https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:32:10 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-will-egypts-coup-leader-escape-scrutiny-in-south-africa/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:09:42 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657515 Has South Africa overlooked Egypt's problematic participation at the forthcoming BRICS summit? Dignifying its military leader Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the expected red-carpet treatment will in effect be an endorsement of regime change via military coup, which is how Cairo's despot overthrew the democratically elected Morsi government to gain power. This month marks a decade since Al-Sisi appeared on TV in a military beret to announce the constitution's suspension and the end of Morsi's presidency. RSF (Reporters Without Borders) documents that as he spoke, security forces were preparing to storm the Cairo bureaus of the Qatari TV channels Al-Jazeera and Al-Jazeera Mubasher and arrest their journalists. That same evening, Al-Sisi's military goons led a purge against many more media outlets and shut them down for allegedly supporting Mohamed Morsi's party, […]]]> 657515 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230416-african-union-calls-for-cessation-of-hostilities-in-sudan/ Sun, 16 Apr 2023 10:41:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=629387 The African Union (AU) on Saturday called for a cease-fire in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Anadolu reports. "The chairperson fervently appeals to all parties, the armed forces and the rapid reaction forces, in particular, to immediately cease the destruction of the country, the panic of the population and the bloodshed," said Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Commission chairperson. Faki urged the international community to "combine, in unity and urgency, their efforts to bring the parties to immediately cease military actions and return to the negotiating table for a satisfactory end to the crisis for all." Fighting broke out early Saturday between the Sudanese army and RSF fighters in Khartoum, with gunfire […]]]> 629387 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230219-senior-israeli-diplomat-ejected-from-au-summit-as-row-escalates/ Sun, 19 Feb 2023 14:20:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=615983 A senior Israeli diplomat on Saturday was removed from the African Union's annual summit in Ethiopia, as a dispute over Israel's accreditation to the bloc escalated, Reuters reports. Images posted online showed AU security personnel confronting the diplomat during the opening ceremony of the summit, before she left the auditorium. "Israel looks harshly upon the incident in which the deputy director for Africa, Ambassador Sharon Bar-Li, was removed from the African Union hall despite her status as an accredited observer with entrance badges," the foreign ministry said. Ebba Kalondo, the spokesperson for the African Union's commission chairman, said the diplomat had been removed because she was not the duly accredited Israeli ambassador to Ethiopia, the official who was expected. READ: Israeli missile strikes […]]]> 615983 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220924-burhan-calls-on-au-to-correct-decision-to-freeze-sudans-activities/ Sat, 24 Sep 2022 11:21:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=582370 The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan called on the African Union (AU) on Friday to "correct" its decision to freeze his country's activities in the AU after measures taken on 25 October. This was raised during his meeting with Senegalese President Macky Sall at his residence in New York City. According to the statement, Al-Burhan called on the AU to: "Correct its decision to freeze Sudan's activities in the AU." He added that Sudan is: "Waiting for a mission from the AU to determine the facts on the ground." "The military institution called on the political forces to accelerate talks amongst themselves to reach an agreement that allows for the formation of a civilian government, […]]]> 582370 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220413-sudan-authorities-called-upon-to-end-political-crisis/ Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:50:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=548546 The UN, African Union (AU) and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) called on Tuesday for the Sudanese authorities to end the political crisis gripping the country, it has been reported. According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the three asked the Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to adopt measures which will create a suitable atmosphere for a serious dialogue to end the crisis. The call was made during a meeting of delegations representing each of the three parties with Al-Burhan. Those involved included the head of the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan, Volker Perthes; the AU Special Envoy to Sudan, Mohamed El-Hacen Ould Lebatt; and IGAD representative Ismail Wais. READ: Sudan bans gatherings in Khartoum "The tripartite […]]]> 548546 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211124-au-political-agreement-in-sudan-is-a-step-towards-constitutional-legitimacy/ Wed, 24 Nov 2021 10:11:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=513968 The African Union on Monday welcomed the signing of a political agreement in Sudan between Army Commander Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Sunday, considering the move a step "towards a return to constitutional legitimacy." In a statement to the head of the Sovereign Council, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, said the agreement "is an important step towards returning to the constitutional legitimacy on which the transitional phase in Sudan was founded." According to the statement, the African official called on "all political and social partners to deepen the path of democratic transition in an atmosphere of peace and national reconciliation." READ: 12 cabinet ministers in Sudan resign in protest of deal with army He […]]]> 513968 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211123-bomb-blast-targets-au-peacekeepers-in-somalia/ Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:06:55 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=513915 A bomb blast in southern Somalia targeted a military convoy carrying African Union (AU) peacekeepers on Tuesday, local officials said, and Anadolu News Agency reports. The attack took place in the Bufow area outside the port city of Marka, located 92 kilometres (57 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu. A Somali army captain based in Shabelle region who spoke to Anadolu Agency confirmed the attack, but did not provide details on casualties. The Somali-based and Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, claimed that it had inflicted a large number of casualties and destroyed military vehicles in its attack against African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops. READ: At least 8 dead, 13 wounded in Somalia market blast Anadolu Agency contacted the spokesman […]]]> 513915 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211014-african-union-to-discuss-granting-israel-observer-status/ Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:01:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=501389 The African Union is to discuss granting Israel observer status during its meeting starting today, a step condemned by Palestine along with many member states. The Palestinian Authority (PA) yesterday urged African nations to object to the recent decision to grant Israel observer status at the continental body. "Our shared long history of solidarity and struggle against colonialism and oppression and the African legacy of anti-racism and anti-apartheid necessitates that this unfortunate nomination is discussed and reversed in the upcoming meeting of the African Union," Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki said. Palestinians, he continued, look to Africa for support and solidarity in their struggle against the Israeli occupation. "Our fight for a world free of racism is an ongoing and shared […]]]> 501389 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211014-africa-and-its-modern-history-are-the-natural-extension-of-the-just-struggle-of-the-palestinian-people/ Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:58:12 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=501384 There are those who believe that the African Union's decision to grant Israel observer member, in spite of its crimes against Palestinians, is a natural evolution of relations. This is based on the idea that the decision seeks to merge the two entities' so-called shared interests as the culmination of an extended process of building their bilateral relations. Voiced as an expression of the "will" of a majority of member states of the African Union, this marriage of convenience and short-sighted self-interest, is anchored in a number of entirely arbitrary or fanciful notions: The decision was within the unilateral authority of Moussa Faki, head of the African Union Commission; The strengthening of the relationship of the African Union with Israel […]]]> 501384 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210304-ethiopia-renews-commitment-to-au-mediation-in-dam-talks/ Thu, 04 Mar 2021 13:43:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=459724 Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry yesterday renewed its adherence to the mediation of the African Union to resolve the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) conflict with Egypt and Sudan. "The tendency to invite various parties as mediators to the issue while the AU-led negotiation has not been finalised is demeaning [to] the efforts of the AU," the ministry's spokesperson, Dina Mufti, told reporters in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Her comments came in response to recent calls by Sudan and Egypt for international mediation after the failure of AU talks. She stressed that her country was adhering to the so-called Declaration of Principles agreement. In March 2015, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, then Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and the former Ethiopian […]]]> 459724 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201210-sudan-harmed-most-by-ethiopia-nile-dam-conflict/ Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:52:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=441191 Sudan is the country most harmed from the controversial Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam, according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a meeting between the officials from the foreign ministry, the ministries of irrigation, culture and information, and a number of Western ambassadors in Khartoum, Undersecretary of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Sherif Abdallah stressed the importance of continuing with negotiations as the only means to resolving the disagreements between the parties involved in the issue. He added that Khartoum will continue with its efforts to explain its stance and the dangers that Sudan and its people and strategic installations are being subjected to. Abdallah reiterated his country's commitment to the African Union's mediation efforts, and its hopes that such […]]]> 441191 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200824-egypt-to-join-au-anti-corruption-convention/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:13:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=418306 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday ratified a decree under which Cairo would join an African Union (AU) agreement to combat corruption. The pact, dubbed AU's Convention on Combating and Preventing Corruption, was signed in 2003 between the AU member states in Mozambique. It was approved by the Egyptian parliament in 2017. The deal aims at "promoting, facilitating and regulating cooperation among AU countries to ensure the effectiveness of measures and actions