Weekly News Recap (16 – 22 March 2026) © Photo by Swiveler via Flickr International Justice Section PCA: Hearings Begin in Rwanda’s Arbitration Proceedings Against UK Over Cancelled Migration Agreement...
Weekly News Recap (27 January - 2 February 2025)
© Photo by European Parliament via Flickr
- INTERPOL: 37 Suspected Terrorists Arrested in East Africa Operation
- US: Human Rights Groups Sue Trump over Transgender Military Service Ban
- Italy: Investigations Opened Against Italian Ministers over Failure to Extradite ICC Suspect
- India: Delhi Court Orders FIR Against Journalist Rana Ayyub for Alleged Anti-India Posts
- ECtHR: Court Rules Italy’s Inaction on Illegal Dumping Violates Right to Life
- Poland: Calls for Reversal of Conviction in Polish Abortion Assistance Case
- ICJ: Belize Files Application to Intervene in South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel
- Germany: Parliament Approves Motion for Stricter Immigration Laws Amidst Controversy
International Peace & Security Section
Nigeria: At Least 22 Nigerian Soldiers Killed by Insurgent Attack
Denmark: To Spend US$2.05 Billion to Boost Security in Arctic Region
NATO: Secretary General Calls for Defence Spending Above 2% of GDP
Somalia-Egypt: Cooperation Agreement Reached in Counter-Terrorism Efforts
EU: Sanctions Renewed on Russia to Prevent Funding to Finance War against Ukraine
West Africa: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Withdraw from Regional Bloc ECOWAS
West Bank: Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 Palestinians in West Bank
Congo: M23 Rebels Seize Goma and Advance South to Gain More Territory
UN: Human Rights Chief Appeals for Funding of US$500 Million in 2025
- Syria: Rebel Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Declared Transitional President of Syria
International Justice Section
INTERPOL: 37 Suspected Terrorists Arrested in East Africa Operation
On 27 January 2025, INTERPOL and AFRIPOL announced their arrest of 37 suspects and arms seizure in a successful counter-terrorism operation in East Africa from November 2024 to December 2024. The suspects arrested include alleged members of ISIS, Al Shabaab and several foreign terrorist fighters. The arms seizure also included a range of products, from small firearms to heavy weapons. These arrests were made across eight East African countries, with Kenya arresting 17 suspected terrorist fighters, including 2 alleged ISIS members, and the Democratic Republic of Congo arresting 4 alleged members of the Allied Democratic Forces, among other arrests. Both INTERPOL and AFRIPOL stressed that intelligence gathering, international collaboration, and border security are key to countering terrorism. Cyril Gout, INTERPOL’s Acting Executive Director of Police Services, stated that “East Africa’s complex landscape, marked by political instability, porous borders, and socioeconomic challenges, continues to provide an environment conducive to terrorist activity. Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Executive Director of AFRIPOL, further added that this “operation highlights the critical role of international cooperation and the exchange of intelligence in disrupting criminal networks and curbing their reach.”
US: Human Rights Groups Sue Trump over Transgender Military Service Ban
On 28 January 2025, two human rights groups, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Lambda Legal, filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump for his executive order that banned transgender people from serving in the US Armed Forces. The Order, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” states that individuals cannot reach the military service standards when they have a “false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex”. Sarah Warbelow, vice president of the HRC, states that this move undermines the valuable years of service committed by transgender military members. The lawsuit’s plaintiffs include six transgender individuals who served, with distinction, the US Armed Forces for decades as well as two transgender individuals who wish to serve in the military.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/01/rights-groups-sue-trump-over-transgender-military-service-ban/
Italy: Investigations Opened Against Italian Ministers over Failure to Extradite ICC Suspect
On 28 January 2025, the Chief Prosecutor in Rome, Francesco Le Voi, opened an investigation against multiple Italian Ministers, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for their decision to repatriate wanted International Criminal Court (ICC) suspect Osama Najim. On 19 January 2025, Najim was arrested on Italian soil but was repatriated to his nation of origin, Libya. Despite Italy’s duty to arrest and transfer wanted ICC suspects to the Court as a Member State of the Rome Statute, an Italian appeals court approved Najim’s repatriation to Libya on procedural grounds. Prime Minister Meloni stated that the ICC’s transfer request was not received by Italian judicial authorities in the proper manner, and was thus rejected. However, experts state that, in view of international law, Italian law enforcement should have preventatively detained Najim instead of immediately releasing him. The Chief Prosecutor’s move follows Italian lawyer Luigi Li Gotti’s complaint over the situation. He is currently investigating Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, and the cabinet undersecretary for Intelligence Matters Alfredo Mantovano.
