crossing the border into borno state on saturday. this is latest offensive inside nigeria. on friday the african union introived theapproved the force of nations. the joint force has made great progress so far. bring us up to date on the latest fighting. >> absolutely a lot of progress has been achieved by troops from chad niger also the nigerian army is claiming victory over boko haram from a lot of areas. attacking boko haram positions. so the latest offensive against boko haram by chad and niger is a good report. at least within the nigerian border so they can launch a major offensive against the group. it was thought to be a major nigerian problem until boko haram started expressing its ideas into cameroon, establishing base he there. of recent last month and early this month we have seen how boko haram fighters attacked positions inside chad. >> has that given fight against them more impetus? is there fear that boko haram could gain more support because of this pledge of allegiance? >> exactly. these four countries are actually worried that i.s.i.l. may come to fight o

success on borno state. from abuja yvonne ndege reports. >> in a rare public address nyjer's military spokesperson gave this statement. >> many of the terrorists have died and many have been captured in the process. tons of ammunition have been recovered, and the safe areas of the rnl terrorists terrorists have been entirely destroyed. >> army says they will be held until further notice. both were embedded with the military just before their detention. >> the al jazeera news crew few if only sources of information from the northeast. and ahead of elections happening, and an expectation that we would be getting reports from the al jazeera journalists who are based there who have worked all along embedded with the military and reporting on the military activityies in the region wee are particularly worried about this situation. >> reporter: it is the closest election since the end of military rule in 1999. insecurity corruption, unemployment and major economic challenges brought on by falling global oil prices

crossing into borno state in northeastern nigeria on saturday. created a international force. mohamed idris has been following the conflict. >> countries boko haram recently targeted. so far the coalition forces have reclaimed more than 30 towns and villages from the boko haram. for chad, niger and cameroon, defeating boko haram is crucial. there is also the fear that the group if left unchecked will expand its area of control and become a bigger threat. nigeria which is unable to crush boko haram for the past five years says it now has the hardware for a military victory. >> our government have taken the steps long enough to ensure the victory. the decision would still be facing even is we now have the equipment at this time. ftc. >> reporter: the military asked in february for six weeks to clear the northeast but forced the old tactic of suicide bombing. the attacks on maiduguri. >> peaceful country to that extent yes. but to the extent my country would be taken over by insurgents and a group of people of the nature we are talking about i am not worried. we have good armed f

bama is the sedge largest city in the borno state. >>> seablght johnsecretary of state john kerry says bashar al-assad should be included in talks. concrete action from warren. >> washington. >> we are still waiting for the actions, we have no choice but to defend our country. we have had no other alternative since day 1 but to do so. any international changes if genuine that come out are something pofer. >> nor on the reaction to john kerry's actions let's cross to rosalyn jordan. did kerry get ahead of hymns here? >> well, lauren, if you were to ask if french or the turks they would say john kerry did get ahead of himself. if you take a very close look at what the secretary of state actually said during that interview on sunday you'll see that he was talking about the assad regime not about bashar al-assad himself except in a very colloquial sense. at any rate, aids here at the time state department in washington insist that bashar al-assad is still not the legitimate leader of syria, that he ought to leave and that any political settlement to resolve the four-year-old civil war in s

most of the oppressions have been taking place, current operations taking place in the state of borno statehough there is some military activity in the state so far these areas are not safe very safe for civilians or other people displaced by fighting earlier on to return back to their homes. so people are eager to go back to their homes but the situation is not conducive right now for them to go back to pick up pieces of their lives because there are some oppressions going on there and boko haram is known to have lied down quietly for sometime and they are at the most vulnerable time. >> reporter: thank you for that. three french athletes are among ten people killed when two helicopters collided in argentina. olympic swimmer and boxer and sailing champion were among the dead, five others were french nationals and two were argentine pilots and more about the accident and who these athletes were. >> absolutely, jane. details still coming out of this because this happened in quite a remote part of argentina, 1100 capitol from buenos aires and we know the helicopters took off and collided at s

