News Highlights – Friday December 11, 2020

News Contents COVID-19 Pandemic...... 3  Nigeria to vaccinate 20 million people against COVID-19...... 3  Egypt Receives 1st Shipment of Chinese Vaccine Tested in UAE...... 3 GERD...... 4  Ethiopians Continue Unwavering Support for GERD: Director...... 4 ...... 4  Ethiopia: Aid agencies say four staff killed in Tigray fighting...... 4  Ethiopian government says it is returning Eritrean refugees to camps in Tigray...... 5  Ethiopia government denies war impeding aid, agencies report staff deaths..6  Some 88 Trucks Of Food, Medical Supplies Dispatched To Several Towns Tigray: PM Office...... 6  TPLF Clique High Official, Dr. Addisalem Balema, and Seyoum Mesfin’s wife and son appear before Court...... 8  State of Emergency Inquiry Board Unveils Field Report...... 8  TPLF Clique Looted, Destroyed Office of Refugee Camps in Shire: ARRA.9  Council Of Ministers Endorses Ethiopia’s 10 Year Perspective Plan...... 9  NEBE Invites Local CSOs To Submit Interest To Observe Upcoming Elections...... 10  Benishangul, Sudanese Blue Nile Start Joint Consultative Forum...... 10 Horn of Africa and IGAD Region...... 10  Amnesty calls to maintain UNAMID for more six months in Darfur...... 10  General prosecutor of ICC urges UNSC to encourage Sudan to cooperate with ICC...... 11  South Sudan’s parties agree on national assembly formation...... 12  Uganda receives 1st batch of presidential ballot papers for Jan. 14 polls.....13 Sub Saharan Africa...... 13  Two soldiers injured, 14 houses torched in Boko Haram attacks in Cameroon 13  DR Congo parliament votes to remove speaker...... 14  Ghanaian president appoints 15-member transition team...... 14 Gulf Region and the Middle East...... 15  Morocco agrees to normalize relations with Israel...... 15  Libya releases 2 Russians detained on spying charges...... 15  Saudi-backed Yemen govt hails US sanctions on Houthi leaders...... 16  Saudi crown prince asks US court to dismiss assassination lawsuit...... 16  Palestinian President Says Ready to Resume Peace Talks...... 17 Emerging Powers...... 18  U.S. government, 46 states sue Facebook, claim Zuckerberg operates ‘illegal monopoly’...... 18  EU rejects imposing economic sanctions on Turkey...... 19  US set to sanction Turkey over Russian defense system...... 20 COVID-19 Pandemic Region Infections Deaths Recoveries Globe 70.852 million 1.591 million 49.292 million Africa 2.339 million 55,359 1.991 million Ethiopia 115,360 1,779 88,975 Follow live updates on worldometers.info/coronavirus/

 Nigeria to vaccinate 20 million people against COVID-19 - CGTN Nigeria plans to vaccinate 20 million people against the novel coronavirus. While speaking at a press conference, the health minister Osagie Ehanire said that the government will receive 20 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ According to Ehanire, health sector employees will be vaccinated first, then the vulnerable and those with chronic illnesses. “We have hope to vaccinate as many people as possible, but we want to start with 20 million doses of the vaccine first,” he said. The West African nation has recorded at least 70,500 COVID-19 cases and 1,184 fatalities, while more than 65,000 patients have recovered from the disease.

 Egypt Receives 1st Shipment of Chinese Vaccine Tested in UAE – Al-Awsat Egypt on Thursday received its first shipment of a Chinese coronavirus vaccine, which was tested in the United Arab Emirates and is said to be 86% effective. The shipment by Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm landed at Cairo’s international airport from the UAE. Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed and diplomats from China and the UAE were at the airport to greet the shipment, The Associated Press reported. Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said in a statement that the government would first vaccinate health care workers, particularly those who deal with COVID-19 cases. He said they would receive two doses of the vaccine over 21 days. Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous country, has seen an increase in confirmed coronavirus infections in recent weeks amid warnings by the government about a second wave of the pandemic. It also reported 445 newly confirmed coronavirus infections Thursday and 22 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the country’s overall tally to 120,147 cases, with 6,854 deaths. The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for emergency use in a few countries and the company is still conducting late-stage clinical trials in 10 nations. Sinopharm’s vaccine relies on a killed virus, similar to how polio immunizations work. Vaccines being developed by Western companies, like the shot made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, target the coronavirus’ spike protein using RNA. The United Kingdom already has begun vaccinating people with the Pfizer shot. Pfizer reports its shot as being 95% effective, while another RNA candidate from Moderna appears to be 94.5% effective. Results suggest a third vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca is safe and about 70% effective, but questions remain about how well it may help protect those over 55. ______GERD

