ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 17 — African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has welcomed the signing of the Doha framework for a comprehensive peace agreement between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in Qatar.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday announced the signing of the framework agreement, marking a new step toward a long-awaited peace deal aimed at ending the conflict in the eastern DRC.

“The chairperson warmly welcomes the signature of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of the DRC and the M23,” read an AU statement issued on Saturday.

“This landmark step represents a significant advance toward restoring stability, rebuilding trust, and addressing the root causes of conflict in eastern DRC.”

Commending the two parties for “demonstrating courage, political will, and commitment to dialogue,” Youssouf also expressed “deep appreciation to Qatar for its constructive facilitation and steadfast support” to the peace process.

The AU urged all stakeholders to uphold the letter and spirit of the framework, and ensure its timely and faithful implementation, including through the timely conclusion of the six follow-on protocols.

Youssouf reiterated the AU’s “unwavering commitment” to proactively continue engaging and supporting the Doha process with a view to lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability in the DRC.

He also reaffirmed the AU’s continued support to all initiatives aimed at fostering peace, security, reconciliation, and development in the DRC and across the Great Lakes region. (Xinhua)

ACCRA, Nov. 17 — Ghana will be among the first countries to benefit from China’s zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa has said.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Tong said China and Ghana have reached a consensus in principle on the early harvest arrangements of the agreement on economic partnership for shared development, which marks an important step in implementing China’s zero-tariff policy.

The ambassador described the Chinese initiative as a proactive measure to expand its opening-up, aimed at creating new development opportunities for developing countries, particularly in Africa.

Tong expressed hope that the implementation of the zero-tariff policy would enable Ghanaian products, such as cocoa products, cashews, rice, shea butter, textiles, and handicrafts, to gain better access to China and activate production capacity in Ghana.

He said the initiative would also enable Ghana to attract more investment, promote the continuous extension of the industrial chain, drive the overall industrial development, and share the achievements of China’s super-large market and its modernization.

At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit last year, China announced that it would give all the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.

This year, China decided to extend the zero-tariff arrangement to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. (Xinhua)

MOSCOW, Nov. 17 — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday held a telephone conversation to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

According to a statement released on the Kremlin’s website Saturday evening, the two sides discussed progress on implementing a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, the current status of Iran’s nuclear program, and further efforts to promote stability in Syria.

The previous telephone conversation between the Russian and Israeli leaders took place on Oct. 6, during which they discussed the situation in the Middle East as the United States proposed a “20-point plan.”

Putin reiterated Russia’s consistent position in support of resolving the Palestinian issue in accordance with international law.

During a meeting in Moscow with Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa on Oct. 15, Putin said that Russia has always maintained friendly relations with Syria. (Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Nov. 17 — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Sunday in a statement that it has opened fire at two UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, citing misclassification “due to poor weather conditions.”

After identifying “two suspects” in the Al-Hamames area, Israeli troops fired warning shots and forced them to withdraw, but after a later review of the incident, the two were found out to be UN peacekeepers patrolling in the area, it said.

“The IDF emphasizes that no deliberate fire was directed toward UNIFIL soldiers, and the matter is being handled through official liaison channels,” it said, adding that it will continue operations to “remove any threat” to Israel.

Earlier in the day, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Israeli troops fired from a Merkava tank positioned near an Israeli post in southern Lebanon, with heavy machine gun rounds landing about five meters from peacekeepers on foot.

The peacekeepers took cover and immediately contacted the Israeli forces through UNIFIL liaison channels to halt the firing, UNIFIL said.

They were able to withdraw safely about 30 minutes later after the tank retreated. No injuries were reported. UNIFIL called the incident a “serious violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and urged the IDF to “cease any aggressive behavior and attacks on or near peacekeepers,” emphasizing that UN personnel are working to help restore stability in the region.

UNIFIL positions have been targeted several times since cross-border clashes erupted after the Gaza war began in October 2023.

Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has continued periodic strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has maintained border positions past a Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline. (Xinhua)

CAIRO, Nov. 16  — Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, held consultations on Sunday, focusing on a U.S.-backed draft resolution concerning the security arrangements in the Gaza Strip.

During a phone conversation, Abdelatty underscored the need for a UN Security Council decision to firmly establish a ceasefire and foster the necessary environment for achieving a just and comprehensive peace, according to a statement by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.

He stressed the importance of proceeding with the full implementation of a ceasefire plan on Gaza put forward in September, describing it as a practical roadmap toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.

The Egyptian minister also detailed the preparations currently underway for an international conference for early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov and Abdelatty discussed the U.S. draft resolution on Gaza and Russia’s related proposals during the phone call.

The two sides discussed ongoing debates at the UN Security Council on “the U.S. draft resolution on Gaza and related Russian proposals,” read the statement, adding that “a shared view was expressed on the importance of a long-term settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the well-known international legal framework.”

According to the statements, the two ministers also discussed bilateral relations and Iran’s nuclear program. The United States is pressing the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution that “welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace,” a transitional governing body for Gaza, which will be chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump. (Xinhua)

QUITO, Nov. 17 — Ecuadorians voted against allowing the return of foreign military bases to the country in a constitutional referendum held on Sunday.

The proposal, put forward by President Daniel Noboa, aimed to equip the government with additional measures to combat the escalating violence attributed to organized crime gangs linked to drug trafficking.

With more than 95 percent of ballots counted and a “marked trend” established, the “No” vote prevailed on the question seeking to eliminate the constitutional prohibition on establishing foreign military bases in Ecuador, according to the National Electoral Council.