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  The UAE has successfully mediated the exchange of 180 captives between Russia and Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This marks the fifth such mediation this year, leveraging the UAE's strong diplomatic relationships to act as a trusted mediator. The Ministry emphasized the UAE's dedication to ongoing efforts for peaceful conflict resolution, focusing on dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation to address humanitarian impacts. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that both Russia and Ukraine received 90 prisoners each. The UAE has previously facilitated multiple prisoner exchanges between the two nations, with the most recent occurring in late May 2024. The UAE's commitment to peace was also demonstrated in a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States in December 2022. The Ministry expressed gratitude to the Russian and Ukrainian governments for their cooperation, reaffirming the UAE's role as a reliable mediator. This effort highlight...

   The UAE has announced the successful mediation of a new exchange of 150 war captives between Russia and Ukraine. This is the fourth such exchange facilitated by the UAE since the start of the conflict.   The UAE's distinct relations with both sides have enabled it to leverage its diplomatic channels to reach this agreement, underscoring the country's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis.  The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the cooperation of the Russian and Ukrainian governments in responding to the UAE's mediation efforts. This demonstrates the UAE's role as a neutral facilitator in the conflict.  The UAE reaffirms its dedication to continued diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation to mitigate the humanitarian toll of the crisis. The country's active mediation efforts aim to support a peaceful solution. The UAE’s mediating role is particularly noteworthy. UAE officials have repeatedly facilitated contacts between Uk...

  Withdrawal of US Troops from Niger The United States is set to pull out all its troops from Niger , marking the conclusion of its long-standing presence in the West African nation. This decision follows a military coup in February 2023, which strained relations between Niger and Western powers. The US military's focus in Niger has mainly been on monitoring jihadist activity in the Sahel region, recognized as a significant area of concern due to the presence of the Islamic State group. Evolving Alliances in the Sahel Since taking control, military leaders in Niger have pursued closer ties with Russia. This strategic shift is evidenced by the arrival of Russian military instructors and advanced air defense systems in Niger. Niger's distancing from Western powers extends beyond the United States, with the country also stepping back from regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the French-supported G5 Sahel force. Both groups have cri...

  The success of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) , is attributed to Abu Dhabi's robust diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Kiev, according to a statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry. The statement, published on the ministry's website, highlighted the positive outcome as a testament to the strong and friendly relations between the UAE and both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine. It underscored the sustained efforts at the highest levels, resulting in one of the most significant exchanges of captives since the war's inception. Expressing gratitude, the UAE extended thanks to the Russian and Ukrainian governments for their cooperation and responsiveness to the mediation efforts, acknowledging the challenges presented by the ongoing conflict. The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. Additionally, it called for de-escalation and advocat...

  Russia has been boosting its influence in Africa via Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mercenary group, to contain conflicts from spiraling into a full-fledged war. There are thousands of Wagner group fighters in Africa.  The  Kremlin  has been using this notorious mercenary group as one of its most influential foreign policy tools. Following the weekend mutiny, an attempt to overthrow the Russian army, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov assured Moscow’s allies in Africa that  Wagner group fighters in Africa  will not be withdrawn. He told  Russia Today  that instructors and private military contractors would remain in Mali and CAR. Wagner has the biggest presence in these two countries in  sub-Saharan Africa .  Seizing Lavrov’s words, The Sentry, an anti-corruption organization, accused the Prigozhin-led group of trying to take over CAR’s national resources – gold and diamonds. It highlighted that Wagner’s fighters have been undergoing “ul...

  On Wednesday, Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, called on African nations to abandon their positions of neutrality on the conflict between his country and Russia. On Wednesday, Kuleba made his remarks in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. He stated that Ukraine was “very upset that some African countries chose to abstain,” and he urged the other African nations to provide Ukraine with diplomatic assistance “in the face of Russian aggression.” A great number of African nations have steadfastly refused to take sides in the battle raging in Europe; as a result, several of them have chosen to remain neutral in votes at the United Nations General Assembly denouncing Russia’s invasion. Ethiopia is a prime example of this. Wagner, a Russian private military contractor, is working in numerous regions of Africa, where Russia has established a significant foothold. Most recently, Russia and South Africa participated together in joint military drills. In th...