 Ethiopians Continue Unwavering Support for GERD: Director - ENA Ethiopians across the nation have increasing their unwavering support for the realization of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as the financial support reached 14 billion birr, GERD Public Participation Coordination Office, Director Argawi Berhe said. Aregawi said that Ethiopians and Ethiopian born Diaspora have been exerted massive efforts on countering all diplomatic attacks to destruct the construction of the dam. “The nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia from all walks of life have contributed over 14 billion birr so far. In addition to the financial support, Ethiopians have been behind the dam in moral, profession, in labor and other contributions including the priceless efforts on countering the pressure and diplomatic attacks from various actors,” he said. Ethiopians, as they were victorious over various enemies through their diversified but united hands, now they are repeating it on construction of the flagship dam project which shows diversity is an asset for the country, he noted. He further said “Ethiopia is endowed in various natural assets with diversified nations, nationalities and peoples. It is our homeland. One of the major assets of the country is being the home of heroes who can properly defend its sovereignty and integrity”. Aregawi noted that the swift measures of the government towards rectifying confusion circulating the grand dam following the comprehensive reforms undertaken in Ethiopia highly increased the participation of the public. “Due to the swift actions undertaken by the government starting from the post reform of the country, the support for the grand dam has been continuing in a better manner. The filling of the first phase of the dam enables to the boost the participation of the general public,” he pointed out. He urged Ethiopians to continue their resolute support to realize the GERD in spite of any differences. ______

Ethiopia

 Ethiopia: Aid agencies say four staff killed in Tigray fighting - Aljazeera Four staff members of two international aid agencies were killed during last month’s fighting in Ethiopia’s troubled northern Tigray region. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) reported the deaths of three security guards, while the International Rescue Committee (IRC) said one of its staff members was killed. An estimated 600,000 people in Tigray, including 96,000 refugees from neighboring Eritrea, were dependent on food aid before the fighting began. When Prime Minister ordered troops into Tigray on November 4, following alleged attacks by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces, aid workers were left stranded and vulnerable. A communications blackout imposed by the government, combined with tight restrictions on access to Tigray, made it difficult for aid agencies to confirm the whereabouts and safety of their staff in the area. The DRC said it was “deeply saddened to confirm the death of three colleagues”, adding that its “workers are at the forefront of the humanitarian imperative to provide assistance to those in need”. “Sadly, due to the lack of communications and ongoing insecurity in the region, it has not yet been possible to reach their families,” a DRC statement said. In a separate statement, the IRC said it “regrets to confirm the killing of a staff member in Hitsats Refugee Camp in Shire”. “Communication with the area is extremely difficult and we are still working to gather and confirm the details surrounding the events,” said the IRC. Despite Abiy’s declaration of victory on November 28, the United Nations and aid agencies have said fighting continues. Aid agencies also said blocked access, bureaucratic delays and violence against staff are hampering aid deliveries to a region where hundreds of thousands of people living there required food aid before war broke out. But Ethiopia’s government on Friday denied the allegations in a statement from the prime minister’s office saying that some aid had already been sent and that there were no delays due to fighting. “Suggestions that humanitarian assistance is impeded due to active military combat … within the Tigray region is untrue and undermines … work to stabilize the region,” the statement from the Prime Minister’s office said. “Sporadic gunfire exchanged with the retreating remnants of the militia … need not be misconstrued as active conflict.” On Wednesday, the UN human rights chief warned the situation is “spiraling out of control with appalling impact on civilians” and urgently needed outside monitoring. This was after Ethiopia rejected calls for independent investigations into the deadly fighting in its Tigray region, saying it “doesn’t need a babysitter”. Senior government official Redwan Hussein told reporters on Tuesday that Ethiopia will invite assistance only if it feels that “it failed to investigate”. To assume it cannot carry out such probes “is belittling the government”, he added.

 Ethiopian government says it is returning Eritrean refugees to camps in Tigray - Reuters The Ethiopian government said on Friday that it was bussing Eritrean refugees from the capital Addis Ababa back to two camps they had fled from during fighting in the northern Tigray region. “A large number of misinformed refugees are moving out in an irregular manner,” the Ethiopian statement said. “The government is safely returning those refugees to their respective camps.”  Ethiopia government denies war impeding aid, agencies report staff deaths - Reuters Ethiopia’s government on Friday denied that the war in its northern Tigray region was preventing aid reaching civilians, as two foreign aid agencies confirmed some staff had been killed there and urged all sides to do more to protect non-combatants. The month-long conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is thought to have killed thousands and has sent more than 950,000 people fleeing, according to the United Nations, about 50,000 of them to Sudan. Since the army captured Tigray’s regional capital Mekelle nearly two weeks ago and declared victory, the Ethiopian government has portrayed life in Tigray as returning to normal. But TPLF leaders say they are continuing to fight from mountains around the city. “Suggestions that humanitarian assistance is impeded due to active military combat ... within the Tigray region is untrue and undermines ... work to stablise the region,” the statement from the Prime Minister’s office said. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) put out statements on Friday regretting the killings of their staff. The IRC said one staff member was killed in a refugee camp in Shire, adding that because communications in the area were so difficult, they had not yet gathered or confirmed the details surrounding the death. The DRC said three of its staff were killed in Tigray last month, giving no further details. They said that a lack of communications and insecurity meant they still hadn’t managed to reach their families with the news.

