In a historic step toward national reconciliation, Mozambique’s parliament unanimously passed a landmark law on April 2, 2025, aimed at restoring peace through inclusive national dialogue and constitutional reform.

The legislation, a cornerstone of a peace agreement signed on March 5 between President Daniel Chapo and all political parties, seeks to address longstanding political tensions exacerbated by the disputed October 9, 2024, general elections, which sparked protests resulting in approximately 360 deaths over five months.

The new law, titled the Political Commitment for an Inclusive National Dialogue, outlines three primary objectives: restructuring the state to enhance governance, depoliticizing institutions to curb partisan influence, and decentralizing political, economic, and financial power to grant greater regional autonomy.

Key reforms include revisions to presidential authority and the governance framework, as well as pardons for peaceful demonstrators convicted during post-election unrest.

The legislation is seen as a response to calls for electoral integrity and democratic accountability, particularly from opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who has contested the 2024 election results.

The passage of the law follows a significant meeting on March 23 between President Chapo and Mondlane, marking a potential breakthrough in easing political hostilities.

The ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), which holds 171 of the 250 parliamentary seats, hailed the law as a “historic opportunity to contribute to Mozambique’s renewal.”

Frelimo representative Feliz Sílvia emphasized its role in fostering trust among political actors and reducing instability.

However, opposition parties expressed cautious optimism. The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), with eight seats, welcomed the law but criticized the government’s delayed response to electoral fraud concerns.

“It took months of protests and bloodshed before those in power realized democracy cannot be sustained by force,” said MDM leader Fernando Bismarque.

The Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), holding 43 seats, called the agreement a “turning point” but urged inclusivity, with leader Sebastião Mussanhane stressing that “young people should be political participants, not just electoral tools.”

The Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), with 28 seats, voiced skepticism, citing a history of unfulfilled political agreements.

The law also includes provisions for justice system reform, such as mechanisms for appointing independent judicial heads, and electoral system changes to enhance transparency.

Human Rights Watch noted that the legislation aims to create platforms for broad societal dialogue, emphasizing the need for diverse representation and accountability for security forces implicated in post-election violence.

Political analysts caution that the law’s success hinges on genuine implementation.

“This is a step toward peace, but it requires commitment from all sides,” said a Maputo-based analyst.

The legislation builds on Mozambique’s history of peace accords, including the 1992 General Peace Agreement and the 2019 Maputo Accord, which ended decades of civil conflict but faced challenges in addressing systemic inequalities.

As Mozambique navigates this critical juncture, the international community is watching closely. The law’s passage signals hope for stability in a nation grappling with political divisions and economic challenges, but its impact will depend on translating promises into tangible reforms.

For now, Mozambicans await the next steps in this delicate process of rebuilding trust and fostering lasting peace.

After some of the heaviest fighting Tripoli has seen in years, calm returned to the Libyan capital on Wednesday following a government-declared ceasefire. Residents reported a reduction in violence, though no official casualty figures have been released.

The clashes began late Monday night after a prominent militia leader, Abdulghani Kikli—also known as Ghaniwa—was killed. Although the situation briefly stabilized on Tuesday morning, intense fighting resumed overnight, engulfing several districts across the city.

According to the defense ministry, “regular forces, in coordination with relevant security agencies, have begun implementing necessary steps to maintain order,” which includes deploying neutral police units without heavy weaponry around key infrastructure points.

Scenes from the aftermath showed scorched vehicles and buildings riddled with bullet holes. The violence highlighted the fragile state of security in Tripoli, with many fearing a broader conflict could emerge if external factions intervene.

The recent violence appears to have consolidated power under Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, head of Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU). Dbeibah, aligned with Turkey, moved swiftly to dismantle irregular militias following Ghaniwa’s death and the defeat of his Stabilisation Support Apparatus (SSA) by the 444 and 111 Brigades—both allied with the prime minister.

One significant holdout remains: the Special Deterrence Force (Rada), the last major Tripoli militia not aligned with Dbeibah. According to The Libyan Observer, intense battles unfolded between Rada and the 444 Brigade on Wednesday.

Fighting also spread to Tripoli’s western outskirts, traditionally an entry point for militias from the town of Zawiya, west of the capital. These developments have raised concerns about the potential for broader escalation beyond the capital.

In reaction to the unrest, Dbeibah ordered the disbandment of all irregular armed groups operating within the city.

The recent turmoil terrified many residents. “It’s terrifying to witness all this intense fighting. I kept my family in one room to stay safe from the shelling,” said a father of three from Dahra. Another resident, Mohanad Juma from Saraj, described brief pauses in gunfire followed by renewed outbreaks: “Each time it stops, we breathe a little easier—but then the shooting starts again.”

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed deep concern over the violence in densely populated areas and urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire.

Libya has remained unstable since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country has since been divided between rival eastern and western administrations, with Tripoli often at the heart of clashes among competing militias.

Despite the recent fighting, Libya’s major oil infrastructure—located in the southern and eastern regions—has not been impacted. Several oil engineers confirmed to Reuters that production remained steady. However, Sirte Oil Company, a National Oil Corporation (NOC) subsidiary, has suspended land transport to the west, including Tripoli, pending restoration of stability.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Burkina Faso’s military and allied militia of carrying out a massacre that claimed the lives of at least 130 civilians in March, near the western town of Solenzo. The rights group detailed the findings in a report released Monday, attributing the killings to a counterinsurgency operation led by Burkinabè special forces.

The victims were primarily members of the Fulani community—a pastoralist, predominantly Muslim ethnic group that has frequently been accused by the government of supporting Islamist insurgents, a claim strongly rejected by Fulani leaders.

The HRW report links the military operation to widespread displacement and civilian deaths, stating that the massacre followed long-standing patterns of targeting ethnic communities under suspicion of militant affiliations.

Currently, around 40% of Burkina Faso’s territory is believed to be under the control of extremist groups aligned with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, particularly in the Sahel region. Despite assurances from the ruling military junta to end the insurgency, attacks persist, leaving thousands dead and millions displaced.

Unconfirmed reports over the weekend suggested fresh militant attacks resulting in numerous military and civilian casualties. The BBC has not independently verified these claims, and the Burkina Faso authorities have not issued any statements.

Previously, the Burkinabè government dismissed HRW’s 2023 report—which accused the military of killing 223 villagers—as “baseless,” insisting that any human rights abuse allegations are subject to formal investigation.

In compiling its latest report, HRW says it interviewed eyewitnesses, members of local militias, journalists, and civil society actors. The organization also analyzed video footage circulated on social media, leading to its conclusion that the Burkinabè military was directly responsible for the March killings.

The group further reported that in April, jihadist groups killed at least 100 civilians in retaliatory attacks against communities perceived as aiding government forces.

“Mass killings by state forces, local militias, and Islamist groups constitute war crimes and potentially other atrocity crimes,” HRW said. The organization has called for immediate and thorough investigations and the prosecution of all perpetrators.

The report’s release coincides with junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s return from a diplomatic visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss security cooperation in the Sahel. Since seizing power, the military-led government has shifted away from its former colonial partner France and increasingly aligned itself with Russia in its battle against insurgency.