The son of former Senegal leader Abdoulaye Wade woke up in a cell Tuesday after spending his first night in custody following his arrest by detectives investigating his vast fortune, valued at more than $1 billion. Karim Wade, who held a number of cabinet posts under his father's presidency, was detained in Dakar in the latest twist in an ongoing legal battle with the current regime over what they allege are illicit gains from his time in office. "Karim Wade spent the night at the Colobane police station with six other people," a source close to the case told AFP.

The son of former Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade appeared before the west African nation's top anti-corruption prosecutor on Friday to justify his income against "illegal wealth" accusations. A smiling Karim Wade made no comment as he arrived at the Dakar offices of Alioune Ndao, special prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Court who has given the politician 30 days to justify his past and present income.

Senegalese President Macky Sall said Friday his country will send 150 paramilitary police officers to Mali, in addition to 500 soldiers already deployed as part of a force battling radical Islamists. "Aside from the 500 Senegalese soldiers sent as part of the international force, Senegal's paramilitary police will also send a contingent of 150 members," Sall said in comments published by the state news agency. "These officers will join the United Nations police in securing liberated towns."

The 12th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation opened in Cairo on Wednesday, with Syria's civil war and the battle against Islamist militants in Mali topping the agenda. The meeting gathers the leaders of 26 of the OIC's 57 states, including the presidents of Iran and Turkey. Senegalese President Macky Sall gave the opening remarks, making his last address before handing the OIC's rotating presidency to Egypt's first Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi.