Dispatches from the Congo: When the US came calling
Kambale Musavuli from the Centre for Research on the Congo talks about the recent visit of two AFRICOM officials to the DRC and the agenda presented by the delegation.
Italian workers and students stage countrywide protests
Trade unionists and students took part in a general strike demanding safety and rights at their workplaces and educational institutions. The protesting workers also sought an end to layoffs and dismissals and guaranteed wages for the unemployed
Filipino activist groups prepare for judicial hearings on draconian anti-terror law
On Friday, activist groups held a ‘send-off’ event for the legal team which has faced threats from a military official. The event was held at the University of the Philippines – Diliman which has borne the brunt of red-tagging by the Duterte government
UN calls for immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from Libya
The UN hailed the progress made in the intra-Libyan dialogue in the last couple of months that has raised hopes of the end of war in the country. Libya has been in chaos since the NATO-led invasion which overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011
Andrés Arauz’s chances look bright, say opinion polls ahead of Ecuadorian elections
According to a study conducted by well-known Ecuadorian analyst Omar Maluk, Andrés Arauz leads the voting intention with 39.2% of the votes. The study shows him with a lead of 17.4% over his nearest rival
Thousands protest lack of economic aid amid strict COVID-19 lockdown in Lebanon
At least one person has died after security forces opened fire injuring several of the protesters who were demanding an end to the lockdown and adequate economic support from the government in Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon
US suspends arms deals with Saudi Arabia and UAE pending review
The announcement by US secretary of state Antony Blinken of the suspension of the arms deals pending a review was welcomed by peace organizations which called for them to be scrapped
Agitations in Tunisia intensify after death of a protester
Thousands marched to the Tunisian parliament in Tunis on Tuesday, January 26, demanding change in the political system and opposing state violence