Weekly Brief

March 23, 2025

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, DRC and Rwanda held talks as M23 rebels advanced, Putin ordered a 30-day halt on energy strikes, and Israel resumed its Gaza offensive as the ceasefire collapsed. Plus, Türkiye detained Istanbul's mayor, Rwanda cut ties with Belgium, and Namibia swore in its first female president.

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DRC and Rwanda hold talks as M23 rebels advance

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame held talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar, urging an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo. This comes after M23 rebels withdrew from peace talks in Angola, following EU sanctions on their leader and Rwandan commanders.

Despite the ceasefire call, M23 rejected it and captured the strategic town of Walikale, continuing their advance toward Kinshasa. The conflict, fuelled by competition over mineral wealth, risks escalating into a wider regional war with Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi involved. M23 later announced they would withdraw from Walikale to support peace efforts, though scepticism remains over their commitment to a lasting ceasefire.

Putin orders 30-Day halt on energy strikes, ceasefire still elusive

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a 30-day pause on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump but rejected a broader ceasefire. Kyiv also agreed to a halt on strikes on Russian energy sites.

However, both sides accused each other of continued attacks, with Ukraine reporting Russian strikes on a hospital and energy facilities, while Moscow claimed Ukraine hit an oil plant near Crimea. Meanwhile, EU leaders pledged ongoing financial and military support for Ukraine but did not endorse Zelenskyy’s €5 billion ammunition request. Talks on a partial ceasefire, proposed by the U.S., are set to resume next week in Saudi Arabia.

Israel resumes Gaza offensive as ceasefire collapses

Israel launched a new ground offensive in Gaza, retaking territory ceded during a now-collapsed ceasefire. The assault, following airstrikes that killed over 400 people, is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages. Israeli forces regained control of parts of the Netzarim corridor, effectively splitting Gaza in two. The truce had previously seen Hamas free over two dozen hostages and Israel withdraw from parts of the strip.

Meanwhile, right-wing politician Itamar Ben-Gvir rejoined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition after initially leaving in protest over the ceasefire. Separately, Netanyahu’s dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has sparked backlash, with critics accusing the prime minister of scapegoating security officials over the October 7 Hamas attack.

Türkiye detains Istanbul mayor on corruption and terrorism charges

Türkiye detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the main rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on corruption and terrorism-related charges. Authorities also invalidated his university diploma, disqualifying him from the race, as a degree is required to run for president. Imamoglu, leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), is facing multiple investigations, including bribery and leading a crime organisation. The arrest, days before Imamoglu was set to announce his presidential bid, sparked mass protests.

Demonstrators took to the streets in Türkiye’s commercial hub on Friday (Mar. 21) for the third consecutive day to show their support for Ekrem Imamoglu, with opposition leaders claiming over 300,000 people demonstrated. Critics denounced the arrest as a politically motivated move to weaken Erdoğan’s top challenger.

Kyrgyzstan ratifies border deal with Tajikistan

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a border agreement with Tajikistan, aiming to end years of conflict over their nearly 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) shared border. The deal, signed by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Bishkek, seeks to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties.

The region has been a flashpoint for violence, with clashes in 2021 leaving 55 people dead and in 2022 killing at least 100 and displacing 140,000. Kyrgyz officials expressed hope that the agreement would promote lasting peace and stability. The bills were swiftly approved in three readings by parliament, with the speaker emphasizing the deal’s potential to foster friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Rwanda severs diplomatic ties with Belgium; Namibia swears in first female president

Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of “neo-colonial delusions” and siding with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the ongoing conflict. Belgium has been pushing for EU sanctions against Rwanda over its alleged support for the M23 rebel group. Kigali expelled Belgian diplomats, calling Brussels’ actions “disproportionate.” Belgium condemned the move, while the EU sanctioned Rwanda’s state mining agency for exploiting DRC’s resources.

Meanwhile, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president. The 72-year-old leader aims to tackle 37% unemployment and oversee the country’s emerging oil and gas sector. Namibia, the world’s third-largest uranium supplier, is set to become a major energy player, with commercial oil production expected by 2029.

Peru declares state of emergency as crime wave grips capital

Peru has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital, Lima, and neighbouring Callao province following a surge in violence, including the fatal shooting of popular cumbia singer Paul Flores. The government deployed soldiers to the streets to combat rising crime, including extortion rackets. President Dina Boluarte called for the death penalty for murderers, despite Peru only allowing execution for treason.

The crime wave led to the ousting of Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez over his inability to address growing insecurity. Homicides in Peru surged by over 35% in 2024, rising from 1,508 in 2023 to 2,059. The emergency grants the authorities additional powers to crack down on criminal groups.

Sudanese army seizes presidential palace amid ongoing conflict

The Sudanese army announced it had seized the presidential palace in Khartoum, marking a major gain in its two-year conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The military also recaptured key buildings, including the central bank, state intelligence headquarters, and the Sudan National Museum. Despite the RSF withdrawing from some locations, it claimed the battle was not over and launched attacks that killed dozens of soldiers.

Indonesia passes controversial law allowing greater military role in government

Indonesia has ratified controversial changes to its military law, allowing armed forces personnel to hold more civilian posts, sparking fears of a return to military dominance. Critics warn the move echoes the authoritarian rule of former leader Suharto, who stepped down in 1998. President Prabowo Subianto, an ex-special forces general and Suharto’s former son-in-law, backed the changes, citing domestic and geopolitical challenges.

The revisions expand military roles to include the attorney general’s office, state secretariat, counterterrorism, and narcotics agencies, while also extending officers’ retirement age. Despite activist concerns, Indonesia’s law minister denied it marked a return to Suharto-era control. The ruling coalition-dominated parliament approved the changes in a plenary session.

Germany approves €1tn spending package amid coalition talks

Germany’s outgoing parliament approved a €1tn spending package, clearing the final hurdle in the Bundesrat with a two-thirds majority. The plan, backed by Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, lifts borrowing limits to allow unlimited defence spending and creates a €500bn, 12-year fund to modernise infrastructure. The package aims to accelerate Germany’s rearmament and boost its stagnant economy.

Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) pushed the package through emergency sessions before the new parliament, where right- and left-wing parties could have blocked it. The deal passed after the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU, secured support from its coalition partner, the Free Voters. Two states governed by Die Linke also backed the plan, ensuring its passage.