Agreement

WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said Sunday that a negotiated end to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine was “really, really close,” but that Moscow and Washington remained divided over two core issues: territorial settlement, primarily the future of the Donbas, and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Kellogg, who is due to step down in January, told the Reagan National Defense Forum that talks were in “the last 10 metres,” a phase he said is always the hardest. “If we get those two…

In a historic move towards peace, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi signed a pivotal peace accord at the White House on Thursday. The ceremony, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, signals a significant step in addressing the long-standing conflict between the two neighboring countries. The peace accord underscores a commitment to ending hostilities and building a foundation for stability in the region. Both leaders, flanked by their foreign ministers, expressed optimism about the…

Brazil’s COP30 presidency pushed a compromise climate deal through in the Amazon city of Belém on Saturday that boosts finance for poorer nations but omits any explicit mention of fossil fuels — a glaring absence that exposed deep fractures among negotiating parties. The two-week summit, intended to show nations can still join forces on climate change after the United States declined to send an official delegation, ended after overnight negotiations and an overtime plenary in which several countries formally registered…

Peace Framework Signed in Qatar: A New Dawn for Eastern DR Congo? In a significant development, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have entered into a peace framework in Qatar, amidst ongoing efforts to cease decades of conflict that have ravaged eastern DR Congo. This agreement, brokered with the involvement of international mediators, including the United States and the African Union, represents a glimmer of hope as both parties strive for stability in a region plagued…

Thailand Suspends Enhanced Ceasefire With Cambodia After New Blast, Halts Return of POWs Thailand announced on Thursday that it would pause implementation of an enhanced ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and delay the return of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war after a landmine blast injured four Thai soldiers, in a fresh sign that a fragile truce between the neighbours is fraying. Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit told reporters the government in Bangkok would not proceed with elements of the October accord — signed last…

Somalia and Turkey move to seal a labor pact — and raise bigger questions about jobs, skills, and dignity In a quiet room in Doha on Friday, Somali Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Yusuf Mohamed sat down with Turkey’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, to push forward a bilateral labor cooperation agreement. On paper, it is a technical accord: training programs, civil service capacity-building, and a plan to spur job creation. In practice, it is also a test of whether two close partners…

Towards Peace: A Fragile Ceasefire Agreement in the Congo In a development that offers a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing turbulence, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached an agreement to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring body. The announcement, made through social media statements from both entities, marks a crucial step forward, emerging from protracted negotiations in the opulent surroundings of Doha, Qatar. This agreement, however, arrives…

The Complex Journey of Migrants: Navigating New Challenges in Ghana In an era marked by heightened migration and shifting geopolitical alliances, the arrival of a recent group of migrants at Kotoka International Airport in Accra underscores the complexities facing both the deportees and the welcoming nation. A Boeing 767-200 from Baltimore touched down, bringing with it 14 West African nationals, a somber reminder of the struggles many endure in pursuit of safety and stability. While the specific nationalities of these…

A fragile pause, a political gamble: what the new Gaza ceasefire really means Israel’s cabinet has approved a deal that, if implemented, would halt fighting in Gaza within 24 hours and set in motion the release of hostages held by Hamas over the last two years. For U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped shepherd the talks, it is a diplomatic trophy he says he will celebrate in person. For families who have spent nights in Hostages Square and displaced Palestinians sheltering under tarpaulin, it is a moment of raw,…

As AGOA Faces Expiration, What Lies Ahead for U.S.-Africa Trade Relations? The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a landmark piece of legislation designed to bolster trade between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries, is at a crossroads. Enacted in 2000 under President Bill Clinton, AGOA has been a beacon for economic development and trade for nearly 23 years. However, as its expiration looms, the ramifications are profound, extending beyond mere policy discussions into the realms of economic…