South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar was arrested Wednesday in a dramatic escalation of tensions with President Salva Kiir as the United Nations warned the country teeters on the brink of widespread violence. A convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles stormed Machar’s residence in Juba resulting in the disarmament of his bodyguards and an ambiguous arrest warrant.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the actions of the Minister of Defense and the Chief of National Security, stating, “The country’s leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict.” UNMISS head, Nicholas Haysom emphasized that potential breaches of the 2018 peace agreement would devastate South Sudan and extend insecurity throughout the region.

The fragile power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar has been faltering raising fears of a return to the civil war that resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths from 2013 to 2018. Analysts suggest that the 73-year-old Kiir has sought to sideline Machar through cabinet reshuffles and since February over 20 of Machar’s allies within the unity government and army have been detained.

Violent clashes have erupted, particularly in Upper Nile State, where government forces reportedly attacked military training centers established for integrating opposition forces into the unified army—a key component of the peace deal. Machar’s military wing condemned these actions as “terrorism” and called for international intervention.

The escalating violence and political instability have instilled fear among residents. Lilian Sukeji, a Juba resident, expressed her concerns, stating, “I feel like we are going back to war while we still need peace. Our leaders need to embrace dialogue rather than guns.”

Despite Kiir’s claims of commitment to peace following a meeting with church leaders, recent clashes indicate a worsening situation. International observers, including Norway and Germany have closed their embassies in Juba. The British and US embassies announced reduced staffing and urged citizens to evacuate signaling the mounting concern over the potential for a broader conflict in South Sudan.

President Felix Tshisekedi in his first interview since the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group seized large portions of territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this year, extended an invitation to the United States and Europe to invest in the country’s vast mineral wealth. This sector which is currently dominated by China is rich in resources critical for global technology and energy including cobalt and coltan.

Congo, viewed as one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources accounts for a significant share of the world’s coltan, essential for smartphones and computers and possesses over half of the world’s cobalt reserves, crucial for electric vehicles. President Tshisekedi sees the potential for major investments to bolster his country’s security and stability amidst ongoing conflict which he likened to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The president criticized existing European negotiations with Rwanda, describing a £935 million agreement that grants access to minerals like tin, tungsten, and gold as “an absolute scandal,” asserting that those minerals are being “plundered” from Congo. The European Union, however, contends that this arrangement will foster better regulation of conflict materials. Recently, the European Parliament called for the suspension of the deal until Rwanda ends its interference in Congo.

The M23 armed group, comprised of approximately 8,000 fighters allegedly backed by Rwanda has killed thousands and captured strategic locations including major cities Goma and Bukavu since launching its offensive earlier this year. In response to the escalating violence, the U.S. imposed sanctions on an M23 spokesman and a Rwandan minister.

From Kinshasa, Tshisekedi expressed frustration about the stalled peace talks, stating he refuses to negotiate directly with M23, which he views as a proxy for the Rwandan military. “M23 is an empty shell,” he said emphasizing that dialogues should be held directly with Rwanda. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied any connection to M23 and labeled Tshisekedi’s accusations as a “tired story.”

The situation remains delicate, with the U.S. warning of the risk of a broader regional war, especially following M23’s recent military advances toward Butembo and ambitions reportedly aimed at Kinshasa. Tshisekedi has vowed to reclaim Goma “either through dialogue or military reconquest.”

In light of the crisis, Tshisekedi highlighted that the Trump administration had expressed interest in securing a direct supply of strategic minerals from Congo. He also mentioned potential investments in significant projects, such as a megadam that could become the world’s largest hydroelectric plant, indicating a keenness for international partnerships to bolster his nation amid the ongoing conflict.

Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the eastern city of Goma after a violent takeover by rebel forces, revealed the United Nations. The city has been engulfed in fierce fighting between the Congolese army and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 armed group.

Vivian van de Perre, the deputy head of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported that “so far, 2,000 bodies have been collected from the streets of Goma with an additional 900 remaining in local hospitals’ mortuaries.” She emphasized the need for urgent action noting, “There are still many decomposing bodies in certain areas,” and warned that the death toll may continue to rise.

