Conflict and Peace

The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, was in Armenia and in Azerbaijan in the last days. Bilateral issues were discussed in both Baku and Yerevan during his visit, however, it was the regional situation that dominated the discussions in both capitals, and in particular, the implementation in practice of the 10 November “Trilateral Declaration” signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. This is proving easier said than done, and some are asking if Russia has not taken on a poisoned chalice.

Violence swept across the Holy Land on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning (11-12 May) leaving dozens of dead people and many more injured in the Palestinian territories and in Israel. Reuters news agency reports that hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement  based in Gaza, escalated on Wednesday, with at least 35 killed in Gaza and five in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years.

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.