August 7, 2023

*) Niger waits for West African bloc's response after junta rejects ultimatum Niger waits on for a response from the West African regional bloc after coup leaders in the capital city Niamey ignored a deadline to reinstate the ousted president. The Economic Community of West African States has warned that a failure to reverse the coup could lead it to authorise a military intervention. The bloc has said it will issue a statement on its next steps in response to the junta's refusal to stand down by Sunday following the July 26 power grab. *) ​​Sudanese army strikes RSF positions near presidential palace The Sudanese Armed Forces have conducted their first aerial bombardment of positions of the Rapid Support Forces in the presidential palace - controlled by the paramilitary group since April. RSF positions in the three cities known as the tripartite capital - Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri - also came under heavy artillery fire from the army. Intense clashes have been ongoing for over 100 days between the army and the RSF, particularly in strategic areas around the capital and in the western part of the country. *) Peace talks on Ukraine to continue following Jeddah meeting Talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on the Ukraine conflict have concluded with participants agreeing on the importance of continuing consultations for peace efforts. More than 40 countries, including China, India, the United States and European countries, excluding Russia, took part in the Jeddah talks that ended on Sunday. Ukraine and its allies called for international support for principles that Kiev wants to be the basis for peace, including the withdrawal of all Russian troops and the return of all Ukrainian territory. Moscow called the meeting a doomed attempt to swing the Global South behind Kiev. *) Jailed former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's lawyers to launch legal challenge Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's lawyers attempt to launch legal challenges against his three year-sentence for graft that has ruled him out of con