Africa

A referendum was held in Southern Sudan on whether the region should remain part of Sudan. An overwhelming majority voted in favour of separation and formed the new country of South Sudan.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram merged with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to form the so-called “West African Province”.

An Islamist revolt in northern Mali threatened to gain control of the country. A coalition, led by France, intervened to assist the Malian government in fighting the militants.

Burundi faces unrest as President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a third term in office, resulting in hundreds killed and thousands more fleeing the country.

Séléka rebels conquered the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, and forced President François Bozizé to flee the country, resulting in widespread sectarian violence.

A popular revolt against Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule over Libya led to thousands of deaths and UN sanctionsagainst the nation’s government following a brutal crackdown against protesters.

President of Burkina Faso Blaise Compaoré resigned and fled to the Ivory Coast in the face of widespread protests, ending 27 years of authoritarian rule.

Political violence broke out in Egypt after Abdul Fattah al-Sisi led the military overthrew President Mohamed Morsi in a coup.

Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, died.

Amidst anti-government protests, Tunisia’s president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, dissolved the government, declared a state of emergency and resigned from office.

Former Egypt President Hosni Mubarak was found not guilty of charges of killing protesters in the 2011 Egyptian protestsand was also cleared of corruption charges.