Conflict and Peace

Tensions between the government of Chad and rebel forces increased in recent days. According to the Reuters news agency rebel fighters appear to be moving towards the capital N’Djamena. Non-essential staff from major foreign embassies were told to leave ahead of expected violence in the capital.  

The UN Security Council voted unanimously to send international ceasefire monitors to Libya. The UNSC called on the new unity government to plan for free and inclusive elections at the end of the year. The monitoring mechanism, which is estimated to be composed of 60 personnel, will join the existing UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and work along with the Joint Commission 5+5, which had agreed to the ceasefire. 

Commonspace.eu political editor said in a comment that "It is not clear what is the reason for the latest Azerbaijani diplomatic demarche, but with the Russians now exercising de facto control over Nagorno-Karabakh with unfettered interaction with the whole of society, the latest Azerbaijani move appears to serve no purpose other than to consolidate and monopolise the Russian control over the territory."

In a telephone conversation with the Ukrainian President, the European Council President Charles Michel expressed the EU's continued support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Michel reiterated his call on Russia to respect the OSCE principles and commitments on the transparency of military movements.

Fighting between pro-government forces and Houthi fighters intensified over the weekend across multiple fronts in the governorate of Marib in Yemen. Reports indicate that around 70 have been killed in the past few days. Officials losses and the changes in the frontlines are difficult to determine as figures and news are often concealed. 

Georgia today marks the 32nd anniversary of the events of 9 April 1989 when Soviet troops entered Tbilisi to crush peaceful pro-independence demonstrations, attacking the crowd and leaving at least twenty people dead. Most of the victims were women, and the youngest among the victims were 16 years old. The date is considered a watershed moment in Georgian and Soviet history. After 9 April 1989 the position of the Communist Party in Georgia became untenable and the relationship with Moscow got spoilt beyond repair.