Regional force ready to replace Monusco in DRC
20/11/2022: Amidst signs of a breakthrough in the push for peace in eastern DR Congo, the East African Regional Force is preparing to take over from UN peacekeepers. Monusco's mission has been tainted, with both Congolese politicians and civilians accusing it of inaction.
Source: The East African
Is it time to lift sanctions on Syria?
15/11/2022: An independent UN expert has called for all sanctions against Syria to be lifted. But legal experts and Syrian activists do not agree. Sanctions were imposed on Syria by European countries and the US in 2011, when the authoritarian leader, Bashar Assad, sparked a civil war.
Source: DW
US delegation makes historic visit to International Criminal Court
7/11/2022: A bipartisan US congressional delegation recently visited the home of the International Criminal Court. The trip was unprecedented, given that US policy continues to object to the court’s jurisdiction over US citizens.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Will Ethiopia’s shaky Tigray truce hold?
8/11/2022: There is a renewed effort by mediators from the African Union to ensure that last week's ceasefire agreement to end Ethiopia's Tigray conflict holds. Past failures to ensure previous truces held have forced representatives from the warring parties to recommit to a new round of talks in Nairobi.
Source: DW
The return of M23: Is there a way out for the DRC?
1/11/2022: After three decades of conflict and meddling in the eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, relationships in the region are characterised by distrust and disrespect. Mediation efforts must address the entrenched drivers of violence in the Great Lakes.
Source: African Arguments
Ethiopia, Tigray sign deal in Pretoria for cessation of hostilities
3/11/2022: The Ethiopian government and rival Tigray People's Liberation Front have signed a "permanent cessation of hostilities" deal facilitated by a mediation process in South Africa, led by the African Union. The two sides have also agreed to allow unhindered access for humanitarian supplies to the Tigray region.
Source: The East African
ICC: Afghanistan inquiry can resume
31/10/2022: The International Criminal Court has announced that the investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan can resume. The judges considered that Afghanistan is not presently carrying out genuine investigations that would justify any further deferral.
Source: Human Rights Watch
African Union struggling to bring Ethiopian parties to talks
16/10/2022: The abrupt cancellation of planned peace talks between Ethiopia’s warring parties has raised questions on the capacity of the African Union. Questions have emerged a to whether parties and mediators, were adequately briefed in advance.
Source: The East African
End of nationwide truce renews tension in Yemen
13/10/2022: The UN Special Envoy for Yemen has warned of renewed risk of conflict now that the truce between warring factions has ended. During the 6-month pause in fighting, there have been no major military operations, and a 60 per cent decrease in casualties.
Source: UN News
Is the EU doing enough to support the resistance in Myanmar?
5/10/2022: There are growing calls for the European Union to bolster its assistance to Myanmar's government-in-exile, the National Unity Government, which is at the head of a resistance movement fighting Myanmar's military junta. The European Commission has already adopted several rounds of sanctions targeting the military regime.
Source: DW