2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents(1) $ 392,509 $ 114,988
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,550 2,394
Total current assets 396,059 117,382
Deferred offering costs 1,933 —
Total assets $ 397,992 $ 117,382
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 10,716 $ 8,153
Accrued expenses 27,181 4,919
Total current liabilities 37,897 13,072
Early-exercise liability 8 11
Total liabilities 37,905 13,083
Commitments and contingencies
Convertible preferred stock (Series A, B and C) $0.0001 par value; 16,944,484 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at June 30, 2021; 12,647,934 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020; aggregate liquidation preference of $505,399 and $169,900 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively 504,711 169,548
Stockholders’ deficit:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 5,599,240 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2021; 28,193,240 shares issued and 5,593,240 shares outstanding at December 31, 2020 1 1
Treasury stock, at cost; 0 shares and 22,600,000 shares at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively — (85 )
Additional paid-in capital 4,067 154
Accumulated deficit (148,692 ) (65,319 )
Total stockholders’ deficit (144,624 ) (65,249 )
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit $ 397,992 $ 117,382

(1)     Pro forma cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2021 is $719.6 million after giving effect to our issuance and sale of 20,930,000 shares of our common stock in our initial public offering at the price of $17.00 per share after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering costs which closed on August 10, 2021.

ADAGIO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Three Months
Ended
June 30,		 Six Months
Ended
June 30,		 Period from
June 3, 2020
(Inception) to
June 30,
2021 2021 2020 (3)
Operating expenses:
Research and development(1) $ 35,067 $ 69,204 $ 48
Acquired in-process research and development(2) 2,500 3,500 —
Selling, general and administrative 7,124 10,695 50
Total operating expenses 44,691 83,399 98
Loss from operations (44,691 ) (83,399 ) (98 )
Other income (expense):
Interest income 23 32 —
Other expense (5 ) (6 ) —
Total other income (expense), net 18 26 —
Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (44,673 ) $ (83,373 ) $ (98 )
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and
diluted		 $ (0.18 ) $ (0.66 ) $ —
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 249,769 125,574 21,250,000

(1)   Includes related-party amounts of $247 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, $435 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $0 for the period from June 3, 2020 (inception) to June 30, 2020.
(2)   Includes related-party amounts of $2,500 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, $3,500 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $0 for the period from June 3, 2020 (inception) to June 30, 2020.
(3)   The results for the period from June 3, 2020 (inception) to June 30, 2020 are the same for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

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Eritrean Refugees Express Grievance over UNHCR for Not Providing Necessary Support

Eritreans residing in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa have expressed grievance over the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for not providing the necessary support to the Eritrean Refugees sheltered in Tigray regional state.

The Eritreans held demonstration today in front of UNHCR office in Addis Ababa demanding the provision of humanitarian and other vital supports to the refugees sheltered in Tigray.

Particularly, refugees located in Hentsats and My-Ainy refugee camps in Tigray region of Ethiopia have not been receiving the necessary humanitarian support, according to the demonstrators.

The demonstrators stated that UNHCR has stopped providing support to the refugees since the last two months.

The refugees are now suffering from shortages of food, medicine, water among other vital provisions.

The refugees have been suffering from lack of medicines and medical services, they said.

Despite its promise to relocate the refugees to North Gondar Zone of Amhara regional state, UNHCR has not yet executed its promise, the demonstrators noted.

Due to the indifferent observed by the UN Refugee Agency, currently the lives of the Eritrean refugees in Tigray have been endangered by the provocative acts of the terrorist TPLF gunmen, they added.

The Eritreans have urged UNHCR to swiftly relocate the refugees as per the promise.

Representative of UNHCR office in Addis Ababa, Mamadou Dian Balda said that the agency is working in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia to address the stated problems.

“UNHCR understands the challenges the refugees are facing now. We are working in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia to relocate them.”

The Ethiopian Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) said for its part that it is working with partners to relocate the refugees to a safer location.

ARRA with its main counterpart, UNHCR and partners working on the relocation of Eritrean refugees to Alam-Wach (a new camp in North Gondar, Dabat) with an effort to transfer them to a safer location.

“Thus, we made 91 hectares of land available and begun the construction of the camp. Side by side, temporary sheltering and basic service delivery are underway for refugees locating themselves in the area,” ARRA said in a statement.