the army announced a success in borno state on the eve of election day. from the capital we have this report. >> reporter: the nigerian ministry said it has captured a boko haram state. in a rare address a military spokesperson gave the statement. terrorists died. many have been captured in the process. >> the home of the terrorists have been destroyed. >> reporter: it can't be verified. restrictions have been pleased on the society and the media and accessing the north-east. al jazeera journalists have been confined to the hotel since tuesday. the army accused them of operating without accreditation, and they'll be held without further notice. both were embedded with the military. the al jazeera news crew has been prominent in reporting events in the north-east of the country, and has been one of the few, if not only sources of information from them. and ahead of elections happening, and the expectation that we'll be getting reports from the al jazeera journalists who are baste there and worked embedded with the military. and reports on the military activ

helicopters destroyed several vehicles transporting rebels in borno state. >>> south sudan's nationalbeauty and diverse wildlife could one day make the country a tourist destination. the ongoing civil war is threatening that possibility. boast sites are accused of butchering animals to feed troops. >> the flight plan is northeast and then south towards the ugandan border. the shanty towns soon to give way to wilderness. wilderness that could help rebuild a nation with its huge tourist potential. >> we're heading east, and we're going to come up to the national park. >> they have seen much of the world, but this is something else. >> we could easily fly for two hours and see nothing but wildlife with no human influences. right here this is one of the great places left on earth. >> this is savannah home to the second biggest animal migration in the world. millions and millions of antelopes follow centuryies' old migration corridor. there are elephant herds in sufficient count to make a full come back. on the ugandan border it's potential goes on what you can catch out of it. >> south su

borno state which has been the center of the group of bo echococoa echo boko haram. >> so as you say, this is the announcement that we've been waiting for from the independent election commission and we have confirmed that the opposition's lead was just too much for president good luck jonathan to overcome. is this result one that is going to be widely accepted in the country? >>reporter: that's a good question. if you look at the number of people that participated in this call it was a close race and people will be divided about this outcome. that is clear if you look at the number of votes. i guess there's a feeling of relief around the country that this has been aclear-cut outcome. many were worried it would end up in a runoff if they were not able to score at least 25% of the vote in 24 of nigeria's 36 states. it's clear what has been announced here by the electoral commission that a runoff has been avoided and as i say, the opposition has won. >> this was is crucial announcement from the commission and the result is now in. i'm sure we'll get back to you later on. for now, thank

. >> at least 17 people have been killed by a female suicide-bomber in nigeria's borno state. it happened in a market in maiduguri after a bomb in that area killed 50 people. the market has been bombed several times in the past by boko haram. >>> russia has ended its participation in a 25-year-old treaty aimed at reducing the number of troops and arms in central europe. it follows a warning from u.k. that russia could once again pose a great security threat. foreign secretary said that british spy agencies are stepping up efforts to counter that threat. lawrence lee reports. >> this is what the new cold war looks like from close up, pictures from the russian defense ministry shot from one of their bear bombers eye to eye with the british royal air force jet near the british coast. the r raf after subpoenaing years to carry fever with president putin the government here appears to have given up trying. >> we're bent not on joining the international space system which keeps the peace between nations but at subverting. president putin's actions illegally annexing crimea and using

nigerian troops sweep into the town of borno state, and regain control from boko haram. >> you go for confidence. you of how it used to be. you collect it. and few of them. >> reporter: they show the cache of weapons as proof of success. it's these operations that the military says is turning it against boko haram. and the night is not won alone. they now admit that it's getting technical and logistical support. >> sources have told al jazeera that mercenaries are playing a roll on the front lines. >> the nigerian government has explanations that they can stick to. they say the neighbouring armies. niger. cameroon, and chad - boko haram has attacked them also. they'll say they are defending their territory, and we cooperate with them. as they have said about the others the foreigners from south africa and elsewhere. these are trainers so i think they have the story down. >> boko haram has emerged as a major security threat to nigeria. it's killed thousands of people over the past six years in a campaign to carve out an islamic state in northern nigeria. the group pledged aleej onlies

