Conflict and Peace

In another direct challenge to the internationally recognised government of Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced in a statement by its leader, Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi, that the "restoration" of the southern state is nearing.

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.   

Violence erupted on Thursday (29 April) on another border area in the former Soviet space, this time in Central Asia. A ceasefire now appears to be holding on the border area between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan but both sides report casualties in yesterday's clashes.

An informal meeting on the future of Cyprus opens today in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday held separate meetings with the leaders of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots ahead of the plenary session on Wednesday.

The United States came with yet another action with regards to the Yemeni war. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken called the international community to bring Houthi under questioning over their campaign in Marib. The announcement came via a statement on Twitter after Blinken met with the US Envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking.

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