Politics

The African Union on Monday demanded the immediate and verifiable withdrawal of M23 rebels from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira, warning that continued occupation risks worsening civilian suffering and regional instability. In a communique adopted at its Peace and Security Council meeting on Dec. 29, the AU condemned what it...

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Tuesday strongly condemned what it described as Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland, calling the move a violation of international law and reaffirming its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. In a statement issued after its 1324th ministerial meeting, the council said it “strongly condemns,...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye used his New Year address to deliver a pointed message on relations with neighbouring Rwanda, accusing Kigali of harbouring armed groups responsible for attacks inside Burundi and warning that continued instability in the region poses a direct threat to his country. While welcoming what he described as...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (BT)— More than 90,000 people fleeing escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have crossed into neighboring Burundi since early December, according to United Nations agencies and government officials, creating a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in border regions. The influx, triggered by renewed fighting involving the M23 armed group in...

The East African Community and the African Union on Saturday rejected any recognition of Somaliland as an independent state and affirmed their position that Somalia remains a single sovereign country with internationally recognized borders. In a statement issued in Arusha, the East African Community said it “recognises the Federal Republic of Somalia as a...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday accused Rwanda of violating a recently signed peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying Kigali’s actions in eastern Congo undermine hopes for peace and promising that the United States will respond to keep commitments made under the deal. In a post on...

Burundi’s foreign affairs minister Edouard Bizimana accused neighboring Rwanda on Monday of fueling a sharp deterioration in security along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing alleged cross-border attacks, drone strikes and a surge of refugees fleeing renewed violence in eastern Congo. Speaking after a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Bujumbura,...

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on Thursday signed a U.S.-brokered peace accord in Washington aimed at ending decades of hostilities in the Great Lakes region, opening what leaders described as a rare moment of hope for millions affected by conflict in eastern Congo. Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye joined the ceremony, calling the deal a turning...

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the African European Parliamentary Initiative (AEPI) launched a seminar focused on strengthening democratic governance and political cooperation between African and European legislators. EALA Speaker welcomed the partnership, highlighting that the seminar could help reinforce democratic practices across the region. “This seminar presents an opportunity to strengthen the...

The East African Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a motion calling on partner states to legally recognise the right to food and take urgent action to combat rising hunger and malnutrition across the region. The motion, moved by South Sudanese lawmaker Woda Jeremiah, urges governments to integrate the right to adequate food into national...