the first blast took place in a market in borno state. and then an hour later two bus stations were attacked. >>> libya's rival government is said to be close for a deal. the envoy to libya has warned against carrying out attacks while negotiations are being held. isil fighters have destroyed the ancient remains of a 2,000-year-old city of hatra. it's one of several sites targeted by isil. the destruction is refocusing the world's attention on protecting cultural history. that is something that afghanistan has been struggling with for many years as nicole johnston reports from the national museum in kabul. >> it takes a light touch to patiently remove centuries of dust. this is part of a world painting from a province once home to afghanistan's giant buddhist statutes. studio institutes statues. >> when the russians came we moved all the museum pieces to the king's house. then during the war the staff could in the even get to the museum. but the real travesty was in 2001. everyone knows what happened then. >> what happened, the taliban bl

they crossed into borno state in north-eastern nigeria. this is the latest offense of countries inside nigeria. on friday they approved the creation of a regional force with 8,000 soldiers. we have been following the developments from the nigerian capital ab uma. usualing -- abuja. >> this is a huge victory for regional forces. so far the coalition forces reclaimed more than 30 towns and villages from boko haram. to chad niger and cameroon recapturing the trades is crucial. there's the fear for the economy, and that the group, if left unchecked will expand its area under control and become a bigger threat to the region. and nigeria, which has been unable to crash boko haram says it has the hardware for a military victory. >> our government has taken the steps long enough to ensure equipment arrives. they take the decision and the challenge. because of the nature of the approach, we have the equipment at this time. >> the military asked in february for six weeks to clear the north-east to boko haram fighters for elections to be held. the of

three blasts were reported in a market and bus station in the capitol of borno state. more than a hundred people have been injured. >>> libya's rival political factions are meeting face-to-face for the first time in peace talks in morocco. they have been warned against attacks while negotiations are being held. >>> reports that isil fighters have destroyed ancient remains of the 2,000-year-old city of hatra. now the families of three british girls are believed to have gone to syria say they've been let down by the police and girl's schools. the girls were flown from london to turkey are they're believed to have passed through sir gentleman. >> in likelihood they have made it from london to turkey to join isil. last month, after the teenagers went missing their families made emotional appeals. >> if you are hearing this, please come home. >> this cctv footage shows them at a bus station in istanbul before the trip to the border. now we know that u.k. police spoke to them. first in december after a school friend of theirs ran away to syria. then they handed letters to th

, and a joint offensive i will troop from chad and niger is also taking progress in neighboring borno statephilip ham amonged says u.k. spy agencies are boosting their efforts to counter the threat from russia. but it may also be a bid to boost cash for the u.k. defense industry. >> reporter: this is what the new cold war looks like from close up. pictures from the russian defense ministry. eye-to-eye with a british air force jet. the raf took its own pictures too. it is exactly the sort of thing britain sees as an out and out provocation. having spent years trying to carry favor with president putin, the government appears to have given up trying. >> we are faced with a russian federation bent not on joining the international system but on subvert subverting it. president putins actions fundamentally undermine the security of the sovereign nations of eastern europe. >> reporter: president putin has acknowledged that he decreed that crimea should be returned to russia implying his orders sent the soldiers into ukrainian cities. consequently britain has been helping train soldiers in other c

. >> security forces in nigeria say suspected boko haram fighters killed 25 in borno state tuesday. this is as the president threaten to say kill the leader of boko haram if he doesn't give himself up. he said his hiding place is known and boko haram will be wiped out. he is believed to be in a nearby town until it was liberated by chadian forces last month. >> he ran away, but we know where he is. it's in his interest to sundayer if not, he will have the same fate as his com pay com pay compatriots. we are going to win the battle and the war against boko haram. >> liberia has begun the countdown to being ebola free after the last patient was discharged from hospital, leaving the chinese run center after treated there for two weeks. liberia has gone a week without reporting any new cases the first time since may of last year. to be officially declared ebola free there must be no new cases for 42 consecutive days. >> north korea called a knife attack on a u.s. ambassador to south korea a deserved punishment. it's referring to its opposition to joint u.s. and south korean military dri

