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Eritrean troops have been spotted in the northern Ethiopian city of Adigrat, according to local officials and residents. The troops appear to be heading south. A local official and residents told AFP the Eritrean soldiers had been in Adigrat for days and were heading south. The reports come after two weeks of fighting between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and Ethiopian federal forces. The clashes began on 23 September, reigniting fears of a return to the devastating 2020-2022 civil war. Ethiopia has blamed Eritrea for backing the TPLF. Tensions between the two countries flared last week as they cut diplomatic ties. Ethiopian federal forces have pushed back the Tigrayan rebels, supported by local militias. The army entered the regional capital, Mekelle, at the weekend without a fight, as the TPLF had left the city. Several sources told AFP that Eritrean troops were in the northern Tigrayan city of Adigrat, about 115 kilometres north of Mekelle, and heading south. Tigray Peace Force commander Gebreigziabher Beyene, whose militia has fought alongside federal forces, said Eritrean troops had entered Tigray in uniform with heavy weapons. He also alleged that the force was being targeted by drones. Beyene said Eritrea was deploying troops inside Tigray to prevent fighting from spreading into Eritrean territory. Two eyewitnesses in Adigrat told AFP that they had seen Eritrean soldiers on the roads heading south. A local official, speaking anonymously, said the presence of Eritrean troops had raised concerns among residents. One eyewitness said Eritrean soldiers were travelling in large trucks and patrol vehicles and carrying heavy weapons. Further insecurity was reported west of Mekelle. An Adwa resident told AFP that drone strikes had targeted hotels in the town over the weekend, killing several civilians and injuring four others. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and fought a border war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000. Relations between the countries improved following the rise to power of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018 and Eritrea subsequently fought alongside Ethiopia during the Tigray civil war against the TPLF. Relations soured again after the conflict. Earlier this month, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. Eritrea said it would sever diplomatic ties. The latest tensions have raised fears that TPLF forces could retreat into Eritrea, providing a pretext for an Ethiopian military intervention. Regional expert Kjetil Tronvoll said Eritrea wanted to maintain a buffer zone in northern Tigray and confront Ethiopian forces inside Tigray.

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Senegal floods kill several as heavy rains hit Dakar Torrential rains have flooded parts of Dakar and other regions of Senegal, killing several people, damaging infrastructure and disrupting transport. Heavy rains flood Dakar Severe rainfall over the weekend left several parts of Dakar underwater on Monday, with floodwaters disrupting movement across the capital and surrounding areas. Some rainfall stations recorded more than 100mm over 48 hours. Several people killed The Ministry of Interior confirmed deaths and injuries linked to the flooding. In Dakar’s Parcelles Assainies district, a 25-year-old woman and her four-year-old son died after a wall collapsed and floodwater entered their home. Buildings collapse in Matam In the northern city of Matam, one person was killed and two others injured after a structure collapsed during heavy rainfall. Authorities are also assessing the circumstances of another building collapse in Kaolack. Roads and transport affected Flooding has severely disrupted transportation in Dakar. The main highway linking the capital with its suburbs was cut in places, while several neighbourhoods were left difficult to access because of standing water. Infrastructure suffers damage The heavy rainfall has caused widespread damage to roads, buildings and other infrastructure. Some areas received rainfall totals exceeding 140mm in a single day, overwhelming drainage systems and creating dangerous conditions. More rain expected Authorities have warned that additional heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days. Residents have been urged to avoid flooded roads and buildings that may have been weakened by the storms. Government steps up response Prime Minister Ahmadou Alhaminou Lo held an emergency meeting on Monday to coordinate the government’s response. A regional emergency plan has been activated in Dakar, while a monitoring committee has been established to follow developments. Rescue operations continue Emergency services have been deployed to affected communities to assist residents, assess damage and coordinate relief efforts. Authorities said the casualty figures remain provisional as rescue and assessment operations continue. Youth Olympics approach The flooding comes just weeks before Senegal hosts the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to begin on October 31. The disruption has raised additional concerns about infrastructure and transportation ahead of the major international event. President offers condolences President Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed condolences to families affected by the floods and said the government was mobilising to strengthen monitoring and emergency measures in vulnerable areas.

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Guinean opposition leader Aliou Bah has been released after receiving a presidential pardon from President Mamadi Doumbouya.

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