Sudan’s military seized power Monday, dissolving the transitional government hours after troops arrested the prime minister. Thousands of people flooded into the streets to protest the coup which undermines efforts towards a democratic government.

Kuwait’s emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah has initiated an amnesty process to pardon political dissidents and critics as part of wider political reforms in the country. The amnesty decision is expected to include the self-exiled parliamentarians who fled imprisonment after taking part in the 2011 storming of the parliament over alleged corruption and mismanagement by the government.

Russian and Chinese warships conducted the first ever joint patrol in the western part of the Pacific Ocean on October 17-23, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on Saturday.

On Thursday (21 October), Libya's transitional government hosted various foreign officials in Tripoli to garner support for the transition process.  Around 30 delegations participated in the Libya Stabilization Conference including those representing the United Nations, European Union, African Union and the Arab League.

The imprisoned Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has won the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded annually by the European Parliament. The award was announced on Wednesday (20 October). Parliament awards the honorary prize to people and institutions that promote human rights and fundamental freedom of thought.

On Monday (18 October), the Ethiopian military launched airstrikes on the capital of the Tigray region that left three dead children. the airstrikes mark a serious new escalation in the conflict. The UN is still working out the details of the strikes.