nigerian troops sweep in to this north eastern town in borno state and regain control from boko haramdible ] confidence, you go for what you call reach an area that you think their reach used to be, you take it from them. collect what is legitimately ours and a few that them that have the courage to wait, you dispatch them. >> reporter: this he show the cash of weapons lefts behind by the armed group as proof of success. it's these very operations that the military says is turning the tide against boko haram. the fight isn't being won alone the government now admits it's getting technical and logistic the support from what it calls foreign contractors. but sources have told al jazerra that mercenaries from south africa and other countries, are playing a decisive fighting role on the frontlines. >> the nigerian government actually has explanation that his they can stick to because for one thing they say that the neighboring army, niger cameroon and chad, boko haram has attacked them also so they'll say, look, they are defending their territory and we just couldn't with them. and as the

nigerian troops sweep in to this north others itnortheastern town of borno state and regain control fromoko haram. >> with confidence you go for what you call. [ inaudible ] you think. [ inaudible ] and insure they have that you have the courage to wait and you dispatch them. >> reporter: they show the carr ofcasheof weapons left behind as proof. the military say they are turning the tide. the government now admits it's getting logistical support from what it calls foreign contractors. sources have told al jazerra that mercenaries from south africa and other countries are playing a decisive role on the front lines. >> the nigh year nigerian government has explanation that his they can stick too. they can say the neighboring armies niger cameroon and chad, boko haram has attacked them also. so they will say look, they are defending their territory and we just are cooperating with them. and as they have said about the others the foreigners from south africa and elsewhere they say these are trainers, so i think they have their story down. >> reporter: boko haram has emerged as major securit

. >> victory nigerian troops sweep into the town in borno state and regain control from boko haram. >> you go >> they show the cache of weapons left behind by the armed group as proof of success. it is these very operations that the military says they're turning the tides against boko haram. and the fight is not won alone. the government now admits its getting technical and logistical support from what it calls foreign contractors. but sources have told al jazeera that mercenaries from south africa are playing a decisive role on the front lines. >> one thing they'll say that the neighboring armies niger cameroon and chad, boko haram has attacked them also. they'll say, well look, they're defending their territory and we just cooperate with them. as they've said about the others, the foreigners from south africa and else workers they say these are training trainers. i think they have their story down. >> boko haram has emerged as a major security threat to nigeria and it's neighbors. it has killed thousands of people over the past six years in a campaign to carve out an islamic state.

in giant offensive by chad and niger they are also making progress in neighboring borno state. >> reportere is fear that this group, if left unchecked will spread its tenty calls throughout the region. and that's why we're seeing deployment in the northeast of nigeria. and it will be a very big political score for president goodluck jonathan? maybe and maybe not. he promised before the elections will area will be cleared of boko haram to enable elections to be held. now it will also be a big minus for him, because nigerians are beginning to ask questions. why does it have to be smaller countries like chad and niger and cameroon who are here to help out? now people are also asking why has the boko haram been allowed to fester for such a long time before nigeria woke up to the possibility that this is indeed a very big threat? >>> time now for the world weather update. everton what is the latest on the tropical storm? >> it has now gone through. but still lots of rain to come over the next couple of days so we're not out of the woods just yet. you can see the swirl of clouds going eastward.

. >> victory in baga, mercenaries swarm into the area in borno state and wrest back control from boko haram. they show a cache of weapons as proof of success. it is these very operation that are turning tide against boko haram. but the fight isn't being won alone. the government now acknowledges it is getting technical and logistic am support. being told al jazeera that mercenaries from nigeria and other countries are playing a decisive role on the front lines. boko haram has proven to be a major threat to nigeria and its neighbors. the group has also now pledged allegiance to i.s.i.l. which has called on its supporters to fight in africa. in recent months boko haram has mounted raids into neighboring chad niger and cameroon taking a toll on vital supply links. >> translator: the situation has desert rated because the road is not as accessible anymore due to the insecurity. >> reporter: niger's government insists it has no need to unleash soldiers to confront boko haram. it has the support of the african union leading a national force. as it heads to general elections later this month

it was in the borno state village of jabula, just across the border from niger helicopter gun ships destroyed boko haram militia and fighters riding on motor bikes. all of these one of the joint moves the forces are taking. let's hear from mohamed idris. he is on the front lines in nigeria. >> preparing for an attack on boko haram. the troops are upbeat about this assignment after recent successes against the group. but as their commando is about to lead them out the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram fighters were seen heading their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and our crew was ordered to get out of town. attacks by the military and counterattacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tougher for boko haram. >> the soldiers are still fresh troops have been injected into the operation. but we have new equipment. between february to date, we have taken the little bit of so many equipment which is now helping us to change the tide of thethe battl

. >> at least 17 people have been killed by a female suicide-bomber in borno state. it happened in maiduguri after a bomb attack had killed 50 people. the bomb has used several times in the past by boko haram. >>> rifery coast's former first lady has been sentenceed for 20 years in jail for her role of violence. she's known as the iron lady and was given double the sentence that prosecutors had asked for. >> she sits in court. she was once first lady of ivory coast. but in this trial she was described as having undermined state security. prosecutors argued when her husband lost the presidential election of 2010 she organized armed gangs after he rejected the result. in the violence that followed more than 3,000 people were killed. she and her husband were arrested in 2011 by french and u.n. peace keeping troops. he is now awaiting trial in hague. his wife simone was found guilty. >> we're satisfied that this trial took place. as for us it is a victory of justice over promotion of those who have committed crimes, random executions, and over the forced disappearances t

. >> we begin this news hour in nigeria where people have been killed in multiple attacks in borno state. this is the worst attack on a city since boko haram fighters tried to seize the state capitol at the end of january. let's go to ahmed idris. what have you been hearing there about what happened? >> well, actually it's one of the worst attacks on maiduguri since boko haram tried to take over the city way back in january. we have confirmed from officials and security sources that 150 people have been killed injured in the three attacks. 60 have been taken to one hospital and 50 others to another hospital. with they have sealed off the market and many have been asked ing to home. many have closed up shops and people are going home at the moment. >> how are people in maiduguri and how are they coping with another day of violence in boko haram. >> it has become so regular now. remember many who have fled areas that boko haram have taken over have come to maiduguri. these are areas repeatedly attacked by boko haram. for many this is not new. but when you have dissidents like this, it brin

nigerian military says it is completing what it called a mopping up operation in the largest town in borno stateng over to mike oh marry, who is a spokesman for the nigerian government. so when the military says that it has retaken the northeastern town from boko haram, how significant is that? >> well it is significant because of proximity of the town to [ inaudible ]. it is one of the largest towns in the state. it is on the road to the final on slot to the rest of the areas that are under the presence of boko haram at the moment. it is a significant strategy because it has been one of the towns under a long period of boko haram presence. >> and the nigerian military spokesman also says that borno which is the birthplace of boko haram would soon be freed. what does he base that on? >> sorry, boko haram is what? >> the nighian military spokesman says that borno, which is the birthplace of boko haram would soon be freed. how soon is soon? and what is he macing that on? >> well just like the circumstances that were recorded in other states the latest being the flushing of the insuragainst in [ in

the group's most high pro feel attacks came in 2014, kidnapping 276 girls from a town in borno state. almost a year later, more than 200 girls are still missing. let's go live to birmingham in the united kingdom and speak to a specialist in boko haram. thank you for talking to us here at al jazeera. what practical difference will it make, fact that boko haram has opened this sworn allegiance to isil? >> it is not the first time boko haram has been associated with international terrorist groups like al-qaeda al shabab and even now isil. if you remember, in august last year leader of northeastern nigeria pledged support for isil. it's confirmed there has been connect, there have been attacks between his group and isil, so it means now, there's going to be more fund to go them especially if the leader of isil accepts this allegiance paid to him and also there could be more technical support in terms of making bombs and especially now that boko haram happens to be between forces from continents in that had and the nigeria although torts. it is a difficult period for boko haram. they are t

military said it is completing what it called a mopping up operation in the second largest town in borno state. we have more: >> news of the recapture of these two towns by nigerian forces came in a statement issued by defense headquarters here in the capitol. they describe what happened on the ground saying they were able to inflict massive casualties against boko haram terrorists that many of them were killed in the fighting over the two towns. they said they were able to recover massive supplies of arms and ammunition and that the terrorists who survived fled, and were being pursued by chadian forces towards nigeria's various borders in the region. now the question of the impacts of all of this on the upcoming election and whether it looks good for president goodluck jonathan analysts say these victories are good for the president. you recall that the election was postponed by six weeks for the military to deal with boko haram and questions raised about whether the president could do poorly in the election because of a perception that he hadn't dealt with the group properly. many feel that

