Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general after a fresh Security Council poll exposed the difficulty facing candidates seeking support

Aliko Dangote has responded to a Kenyan court challenge involving his proposed $16 billion refinery, recalling a previous legal battle in Senegal and insisting his group is prepared to defend its projects.

General Birame Diop has taken over as President of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, succeeding Omar Alieu Touray.