After several weeks of violent clashes in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Armenian separatists and Azerbaijan. The ongoing negotiations, supervised by Russian peacekeepers, aim to facilitate the withdrawal of separatist troops and allow the return of displaced civilians. Weapons have already been handed over, but the situation remains tense in Stepanakert, the “capital” of Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite this, these talks represent a glimmer of hope for the peaceful resolution of this conflict.
The December 20 presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo is attracting attention and support for President Félix Tshisekedi continues to grow. The Party for Action and the Union for the Congolese Nation have both expressed their support for the outgoing president. This demonstrates the confidence he inspires and reinforces his position as a credible and popular candidate. His determination to continue his mandate is clearly displayed, which increases his chances of winning the election.
In a speech to the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomes progress towards “historic peace” with Saudi Arabia. This progress is the result of efforts to bring Israel closer to Arab countries. Netanyahu stresses that Palestinians must not have a veto over new peace deals and urges their active participation. However, the conflict with Iran persists and the question of Palestinian self-determination remains crucial. Despite these encouraging advances, there are still many obstacles to overcome to achieve lasting peace.
The President of the DRC National Assembly, Christophe Mboso, recently met the Belgian Ambassador to the DRC, Roxane de Bilderling. This meeting is of particular importance in the context of the last parliamentary session before the elections scheduled for the end of the year. The discussions focused on the agenda of the new parliamentary session as well as bilateral relations between the two countries. The President of the National Assembly expressed his desire to strengthen these relations through concrete projects. This meeting demonstrates the importance of diplomatic relations between the DRC and Belgium and the desire for mutual cooperation. It contributes to strengthening the stability and development of the DRC.
Argentina claim a vital victory against Samoa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. After a defeat against England, the victory restores confidence to the Pumas and puts them in a good position to reach the quarter-finals. The domination of Argentina, thanks to good conquest and effective kicking, allowed them to gain the advantage over their opponents. The Argentines will have to continue to progress and raise their level of play to continue their journey in the competition. Their next match against Chile will be crucial to confirm their progress.
During the 78th UN Assembly, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, met with the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss victims of sexual violence in the DRC and to discuss collaborations for the reparation and prevention of these crimes. Pramila Patten expressed her support for the National Fund for Reparation for Victims of Sexual Violence and proposed an exchange of good practices with other countries. The First Lady is committed to putting in place concrete actions to repair the damage caused to victims and prevent further violence. This meeting marks a significant step forward in the fight against sexual violence in the DRC and strengthens collaboration with the UN to improve reparation for victims and raise awareness of this serious problem.
The bombing of the Russian Black Sea fleet headquarters in Sevastopol as part of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict has caused a dangerous escalation. The attack, claimed by the Ukrainian army, resulted in the disappearance of a Russian soldier and damage to civilian infrastructure. International reactions are varied, with some countries condemning Ukraine’s action while others calling for an immediate ceasefire. The search for a peaceful solution is crucial to avoid further escalation in the region.
The examination and adoption of the bill for accountability for the finance law for the 2022 budget year was at the center of a plenary session convened by Lembi Libula, Rapporteur of the National Assembly. This bill was submitted by the Minister of Finance, Nicolas Kazadi, and provides for a balanced budget of 22,253.01 billion CDF. The figures show budget execution beyond forecasts, with revenues and expenditures reaching CDF 26,160.70 billion and CDF 28,641.15 billion respectively. The people’s elected representatives must now review the results of this budget execution to guarantee transparency and accountability in financial management. This approach is crucial to consolidate democracy and good governance in the DRC, strengthen citizens’ confidence in institutions and prevent corruption.
In this article, we explore the statements of Pope Francis during his visit to Marseille, where he advocated for the rights of migrants. He insists on the importance of saving migrants in distress and condemns the trafficking and indifference which affects them. The Pope opposes closure policies and encourages an approach of solidarity and welcome towards migrants. He calls on the Church to play an active role in welcoming them and denounces violations of their rights. This message highlights our duty of compassion towards migrants and the importance of building a more just and inclusive world.
In this powerful extract from a blog article, we discuss the closure of the Provincial Assembly in the province of Tanganyika. Civil society activists have expressed concerns about the lack of provincial executive oversight and oversight of government activities. Despite efforts to resolve this institutional crisis, no concrete solution has been found at this stage, which undermines transparent and accountable governance in Tanganyika province.