to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in the country," according to official MENA. READ: People of Ethiopia will sacrifice their lives for Renaissance Dam, says Abiy Ahmed ]]> 418306 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200406-who-africa-states-must-work-together-to-tackle-coronavirus/ Mon, 06 Apr 2020 08:22:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=395708 African Union (AU) leaders must work together "in an integrated manner in preparation for an imminent storm of novel coronavirus infections on the continent," the World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general said yesterday. "African leaders should speed up and access necessary medical supplies and goods," Tedros Adhanom added during a virtual mini-summit which the presidents of nine African countries and the chairman of the African Commission attended. During the meeting, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that his government had decided "not to impose a complete lockdown", stressing that "each country has its own peculiarities." Referring to "millions of daily wage earners in Ethiopia," Ahmed pointed out that his government might be able to save them from the coronavirus by […]]]> 395708 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200312-african-union-committee-on-libya-convenes-today/ Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:30:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=391475 The African Union's High-Level Committee is convening today in the Republic of the Congo to discuss the turbulent situation in Libya, the German news agency DPA reported. The meeting aims to coordinate international stances and avoid foreign military intervention in the country, so as to preserve Libya's unity and sovereignty. It comes as a follow up to the African Union's previous decisions on Libya as well as the peace summit that was held in Berlin in January, in which countries agreed to a stricter imposition of the arms embargo on the country and to end military backing for warring factions in the North African state. Libya is now divided between two rival governments, one based in the east and supported […]]]> 391475 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200210-trudeau-raises-issue-of-detained-canadians-with-egypts-sisi/ Mon, 10 Feb 2020 04:08:38 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=385611 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday that he raised the cases of Canadians being detained in Egypt with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Reuters reports. "We always stand up for Canadians in difficulty around the world", Trudeau told a press briefing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is attending an African Union summit. "Yes I did bring up the consular cases in Egypt with President al-Sisi", he added. Read: Operation Sinai: Egypt's ethnic cleansing of the Bedouin Canadian engineer Yasser Albaz was arrested at the Cairo airport by Egyptian authorities about a year ago towards the end of his business trip. He has not yet been charged and his family previously told Canadian media they were concerned about his […]]]> 385611 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200210-african-union-summit-egypt-africa-facing-great-challenges-terrorism-libya-crisis/ Mon, 10 Feb 2020 03:44:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=385603 At the African Union (AU) summit today, in Addis Ababa, Chairman of the (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki, emphasised the "necessity of a political solution in Libya." Faki called on the United States to "remove Sudan from the list of terrorism." Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi stressed that the main challenges that the continent is facing are the continuation of conflicts and the increase of the risks of terrorism and extremism. In his speech, Al-Sisi said that the overall development efforts in Africa would not take place without the modernisation of the infrastructure, stressing Egypt's efforts to assume its responsibilities during its chairmanship of the African Union, according to "Alarabiya.net." Al-Sisi added: "We are aware of the value of our security […]]]> 385603 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200209-au-slams-us-deal-of-century/ Sun, 09 Feb 2020 16:43:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=385572 Addressing the annual summit of the African Union (AU) leaders, the chairman of the bloc heavily criticised the US' so-called peace plan in Middle East, Anadolu Agency reports. "We all suffered from the unresolved Palestinian right to self-determination and dignity. The American-Israeli peace plan, the so-called 'Deal of the Century', had been prepared without any consultation with Palestinians. It is a violation of the charter of the African Union and United Nations," Moussa Faki Mahamat said. Mahamat's remarks came during his opening speech at the 33rd Assembly of Heads of State and Government. We have to feel the heightened tension the peace deal invites to the Middle East and beyond. The African solidarity with the people of Palestine will never […]]]> 385572 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190806-african-union-warns-sudanese-people-of-counter-revolution/ Tue, 06 Aug 2019 01:42:55 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=356900  The African Union (AU)'s Special Envoy to Sudan, Mohamed El Hassan Ould Labbat, yesterday called on the Sudanese people to stay cautious of "possible counter-revolution and the unity of the Forces of Declaration of Freedom and Change." "I think that the Sudanese have made a significant step in the formation of the civil state structures," Labbat told reporters, adding that his mission is concluded. The official envoy also expressed his optimism about "Sudan's future," describing the Sudanese people as a "solid nation that has fought for their freedom and civil state establishment." UAE: Sudan turned the page on Muslim Brotherhood rule On Saturday, Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition confirmed that they had finished […]]]> 356900 