Conflict and Peace

The discussions between Georgia, Russia and other parties in the aftermath of the 2008 Georgia-Russia War resumed in Geneva this week where the 52nd round of the Geneva International Discussions were held. The talks were mediated by the three co-chairs of the process representing the EU, the OSCE and the UN.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia said that Eritrea will withdraw its troops out of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region. Both countries have been under immense international pressure to end the conflict which has caused vast atrocities and a wave of migration. 

Saudi air defense crews also intercepted eight mined drones launched by the rebel Houthi movement from Yemen.

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. 

In line with the regional and international efforts to bring peace to Yemen, Saudi Arabia’ foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, announced yesterday an initiative to end the war in Yemen. The initiative comes at a tense time for the Saudis as the Houthis upscale their attacks on vital energy and logistics infrastructure in the Kingdom. In Yemen itself, no side is winning in the multiple front lines across Yemen and the ramifications on the populations could not be worse.

In an emotional address to the nation on the occasion of the start of the traditional Novruz holiday, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev addressed his countrymen from the city of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has recently reverted back to Azerbaijani control following the 44-day Karabakh war.

The recent military campaign in the Yemeni province of Marib threatens local populations first and foremost. The military operations, which mostly are hit and run operations, threaten to displace at least 385,000 people, said the UN migration agency. Marib is home to about 800,000 IDPs who fled during various stages of the 5 six-year-old conflict.

OSCE Chairperson-in-office, Ann Linde, visited Yerevan on Tuesday for talks with the Armenian leadership. Linde, who is also Swedish foreign minister, met president Armen Sarkissian, prime minister Nikol Pashinyan and other officials.