标签： Africa

The second day of indirect ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, commenced on Tuesday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. According to an Egyptian source, the discussions focused on critical issues such as a hostage-prisoner exchange, humanitarian aid access to Gaza, and the future governance of the Gaza Strip. Hamas reiterated its demand for US and Israeli guarantees of a permanent cessation of hostilities, which remains the primary obstacle in the talks. The negotiations are based on the 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which Hamas has conditionally accepted. The first phase of the plan includes an immediate ceasefire and the release of all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased. Israel estimates that 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 still alive. Hamas stated that it would only begin collecting hostages once Israel’s military operations cease, citing safety concerns for its operatives. Additionally, Hamas insisted on the release of prominent Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti as part of the prisoner exchange. Regarding Gaza’s future governance, Hamas rejected the deployment of foreign forces but expressed openness to Arab forces coordinating with the Palestinian Authority. The group also opposed the appointment of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to lead post-war governance. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 67,000 Palestinian deaths reported.

Annamary Polepole, the mother of former Tanzanian diplomat Humphrey Polepole, has issued a heartfelt plea for authorities to help locate her son, who vanished under mysterious circumstances. In an emotional interview with the BBC, she begged, ‘If he is alive, return him to me. If he is not, bring his body and let me bury my child myself. They should not go and throw him into the sea.’ Humphrey Polepole, a vocal critic of the Tanzanian government, was reportedly abducted from his Dar es Salaam home in the early hours of October 6. His brother discovered the house door broken and traces of blood, raising concerns about foul play. Local police confirmed they are investigating the incident, though the city’s police chief initially cast doubt on the reported attack, suggesting the former ambassador to Cuba often claimed to be abroad. This incident follows the alleged abduction of Polepole’s sister in July, deepening the family’s anguish. Annamary Polepole lamented, ‘As a woman who struggled to raise children as a widow, it is very painful for such things to happen.’ She also expressed fears for Tanzania’s future, criticizing the government’s heavy-handed tactics. Humphrey Polepole, who resigned as ambassador earlier this year after publicly denouncing the government’s disregard for justice and constitutional principles, had recently questioned President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nomination as the ruling party’s presidential candidate. He also accused government officials of corruption and misuse of public funds, claiming armed individuals had harassed his family and raided his home twice. Despite his outspoken stance, many Tanzanians have praised his courage, while others question his moral authority given his previous roles under both Magufuli and Samia. His mother, however, described him as a man of integrity and warmth. The case unfolds amid a tense political climate as Tanzania prepares for its October 29 general election, with President Samia seeking a second term amidst growing criticism of her administration’s repressive measures.

In a concerning development, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), an international ceasefire monitoring body, has revealed that parties to South Sudan’s faltering peace agreement are actively recruiting new fighters and abducting children to participate in the ongoing conflict. This alarming trend has raised fears of a potential return to full-scale civil war in the region. The RJMEC, overseen by the regional bloc IGAD, disclosed that South Sudan’s military initiated a recruitment drive in June to enlist 4,000 forces for peacekeeping and other purposes, followed by the establishment of a new training center in August. Disturbingly, the commission also reported that all sides in the conflict have been involved in the abduction and mobilization of children, as well as incidents of sexual violence. These findings, shared with the U.N. Security Council, have intensified concerns that the government and opposition groups are preparing for further escalation. The situation is further complicated by the trial of Riek Machar, a prominent opposition leader, who faces charges of terrorism and crimes against humanity. Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, denies the allegations and has called for an independent investigation. The RJMEC has urged his release, warning that the current trajectory could lead to the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement, which has already seen multiple extensions of its transitional period. George Aggrey Owinow, RJMEC’s interim chairman, emphasized the urgent need to address these challenges to prevent a reversal of progress. Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, sought to downplay fears, asserting that the peace process remains on track despite the mounting concerns.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has appointed General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the new prime minister in a bid to quell ongoing youth-led protests against his administration. The decision, announced on Monday, comes amid heightened tensions and fears of a potential coup. Rajoelina described the appointment as necessary to restore order and public trust, emphasizing the need for a leader capable of saving the nation. However, the protest movement, known as Gen Z Mada, swiftly rejected the move, demanding Rajoelina’s resignation within 48 hours and vowing to continue their struggle. The protests, which began on September 25, were initially sparked by widespread anger over frequent water and power outages but have since evolved into a broader outcry against corruption and high unemployment. Last week, Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and his cabinet in an attempt to appease demonstrators, but the unrest has persisted. General Zafisambo, previously the director of the military cabinet in the prime minister’s office, now assumes a role that underscores the increasing militarization of the government. The UN has reported at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries during the protests, though the government disputes these figures, labeling them as misinformation. Clashes between security forces and protesters continued on Monday in several cities, including the capital, Antananarivo, as the unrest entered its third week. Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a history of political instability, with Rajoelina himself coming to power after mass protests in 2009. The current demonstrations represent the most significant challenge to his leadership since his re-election in 2023. With 75% of the population living below the poverty line and only a third having access to electricity, the protests highlight deep-seated economic and social grievances.