African news : breaking news, features, analysis

Boko Haram Islamist militants have launched a fresh assault on the strategically important Nigerian city of Maiduguri, eyewitnesses say.

Gunfire was reported on the streets of the northern city after an attack that began in the early hours of Sunday.

It comes a week after Boko Haram's last attempt to capture the capital of Borno state was repelled by the Nigerian army with heavy loss of life.

Boko Haram began guerrilla operations in 2009 to create an Islamic state.

It has taken control of many towns and villages in north-eastern Nigeria in the last year.

The conflict has displaced at least 1.5 million people, while more than 2,000 were killed last year.

'In fear'

Residents in Maiduguri told the AFP news agency that the attack began at 03:00 (02:00 GMT) and that heavy f