President Saleh is back in Yemen and calling for a "truce"

Three months after an attempt on his life, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has returned home from Saudi Arabia, where he sought treatment. According to Yemeni media, Saleh arrived in Sana'a by private plane. Just hours after his return, a government spokesman said the president was calling for a “truce and a ceasefire.”

Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for over three decades, has faced growing criticism over his decision to remain in power, and months of protests urging him to step down. Experts say his return may cause an all-out civil war.

AFP news agency quoted an unnamed official as saying: “The president calls on all political and military parties to achieve a truce…There is no alternative to dialogue and negotiations to end the bloodshed and resolve the crisis.”

Today, shortly after Friday prayers, anti-government protesters and Saleh supporters took to the streets. The two sides are rallying within a few miles of each other, although it is thought that many opponents of the government have remained at home for fear of violence.

Protest organiser Mohammed al-Asl said Saleh's return would lead to "an escalation of violence". He added: “But let him come back - we want him to come back and be tried for his crimes.”

Anti-government protesters have been camping out in the capital's centre, in an area called Change Square, since January. The on-going conflicts between the two sides have recently intensified as Republican Guards, led by Saleh's son Ahmed, have taken to the streets in a bid to instil fear in the protesters.

It is estimated that more than 80 people have been killed since Sunday 18th September. Hopes of Saleh handing over power peacefully are fading fast as fears over the prospect of a civil war mount. On Tuesday 20th September, the government agreed a truce following talks with Western envoys. The ceasefire, however, was broken just hours later as security officials reportedly opened fire on protesters.

Speaking about the situation in Yemen, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said the country was at a "dangerous crossroads".

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.

Video of suspected bomber who attacked Abuja UN headquarters circulating around Nigeria

It has been reported that a video message featuring a suicide bomber who allegedly carried out the attack on UN headquarters last month is circulating within Nigeria. Islamist group Boko Haram claimed the attack, which killed 23 people and injured more than 80 others.

The video obtained by AFP news agency is yet to be verified. It contains 25 minutes of speech by the alleged UN bomber holding an AK-47 automatic rifle, with two other people in the background. It also reportedly shows the alleged bomber pleading with his family to appreciate his actions, meant to teach the US “and other infidels” a lesson.

In the 26th August attack; a suicide bomber drove his car through the Abuja headquarters' security barriers crashing into the reception area before the explosion. The blasts brought down parts of the structure, where about 400 UN staff worked, also shattering the widows of nearby buildings.

A man claiming to be a spokesman for Boko Haram reportedly told AFP the suspected bomber was Mohammed Abul Barra, a 27 year-old married man from Maiduguri. The video also contains a reference to the UN headquarters as a "forum of all the global evil", and praise for former Al-Qa'ida leader Osama Bin Laden.

Boko Haram is fighting for the establishment of Sharia law across Nigeria, it has alleged to have connections with the Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, which operates in North Africa and Al-Shabab in Somalia.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, AP

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

President Jonathan proposes one-term presidency limit

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has announced he will put in a request with MPs to ament current constitution so that future presidents serve a single, longer term in office. At present the constitution limits presidents to two four-year terms.

Nigerian press has been speculating that the suggested amendment would allow Jonathan to extend his own term. Jonathan, however, has said that the change would would not come into effect before he steps down.

AFP news agency quoted the president as saying: "If the proposed amendment is accepted by the National Assembly, the president assures that he will not in any way be a beneficiary."

Jonathan did not give details about how long the new term should be, but stipulated that the changes would allow politicians to concentrate on governance rather than re-election. According to the BBC, the new term would most likely be for the period of six years.

Jonathan relseased a statement saying, he was "was concerned about the acrimony which the issue of re-election every four years generates". The statement also said: "The nation is still smarting from the unrest, the desperation for power and the overheating of the polity that has attended each general election."

It is estimated that as many as 500 people were killed in violent clashes following the announcement of April's election results, which Jonathan won with nearly 60 per cent of the vote.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

British national killed in Aden car bomb explosion

A car explosion in the city of Aden has killed a British national. According to witnesses, the man's car exploded when he got in and started the engine. Another man was wounded.

An unnamed Yemeni official said the bomb was hidden under the vehicle. He said Al-Qa'ida is suspected to be behind the attack, adding: "The way the attack took place only proves that Al-Qa'ida has been watching his moves days prior to the attack.”

Speaking about the explosion to AFP news agency, another witness, Abdullah Al-Sharafi, described the aftermath, saying: "I heard the explosion, I hurried there and I found the car in pieces."

The UK Foreign Office confirmed a British national had been killed and advised British citizens not to travel to Yemen, urging all those who are there to "maintain a heightened level of vigilance and keep a low profile at all times…We believe that terrorists continue to threaten further attacks including in Sana'a, Aden and other urban areas."

Sources: BBC News, AFP, CNN

For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.