Horn of Africa
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Sudan crisisMass displacement and death
Over the past month, the conflict between two military groups in Sudan has reached what experts say is a grim turning point. The country's future is even more unclear
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War in SudanNo hope for peace as fighting intensifies
With peace talks running into a dead end, the UN is warning of destabilisation in Sudan. According to experts, the warring parties have no interest in reaching a truce but seek to consolidate their respective power. By Martina Schwikowski
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War in SudanSudan's cultural treasures are being destroyed
While fighting between the military and the paramilitary forces of the RSF rages in Sudan, many of the country's important cultural assets are being destroyed, from invaluable libraries to mummies. By Philipp Jedicke
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UN Special Envoy Volker Perthes on Sudan"We must make sure this war does not drag on"
UN special envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes rejects accusations that the West is to blame for the current crisis in Sudan. In interview with Kossivi Tiassou, he warns of "bounty hunters" and mercenaries from abroad joining the conflict while tens of thousands of Sudanese citizens flee their country
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Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin’s "The Messiah of Darfur"A peacemaker in times of war
In his multi-layered novel, Sudanese author Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin tells the incredible story of a charismatic "prophet" rallying followers in Darfur, a region devastated by bloody civil war. It is a moving tale of war and love, revenge and hope. Volker Kaminski read the book
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Turkey-Africa summitErdogan scores "Made in Turkey" points
Ankara staged its third Turkey-Africa summit on 17 December, a sign of growing economic partnership under President Erdogan. Military co-operation is also a hot topic. Martina Schwikowski, Daniel Bellut and Pelin Unker have the details
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From failed state to fragile state?Somalia and the rocky road towards greater stability
With elections on the horizon and an altered African Union mission, Somalia was meant to enter a new phase of stabilisation in 2021. But both have been postponed, and the present government seems ill-equipped to shoulder the country's considerable challenges. It is time for external stakeholders to name their terms, says Annette Weber
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Sauti – Africa young feminist blogGiving a voice to young African women during coronavirus
The end of July saw the launch of the African Union’s "Sauti" digital publication, the first young feminist platform in Africa, which this year showcases stories by female youth on their initiatives and their challenges in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Alessandra Bajec reports
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The iniquity of the kafala systemLebanon's migrant workers – exploited, then abandoned
Foreign employees in Lebanon have been working for months without pay. Many have been cast out into the streets by their employers, and others are in forced labour. Their embassies have refused to help them. Most of them want only one thing, to finally go home. By Sandra Wolf
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Non-fiction: Ulrike Freitag's "A History of Jeddah"The legacy of Jeddah's migration history lives on
Jeddah is very different from other cities on the Arabian Peninsula, says Ulrike Freitag, historian of the Modern Middle East. In her book "A History of Jeddah", she explores the turbulent history of this former Ottoman port city, which has been uniquely shaped by trade and pilgrimage. Jannis Hagmann spoke to her about the city and the book
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From veils to turbans to face masks: Covering up in Africa
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more Africans are wearing face masks. But in some regions of the continent, covering the face is a centuries-old tradition. By Verena Greb
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Taking the train from Addis Ababa to Djibouti
Since the start of 2018, a Chinese-run train is taking people and goods from landlocked Ethiopia to the Red Sea port in Djibouti. Reporter James Jeffrey made the journey from Addis Ababa