India: Delhi Court Orders FIR Against Journalist Rana Ayyub for Alleged Anti-India Posts
On 28 January 2025, a court in Delhi instructed the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against journalist Rana Ayyub following allegations of making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities and spreading “anti-India sentiment” through her posts on social media. Advocate Amita Sachdeva initiated the legal action, pointing to several tweets by Ayyub from 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2022, which allegedly insulted Hindu religious figures and disrespected significant cultural and historical personalities. The move to the Saket Court under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure came after the Delhi Police did not initially act on the complaint filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Raman Singh deemed the allegations serious enough to merit an investigation, citing potential violations of several sections of the Indian Penal Code related to promoting religious enmity and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings. In response to the court’s directive, Rana Ayyub stated that she learned about the FIR through media reports and assured her cooperation with the police, maintaining that her tweets did not violate any legal provisions. The case is set to continue with a police investigation and a forthcoming compliance report.
ECtHR: Court Rules Italy’s Inaction on Illegal Dumping Violates Right to Life
On 30 January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) determined that Italy violated the rights to life and respect for private and family life, as stipulated by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), due to its prolonged failure to address the rampant illegal waste dumping in the Terra dei Fuochi region. This negligence has been linked to organised crime groups and has persisted despite long standing awareness by the authorities since 1988. The court emphasised that Italy’s inactivity presented a “sufficiently serious, genuine and ascertainable risk to life,” thereby breaching Article 2 of the ECHR, which safeguards the legal right to life. Concurrently, this risk infringes upon Article 8, which covers the right to respect for private and family life. Despite Italy’s efforts, including enhanced cancer screening initiated only in 2013, the court criticised these measures as inadequate in addressing the root causes of pollution and its health implications. Given the severity and long-term nature of the illegal dumping, which has led to extensive soil and groundwater contamination and elevated cancer rates amongst residents, the court mandated Italy to develop a comprehensive anti-dumping strategy within two years. This strategy must include setting up an independent monitoring system and a public information platform to ensure transparency and ongoing public engagement, as outlined under Article 46 of the ECHR. This article enables the court to enforce modifications to national legal frameworks to rectify significant systematic human rights violations. The judgment also highlighted the minimal legal consequences faced by perpetrators, with only seven convictions related to the illegal dumping activities since 1988, underscoring a broader systemic failure to enforce environmental laws effectively. The court’s decision aims to prompt significant legislative and enforcement reforms to mitigate the environmental and health crises in Terra dei Fuochi.
Poland: Calls for Reversal of Conviction in Polish Abortion Assistance Case
On 30 January 2025, Amnesty International strongly criticised the conviction of Justyna Wydrzyńska, a human rights activist in Poland, urging for the reversal of her conviction by the appeals court. Wydrzyńska, a co-founder of the Abortion Dream Team, was convicted for aiding a woman in accessing abortion pills in 2020. The woman, a victim of domestic violence, was unable to leave the country for an abortion due to her husband’s interference. Wydrzyńska faced charges in 2021 for assisting with an abortion and unauthorised possession of medicines, and was later sentenced to eight months of community service in 2023. With her appeal pending, a verdict is expected on 13 February 2025. She argued in court that aiding someone in need, whether through providing a cup of soup or abortion pills, should not be criminalised. Monica Costa Riba, Amnesty International’s senior campaigner for women’s rights, emphasised that Wydrzyńska’s case is significant as she is possibly the first activist in Europe prosecuted for providing abortion pills. Costa Riba stated that Wydrzyńska must be the last to face such prosecution. Poland’s stringent abortion laws only permit abortions in cases of threats to the life or health of the pregnant person or if the pregnancy results from rape or incest. While self-abortion is not a criminal offence in Poland, assisting someone in obtaining an abortion outside these conditions can lead to imprisonment. The restrictive nature of Polish abortion laws has been internationally criticised, including by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which highlighted the severe impacts of these laws on women’s physical and mental health, describing them as potentially constituting “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”
ICJ: Belize Files Application to Intervene in South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel
On 30 January 2025, Belize filed an application to intervene in the case of South Africa v. Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the application of the Genocide Convention in Gaza. Citing Articles 62 and 63 of the ICJ Statute, Belize argues that it has a legal interest in ensuring Israel complies with its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Belize seeks to hold Israel accountable for alleged violations, prevent impunity for genocide, and uphold the Convention’s provisions. As a party to the Convention, Belize also asserts its right to contribute to the interpretation of key articles. The ICJ has invited Israel and South Africa to submit written observations on Belize’s request.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20250131-pre-01-00-en.pdf
Germany: Parliament Approves Motion for Stricter Immigration Laws Amidst Controversy
On 31 January 2025, Germany’s parliament passed a controversial motion advocating for stricter immigration regulations, securing a narrow majority with 348 votes in favor and 344 against. The motion, supported by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, calls for permanent border controls, the outright rejection of all illegal immigrants, and the detention of individuals deemed required to leave the country. Describing the current immigration system as “clearly dysfunctional,” the motion demands immediate actions to curb illegal entry into Germany, including enabling police to directly apply for deportation warrants. This legislative move represents a significant shift in German politics, breaking the ‘Brandmauer’ or firewall traditionally maintained by mainstream parties to isolate far-right influences to prevent the resurgence of extremist ideologies. The AfD, known for its staunch anti-immigration and xenophobic stances, has faced criticism for members’ use of Nazi-era slogans. This development comes in the wake of rising right-wing sentiments and security concerns, notably following a recent terror attack in Solingen. In response, Chancellor Olaf Schulz announced expedited deportations to address these security issues. However, the motion’s approval, supported by AfD alongside the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), has sparked widespread condemnation from left-wing factions and Chancellor Schulz himself, who argued that such stringent measures could contravene European law. The alignment of CDU with AfD has particularly drawn ire, leading to protests outside CDU headquarters under the banner “Firewall over arson.” Meanwhile, several opposition leaders have denounced CDU’s collaboration with AfD. Despite the parliamentary approval, security authorities have raised concerns about the practicality of enforcing the motion, citing a lack of adequate resources, which could potentially strain the system further.