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190502-african-union-gives-sudan-army-60-days-to-hand-over-power/ Thu, 02 May 2019 11:50:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=341505 The African Union (AU) yesterday gave the Sudanese Transitional Military Council another 60 days to hand over power to a civilian transitional authority or face the country's membership being suspended. On 15 April, the AU gave the council 15 days to cede power, however, the TMC ignored the deadline. The AU Peace and Security Council has reiterated in a statement "its conviction that a military-led transition in the Sudan will be totally unacceptable and contrary to the will and legitimate aspirations, to democratic institutions and processes, as well as respect for human rights and freedoms of the Sudanese people." The AU special envoy to Sudan, Mohamed El-Hassan Ould Labbat, arrived in Khartoum on Tuesday, where he met with TMC spokesman, […]]]> 341505 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190228-the-arab-maghreb-union-that-never-was/ Thu, 28 Feb 2019 08:33:35 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=330592 330592 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190212-palestine-doesnt-need-an-international-peace-conference-which-will-reject-liberation-strategies/ Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:48:57 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=328203 Palestinian media are reporting that Mahmoud Abbas has appealed to the African Union to support, and participate in, a possible international conference "to take care of the peace process." As always, the Palestinian Authority leader's rhetoric shifts between the similarities in the Palestinian and African struggle against colonialism, while asking for support in promoting international interests in Palestine. In his speech to the AU, Abbas rejected "any American intervention in the affairs of any country, as is happening now in Venezuela." Yet, there is still no rejection of the two-state paradigm in which the US will continue to play a part. The PA is still distinguishing between different forms of intervention and playing this game to the Palestinians' disadvantage. The […]]]> 328203 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181210-egypt-aims-to-kickstart-african-trade-as-it-takes-au-chair/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 03:12:39 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=318875 Egypt is promoting itself as a linchpin for intra-African trade and a model of economic reform as it prepares to chair the African Union in 2019. The country hosted a high-level business forum on Saturday and Sunday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that will be followed by an intra-African trade fair in the coming week in the capital, Cairo. In a speech to the forum, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi encouraged investors from inside and outside Africa to take advantage of opportunities on the continent as countries including his own pursued economic reform. As chair of the African Union, "we will seek with sincere effort to build on what has been achieved over the past years and to […]]]> 318875 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181129-us-official-war-on-al-shabaab-not-lost-in-somalia/ Thu, 29 Nov 2018 09:43:57 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=317032 317032 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180322-african-union-deploys-40-observers-for-egypt-presidential-election/ Thu, 22 Mar 2018 08:49:04 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=282459 282459 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180320-african-union-ready-to-propose-solutions-for-western-sahara-conflict/ Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:04:46 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=282211 The President of the African Union (AU) and Chadian Commission, Moussa Faki, has announced that the AU is ready to draft a proposal for the resolution of the conflict in Western Sahara. The announcement follows a three-day visit to Algeria, against which Morocco spoke out, where the AU is looking to lead a more active role in the resolution of the Saharawi crisis. The main conflict over the past four decades has been between Morocco and the Polisario Front, the Sahrawi separatists who have been fighting for self-determination in Western Sahara for the past 27 years. Morocco believes that the area is part of its own sovereign territory. The AU includes representatives from both the Kingdom of Morocco and the […]]]> 282211 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180306-can-the-maghreb-union-resurrect-without-morocco-algeria-rapprochement/ Tue, 06 Mar 2018 11:17:58 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=280634 Ironically, Maghreb governments grieve the missed opportunities of their decadent union, but refrain from taking genuine steps to bridge divides. Moroccan officials, for instance, frequently extol the benefits of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU). King Mohamed VI's message to the EU-AU summit in Abidjan last November criticised the Maghreb Union's demise, highlighting its importance for the security and stability of Africa and trans-Mediterranean relations. Deputy Minister of Transport Najib Boulif pinpointed that each Maghreb country would gain around 5-6 per cent GDP after unsealing borders. More recently, in a forlorn attempt, Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika commemorated AMU's 29th anniversary expressing readiness for promoting its revival. Bouteflika, however, overlooks current realities in the area, since political disputes, exchanged animosities and reluctance […]]]> 280634 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180130-au-over-13000-migrants-repatriated-from-libya-this-month/ Tue, 30 Jan 2018 14:14:15 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=276002 More than 13,000 migrants have been repatriated from Libya since the beginning of December, according to the African Union (AU). The scale of the repatriation comes two