Why it would be a miracle if the recent round of talks yielded the inclusive, sustainable peace the country needs COMMENT | CARINE N. KANEZA | Burundi has been gripped by unrest since April 2015; triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s pursuit of a third term. The crisis has led to protests, …
Read More »Togo’s opposition coalition boycotts government talks
Lome, Togo | AFP | Togo’s main opposition coalition, which has led protests against President Faure Gnassingbe for more than three months, on Tuesday boycotted government consultations for talks on ending the political impasse. The international community has called for talks between the two sides to end the stalemate over constitutional …
Read More »THIS WEEK: FDP pulls out of Germany coalition talks
THIS WEEK: FDP pulls out of Germany coalition talks Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The possibility of forming a coalition government in Germany collapsed after the free-market liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) pulled out of the initiative on the night of Nov.19 after four weeks of talks with Chancellor Angela …
Read More »Putin urges ‘compromise’ ahead of new Syria peace talks
Sochi, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that efforts to end Syria’s six-year war were entering “a new stage” ahead of a planned meeting of Syrian government officials and opposition leaders, warning both sides that compromise would be necessary. The new talks should happen soon, Putin said …
Read More »Trouble brewing in Nigeria swamps threatens economy
Warri, Nigeria | AFP | Months have passed since the Niger Delta Avengers have launched an attack on Nigeria’s oil pipelines, yet leaders in the region are warning trouble is brewing in the southern swamplands. A charm offensive led by Nigeria’s acting president Yemi Osinbajo has kept the uprising at bay, …
Read More »South Korea urges North to respond to military talks offer
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | South Korea urged the North on Friday to break its silence on an offer of military talks aimed at easing simmering tensions over the hermit state’s nuclear ambitions. Seoul had proposed to hold rare inter-Korea talks this week at the border truce village of …
Read More »EU weighs in on Museveni, Besigye talks
The much speculated about talks between longtime political adversaries, President Museveni and Opposition leader, Kizza Besigye got more currency when the European Union (EU), a key development partner of Uganda said the two leaders should have dialogue now so as to avert a situation when matters have spiralled out of …
Read More »Syria attack deals fresh blow to faltering peace talks
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | A suicide assault which killed dozens in Syria Saturday dealt a further blow to already sputtering UN efforts to launch a new round of talks to end the six-year conflict. The Damascus regime vowed retaliation for the assault in Syria’s third city Homs — and …
Read More »New talks seek to end Syria’s war after nearly six years
Beirut, Lebanon | AFP | As Syria’s war approaches its seventh year, two new rounds of talks on resolving the conflict are scheduled to take place in Astana and Geneva. Here are some questions and answers about the upcoming talks: What talks are scheduled? The first meeting is in the …
Read More »BUHARI: ‘Major decision’ expected on Gambia this weekend
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s presidency on Friday said a “major decision” would be taken this weekend on the crisis in The Gambia caused by veteran strongman Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to step down after elections. President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu said African leaders would meet in Accra on …
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