AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

DRC: GOMA CITY CAPTURED BY M23

Brussels 27.01.2025 The rebel group M23 they has taken control of the city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However the DRC government indicates to the ongoing fighting in the streets. Meanwhile DRC’s Foreign minister accused neighbouring Rwanda of declaring war by sending its troops over the border to support the M23. (Image: Kivu…

DRC-Rwanda: end of diplomatic function

Brussels 26.01.2025 Today the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ended diplomatic function with Rwanda on as the rebel group M23, believed to be backed by Kigali, continued its march on the Eastern city of Goma. RC of Congo ended the diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and congolese government forces escalated…

EU condemns escalation in DR of Congo

Brussels 26.01.2025 The EU is deeply concerned about the continued escalation of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aggravated by the renewed offensive of the M23 supported by the Rwandan Armed Forces (RDF). This undermines African-led efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The EU reaffirms its full support…

Niger: Austrian aid worker kidnapped

Brussels 13.01.2025 An Austrian aid worker, Eva Gretzmacher, 73, has been kidnapped in Niger, the first time a European citizen has been seized in the country since the military took power in 2023. (Image above: Niger hut, illustration) Austria’s Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs said on Sunday, January 12, that its embassy in…

Chad: “little incident” in N’Djamena

Brussels 08.01.2025 Today in the evening Chad’s government said security forces had foiled an attempt to destabilise the country, after bursts of gunfire rang out near the President’s office in the capital N’Djamena and the military blocked the surrounding areas. In a video shot at the presidential headquarters, government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah ensured that the…

Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty

Brussels 31.12.2024 President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the death penalty abolition bill into law December 31, 2024. “Yes, the president had a personal role he played in moving matters in that direction, and this [is] arising from his own historical experience [as] a prisoner who had been condemned but only survived on the basis of age….

Mozambique: refugees and displaced

Brussels 30.12.2024 More than 250 people perished in Mozambique in clashes with the police and military while the protesters disputing the results of the presidential election. Discontent appeared long before voters went to the polls in October. The Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since 1975, has faced allegations of election rigging for years. According…

EU appoints envoy to Sahel

Brussels 18.11.2024 Today the Council appointed João Cravinho as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel region. (Image above: Ninno Jack Jr.) The new EUSR will actively contribute to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region, which comprises Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The…

Mozambique: EU urges restraint

Brussels 15.11.2024 “The EU is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence following elections in Mozambique, which has resulted in multiple fatalities” reads the statement by the European External Action Service spokesperson on the latest developments in the country. (Image above: Rohan Reddy courtesy) “The EU urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, avoid the…

Ethiopia: Cessation of Hostilities Agreement implementation

Brussels 02.11.2024 Today marks two years since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. “The implementation of the CoHA has delivered on important developments such as restoration of basic services, humanitarian access and the return of some Internally Displaced Persons” – reads…