months after CNN uncovered large scale abuses against migrants in Libya where undercover slave markets were being held. The UN responded through initiatives to evacuate migrants to a country where they can be safely processed for resettlement. The majority of those who arrive in Libya do so as a base to get to Europe and mainly hail from sub-Saharan Africa. The AU's plan was to fly 20,000 migrants from the war-ravaged country, though the target has not been met, Chairperson of the AU commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, said the campaign remains on course. […]]]> 276002 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180129-arab-league-urges-africa-states-to-reject-israel-bid-for-un-security-council-seat/ Mon, 29 Jan 2018 11:54:52 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=275823 275823 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180122-275024/ Mon, 22 Jan 2018 18:00:28 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=275024 275024 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171218-pm-somalia-demanded-us-aid-cut/ Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:36:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=270330 Somalia's Prime Minister demanded US aid be cut to run an investigation over concerns of corruption in the Somali national army, Somali Press Online reported. "There are some countries who help us on the salary issue which we agreed upon earlier to carry out research in order to draw out complete plans stipulating the required help we need and ways of developing the army. Among those countries is the USA," Somalia's Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Kheire, said. "We suspended the salaries of some of army personnel with US knowledge." "We implemented the registration of the armed forces through electronic devices to avoid corruption on the fund paid by the government, assessment of the number, quality and armoury possessed by the […]]]> 270330 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171214-15-police-officers-killed-in-suicide-bomber-attack-in-somalia/ Thu, 14 Dec 2017 09:03:13 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=269659 A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman blew himself up inside a police training camp in Somalia's capital Mogadishu this morning and killed at least 15 officers, officials said. Police spokesman Major Mohamed Hussein said the attacker had explosives strapped to his body and infiltrated the General Kahiye Police Training Academy during an early morning parade. "So far 15 have died and 17 others were injured," Abdullahi Nur, another police official, told Reuters. Earlier, the head of a local ambulance service said they had moved the bodies of 13 victims as well as 15 injured people. The militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack and gave a higher death toll. Read: Kenya denies killing 42 Somali civilians "We killed […]]]> 269659 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171213-african-union-official-us-cannot-jerusalem-to-israel/ Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:47:57 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=269546 Senior Human Rights Expert at the African Union's Department of Political Affairs, Salah Hammad, said yesterday that Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine and the United States cannot give it to Israel or any other party. "The African Union's position on the US decision is clear," Hammad said in remarks to the Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of a solidarity campaign organised with the Palestinian cause in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He pointed out that the US decision does not serve the Palestinian cause and does not lead to peace on the ground and stressed that the African Union's position of solidarity with the Palestinian people is "clear and strong, and stems from the common African values ​​that prevent a state […]]]> 269546 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171212-kenya-denies-killing-42-somali-civilians/ Tue, 12 Dec 2017 14:06:35 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=269405 The Kenyan government is disputing allegations made in a new UN report claiming its forces were responsible for 42 Somali civilian casualties in a 22-month period. Some 42 Somali civilian casualties were attributed to the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF), with 36 dead and six injured in a 22-month period ending in mid-October, the report compiled by the UN Mission in Somalia and the UN Human Rights Office said. In its publication, the UN is referring to Kenyan forces which are not part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which comprises troops from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda for its military operations, and police personnel from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda. "For a UN report to […]]]> 269405 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171207-au-muslim-groups-condemn-trumps-decision/ Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:30:54 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=268427 The African Union has condemned the decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's official capital, saying this could derail the Middle East peace process. African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki said in a statement, he "regrets the decision which will only increase tensions in the region and beyond". He reiterated the solidarity of the African Union with the Palestinian people and its support to their legitimate quest for an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Meanwhile, Muslim groups and civil rights organizations in have also condemned the US president's decision. South Africa's Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) said in a statement on Thursday Trump's announcement might ignite conflict and religious confrontation in the Middle East […]]]> 268427 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171130-eu-un-african-leaders-draw-up-emergency-plan-for-migrants-in-libya/ Thu, 30 Nov 2017 18:04:31 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=267345 The European Union, United Nations and African Union have agreed to an emergency plan to dismantle people-smuggling networks and repatriate stranded migrants, in an effort to ease a human rights disaster in Libya, officials said. Images broadcast by CNN earlier this month appeared to show migrants being auctioned off as slaves by Libyan traffickers, sparking outrage in Europe and anger in Africa. It forced the issue of abuse of African migrants heading for Europe to the top of the agenda of a summit meant to focus on Africa's youth. European Council President Donald Tusk called the slavery reports "horrifying" during the opening ceremony of the African Union-European Union summit yesterday. French President Emmanuel Macron said the plan included the establishment […]]]> 267345 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171129-netanyahu-israel-seeks-to-join-african-union/ Wed, 29 Nov 2017 15:27:34 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=267155 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed the desire for Israel to become a member of the African Union, in a renewed bid to increase cooperation with the continent, according to Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation. On a trip to several African nations, Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasised the importance of increased ties between Israel and African governments. During a speech in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, with 11 other heads of state present, Netanyahu pledged to deepen trade, security and agricultural relations with neighbouring countries. "This is my third visit to Africa and second to Kenya, we believe in the future of Africa, we love Africa and I would like very much not only to cooperate on an individual basis with each […]]]> 267155 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171127-morocco-and-polisario-to-attend-au-eu-summit/ Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:57:21 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=266934 266934 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171108-african-union-to-withdraw-1000-troops-from-somalia/ Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:33:48 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=264321 The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) announced on Tuesday that it is to withdraw 1,000 soldiers from Somalia by the end of this year, Anadolu has reported. The Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson for Somalia said that the withdrawal of AMISOM troops would be "gradual". "AMISOM has begun its drawdown from Somalia and will have its troop numbers reduced by 1,000 by 31 December," Francisco Madeira told a press conference in Mogadishu. "Our drawdown and transition must be gradual, conditions-based, responsible and done in a manner that does not compromise the safety and security of the Somali people." Madeira stressed the importance of unity between the people and the military in Somalia against terror, "Because the military […]]]> 264321 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171031-somalia-al-shabaab-retakes-key-town-from-african-union-troops/ Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:23:39 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=263188 Al-Shabaab fighters regained control of a key town in southern Somalia today, Garowe Online reported. Just hours after African Union (AU) troops left Rasadaay, located 179 kilometres southwest of the capital Mogadishu, Al-Shabaab's caravan of fighters moved in without any battle. It is unclear why AU troops withdrew from the strategic town. It is feared that Al-Shabaab's control of Rasaaday may allow for attacks to take placeagainst AU troops in neighbouring Barawe and Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab conducted a suicide operation on a hotel in Mogadishu last weekend, killing 29 people. The Al-Qaeda-linked group seeks to dislodge the Government of Somalia and apply a strict interpretation of Islamic law across the country. Read More: US wants Sahel force strategy before giving money: […]]]> 263188 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171009-african-union-mission-killed-42-children-in-somalia-last-year-claims-un-report/ Mon, 09 Oct 2017 11:21:52 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=260142 A United Nations report has claimed that the African Union's Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was responsible for killing 42 children last year. "Child casualties attributed to AMISOM primarily occurred in operations against Al-Shabaab or in indiscriminate fire responding to attacks," said the report released on Friday. The Kenyan Defence Forces, which regularly engage with the extremists of Al-Shabaab, are responsible for killing 11 children, it claimed. The UN document added that the US is also responsible for killing at least one child in 2016 in the conflict in the Horn of Africa. In the most recent US counterterrorism raid operating alongside Somali forces, scores of civilians were attacked in the search for Al-Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia. Ten civilians, including […]]]> 260142 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170803-france-seeks-to-exclude-african-union-from-libya-crisis/ Thu, 03 Aug 2017 08:31:20 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=249105 In meetings with Libyan officials last week, France set out its plan for resolving the Libya crisis without providing a role for the African Union (AU). Algeria has previously called for the AU to play its role in resolving the unrest in Libyan, however France has not only isolated the African Union, but has also excluded a country whose role can be seen as pivotal in resolving the Libyan crisis for historical considerations said Jeune Afrique, which is known for its close ties to political circles in France. The "excluded" country is said to be Italy which launched a campaign through its Minister of Foreign Affairs Angelino Alfano against the French initiative that excluded all parties involved in the Libyan crisis. […]]]> 249105 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170730-african-union-troops-ambushed-in-somalia-possibly-39-dead/ Sun, 30 Jul 2017 11:45:09 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=248399 Somalia's Al-Shabaab insurgents and troops from the African Union peacekeeping mission clashed on Sunday, a senior military officer said, while the group said it had killed 39 soldiers. The incident took place in Bulamareer district in Lower Shabelle region about 140 km southwest of Mogadishu. The al Shabaab fighters ambushed a convoy carrying troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Col. Hassan Mohamed told Reuters. "The ambush turned into a fierce fight between al Shabaab and AMISOM. We understand fighting is still going on but we do not have the figure of casualties," he told Reuters. Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's military operation spokesman, said: We have in hand 39 dead bodies of AU soldiers including their commander. […]]]> 248399 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170605-african-union-concludes-libya-visit-with-haftar-meeting/ Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:47:20 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=237367 237367 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170601-tunisias-declaration-for-direct-access-to-the-african-court-is-an-important-step-for-dual-african-union-and-arab-league-nations/ Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:12:09 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=236517 In April this year, Tunisia signed a declaration to the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights which granted individuals and non-governmental organisations the right to access the Court directly with human rights complaints. The move came after a delegation from the African Court travelled to both Tunisia and Egypt in order to promote broader support for its work by allowing direct access. Days later, Tunisia's Minister for Foreign Affairs signed the declaration on behalf of the Tunisian Government, and President Beji Caid Essebsi praised the work of the African Court and encouraged participation by Tunisia's neighbouring African states. The provision which Tunisia adopted is Article 34(6) of the African Court's Protocol to the African Charter, which states that a […]]]> 236517 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170519-african-union-official-moroccos-return-may-lead-to-solution-to-western-sahara-conflict/ Fri, 19 May 2017 11:07:11 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=234085 The African Union's Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ismail Chergui, said the return of Morocco to the AU and sitting side by side with the separatist Polisario Front could establish for a quick solution to the conflict in the Western Sahara. "The African Union Peace and Security Council has taken positions on the Sahara issue and proposed the re-establishment of a presidential commission in an attempt to contribute to solving the Western Sahara issue," Algeria's Al-Fajr newspaper reported Chergui as saying yesterday. Remarking on the situation in Libya, Chergui said the country needs a strong African voice to help the Libyan people overcome their current crisis. Read: African Union council calls for direct dialogue between Morocco and Polisario He revealed that […]]]> 234085 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170325-african-union-council-calls-for-direct-dialogue-between-morocco-and-polisario/ Sat, 25 Mar 2017 11:01:24 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=222795 222795 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170209-why-did-morocco-decide-to-join-the-african-union/ Thu, 09 Feb 2017 12:28:27 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=214065 The ongoing territorial dispute between the Sahrawi people of the Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco is one of the manifestations of the unfortunate tragedies of the West's colonisation of Africa. The less known and indeed less understood struggle of the people of the Western Sahara led by the Polisario Front has been a divisive factor and one of the origins of scepticism between North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Except for a few countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is large support for the Polisario in the region. This is not a surprise, as most countries in the region have been victims of colonialism. The Polisario is still fighting remnants of colonisation and for self-determination. It is demanding that the Sahrawi […]]]> 214065 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170202-moroccos-return-to-african-union-may-not-alter-algerian-support-for-separatists/ Thu, 02 Feb 2017 13:19:05 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=212823 A political sciences professor at the University of Algiers, Dr Abdelali Razzaghi, has said that his country would not alter its support for the separatist Western Sahara's Polisario Front in neighbouring Morocco, after Rabat regained its membership to the African Union (AU) after a 33 year absence. "There are constants in Algeria which include supporting Palestine and the Polisario Front and if we gave up on any of them, the regime will collapse within 24 hours, so I do not believe that Algeria will change its position," he said. Razzaghi predicted that Morocco's return to the AU will transfer the dispute between Rabat and Algiers from a bilateral level to a regional level, with each side jockeying for continental influence. […]]]> 212823 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170201-moroccos-king-hails-countrys-return-to-african-union/ Wed, 01 Feb 2017 09:35:06 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=212611 212611 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170130-morocco-condemns-african-union-head-for-blocking-its-readmission/ Mon, 30 Jan 2017 15:11:21 +0000 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=212361 212361