 Some 88 Trucks Of Food, Medical Supplies Dispatched To Several Towns Tigray: PM Office - Fana Prime Minister Office has stated today that the government has already dispatched 88 trucks of food and medical supplies to Mekele city and several towns of Tigray Region as part of the humanitarian assistance being delivered to the region. A total of 43, 200 quintals of food supplies and 10 trucks of medical supplies have reached Mekele City and other towns of Tigray region, according the office. At the beginning of the rule of law operations in the Tigray region, in response to the criminal clique’s belligerent attacks on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces, the Federal government formed a high-level committee to oversee humanitarian assistance in the region, led by the Ministry of Peace, and said the office in a statement. The committee has been set up to coordinate all national and partner efforts in the mobilization and delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities directly affected by measures to bring the belligerent clique to justice. Following field technical assessments made by the committee, initial dispatch of food and non-food items were made to areas within the Tigray region that were under Federal command. “In the areas where the criminal clique’s militia were still active, considering the security threats that were prevalent at the time, delivery was delayed to ensure that humanitarian assistance reached the intended recipients.”, says the statement. However, this situation has changed since Mekelle came under Federal command, concluding the active military intervention to apprehend the criminal clique. By mid-November 2020, an initial round of humanitarian relief items, including medical items was sent to Dansha, Welkait, Kafta/Humera and Debarq areas. On December 8, 2020, 44 trucks carrying 18,200 quintals of food aid dispatched by the Federal Government reached the town of Shire for distribution to other parts of the region. The dispatch also includes 4 trucks carrying 5,500 quintals of food to Alamat. Similarly, 30 trucks carrying 12,500 quintals of food supplies have reached Mekelle, with an additional 7000 quintals of wheat flour dispatched to Mekelle, 3 three trucks of medical supplies have almost reached the city of Mekelle and will be distributed by tomorrow. 7 trucks of medical supplies to Shire and towns have also been dispatched. 78 truck 43,200. It is to be recalled that on November 29, 2020, the Federal Government signed an agreement with the United Nations that outlines collaboration for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Agreement for an Enhanced Coordination Mechanism for Humanitarian Access in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, sets out the coordination mechanism’s specific objectives and scope, its guiding principles, central commitments and coordination arrangements and its major stakeholders and their respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. The agreement signed with the United Nations recognizes that the Government of Ethiopia at federal and regional levels has “primary responsibility for meeting assessed and potential humanitarian needs in the country” and that the delivery of assistance lies within a coordination framework under the Federal government’s overall authority, the office indicates. It also recognizes that “given the likelihood that UN and other humanitarian organizations will be delivering assistance in insecure environment, the Government of Ethiopia will be responsible for ensuring the safety and security of staff of UN agencies and humanitarian partners.” Suggestions that humanitarian assistance is impeded due to active military combat, in several cities and surrounding areas within the Tigray region, is untrue and undermines the critical work undertaken by the National Defence Forces to stabilize the region from the attacks waged by the belligerent clique. The office further stated saying “Sporadic gunfire exchanged with the retreating remnants of the militia and efforts to apprehend the criminal clique on the flee need not be misconstrued as active conflict. However, as the Federal government is responsible for ensuring that humanitarian support and actors are protected while operating in an insecure environment, access will be coordinated in consultation with the Federal government as stipulated in the agreement.” “The Federal government takes its responsibility to citizen safety and well-being seriously and is committed to ensuring that vulnerable communities in Tigray region are provided the necessary humanitarian assistance.”, the statement said. Reports to the contrary are results of a misinformation campaign by those that are bent on undermining the Federal government, according to Office of the Prime Minister.

 TPLF Clique High Official, Dr. Addisalem Balema, and Seyoum Mesfin’s wife and son appear before Court - Fana One of high officials of the TPLF Clique, Dr. Addisalem Balema has appeared before court today suspected of working with an anti peace element in the country. Police explained to the court that Dr. Addisalem Balema has allegedly been working to mar and impede Ethiopia’s relations with foreign countries. Police further elaborated that the defendant was leaking national secrets to alien forces, plotting with OLF-Shene group and conspiring with Dr. Debretsion and his group to dismantle constructional order of the country. Dr. Addisalem has also been accused of perpetrating massacre of civilians at Maikadra and onslaught against the Northern Command of the National Defense Force and looting of heavy artilleries of the army. Meanwhile, the wife and son of one of the high officials of the TPLF clique, Seyoum Mesfin, Felegehiwot Berhe and Agazi Seyoum have appeared before court today. The wife and son of Seyoum Mesfin have been suspected over recruiting youths and distributing money for terror acts in Addis Ababa as per mission they received from the TPLF Clique and OLF-Shene group. Police has seized two pistols and communication devices at separate homes of Seyoum Mesfin in a raid carried based on a search warrant from court. Police requested for eight additional days for further investigation over the suspects.

 State of Emergency Inquiry Board Unveils Field Report – ENA The State of Emergency Inquiry Board, which was established to look into the emergency declared on Tigray Regional State, has unveiled its field report today. The board visited various places where the TPLF junta committed inhumane crimes against innocent civilians and the Northern Command of Ethiopian National Defense Force. Briefing the media, State of Emergency Inquiry Board Chairperson Lemma Tesemma said the crime committed against humanity would make it accountable to the International Criminal Court. The board has confirmed that the rocket attacks on Bahirdar and Gonder cities targeted innocent civilians, he noted. According to the chairperson, the genocide committed in Mai-Kadra and the kidnaping of members of the Northern Command are a shocking massacre and treasonous act, respectively. He stressed the need for material and psychological support to the households who lost their family members in the massacre committed by the TPLF junta. Lemma stated that medical treatment has been provided to those hospitalized. The chairperson underlined that the hunting down of perpetrators of criminals should further be strengthened. He also noted that efforts need to be enhanced to establish contact among members of the army and their families. Provision of humanitarian support and rehabilitation of the displaced people have to be consolidated, according to the board.