https://www.dw.com/en/german-lawmakers-reject-contentious-immigration-law/live-71465034
International Peace & Security Section
Nigeria: At Least 22 Nigerian Soldiers Killed by Insurgent Attack
On 27 January 2025, Nigerian army spokesperson, Edward Buba, stated at least 22 soldiers have been killed and several injured in the northeastern region of Nigeria after insurgents planned an attack using improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers to fend off the advancing military. Buba stated that the Nigerian military had killed over 70 militants, including three commanders, after they launched an operation 10 days ago against insurgents in the northeast area. The military also shot down insurgent drones. Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants have mainly operated in Borno state in northeast Nigeria and have been fighting an armed rebellion, mainly targeting security forces and civilians. The conflict has resulted in thousands of people being killed and displaced. The recent attack follows a suspected Islamist insurgent attack on Friday, which resulted in at least 20 Nigerian soldiers being killed during an assault on an army base in a remote Borno town. On Monday, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack on a post by the group on Telegram. The northeast region of Nigeria has been experiencing an Islamist insurgency since 2009.
Denmark: To Spend US$2.05 Billion to Boost Security in Arctic Region
On 27 January 2025, Denmark announced it will spend US$2.05 billion (14.6 billion kroner) to boost its military presence in the Arctic region, in partnership with its autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The security deal will include three new Arctic navy ships, long-range surveillance drones and stronger satellite capacity. The announcement comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he wants to take over Greenland. Earlier this month, Trump did not rule out using military or economic force to take over the territory. Greenland is an autonomous island but remains part of Denmark. It is the world’s most sparsely populated territory and home to about 56,000 mostly Indigenous Inuit people. Greenland has long been a security interest to the US. After the occupation of mainland Denmark by Nazi Germany during World War II, the US invaded Greenland and set up military and radio stations throughout the territory and has maintained a presence there since. Greenland’s location is strategically important to the US as it is situated on the shortest route from North America to Europe. More recently, there has been growing interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. The new funding announcement follows a separate announcement made in December for US$1.5 billion to be spent on Greenland’s defence, which includes new ships, long-range drones and dog sled teams. The Greenland Prime Minister has stated the territory is not for sale and that “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland.” Denmark’s Prime Minister has outlined it is up to Greenland to decide its own future. European countries have also warned Trump not to threaten Greenland, but despite this, Trump has continued to express his intent to acquire the territory.
NATO: Secretary General Calls for Defence Spending Above 2% of GDP
On 27 January 2025, NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, advised NATO members to increase defence spending beyond their common goal of 2% of national output set a decade ago, adding that this amount is now too low to meet new challenges. Rutte made the comments in Lisbon at a joint briefing with Portuguese Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, who outlined Portugal’s guarantee to meet the 2% goal by 2029. In 2023, Portugal spent 1.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP). Rutte outlined the goal of 2% “will not be enough to meet the challenges of tomorrow” and expressed the urgent need to spend more on defence. NATO members will meet at a summit in the Hague this summer where they will discuss the possibility of raising the current 2% target. Rutte’s comments come as US President Donald Trump is pressing NATO member states to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, a figure at present no NATO member meets. Rutte also warned that Russia was trying to destabilise NATO member states through assassination attempts, cyber-attacks, and sabotage, alongside its war of aggression in Ukraine. Russia denies it is attempting to destabilise Western states, while asserting its military conduct in Ukraine is intended to strengthen its own national security. Montenegro stated Portugal was looking for methods to fast-track the timeframe for meeting the 2% target while at the same time not jeopardising its small budget surplus.
