Muhammadu Buhari, the defeated candidate in Nigeria's presidential race, has slammed the elections saying they were "rigged" despite observers declaring the vote "free and fair".

Youssoufou Bamba, Cote d'Ivoire's ambassador to the United Nations, describes the current unrest in his country as "ethnic cleansing". He says people of northern origin and from the central region are being targeted in the violence and "fear for their life".

Concerns have been raised that the potential split between north and south Sudan could plunge the country into war.

Anti-government fighters in the western Libyan town of Az Zawiyah have fought off forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan president, pushing them from the town.