 TPLF Clique Looted, Destroyed Office of Refugee Camps in Shire: ARRA - ENA The TPLF junta has looted and destroyed the coordination office of four Eritrean refugee camps in Shire town, according to the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA). Over 100,000 Eritrean refugees, including the 46,000 Eritreans in Tigray refugee camps, have been sheltered in Ethiopia. The coordination office of the four refugee camps where Eritreans reside in Shire town were destroyed and looted by the TPLF junta and the staff detained. Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA), Director-General Tesfahun Gobezay confirmed that most of the properties of the office were destroyed and looted by the junta. “Various files and materials were damaged and we have no idea about the whereabouts of some vehicles. Some members of the staff were detained, but others escaped and are on their way to Addis Ababa,” he stated. The agency has, however, expressed its readiness to resume services as soon as possible. The director-general told EBC, “We are working to deliver emergency aid as soon as possible. We have also been working hard to return the refugees to their camps and deliver timely emergency support, particularly food items.” ARRA Deputy Director-General, Addisu Kebenessa on his part stated that the intention of the TPLF clique was to destroy the image of the country. It is sad to see such devastation on humanitarian centers that are home to children, women and the needy. “Ethiopia has been known for its welcoming approach to refugees for years. But the action taken by the junta to tarnish that positive image among the international community has failed because of the strong reputation of the country,” he noted. Ethiopia has been the home to about one million refugees from 26 countries in the past years.

 Council Of Ministers Endorses Ethiopia’s 10 Year Perspective Plan - Fana Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sated that the Council of Ministers has today endorsed Ethiopia’s 10 year perspective plan. The Premier said the 10 year perspective plan which has been endorsed by the cabinet will enable the country’s high growth trajectory and position Ethiopia as an African beacon of prosperity. The plan consists of 10 pillars with unique focus areas on peace building and institutional transformation, the prime Minister said. According to the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers has also approved the draft Media Proclamation which governs print and broadcast media, also introducing a legal framework for online media. “Outlining roles and responsibilities in the sector, the proclamation will bolster freedom of expression and press freedoms.” premier added.  NEBE Invites Local CSOs To Submit Interest To Observe Upcoming Elections - Fana The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has invited interested local CSOs to submit their interest to the board to observe the upcoming general elections. Adding the inputs it gathered during consultations held with representative of CSOs and other stakeholders, the board had approved election observers’ code of conduct to give accreditation to local observers. NEBE said the invitation to CSOs took into consideration that their participation would significantly contribute towards making the 6th general elections free, fair and transparent. The board said local CSOs who meet the requirements specified under observers’ code of conduct can summit their interest within 15 working days starting from today by filling an application form prepared for this purpose. The application form is available at the board’s website: https://www.nebe.org.et/

 Benishangul, Sudanese Blue Nile Start Joint Consultative Forum - Fana The joint consultative forum of Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz regional state and Sudanese Blue Nile State is underway in Assosa. A delegation led by Abdelrahman Noureldayem, Governor of Blue Nile State is in attendance of the event aimed at resuming the meeting affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting will review performances of the joint development commission established by the two states as well as discuss on border peace, security and other issues. In his opening remark, Chief Administrator of Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Ashadli Hassen, said the commission had done great jobs in guaranteeing peace and security in both neighboring states. Abdelrahman Noureldayem, for his part indicated that the contribution of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is immense not only for Ethiopia but also for Sudan. Accordingly, the Blue Nile State will do what is expected of it for the construction of dam, he said. ______Horn of Africa and IGAD Region Sudan  Amnesty calls to maintain UNAMID for more six months in Darfur – Sudan Tribune Amnesty International has called for a six-month extension of the presence of UNAMID peacekeepers in Darfur, pointing to the continued violence in the region and failure of the Sudanese authorities to restore order. On 31 December, the mandate of the hybrid peacekeeping operation in Drfur will expire as it will be replaced by the UNITAMS, a political mission to support the democratic transition and the implementation of a peace agreement with the armed groups. A joint force formed by the government and the former rebel groups will be deployed in the region to protect civilians in Darfur. UNITAMS would contribute to the training of the joint force. “The UN Security Council should extend UNAMID’s mandate for at least six to ensure the peacekeepers do not leave before UNITAMS is fully operational, and to enable proper training of national forces to take over the massive responsibility of civilian protection," said Amnesty. "Otherwise, there will be a security vacuum, with disastrous consequences for the people of Darfur," it further stressed. The international human rights groups cited the recent inter-communal attacks and the infighting between the different factions of the holdout group SLA-AW in the mountainous area of Jebel Marra which displaced over 27,000 people. In a speech at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday to discuss the latest report on the situation in Sudan, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Kelly Craft suggested a smooth transition between the UNAMID and the new mission. “With the anticipated departure of UNAMID from Sudan, it is vital that its drawdown occurs in a responsible manner and that there is a smooth transition to the new special political mission… including robust training of police, rule of law support, and other issues listed in the Juba Agreement,” she said in her remarks. For his part, the head of UN peacekeeping department, Jean Pierre Lacroix told the meeting that the tripartite mechanism (AU, UN and Sudan) recommended UNAMID’s termination at the end of its current mandate, 31 December 2020, and a six month period of drawdown and liquidation thereafter. UNAMID has more than 6,000 military and police personnel, representing 22 contingents. Also, it has over 1,500 remaining civilian staff includes about 700 international staff. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, told the meeting that an orderly and safe drawdown will take no less than 6 months, followed by a period of asset disposal and liquidation that will last from 9 to 12 months.

