Court Drops Some Charges Against Separatist

1. Nigeria court drops some charges against separatist

A high court judge in Nigeria has dismissed eight out of the 15 charges brought by the government against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
His camp sees the ruling as a step in the right direction - though he still faces the serious charges of terrorism and treason.
Mr. Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), a group that wants a breakaway state in south-east Nigeria where mainly 
Igbo people live, which has been outlawed by the government.

He was initially arrested in 2015 - fleeing the country in 2017 while out on bail.
Last June, he was captured abroad and repatriated, which his lawyers have argued breaches international law.
But on Friday Justice Binta Nyako ruled that any rendition would have been legal as Mr. Kanu had skipped bail and was regarded as a fugitive 
at the time.

She also refused to grant him bail.
The 54-year-old has been held in solitary confinement, in the custody of the Nigerian secret police, since June. He faces life imprisonment 
if convicted of terrorism and treason - charges he pleaded not guilty to in October

2. Ethiopia repatriates 100 children from Saudi Arabia

Ethiopia repatriated 101 children from Saudi Arabia on Friday as it continued a campaign to return tens of thousands of its nationals from 
the country. Many of the Ethiopians from the Middle Eastern country are undocumented migrant workers who have been detained in squalid 
conditions. More than a week since the drive began close to 5,000 migrant workers have been returned, according to a statement from 
Ethiopia's women and social affairs ministry. 

In a campaign that could take up to 11 months, the authorities have pledged to bring 100,000 Ethiopians home from Saudi Arabia. 
The returnees are provided with temporary shelters and medical support upon arrival. However, it is not clear if they will be offered a 
sustainable means of getting income once they settle in.

3. Morocco and Spain mend ties over Western Sahara row

Morocco and Spain have announced they have turned a new page in relations - after Madrid pledged support for Morocco's autonomy plan for 
disputed Western Sahara. During a meeting in Rabat, King Mohammed and the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said they were willing 
to usher in a new phase, "based on mutual respect, mutual trust, permanent consultation and frank and faithful co-operation".

In a statement, Mr. Sanchez reaffirmed the autonomy plan as a realistic option for Western Sahara. Morocco considers the former Spanish 
colony on its own.
But the Algeria-backed Polisario Front wants to establish its own state