the offense took place in the borno state across niger.this is the latest move in a joint force mission to take on boko haram. we have reports from one of of the battlefields in northeast nigeria. [♪ singing ♪] >> reporter: preparing for an attack on boko haram. the troops are upbeat about this assignment after recent successes against the group. but as the commander was about to leave the mount the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram fighters were seen heading their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense, a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and our crew were ordered to get out of town. attacks by the military and counter attacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tough for boko haram. >> the soldiers have been injected into the operation but we have new equipment. between february to this. >> battles have been won in many areas, but the war is not over yet. the military may have chased out boko haram out of many towns and villages, b

have killed several dozen boko haram militants in northern nigeria and offensive took place in borno statevillage across the border and military officials say helicopter bombs destroyed several vehicles and motorcycles carrying fighters, this is the latest move in a joint force mission to take down boko haram and we report from one of the battle fronts in northeastern nigeria. >> reporter: preparing for attack on boko haram, the troops are upbeat about this assignment after resent successes against the group. but as their commander was about to lead them out, the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram fighters who are seen heading their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense, a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and the coup was ordered to get out of town. attacks by military and counter attacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tough for boko haram. haram. >> the soldiers have been injected but we have new equipment between our february we can mention we change the tide of the battle. >

forces and then started going in to cities far away from its area of operations in the northeast states like bornoit wasn't until two years ago, they launched attacks in neighboring parts of the northeast in the neighboring state taking territories from the nigerian security forces. over time, boko haram was able to build stronger army or fighting bates to take on nigerian forces. >> that's why we have seen them take a lot of territory from nigeria and try to occupy some so basically, the opportunity they had in taking control of large swaths of territory and establishing basis training basis, and some form of caliphate they wanted to achieve in the north of the country has given them the strength to mobilize as well as recruit more soldiers. >> in abuju, thank you. earlier, i spoke to the chair of contemporary school of economics. he explained why boko haram made a pledge to is ill. >> ironically in the last few months, is ill has not responded to the many messages by boko haram praising is ill. this tells me that even is ill, one of the most extremist jihadist organizations have used boko haram

european countries and there is a lot of that in that we see in the northeast, especially in borno and yogi states. >> what is the u.s. doing to help? >> reporter: the navy seals are currently training the equivalent in nigeria they are known as the special boat services. like our navy seals fight on the ground, their sbs troops also fight in the northeast. the u.s. is training the nigerian troops and also the chaddian military and has pushed for a regional collaboration. all those force he fieding bokos that are fighting boko haram. and the u.s. is leading that training. >> what strikes you about what you are seeing? >> the one thing i think americans are amazed by is resilience. there is an extraordinary reliance on what we would consider vigilantes. young men with swords or clubs or sticks whatever they can get a hand on being used with the nigerian military which is very robust and very large but still needs the help of some of these young boys, some of them, to keep security and it seems that even the members of these civilian vigilante groups admit to me they were uncontrolled at first and t

equipment from eastern european countries, a lot of that we see in northeast especially in borno and gogi yogi states. >> u.s. is ordering new sanction he against a russian bank, after accusing the separatists of violating the ceasefire from last month. 75 million in nonlethal assistance to ukraine. does not include the weapons that ukraine and members of both parties in the u.s. congress were asking for. in a separate development the u.s. monetary fund said it would send $75 billion in economic aid to help stabilize corey ukraine's economy. >> boris nemtsov's alleged killer was tortured. nemtsov was gunned down two weeks ago. the man reportedly says he was beaten when in custody. nemtsov was killed near the kremlin one of the most secure areas in mostly cloudy about. >>> up next, critics take aim at white house strategy, and a failing grade on the syrian war response. >> also, the name suspect of opposition leader boris nemtsov may have been forced to confess. >> sunday will mark the beginning of syria's fifth year at war and the world's leading aid agencies are saying the united nations is not doin