 General prosecutor of ICC urges UNSC to encourage Sudan to cooperate with ICC – Sudan Tribune The of the International Criminal Court (ICC) urged the United Nations Security Council to impress Khartoum to allow its teams to investigate war crimes in Darfur. "I reiterate this call and urge this Council to impress upon Sudan the urgent need for my investigators to access its territory and in particular, to conduct investigative missions in Darfur without further delay," the prosecutor said on Thursday. In a videoconference briefing to the 15-member body, Fatou Bensouda disclosed that her team was due to travel to Sudan in November for an operational assessment mission to prepare the arrival of investigation teams, two weeks after her first visit to Sudan from 17 to 20 October. "Unfortunately, this mission was postponed at the request of the Sudanese authorities. No new dates have been offered and the window of opportunity to conduct investigations prior to Mr Abd-Al-Rahman’s confirmation of charges hearing is rapidly closing," she stressed. The prime minister and the other senior Sudanese officials pledged to facilitate the ground investigation works that the war crimes court needs to carry out before the trial of Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, aka "Ali Kushayb". On 22 February, the ICC pre-trial court will decide whether accusations of crimes against humanity against Ali Kushayb are strong enough for a full trial. "Unless the mission is rescheduled soon, my Office risks losing a golden opportunity to directly engage with victims and witnesses, in situ, for the first time and to ensure their evidence is made available to the judges at Mr Abd-Al-Rahman’s confirmation of charges hearing," she stressed. Ali Kushayb surrendered himself to the ICC in June 2020 in the neighbouring Central African Republic as he had fled from Darfur after the collapse of the former regime. Bensouda said they sent a draft memorandum of understanding on modalities of cooperation between the Court and the Sudanese government shortly after their return from Khartoum and they are still awaiting the reply of the Sudanese government. The prosecutor further said that the Sudanese government did not officially inform them about the handover of the remaining suspects. She stressed that the ICC suspects including Omer al-Bashir must be brought to justice "either before the Court or in Sudanese courts, guided by the requirements of the Rome Statute". "This Council can play a decisive role in expediting this process and ensuring Sudan’s full, prompt and tangible cooperation with the ICC, consistent with its international obligations," she added after calling on the Sudanese government to dialogue with the court on this respect. ______

South Sudan

 South Sudan’s parties agree on national assembly formation – Sudan Tribune South Sudan’s parties to the revitalized peace deal l have agreed on formation of states governments and reconstitution of the country’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA). The decision was reached at a meeting convened by President Salva Kiir on Wednesday in Juba. Also present was the First Vice President, Riek Machar. The president’s objective of the meeting was to discuss the establishment of states and local governments. After a cordial lengthy deliberation, the meeting resolved that the president appoints the state and local government of nine states, except that of Upper Nile," Cabinet Affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro said in a statement. The meeting also resolved that the president proceeds to establish the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States", he added. According to the minister, the Transitional Government of Nation Unity (TGoNU) would hold a national conference in Juba for all communities of Upper Nile State to discuss ways and means of ending tribal differences in the state, prior to the final decision on the appointment of their governor. He said the president is expected to issue a decree on decisions reached. In September, the peace monitoring body (RJMEC) urged the peace parties to expedite the implementation of pending tasks agreed in the peace deal. It also called for a speedy reconstitution of the national legislative assembly. According to the 2018 peace deal, the national parliament and the Council of States shall be reconstituted. It stipulates that the parliament shall be expanded from 400 to 550 members. ______

Uganda

 Uganda receives 1st batch of presidential ballot papers for Jan. 14 polls - XINHUA Uganda has received the first batch of the presidential ballot papers for the Jan. 14, 2021 polls, the electoral commission said here late on Thursday. “This is indeed a sign of our readiness to deliver the elections as scheduled,” Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, chairperson of the electoral commission, said. The electoral body last month cleared 11 presidential candidates, including the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and his main opposition competitor, pop star Robert Kyagulanyi to run in the polls ______

