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Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions Over Red Sea Port Complicate Tigray Peace Deal Implementation

Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions Over Red Sea Port Complicate Tigray Peace Deal Implementation

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea port of Assab are hindering the full implementation of the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which aimed to end the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. While large-scale fighting has ceased, key commitments of the peace deal, such as the withdrawal of foreign forces, restoration of Tigrayan administration in Western Tigray, and complete disarmament of Tigrayan forces, remain selectively applied. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation since Eritrea's independence in 1993, seeks access to the Red Sea, viewing it as a historical right and a necessity for its 150 million people. This pursuit has intensified the dispute with Eritrea, which considers control of its coastline, including Assab, a matter of national sovereignty. The incomplete implementation of the peace agreement is seen as beneficial to various parties, including the Ethiopian federal government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and Eritrea, as it allows them to leverage t...

Ethiopia Advances Refugee Inclusion Through Institutional Reform and Self-Reliance, Says Deputy PM

Ethiopia Advances Refugee Inclusion Through Institutional Reform and Self-Reliance, Says Deputy PM

Ethiopia is advancing a refugee response strategy that integrates the protection of rights and dignity with economic participation and access to development opportunities for over 1.1 million refugees hosted in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh stated that the country's responsibility extends beyond safeguarding refugee rights to strengthening their integration with host communities. He highlighted significant institutional reforms undertaken by the Refugees and Returnees Service, which go beyond improving physical working environments to strengthening institutional culture, enhancing service quality, and building lasting organizational capacity. The Deputy Prime Minister specifically mentioned the application of the 'Bounty of the Basket' initiative in livestock development, vegetable and fruit production, poultry farming, beekeeping, and plant cultivation, demonstrating that institutional reform should be assessed by productivity, livelihoods, and tangible results. He also identified th...

U.S. Observes Strengthening China-Russia Alliance and Africa's Multi-Alignment Strategy

U.S. Observes Strengthening China-Russia Alliance and Africa's Multi-Alignment Strategy

The U.S. is closely monitoring the strengthening alliance between China and Russia, as both nations increasingly challenge U.S. global influence and promote a 'multipolar world.' This partnership has deepened, particularly since Western sanctions were imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, leading to a more sanctions-resistant financial and economic relationship between Beijing and Moscow. Concurrently, African countries are increasingly adopting a 'multi-alignment' strategy, pursuing relationships with multiple global powers—including the U.S., China, and Russia—rather than exclusively aligning with one. This approach allows African nations to balance economic, military, and diplomatic interests, as exemplified by Egypt, which maintains ties with Washington while deepening relations with Beijing and Moscow. This shift provides African governments with more opportunities to negotiate investments, trade deals, and security cooperation on their own terms.

African Union's Relevance in Libya Diminishes Amidst Implementation Challenges, Institute for Security Studies Reports

African Union's Relevance in Libya Diminishes Amidst Implementation Challenges, Institute for Security Studies Reports

The African Union's (AU) influence in Libya is at risk of waning unless it can effectively coordinate the implementation of existing peace initiatives, according to an analysis by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). Fifteen years after the 2011 uprising that led to the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains deeply fragmented, with rival power centers in the east and west hindering national reconciliation, institutional unification, and democratic transition. The ISS highlights that while the AU has played a distinctive role in reconciliation efforts, particularly through the 2025 National Reconciliation Charter, the core challenge in Libya is not a lack of peace efforts but a persistent failure to implement agreements. Numerous roadmaps and accords have been launched since 2011, but they consistently collapse or stall at the implementation stage. This issue is exacerbated by institutional and economic obstacles, as rival authorities benefit from maintaining parallel institutions, especially throug...

Xi visits Egypt as China seeks deeper influence across the Mideast

Xi visits Egypt as China seeks deeper influence across the Mideast

China’s President Xi Jinping visits Egypt this week for the first time in a decade

Montenegro's EU Membership Bid Faces Potential Obstacles from Serbia

Montenegro's EU Membership Bid Faces Potential Obstacles from Serbia

Montenegro is currently the leading candidate for European Union membership, but its path is complicated by actions from Serbia. Officials, diplomats, and experts express concerns that Belgrade may actively work to impede Montenegro's accession. This situation places Brussels in a challenging position, balancing the aspirations of Montenegro with the regional influence of Serbia. While Montenegro is nearing the completion of its accession process, Serbia's own bid for EU membership is stalled, with eight member states blocking its latest attempt to open negotiation clusters. MEP Tonino Picula noted that the Serbian government and opposition parties are undertaking actions that complicate Montenegro's internal political landscape. These efforts include attempts to elevate Serbian to an official language in Montenegro's constitution and to rename cultural institutions, which some interpret as attempts to create ethnic divisions and undermine Montenegro's sovereignty. Despite these challenges, Montenegro's po...

South Sudan Vice President Renews Claim Over Disputed Ilemi Triangle, Challenges Kenyan Maps

South Sudan Vice President Renews Claim Over Disputed Ilemi Triangle, Challenges Kenyan Maps

South Sudan's Vice President for the Infrastructure Cluster, Taban Deng Gai, has publicly challenged Kenya's claim over the Ilemi Triangle, a 14,000 square kilometer disputed territory also bordered by Ethiopia. During a Cabinet meeting in Juba on August 29, and later at the Global Logistics and Trade Convention on August 27, Deng Gai expressed dissatisfaction with regional maps that depict the Ilemi Triangle as part of Kenya. He asserted that the territory is South Sudanese land and should be marked as a disputed area until an agreement is reached between the two nations. Deng Gai also claimed that former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi had previously altered Kenya's map to include the Ilemi Triangle, taking advantage of South Sudan's civil war at the time. He further stated that other South Sudanese territories, such as Kafia Kingi and Horfart an Hasa, are now missing from maps and claimed by Kenya. The Vice President emphasized that the area should remain a subject of ongoing discussion rather than bei...

Horn of Africa Nations Advance Trade Facilitation Roadmap in Nairobi

Horn of Africa Nations Advance Trade Facilitation Roadmap in Nairobi

Horn of Africa Nations Advance Trade Facilitation Roadmap in Nairobi

CSIS Details Taiwan's Role in Counteracting Chinese Influence in the Caribbean Through Development Work

CSIS Details Taiwan's Role in Counteracting Chinese Influence in the Caribbean Through Development Work

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has published an analysis highlighting Taiwan's development work in the Caribbean as a strategy to counteract China's growing influence in the region. The commentary, authored by Juliana Rubio and Kaela Werchniak, focuses on the five remaining Caribbean countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan: Belize, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These nations are seen as crucial in balancing Beijing's expanding presence in maritime logistics, transport corridors, digital networks, and other critical infrastructure. The report emphasizes that supporting these countries' development is vital for their stability amidst climate shocks, migration pressures, and socio-economic challenges, particularly in resisting coercive influence from abroad. Enhanced international partnerships involving Taiwan and like-minded actors are presented as a means to offer alternatives to China for financing, technical ass...

UN spotlights nuclear weapon states' refusal to ratify test ban treaty at divisive time

UN spotlights nuclear weapon states' refusal to ratify test ban treaty at divisive time

The United Nations is warning that any new nuclear test could trigger an arms race

Pacific forum kicks off in Palau without several leaders

Pacific forum kicks off in Palau without several leaders

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - At least five heads of government were absent from talks at the annual Pacific Island Forum that began on Monday, as China-Taiwan tensions weighed heavily over the meeting that was intended to demonstrate regional unity.