Africa

US appoints Ambassador Richard Norland as Libya special envoy

Norland, who has served as chief of mission to Libya since August 2019, will lead US diplomatic efforts to promote a political solution to the conflict. US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland will take on the additional role as US special envoy, a position aimed at keeping the war-torn country’s …

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Libyan conflict stands out as key to Turkey-Egypt normalization

Turkey appears reluctant to back down from its military posture in Libya, even as its normalization bid with Egypt depends greatly on whether the two sides find common ground in the Libyan conflict. Turkey and Egypt held their first high-level meeting in eight years last week, but Ankara has shown …

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Egypt seeks alternatives to possible Nile water loss from Ethiopian dam

Egypt’s Irrigation Ministry revealed four projects designed to reduce water waste, combat the growing need for water and help ease the negative effects of the GERD on its irrigation system. Egypt’s Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources revealed May 2 four projects and plans to reduce water waste in the …

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Libya’s uncertain path to elections

Despite a political process that appears on track, the risk of conflict from foreign forces still in the country remains high. Libya is set to hold elections Dec. 24 in line with the provisions of the political road map approved by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in November. However, significant …

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IntelBrief: Water Wars: Tensions between Ethiopia and its Neighbors Persist Over Dam Project

Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam have regional security and development implications. Sudan’s military incursion into al-Fashaga took advantage of Ethiopia’s preoccupation with combating an ongoing rebellion in the Tigray region. Negotiation efforts over the dam are underway, and broader military conflict between Egypt, Sudan, …

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Tensions between Morocco, Polisario Front remain after leader’s killing

Polisario Front Police Chief Addah al-Bendir was murdered. And much like the long-simmering dispute between the Front and Morocco, nothing about his death is clear. The killing of the Polisario Front’s police chief, Addah al-Bendir, supposedly by a Moroccan drone in April marked a further test of the uncertain 30-year-old …

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Morocco recalls its ambassador to Berlin over Western Sahara

Morocco recalled its ambassador to Berlin for consultations on Thursday in protest at what it described as Germany’s “destructive attitude” towards Rabat’s position on the Western Sahara issue. It accused Germany of engaging in “antagonistic activism” after the United States in December recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the territory, which is …

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Nigerian Expert: ‘Lest We Forget, China Trained African Freedom Fighters’

In an article, Nigerian expert Socrates Mbamalu wrote that China sees itself as “a trusted and consistent comrade” to Africa, and that China had offered military intelligence, weapons, and training of “freedom fighters” to Algeria, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, and Namibia. He added: “The often racist and unjust antics …

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Egypt and Turkey begin talks to normalise relations

Egypt and Turkey opened talks in Cairo on Wednesday, seeking to normalise relations after eight years of sharp differences over a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. The landmark, two-day talks, the first between the two Muslim nations since 2013, are being held at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in …

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Trump’s ‘Favorite Dictator’ Is Getting a Chilly Reception From Biden

In recent weeks, Egypt has released a handful of high-profile political prisoners, including three journalists, Khaled Dawoud, Solafa Magdy and Hossam el-Sayyad. Dawoud, who had become a leader in the opposition al-Dustour, or Constitution party, was arrested in 2019 following the outbreak of brief anti-government protests. Magdy and Sayyad, who …

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