Two stories out of Italy have attracted international attention this week: The country’s chaotic election of its president, and a controversial video conference between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian business leaders. Both highlighted the ways in which Italy, which could play an important role in the European Union on …

What happened? As Somalia’s long-delayed electoral process moved ahead amid reports of manipulation, the power struggle between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble persisted; tensions ran high in Puntland and Hirshabelle states; and Al-Shabaab extended its grip. Why does it matter? Government institutions are divided …

What happened? Despite a lull in large-scale fighting since late December, the Tigray region’s forces continued to clash with fighters in the neighbouring Afar region where the humanitarian toll remained high; meanwhile, the armed conflict in Ethiopia’s largest region, Oromia, intensified. Why does it matter? The fragile lull in large-scale …