In the wake of the humanitarian crisis, the AFC announced a ceasefire on seeking to address the conflict’s toll on civilians, which they attributed to the Congolese government—referred to by the rebels as the “Kinshasa regime.” However, the government dismissed this ceasefire declaration as a “false communication,” and reports of intense fighting persist particularly in the neighboring South Kivu province.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to more than 100 million people has been plagued by violence for decades rooted in ethnic tensions and battles over valuable land and mineral resources. This turmoil has contributed to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

Both Congo and the United States have accused Rwanda of providing support to the M23, which primarily consists of ethnic Tutsis who have been at odds with the Congolese government for over a decade. Rwanda’s government denies these allegations but admits to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo citing national security concerns. President Paul Kagame told journalists on Monday that he was uncertain about the presence of Rwandan forces in Congo but maintained that his country would do what is necessary to protect itself.

Since its revival in 2022, the M23 has reinvigorated its rebellion against the Congolese government seizing significant territory in North Kivu which borders both Rwanda and Uganda. The region is rich in rare minerals like coltan, essential for manufacturing electronics such as smartphones and computers.

As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring stability and peace to the war-torn region.

A senior commander of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Somalia has been captured by security forces according to police and state media reports. Abdirahman Shirwac Aw-Saciid, who oversaw the group’s assassination squad surrendered on Monday in the Cal Miskaad mountains of northeastern Puntland as the region intensifies its offensive against ISIL.

The capture of Aw-Saciid, also known by his alias “Laahoor,” comes just two days after U.S. air strikes targeted ISIL leadership in Somalia. His role included not only orchestrating attacks but also extorting local businesses to fund the group’s operations.

In recent years, Somalia’s ISIL branch has gained prominence as a significant part of the group’s global network bolstered by an influx of foreign fighters and enhanced revenue collection. Security analysts have noted a shift in tactics as demonstrated by an attack on a military base in December where ISIL utilized two booby-trapped vehicles.

Abdikadir Jama Dirir, the head of police in Puntland’s Bari region confirmed the arrest emphasizing the focus on disrupting ISIL and its rival, al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab.

Recent U.S. air strikes have reportedly resulted in significant casualties among ISIL fighters, further degrading their capacity to plan and execute attacks. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the military actions are part of ongoing efforts to contain both ISIL and al-Shabab which holds substantial territory in southern Somalia.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the air strikes claiming they have eradicated threats posed by ISIL and affirming that no civilians were harmed in the operations. Until recently, ISIL’s influence in Somalia was viewed as relatively minor compared to that of al-Shabab which has dominated security challenges in the region.

Somali authorities continue to grapple with restoring order and security in a nation plagued by more than three decades of civil conflict. The capture of Aw-Saciid represents a crucial step in the ongoing battle against terrorism in Somalia.

Julia Sebutinde, the first African woman to serve on the International Court of Justice (ICJ), recently made headlines with her ruling on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The decision, which dismissed South Africa’s requests for temporary injunctions to halt the hostilities in Gaza has ignited a wave of diplomatic responses particularly from her home country of Uganda.

Born in February 1954 in Uganda, Sebutinde’s impressive career has been anchored in international justice. Following her appointment to Uganda’s Supreme Court in 1996, she garnered attention for leading pivotal anti-corruption investigations. Her international presence soared in 2005 when she joined the Special Court for Sierra Leone contributing to the groundbreaking trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.

In February 2012, Sebutinde broke new ground by becoming the first woman from Africa appointed to the ICJ, a role that she has since continued to redefine through her influential rulings. However, her most recent decision concerning the Israel-Hamas war has raised eyebrows, particularly as she characterized the conflict as fundamentally political asserting that it falls outside the realm of the court’s legal jurisdiction.

This ruling prompted Uganda’s UN Ambassador Adonia Ayebare to publicly clarify that Sebutinde’s position does not align with Uganda’s official stance on the conflict, illustrating the complexities of international law at a time of diplomatic tensions.

The ICJ is currently navigating a leadership transition, which comes at a critical juncture. The court is set to hear Israel’s defense against South Africa’s case in July and with the president of the ICJ playing a decisive role in such proceedings, this leadership change bears significant implications for international justice and Middle East diplomacy.

Salam, who was recently elected as ICJ president alongside Sebutinde in February 2024 has also faced adjustment as the Lebanese parliament accepted newly elected President Joseph Aoun’s request for government formation, necessitating his exit. As Salam steps down, the UN will look to appoint a new judge to represent the Asia region, further influencing the dynamics within the court.

As Sebutinde assumes this pivotal position of leadership, she stands at the intersection of vital issues in both international law and global diplomacy making her upcoming decisions crucial not just for the ICJ, but for the broader framework of international relations and justice.