Region

North Africa and the Sahel

Stories under this heading cover North Africa and the Sahel. North Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. It stretches from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania to Egypt's Suez Canal and the Red Sea. The Sahel spans from the eastern shores of the African continent, starting from Sudan and continuing up to the Atlantic shores of Mauritania and Senegal.

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Libya government reaches preliminary accord with powerful armed group

Libya government reaches preliminary accord with powerful armed group

Libya’s UN-recognized government based in Tripoli has reached a preliminary accord with a powerful armed group to end months of tensions that have flared into occasional violence, a government adviser and local media said on Saturday 13 September. Negotiations between the government and the Radaa Force were facilitated by Turkiye, according to the same sources quoted by Arab News. Ziyad Deghem, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Council transitional body, said the details of the accord “will be announced to the public at a later date.” Libyan broadcaster Al-Ahrar on Saturday posted on X a video that it said showed defense ministry forces entering an airport controlled by Radaa.
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Ethiopian dam upsets Egypt, whilst China plays a difficult game

Ethiopian dam upsets Egypt, whilst China plays a difficult game

Ethiopia last week opened its mega dam on the River Nile, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The launch has sparked a tense diplomatic battle between Ethiopia and Egypt, with Cairo denouncing it as “an unlawful unilateral act” and protesting to the United Nations Security Council. During an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday (9 September) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the US$5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a “symbol of Ethiopian unity and national achievement". Several regional leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, attended the event. Egypt, whose life has historically centred around the River Nile, believes the dam will threaten its water supply and cause shortages. Following the inauguration, Cairo warned that it reserved the right to take all measures provided for under international law and the UN Charter to “defend the existential interests of its people”. Sudan, has also raised concerns about dam safety and the risk of uncoordinated water releases.

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Washington supports Morocco-Polisario talks

Washington supports Morocco-Polisario talks

The new United States Administration has finally clarified its position on the conflict in Western Sahara between Morocco and the Sahrawi movement, the Polisario Front. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week emphasised US support for political negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario over the future of the territory.
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Tunisian president says change is on its way

Tunisian president says change is on its way

President Kais Saied said he is willing to oversee a national dialogue, with an active youth participation, to address a wide range of economic and political issues.  The initiative for the dialogue was brought forward by the influential Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT). It has also been something that has been discussed and advocated by activists and civil society members.
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Eastern government recognises Libya's unity government

Eastern government recognises Libya's unity government

The eastern-based government of Libya officially recognised the new Government of National Unity (GNU). A delegation of the GNU, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Al-Gatrani, arrived in Benghazi, and received the office location from the now-former eastern government. The handover processes will occur on Wednesday and Thursday. 
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Libyan unity government sworn in

Libyan unity government sworn in

Libya’s first unity government in seven years was sworn in before the parliament in Tobruk on Monday – a step that received positive appraisal from regional and international parties alike. More than 100 parliamentarians and several Arab and foreign ambassadors attended the ceremony. Earlier on the same day, Dbeibah and his cabinet took the oath of office before the High Court in the capital Tripoli before heading to Tobruk. The government will officially start its duties as of today.