The shipwreck of migrants off the coast of Lampedusa in 2013 remains one of the worst immigration tragedies in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, despite the promises of European leaders, migrant arrivals continue, putting the lives of many people at risk. The island of Lampedusa is submerged and solutions to deal with this humanitarian crisis are struggling to emerge. There is an urgent need for collective action to ensure the safety and dignity of migrants, prevent shipwrecks and find lasting solutions. The Mediterranean must stop being a marine cemetery and become a space of solidarity and compassion.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit to China marks a diplomatic turning point in relations between the two countries. A “strategic partnership” was announced during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, illustrating the intention to strengthen mutual cooperation. This visit is of particular importance for al-Assad, as recent protests have taken place demanding his departure from power in Syria. China’s support for the UN Security Council demonstrates the importance attached to this bilateral relationship. In addition to economic issues, this partnership has political and geopolitical implications, with Syria seeking to reintegrate into the international scene and China positioning itself as a key partner capable of defending its interests and offering diplomatic support.

The province of Deir Ezzor in Syria remains unstable despite the recapture of the localities by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Guerrilla attacks by Arab insurgents persist, highlighting tensions between Kurdish and Arab factions within the SDF. Accusations of abuses against local Arab populations have also fueled animosity towards the SDF. Arab insurgents continue to carry out daily attacks against the SDF, causing human losses. Resolving these tensions is necessary to achieve lasting stability in the region.

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, recently had a significant meeting at the United Nations. This meeting marked an important step in strengthening relations between the two countries. Discussions were held on several topics, such as investments, security, cybersecurity, agriculture and infrastructure. Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation and to soon open the Israeli embassy in the DRC. In return, Félix Tshisekedi plans to move the DRC embassy to Jerusalem. Cooperation in agriculture, security, cybersecurity and infrastructure was also discussed. This meeting promises fruitful cooperation which will contribute to the economic and social development of the DRC while strengthening diplomatic and strategic ties between the two countries.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla concluded their visit to France with a stop in Bordeaux, highlighting their interest in the environment and sustainability. They met local actors involved in the fight against climate change and discovered innovative ecological initiatives. The visit highlighted the historical links between Bordeaux and Great Britain, as well as the city’s commitment to environmental issues. The royal couple visited an experimental forest to better understand the effects of environmental change and discovered a vineyard converted to biodynamics, illustrating the importance of sustainable agriculture. The tasting of a Grand Cru Classé highlighted the excellence of Bordeaux viticulture and the challenges it faces. This visit highlights the growing importance of commitment to the environment and sustainability in Bordeaux.

In this powerful excerpt from a blog post, we look at several notable events in Africa this week. In Rwanda, President Kagame announced his candidacy for a fourth term, sparking questions about democracy in the country. In Niger, the political situation remains tense with demands to restore constitutional order. In DR Congo, President Tshisekedi has called for an accelerated withdrawal of peacekeepers, but this could leave a dangerous security vacuum. In Libya, floods have ravaged some towns, making reconstruction efforts crucial. In Ethiopia, violence has highlighted the need to renew the mandate of UN investigators to document war crimes. Finally, families in the DRC are demanding justice after a violent repression that cost many civilian lives. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of staying informed and supporting efforts for democracy, justice and development in Africa.