West Africa Links 3/13/2013

• Mali: Stabilising northern Mali: different approaches to peace operations
• Mali: Tuareg rebels call for ICC war crimes probe
• Mali Islamists, Separatists Join Forces
• Chad’s Humanitarian Challenges
• Discordant Voices in the “New Nigeria” Trope

  But while the financial press continues to gush about the amount of money to be made in the country, a range of Nigerian voices are expressing fear and anger. Former World Bank official Oby Ezekwesili’s passionate convocation address at the University of Nigeria Nsukka in January criticized an “indulgent elite class” that had squandered $67 billion in reserves that the Obasanjo administration handed over to its successor government in 2007. Transparency and accountability, key to governance benefiting the general public, remain elusive.

• Nigeria's government has pardoned a key ally of President Goodluck Jonathan who was convicted of stealing millions of dollars
• Malian President Plays Down UN Atrocities Accusations
• Maiduguri: The Nigerian city gripped by insurgency

  Since 2009, northern Nigeria has been gripped by a bloody insurgency as militant group Boko Haram continues its quest to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. Visiting the Boko Haram stronghold Maiduguri is dangerous, so a BBC reporter filmed with a concealed camera to reveal what life is like for citizens caught in the crossfire. The journalist's identity has been concealed for security reasons.