Sub Saharan Africa

 Two soldiers injured, 14 houses torched in Boko Haram attacks in Cameroon - CGTN At least two soldiers of Cameroon elite forces Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) were injured and 14 houses were burned to ashes overnight into Thursday when militants of terror group Boko Haram attacked a village in Cameroon’s Far North region, several local sources confirmed Thursday morning. Heavily armed militants of the group attacked Gakara village of the region when villagers were sleeping, torched houses and injured a member of a vigilante group who attempted to repel the attack, villagers told local reporters. The locals succeeded to escape thanks to the intervention of BIR soldiers, according to local authorities. The army said, two BIR soldiers were injured in the course of the repulse mission after their military vehicle climbed on a mine planted by Boko Haram in neighbouring village of Bakarise and it exploded. The Boko Haram group has been active in Cameroon’s Far North region since 2014, posing enormous humanitarian and governance challenges.  DR Congo parliament votes to remove speaker - CGTN The speaker of the lower house of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Parliament, Jeanine Mabunda, was voted out late on Thursday days after President Felix Tshisekedi dissolved the ruling coalition. Mabunda was voted by 281 votes to 200 votes out after being accused of “conflictual and partisan” leadership and not being open about her management of the body’s finances. Mabunda, who denied the allegations, apologized for any misconceptions during the lengthy debate. Wild celebrations, including cheers, hugs and dancing, broke out among legislators when it was clear the motion had passed during the session which was boycotted by former president Joseph Kabila’s top supporters. The ouster of Mabunda, a close ally of Kabila, is viewed as a crucial victory for Tshisekedi in his power struggle with Kabila. The vote was an indicator that Tshisekedi and his allies may have enough numbers to form a new majority in the parliament and remove the prime minister’s government, which is dominated by persons loyal to Kabila. Tshisekedi announced on Sunday that he would try to form a new majority in parliament by winning over members of the Common Front for Congo (FCC) and other, smaller parties. The FCC argued Tshisekedi’s actions were illegal, and fighting broke out on Tuesday between rival supporters. Control of parliament means Tshisekedi would be able to nominate a cabinet of his choice, appoint a head of the electoral commission and nominate a new central bank board. Tshisekedi came into office in January last year but was forced to enter a coalition with Kabila’s FCC which won parliamentary majorities. However, that arrangement has frustrated Tshisekedi who was been hampered in pursuing his agenda which includes addressing armed insurgence in the restive mineral-rich east, judicial reforms and securing financial support from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Tshisekedi, however, has slowly chipped away at Kabila’s significant influence across state institutions. His forcing through nominations of new judges to the nation’s top court was considered a major victory for him and his allies. The tension between the parties has raised fears of fresh instability in the mineral-rich central African nation, whose recent history has been marked by repeated civil wars and political upheaval.  Ghanaian president appoints 15-member transition team - CGTN Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday appointed a 15-member team to handle the transition of power to the president-elect. Akufo-Addo was re-elected for a second four-year term on Monday. He is scheduled to be sworn in on January 7 next year. The transition team would be chaired by Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Office of the President said in a statement on Thursday. Chana’s law specifies that the transition team should be formed within 24 hours after the declaration of the presidential election result, and both the incumbent and the president-elect shall appoint an equal number of persons to a transition team. The Presidential Transition Act also stipulates that when the incumbent is re-elected for a second term, the president shall designate members of the transition team. ______

Gulf Region and the Middle East

 Morocco agrees to normalize relations with Israel - CGTN, Reuters, MEMO Morocco announced it is normalizing relations with Israel, making it the fourth Arab country, alongside Sudan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past four months. The United States helped broker the deal as part of efforts to present a united front against Iran’s influence in the region. Under the agreement, the U.S. recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a desert region where a decades-old territorial dispute has pitted Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a breakaway movement that seeks to establish an independent state. A representative of the Polisario Front said it “regrets highly” the U.S. change in policy, which it called “strange but not surprising.” “This will not change an inch of the reality of the conflict and the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination,” the Polisario’s Europe representative Oubi Bchraya said. Virtually no nation recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and President-elect Joe Biden, due to succeed President Trump on Jan. 20, will face a decision whether to accept the U.S. deal. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi wrote on Twitter on Thursday that he values the important step of normalizing ties between Morocco and Israel with US sponsorship. The UAE also praised the announcement. “This step, a sovereign move, contributes to strengthening our common quest for stability, prosperity, and just and lasting peace in the region,” Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, wrote on Twitter. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “a very warm peace” and said, “the light of peace on this Hanukkah day has never – shone brighter than today in the Middle East.” Palestinian officials say the series of normalization deals come at the expense of their hopes for an independent state. They have long urged Arab countries to withhold ties with Israel until Israel and the Palestinians reach a final peace agreement. ______

Libya  Libya releases 2 Russians detained on spying charges - MEMO Two Russians, detained in Libya on espionage charges in 2019, were released on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Zakharova said the Russian side is "satisfied" with the decision of the Libyan authorites to free Maxim Shugaley and Samer Hasan Ali Sueyfan, and thanked everyone who assisted in their release. According to media reports, Shugaley and Sueyfan have already left Libya, and they are expected to arrive in Moscow tonight. They were arrested in Tripoli in May 2019 on espionage charges. The Russian government had argued that these people were academic researchers affiliated with a think tank. But the Libyan government announced that the two Russian citizens were intelligence agents who were conducting field research associated with the Wagner private military company. The Libyan security service found a memory stick, confirming Shugaley and Sueyfan were conspiring with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi on taking power in the county. ______

