North Africa

Last weekend, a meeting took place in Asmara between Egypt's chief spy and Foreign Minister, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. They carried a direct message from President Al Sisi, emphasizing "enhancing and expanding bilateral ties across all sectors." Egypt's active diplomatic endeavors in the Horn of Africa are ongoing. Following a recently inked military pact with Somalia, which included sending 10 Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, irking neighboring Ethiopia, Cairo is now eyeing a similar deal with Eritrea. This…

One year has passed since a cataclysmic earthquake ravaged the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and the people on the ground express a sense of frustration over the sluggish pace of rebuilding efforts. Many remain in temporary tents, while others have been compelled to relocate entirely. Lisa Bryant reports for VOA on the ongoing struggle for recovery. This seismic event, registering a staggering 6.8 on the Richter scale, was the most powerful earthquake to strike Morocco in over a century. It hit on September 8, 2023,…

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has officially begun his second term in office after an impressive electoral victory, clinching a remarkable 84% of the votes. Despite this resounding win, the election was shadowed by a notable sense of voter disinterest and persistent worries regarding the fairness of the vote counting process. In his inaugural address, Tebboune thanked the Algerian populace for their trust and support. He emphasized his commitment to engaging in comprehensive consultations with a variety of political…

Plans are brewing to safeguard Red Sea shipping routes disrupted by attacks from Iran-backed insurgents in Yemen. In a significant moment, Ethiopia's Premier Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki shared an emotional embrace after signing a historic truce in 2018. Reuters Egypt and Eritrea are contemplating a military partnership and intelligence exchange to reinforce their already strong bond, insiders say. According to sources, the agreement would detail measures to protect Red Sea shipping, disturbed by…

On a sunny Sunday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for an official visit. Tagging along with him were Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk and Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib. Mohamed El-Homsani, the spokesperson for the Cabinet, remarked that the visit exemplifies the strong bond and mutual interests between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. As both nations navigate a time of heightened collaboration, they look to bolster their strategic alliance and tackle regional…

Sudan’s military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, eyes September with optimism, aiming to solidify his image as the nation's rightful leader on the international stage. This endeavor unfolds against the backdrop of a brutal war that has unleashed a massive humanitarian crisis. Just recently, Burhan flew to Beijing, engaging in talks with President Xi Jinping. The occasion was the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac), a gathering of numerous African leaders, notably Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenya’s…

U.N.-backed human rights investigators called Friday for the establishment of an "independent and impartial force" to safeguard civilians in Sudan, condemning both warring sides for war crimes such as murder, mutilation and torture. They also warned that foreign governments supplying arms or financial support could be complicit. In their first report since being formed by the U.N.'s main human rights body last October, the fact-finding team further accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has increased its ongoing humanitarian aid efforts in war-torn Sudan, according to the country's communications department. In a recent statement, the Strategic Communications Department said that in response to the escalating crisis, the UAE has launched a series of emergency relief operations, including the dispatch of 159 relief flights carrying over 10,000 tonnes of food, medicine and relief supplies to Sudan. This assistance has been critical in meeting the urgent…

The US special envoy for Sudan is seeking "tangible results" from the talks to end the devastating war, despite the absence of the Sudanese government. War has raged since April 2023 between the Sudanese army under the country's de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The RSF delegation is participating in the US-brokered talks to secure a ceasefire that began at an undisclosed location in Switzerland on…

Libyan lawmakers voted to end the term of the Tripoli-based government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Tuesday. In a statement, parliamentary spokesman Abdullah Belhaiq said the assembly voted to consider the eastern Libya-based cabinet of Osama Hammad as "the legitimate government until a new unified government is elected." The parliament also appointed its speaker, Aguila Saleh, as commander of the Libyan armed forces in place of the presidency's advice. There was no immediate…