So far ARRA is serving 227 Eritrean refugees who relocated themselves to Dabat before TPLF forces attacked Mail-Aini and Adi-Harush camps and denied freedom of movement back in July 2021.

As has been agreed with the Woreda Administration and Dabat City Mayor’s Office, 4 schools and 3 training camps refurbished to temporarily hosting refugees, ARRA stated.

ARRA further urged the international communities to push for the relocation of refugees at Mai-Aini and Adi-Harush camps and get the relieved from abuses, killings and abductions among many violations at the hands of TPLF rebels.

Source: Ethiopia News agency

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Cameroon Repatriates Nigerian Ex-Fighters, Family Members

More than 850 former Boko Haram fighters and their family members who escaped from the jihadist group to Cameroon have left northern Cameroon for Nigeria. Nigerian authorities say they are taking the former militants to Nigerian disarmament centers after complaints that such centers in Cameroon were overwhelmed by the number of former jihadists defecting since the terrorist group’s leader was declared killed in May.

Hundreds of people Saturday gathered along streets, watching and waving as 20 buses transporting former Boko Haram militants and their families left Mora, a town on Cameroon’s northern border with Nigeria, for Banki, a town in Nigeria’s Borno state.

The governor of Cameroon’s Far North region, Midjiyawa Bakari, said the former militants agreed to voluntarily return to Nigeria.

Bakari said the ex-Boko Haram militants who have agreed to return to Nigeria’s Borno state are Nigerian citizens, 854 of them which also include their families. He said they told Cameroonian government officials that they were either fighters or slaves on plantations controlled by the jihadist group. Bakari said the Nigerian ex-fighters promised to be good citizens of Borno state.

Bakari said about 150 more former militants who are of Nigerian nationality will return to their country in the weeks ahead, but he did not explain why they are not returning now.

A majority of the ex-militants are women and children. Cameroon said more about 320 males [including young boys among them] are former fighters of the jihadist group. 80 are females the terrorist group used as spies in localities they attacked, authorities said. 454 others are their family members.

34-year-old Kadir Hassan said he is spokesperson of the former Boko Haram militants who agreed to return to Nigeria. He escaped from the Sambisa Forest, a Boko Haram stronghold on the Cameroon-Nigeria border in August. The former fighter said he is looking forward to meeting his relatives in Kukawa, a town in Nigeria’s Borno state.

Hassan said he left Kukawa to join the jihadist group in March 2020.

Hassan said many Cameroonians and Nigerians he saw in the Sambisa Forest want to leave Boko Haram but are afraid that fighters will kill them. He said he is pleading with the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin that is fighting the jihadist group to help people who are still under Boko Haram captivity and want to leave. He said the ex-combatants pledge to contribute to the development of their communities when they return to Nigeria.

The task force made up of troops from Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria said it took the surrendered Boko Haram militants to demobilization centers called DDRs in Meri and Meme, Cameroonian towns on the border with Nigeria.

In August, Cameroon said it was negotiating to return the ex-militants to Nigeria as the DDR centers were becoming overcrowded.

Lawan Aba Wakilbe, Nigeria’s Borno state Commissioner for Education, represented the government of Nigeria at the ceremony to hand over the former militants. He said the former militants will be kept at rehabilitation centers in Banki, Nigeria.

“We are going to rehabilitate them, and we will reintegrate them into society. You see taking this number away from Boko Haram has given them a shortage in manpower. We are happy and we would like to use this opportunity to thank the Cameroonian government for keeping and handing them over to us,” he said.

Cameroon says former militants still at the demobilization centers on its northern border with Nigeria and Chad include Chadians, Cameroonians and Nigerians.

Bakari said DDR centers in Cameroon’s northern border will continue to receive militants and fighters who surrender and drop their weapons.

Source: Voice of America

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Libya To Resume Flights To Cairo

TRIPOLI– The Libyan government, yesterday announced, it will resume flights to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, later this month.

“The civil aviation departments of both countries, agreed to take measures to start direct flights from the airports of Mitiga (Tripoli), Misurata, and Benina (Benghazi), to Cairo, starting from Sept 30,” said the Libyan government’s spokesman, Mohamed Hamuda.

The decision to resume flights came, after a visit to Cairo, paid by the Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, a few days ago, where a number of agreements were signed between the two countries.

Dbeibah’s Government of National Unity was appointed a few months ago by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), ending years of political division in the country.

The government’s main task is to prepare for the general elections, to be held later this year, as approved by the LPDF.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK