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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…

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…

Overview: Global emissions climb as 1.5C window narrows The latest Global Carbon Budget warns that carbon dioxide from fossil fuels is poised to reach a fresh peak in 2025, and that the remaining CO2 allowance to keep warming below 1.5C is vanishing fast. Scientists say current levels of emissions make meeting the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious goal effectively out of reach without unprecedented rapid action. Fossil CO2 emissions are projected to be about 1.1% higher in 2025 than in 2024, despite rapid deployment of…

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 Elusive Quest for Peace in the Congo In the heart of Africa, as the world turns its gaze elsewhere, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains locked in a cycle of violence and despair. As Bintou Keita, head of the UN mission in the DRC, poignantly stated, peace is still "a promise." Despite attempts at diplomacy and international agreements, the reality for many Congolese citizens has not significantly improved. Promises of Peace vs. Harsh Realities In June, an agreement between Rwanda and the DRC was heralded as…

Somalia’s New Electoral Agreement: A Crucial Step Toward Unity NAIROBI—In a nation often marred by instability and political discord, the recent landmark electoral agreement between Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Salvation Forum marks a pivotal stride toward national unity and democratic governance. The Agreement: A Pathway to Stability After two months of contentious negotiations, the agreement outlines a distinctive approach to conducting the next elections. Under the new framework, the Federal Parliament…

Sure, let's dive into reworking this passage with some pizzazz. --- In a recent display of diplomatic camaraderie, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud were snapped shaking hands post-discussions in Berlin. This meeting, captured in a photo by Hannes P. Albert/dpa, heralded an important announcement: both nations agreed to intensify efforts to return certain Somali migrants from Germany back to their homeland. After their tête-à-tête, Chancellor Scholz shared that the dialogue revolved…

For more than ten years, the most harmful weapons wielded by terrorists in Somalia have been improvised explosive devices (IEDs), impacting countless Soldiers and civilians alike. According to Action on Armed Violence, a UK-based organization that monitors civilian-targeted armed violence globally, over 14,000 individuals have been affected—injured or killed—by IEDs set by al-Shabaab since 2014. Astonishingly, 61% of those affected were civilians. In the past year, IEDs have claimed or injured 1,500 lives in Somalia,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant leap towards energy autonomy, Djibouti and Egypt have inked a pivotal agreement to establish a 276.5-kilowatt solar powerhouse in Djibouti. This pact, forged in a virtual meet-and-greet, is set to elevate Djibouti’s quest for energy independence while also mending the ties between these two nations.On a day abuzz with ceremony, the Egyptian honcho of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, along with Djibouti’s power maestro, Yonis Ali Guled, put pen to paper in Egypt on Wednesday,…

Toronto – An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale rattled Ethiopia, reaching a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the surface. This seismic event struck the Awash Fentale region, located roughly 165 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. The government confirmed this occurrence through an update on social media.The tremor took place on Sunday around 9 P.M. local time. Residents in the capital, Addis Ababa, as well as in places like Metehara to the southeast and Kombolcha near Dessie to the north, felt the tremors.…