borno will soon be free. the three states in the north-east have been worse affected by the boko haram crisis. there has been misinformation and inaccuracy around the insurgency before. the military previously announced the capture and killing of the boko haram leader. only for him to then appear on youtube videos days later. no one is holding their breath or saying it's all over. if the reports are to be believed, the end of boko haram, according to the military is horizon. the impact of all of this on the election has to be positive. the presidential poll is due to be held on 28 march. governship in april. and security a major concern. the ability of people to vote is a major concern. the belief is that the election will go off peacefully and safely. >> negotiations between u.s. and iranian diplomats entered an bornt phase as they try to reach the nuclear programme. they have until the end of the month to finalise an agreement. let's go life to the diplomatic editor james bays who is in lasan. what are the chances of meetin

borno. it has forced residents to flee in the state capitol of maiduguri. agencies in south sudan racing to get tons of food supplies to people in desperate snead before the rainy season begins next month. we have this report. >> a rush to beat south sudan's rainy season. it starts in april. most of the supplies must be delivered to warehouses in areas that are hard to reach because of security. rebels and militia have applied themselves from both sides in civil war that started just a year ago still control large areas. these food rations are being repack badged in places that cannot be accessed by road and mainly controlled by rebels. we're in a situation where 2.5 million are facing acute hunger. with the rapey season coming, we only see that number growing. >> food is transported by boats using the river nile. it is faster and less dangerous. we're now heading to kodok a village of 7,000. it's difficult to reach it by road but their needs are many. >> this food was supposed to arrive in february, but because of government bureaucracy it is just arriving

their victories, two days ago a spokesperson said they are free and borno soon to be free by military #never again and referring to the stateseffected by boko haram insurgency but there has been young information about this insurgency before and military announced on 2-3 occasions the capture and killing of the boko haram leader for him to appear on youtube days later and nobody quite holding their breath and nobody saying it's all over but as i say the reports we are getting to be believed then the military is winning the war against the group. >> to make sure you win the up coming elections you do it this way way. >> so again i didn't quite hear that. >> what impact is that likely to have on the elections? >> well the impact is likely to be positive and you might recall that the elections were supposed to take place in mid february for 3-6 weeks because security and military chiefs needed more time to quell the boko haram insurgency, there is a feeling with all these gains it will now be safer for people in the northeast to take part in election, those who are registered to vote. but it is still a humanitarian challenge fo

military spokesperson tweeted that another town is free borno is soon to be free by our able military hashtag never again. referring to the three statese northeast which have been worth affected by the boko haram crisis. however, there has been misinformation and inaccuracy around the insurgency before. the military previously announced the capture and killing of the boko haram leader only for him to then appear on youtube videos days later. so nobody is saying it is all over, but if the reports are to be believed thinged of boko haram, according to the military is on the horizon. the impact of all of this on election has to be positive. the presidential poll is due to be held on the 28th of march, governor races on the 11th of april, and security has been a a -- major concern. so if the security situation has improved the belief is the elections will go off safely. >>> logistic call difficulties are hampering efforts to get relief to vanuatu. >> reporter: first stop is the island. the australian government has flown in a team to check on australians in the area. the minister has hitched a ride. >> it is similar to the one that strike

borno soon to be free by the able military # never again, referring to the three states in the north-east, worst affected by boko haram. there has been misinformation and inaccuracy around the insurgency before. the military announced the cap tour and killing of the boko haram leader only for him to appear on youtube days later. nobody is holding their breath. nobody is saying it's over. if the reports are to be believed, the end of boko haram, according to the military is horizon. the impact has to be positive. the presidential poll is due in march. governship in april. and security a major concern. the ability of the people in the region to vote. if the security improves the belief is that the election will go off peacefully in safely. >> sierra leone's president sacked his deputy. the president says that the deputy abandoned his duties after he sought asylum in the u.s. embassy. he was expelled from the all people's congress party, accused of instigating unrest. he denies the accusations. [ no audio ] >>> the clock is ticking on an agreement over iran's nuclear programme. a fourth day