North Africa and the Sahel

The Spanish judiciary has summoned the Polisario Front Secretary-General, Brahim Ghali, after he was transferred to Spain for treatment after contracting coronavirus. The court had summoned him based on accusations of torture, rape, kidnapping and murder. 

More than 30 people are reported killed on Monday (3 May) in an attack by a jihadist-inspired militia in the east of Burkina Faso, in Africa's troubled Sahel Region.

Libyan leaders are discussing efforts to unite various armed groups that until recently were battling each other for the control of the country. Vice President of the Presidential Council, Moussa al-Kouni, held talks with Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Khalifa Haftar, on unifying the armed formations from the eastern and western parts of the country.   

Chad's new military transitional government rejected any negotiations with the rebels who are held responsible for killing the country's former president, Idris Deby, last week.  “Faced with this situation that endangers Chad and the stability of the entire sub-region, this is not the time for mediation or negotiation with outlaws,” a Chadian government official insisted 

Tunisian politics are in stalemate following the president's continued refusal to formalise a ministerial reshuffle in the cabinet of the prime minister, Hichem Mechichi. According to the Ennahda movement, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied refused a proposal for a roundtable talk with Ennahda leader and the speaker of the parliament, Rashid Ghannouchi, and Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. 

The situation in Chad remains tense following the shock announcement of the death of President Idriss Déby on Tuesday (20 April). He was reported killed while fighting against rebels who have been on the move since in the last days. Déby was a close ally for France and had ruled the country for around 30 years. Déby was heading for his sixth term as president after leading in the presidential elections held earlier this month. 

The Council of the European Union on Monday (19 April) approved conclusions affirming the EU's determination to renew and strengthen its strategic partnership with its Southern Neighbourhood in the Mediterranean and the Sahel.

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.