Africa: UN Leaders Urge ‘Maximum Political Will’ to Rescue SDGs

Paul KirbyEurope digital editorFrance has recalled its ambassador to Algeria and expelled 12 Algerian diplomats amid escalating diplomatic tensions following the arrest of an Algerian consular official linked to the kidnapping of a government critic. Relations between the countries have been deteriorating since Macron's support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, with both nations blaming each other for the crisis. Despite attempts to ease tensions, including discussions between Macron and Algeria's president, the situation continues...

A former Gambian soldier, Michael Sang Correa, has been convicted of torture in a US court for his involvement in crimes under former President Yahya Jammeh's regime. Correa, a member of the "Junglers," was found guilty of torturing at least six suspected opponents, using methods such as electrocution and smothering. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count, marking him as the first non-US citizen convicted under a law prosecuting overseas...

Algeria's expulsion of 12 French consular staff has dashed hopes for improved relations with France following a recent diplomatic thaw. This action, prompted by the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France linked to a kidnapping case, underscores ongoing tensions, particularly targeting French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, perceived as undermining President Macron's conciliatory approach. The deterioration in ties, marked by accusations and the arrest of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, has diminished prospects for future...

In Gran Canaria, a gathering of Senegalese teenage boys and girls, primarily asylum seekers facing harsh conditions in detention centers, find solace in their Mouride brotherhood, celebrating their Sufi heritage through prayers and communal meals. The rising number of Senegalese migrants, driven by job scarcity at home, reflects a broader trend as nearly 47,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in 2024 via perilous routes. The local dahira not only fosters community and support but...

A high-level international conference in London, hosted by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, aims to find "a pathway to peace" in Sudan, where a civil war has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The UK pledges an additional $120 million in assistance as 30 million people face starvation, with reports of widespread violence and displacement. The African Union emphasizes the need for an immediate ceasefire and inclusive dialogue, while the main warring parties are excluded...

The UN reports over 400 deaths in recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, with verified killings between Thursday and Saturday at 148, excluding subsequent violence. The RSF has targeted refugee camps around el-Fasher in a bid to capture the last major town held by the Sudanese army, escalating a conflict that has led to a humanitarian crisis and millions displaced since April 2023. As the civil war marks its...