Africa & World

The African Union (AU) has lifted sanctions imposed on Gabon, the continental body announced on Wednesday, following what it described as significant progress in the country’s political transition.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the AU’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department said the Peace and Security Council had reviewed developments in Gabon and found the transition process to be “generally successful.”

As a result, Gabon is now permitted “to immediately resume her participation in the activities” of the AU, the statement said.

Gabon was suspended from the AU in August 2023 after a military coup led by General Brice Oligui Nguema ousted President Ali Bongo, whose family had ruled the country for more than five decades.

Following the coup, Nguema pledged to return the country to civilian governance after a two-year transitional period. In April 2025, he was elected president with 94 percent of the vote under a new constitution that grants the presidency expanded powers.

The AU’s decision to lift the suspension comes months after a diplomatic appeal by Nguema during a visit to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, where he sought support for the easing of sanctions.

Despite its oil wealth, Gabon—home to approximately 2.3 million people continue to grapple with high unemployment, frequent power and water shortages, and mounting public debt.

North Korea has officially declared its involvement in the war against Ukraine, confirming for the first time that it has deployed troops to fight alongside Russian forces.

In a report published by state news agency KCNA, Pyongyang’s military announced that its soldiers contributed to the “complete liberation” of Russia’s Kursk border region, following an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The report framed the deployment as part of a broader military alliance with Moscow under a mutual defense treaty.

The announcement marks a major escalation, as it effectively places North Korea in a state of war against Ukraine. It comes just days after Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, publicly praised the “heroism” of North Korean troops—the first official acknowledgment from Moscow of Pyongyang’s role in the conflict.

Responding to the development, the United States condemned North Korea’s actions, stating that Pyongyang must bear responsibility for prolonging the war.

South Korean and Western intelligence agencies had previously reported that North Korea sent thousands of troops to the Kursk region in 2024, although Pyongyang had not confirmed this until now.

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un praised the deployed soldiers, calling them “heroes” and “representatives of the honour of the motherland.” The report added that the fighting in Kursk demonstrated the “alliance and brotherhood” between North Korea and Russia, describing it as a “friendship proven by blood” that would further strengthen bilateral ties.

Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, will be succeeded following a papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel.

After nine days of official mourning, cardinals from around the world will assemble in the Chapel to cast secret ballots.

The election process typically lasts two to three weeks; all ballots are burned after each round of voting.

Once a new pope is elected, white smoke will signal the result from the Chapel’s chimney. A Mass celebrating the inauguration of the 267th pope is scheduled for a few days thereafter.

In the interim, Cardinal Kevin Farrell an Irish‑born prelate who holds U.S. citizenship will serve as camerlengo.

He will oversee day‑to‑day Vatican administration and manage all preparations for the conclave.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday directed that American flags be flown at half-staff nationwide in honour of Pope Francis.

The order follows a post on Trump’s Truth Social account in which he wrote: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”

In a formal statement, Trump announced that he had signed an executive order mandating that all U.S. flags—federal, state, and military—be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the late pontiff.

“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of interment,” the statement read.

The directive also extends to all U.S. embassies, consular offices, and military installations abroad for the same duration.

Trump described Pope Francis as a “good man” who “worked so hard and loved the world.”