CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: A United Nations-backed court began trying former president Francois Bozize in absentia today on charges of crimes against humanity.

The charges relate to abuses allegedly committed by members of his security forces between 2009 and 2013 at a prison and a military training centre in Bossembele, about 90 miles north-west of the capital Bangui. 

He has been living in exile in Guinea-Bissau since 2023 and authorities there have refused to extradite him.

EUROPE: Labour movement leaders from across the continent met in Dublin today to flesh out a programme to develop trade union capacity in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

British TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told the European Trade Union Confederation: “With continued illegal wars around the world and the flagrant disregard for international law of some leaders, it is vitally important that we talk about building the conditions for peace.” 

COLOMBIA: The country’s largest remaining rebel group has announced a unilateral ceasefire in the run-up to a presidential election this weekend.

The National Liberation Army said on Monday that it respects citizens’ “right to vote freely” and warned against foreign interference in Sunday’s elections.

KENYA: The government will pay compensation to almost 2,000 victims of protest-related human rights abuses, President William Ruto said on Monday.

Violent protests have left a trail of destruction in which hundreds of people have died, been injured or suffered business losses. In the most recent incident, two demonstrations against the opening of an Ebola quarantine centre for US citizens left three people dead and dozens of others injured.