Yemen

 Saudi-backed Yemen govt hails US sanctions on Houthi leaders - MEMO

The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has welcomed US sanctions on five leaders of the Houthi group. The move "comes as a victory for the civilian victims against the tyranny and crimes of these terrorist militias [the Houthi group]," the Yemeni Foreign Ministry said late yesterday in a statement published on the official Saba News Agency. The government said it looks forward to similar steps by the international community to "deter Houthi militias, which have not stopped committing crimes and grave violations against civilians." Yesterday, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on five Houthi leaders over charges of "committing violations against Yemenis, including arbitrary detention and torture." The sanctioned leaders include Abdul Hakim Al-Khawani, the head of the group's intelligence apparatus. Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when the Houthis overran much of the country, including the capital Sanaa. The crisis escalated in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflict has so far claimed the lives of 233,000 people and pushed the country on to the brink of famine making it the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. ______

Saudi Arabia

 Saudi crown prince asks US court to dismiss assassination lawsuit - MEMO Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has asked the US federal court in Washington to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him by an ex-intelligence official accusing him of an assassination attempt. The Saudi prince's lawyer Michael Kellogg confirmed that the court has no jurisdiction over the prince who enjoys "immunity" from prosecution in the US, adding that the "flaws" in the complaint are: "So apparent and run so deep that it can only be regarded as an attempt to divert attention from the plaintiff's massive theft." Last August, Saudi former spy chief Saad Al-Jabri, who currently lives in exile in Canada, filed a lawsuit claiming that the crown prince had "dispatched a hit squad" to kill him in October 2018, but Canadian authorities foiled the attempt. However, the court's filing accuses Al-Jabri and his family of taking part in the misappropriation and of the theft of $11 billion intended for counterterrorism operations when Al-Jabri was a senior official at the Saudi Interior Ministry between 2001 and 2015. In 2017, Al-Jabri, who was close to the former Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, fled the kingdom when the latter was ousted in favour of Bin Salman, and settled in the Toronto area where he now lives under protection. ______

Palestine

 Palestinian President Says Ready to Resume Peace Talks – Al-Awsat Palestinians are ready to resume peace negotiations with Israel, President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday. During his meeting with Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez, Abbas stressed that negotiations should be based on “international resolutions” and mediated by the Quartet (the European Union, the United Nations, Russia and the United States). Gonzalez conveyed a letter from Spain’s Prime Minister in which he affirmed the distinguished bilateral relations and his country's keenness to bolster them. The premier also noted Spain’s steadfast support to the political process based on the principle of the two-state solution. Abbas hailed Spain’s stances that come in line with the international law and the EU resolutions that support achieving peace based on international legitimacy decisions. Gonzalez reiterated her country’s position in support of peace on the principle of the two-state solution and international law, noting that Spain will continue to back the Palestinian people to build the institutions of the Palestinian state. At a press conference following her meeting with her Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Gonzalez said Palestine will always be present on the list of countries that will receive the COVID-19 vaccine once developed and proven effective. Both sides discussed the memorandum of understanding signed via videoconference in October, which defines bilateral development cooperation at a value of 100 million euros for the years 2020-2024. She told reporters that Spain has decided to provide $5 million in urgent aid to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to continue its services to Palestinian refugees in education and public health. Separately, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh urged Finland to break the status quo by recognizing the state of Palestine and preserve the two-state solution. He pointed during his meeting with Finnish representative to the PA Paivi Peltokoski to the ongoing Israeli violations and settlement expansion. The Premier stressed the efforts exerted to hold an international peace conference and find a fair and comprehensive solution for the Palestinian cause, in accordance with the international legitimacy. ______

Emerging Powers

 U.S. government, 46 states sue Facebook, claim Zuckerberg operates ‘illegal monopoly’ - CGTN The United States Federal Trade Commission is taking Facebook to court in a case that could permanently alter the status of the largest social media network in the world. The FTC accuses Facebook of violating antitrust law by buying up competitors such as WhatsApp and Instagram and depriving consumers of alternatives that would better protect their privacy. The federal-level lawsuit is similar to a separate antitrust suit filed by 46 state attorneys general, led by New York. The suits claim Facebook bought WhatsApp, Instagram and several other smaller tech companies in an attempt to eliminate competition. “After identifying two significant competitive threats to its dominant position — Instagram and WhatsApp — Facebook moved to squelch those threats by buying the companies, reflecting CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s view, expressed in a 2008 email, that ‘it is better to buy than compete,’” the FTC’s lawsuit stated. Speaking on behalf of the attorneys general, New York Attorney General Letitia James said “Almost every state in this nation has joined this bipartisan lawsuit because Facebook’s efforts to dominate the market were as illegal as they were harmful. James went on to add that no company should have “this much unchecked power over our personal information and our social interactions” and that “millions of small businesses have been hurt by Facebook’s illegal behavior”. Facebook’s general counsel Jennifer Newstead called the lawsuits “revisionist history” and said antitrust laws do not exist to punish “successful companies.” She said WhatsApp and Instagram have succeeded after Facebook invested billions of dollars in growing the apps. If the FTC and the states are successful in proving Facebook violated antitrust laws, a judge could order the breakup of the company and force it to sell off both Instagram and WhatsApp. But several industry experts say the likelihood of Facebook being forced to break up is slim. In an interview with Reuters, Seth Bloom of Bloom Strategic Counsel said the FTC complaint was “significantly weaker” than the DOJ’s lawsuit against Google. “We’re talking about acquisitions that are six or eight years old and it will be difficult for a court to order divestitures of many years ago,” Bloom said. Investors echoed similar concerns. “I do not know if the FTC or DOJ will be successful in breaking Facebook up. I’m assuming this will be dragged out in the courts as FB defends itself,” said Daniel Morgan, a portfolio manager at Synovus Trust in Atlanta, Georgia. The FTC’s case has support from both Republicans and Democrats. President Donald Trump has used his authority to increase regulatory pressure on tech companies. The push is expected to continue under President-elect Joe Biden as the power of internet platforms has become a rare issue that’s raised concerns from both parties. The Facebook case comes on the heels of the Justice Department’s October complaint against Alphabet Inc.’s Google for allegedly abusing its monopoly in internet search by using exclusive distribution agreements with phone manufacturers to lock out competitors from the market. ______

 EU rejects imposing economic sanctions on Turkey - MEMO The European Union's offer for a "positive agenda" with Turkey remains on the table, European leaders said early today, following their meeting in Brussels. In a joint statement, the leaders criticised Ankara's energy exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, but stopped short of calling for severe economic sanctions against Turkey. "The European Council reaffirms the EU's strategic interest in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey," the leaders said. "The offer for a positive EU-Turkey agenda remains on the table, provided Turkey shows readiness to promote a genuine partnership with the Union and its Member States and resolve differences through dialogue and in accordance with international law." They said enhanced cooperation between the EU and Turkey could cover the economy and trade, people to people contacts, high level dialogue meetings, and continued cooperation on migration issues. They also reaffirmed their support for the resumption of UN-led talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and for the early resumption of direct exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey to overcome their disputes. Despite proposals tabled by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration to introduce severe economic sanctions, and an arms embargo on Turkey, the majority of European leaders opposed the harsher measures and advocated a softer line, Anadolu reported. The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell was instructed to prepare a report on the state of play of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations, and "on options on how to proceed" in relations. They said this report will be discussed at their next summit in March 2021, or earlier if this becomes necessary. The summit also signaled that the EU may increase pressure on Ankara in the coming weeks, by including additional individuals from Turkey's energy sector to a sanctions regime which was created in November 2019. The leaders instructed relevant European bodies to prepare "additional listings" in light of recent tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Currently only two executives of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation are subject to these sanctions, which consist of an assets freeze and a travel ban to the European Union. EU members Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration have long been at odds with Turkey over maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. Ankara has rejected maritime boundary claims of these countries, stressing that they violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish government has sent several drill ships in recent months to explore for energy resources in the region, asserting Turkey's rights in the region as well as those of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

 US set to sanction Turkey over Russian defense system - MEMO The United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defense systems, five sources including three US officials told Reuters on Thursday, a move likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies. The long-anticipated step, which is likely to infuriate Ankara and weigh on Turkey's relations with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, is expected to be announced as early as Friday, sources have said. The sanctions would target Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries and its head, Ismail Demir, sources have said. They would be damaging but narrower than the severe scenarios some analysts have outlined, Reuters reports. Two sources familiar with the matter, including a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity, said President Donald Trump had given aides the blessing for the sanctions. The Turkish lira weakened as much as 1.4% following the news. US sanctions could harm a Turkish economy struggling with a coronavirus-induced slowdown, double-digit inflation and badly depleted foreign reserves. A senior Turkish official said sanctions would backfire and hurt ties between the two NATO members. "Sanctions would not achieve a result but be counter-productive. They would harm relations," the official said. "Turkey is in favor of solving these problems with diplomacy and negotiations. We won't accept one-sided impositions," he said. The decision will have repercussions far beyond Turkey, sending a message to US partners around the world that might consider buying Russian military equipment and have been warned repeatedly about US sanctions. Turkey's leader, President Tayyip Erdogan, had hoped to prove US threats hollow, betting the relationship he developed with Trump would insulate Ankara from punitive US action. Having forged a working relationship with Erdogan, Trump long opposed US sanctions against Turkey despite the advice of advisers. Officials in his administration internally recommended sanctions against Ankara in July 2019, when the Turkish government started taking delivery of the S-400s, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. But sanctions appeared likely even if Trump did not act, the sources said. The final version of the $740 billion annual US defense authorization legislation, which the Senate is expected to vote on as early as this week, would force Washington to impose sanctions within 30 days. One of the U.S. officials said one of the reasons Trump was finally willing to move ahead with Turkey sanctions was to "decouple" the issue from NDAA bill, which carries a provision that would require him to impose measures on Ankara. This way, Trump can avoid looking like his hand is being forced, the official said. Still, the increasing US pressure is not without risk. Washington does not want to push Erdogan even closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose goal is to weaken and divide the NATO alliance. Russia delivered the ground-to-air S-400s last year and Turkey tested them as recently as October. Ankara said they would not be integrated into NATO systems and pose no threat, and has called for a joint working group on the issue. But the United States maintained that the S-400 does pose a threat, and announced last year it was removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program over Ankara's decision. Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet is the most advanced aircraft in the US arsenal and is used by NATO members and other US allies. The US State Department could still change plans and widen or narrow the scope of planned sanctions against Turkey. However, sources said the announcement of the sanctions in their current form was imminent.