Somalia-Egypt: Cooperation Agreement Reached in Counter-Terrorism Efforts
On 27 January 2025, it was reported Somalia and Egypt have agreed to work together in the fight against the al-Shabaab terrorist group. The Somali Defence Ministry said in a statement that Egypt has pledged to support the Somali government’s counter-terrorism efforts. The announcement came during technical discussions on African nations’ contribution to a new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) commenced its five-year term in January. Days before the announcement, Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, visited Egypt and met with Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, where they agreed to boost the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership. The two leaders agreed to strengthen the areas of education, justice, politics, security, communications, and economy. They also agreed to enhance cooperation between their countries’ institutions, particularly their judicial and security bodies. Further to this, the Foreign Ministers of Somalia and Egypt signed an agreement which exempts Somali diplomatic passports holders from visas, which enhances diplomatic cooperation between the two governments. Last summer, Egypt and Somalia signed a defence agreement to strengthen bilateral security cooperation between the two nations.
EU: Sanctions Renewed on Russia to Prevent Funding to Finance War against Ukraine
On 27 January 2025, the EU announced it had renewed sanctions on Russia aimed at depriving Russia of funds to finance its war against Ukraine. The sanctions were finally extended after Hungary lifted its veto after weeks of stalling the move. The sanctions will remain in place for six-months at least up until 31 July 2024, targeting a wide range of areas including trade, finance, energy and technology. Some of the measures were introduced in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, but the number of sanctions increased significantly after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, called on the EU to intervene in an ongoing gas dispute between Hungary and Ukraine. He said Ukraine’s move to halt the flow of Russian gas into Central Europe had forced Hungary to look for alternative supplies, which has increased energy prices. In response to Orbán’s request, the European Commission attached a statement to Monday’s sanctions rollover agreement, saying the Commission “expects all third countries to respect” EU energy security and it is ready to take measures to protect critical infrastructure like oil and gas facilities. Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, confirmed Hungary received the guarantees it needed regarding their energy security, and dropped its objections allowing the sanctions to be renewed. All 27 EU member countries must unanimously vote for sanctions to be extended. EU officials anticipated Hungary would drop its objection to the measures after US President Donald Trump threatened to place sanctions on Russia if a settlement to end the Ukraine war is not agreed. Orbán is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he is also a supporter of Trump.
West Africa: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Withdraw from Regional Bloc ECOWAS
On 29 January 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the formal withdrawal of junta-led Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc. ECOWAS said it had decided to “keep ECOWAS’ doors open” and asked member nations to continue to afford the three countries membership privileges, including free movement within the region with an ECOWAS passport. ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray stated that despite the withdrawal, the bloc still hopes to work with the countries in dealing with regional challenges, including extremist violence. ECOWAS was formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” in member states and is regarded as the main political and regional authority in West Africa. In recent years, the bloc has struggled to overturn coups in the area where people are left frustrated over not receiving the benefits from the rich natural resources. After the military juntas came into power in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso they announced they were withdrawing from ECOWAS. The trio announced the formation of their own security partnership known as the Alliance of Sahel States, and they also ended long-standing military ties with Western countries, including the US and France, instead turned to Russia for military support. The withdrawal of the three countries marks the first time members have left ECOWAS in such a manner. Experts have described the move as an unprecedented setback for the bloc, which could hamper attempts to restore democracy and contribute to stabilising the increasingly fragile region.
https://apnews.com/article/ecowas-niger-mali-burkina-faso-672c3db44eb28fd4a181840f5ba00296
West Bank: Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 Palestinians in West Bank
On 30 January 2025, it was reported an Israeli airstrike had killed 10 Palestinians on Wednesday night in the town of Tamun in the northern West Bank. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated it targeted a group of “armed terrorists.” Following the agreement of the ceasefire in Gaza, over the past week Israel has stepped-up its military operations in the West Bank, mainly around the city of Jenin, just north of Tamun. Israel has deployed security forces along with helicopters, drones and armoured vehicles to Jenin and its refugee camp, which is regarded as a stronghold area for Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. It is reported over 20,000 people have fled their homes in the refugee camp, with many homes demolished by Israeli bulldozers. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on 21 January the start of a large-scale operation to “defeat terrorism” in the occupied West Bank’s Jenin region, and since then, the Palestinian health ministry has reported 16 Palestinian deaths with several more injured. Additionally, the Palestinian health ministry outlined that another 14 Palestinians were killed in other areas of the northern West Bank during the same period, including the 10 who died in Wednesday night’s airstrike in Tamun. The IDF outlined on Wednesday its security forces had killed 18 terrorists and detained 60 individuals in Jenin and the Tulkarm area, where they started a separate operation on Monday. Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, visited the Jenin refugee camp on Tuesday and outlined the IDF would remain there once the operation was over to ensure that terrorism does not return. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the “provocative raid on Jenin” and called for an urgent intervention from the US to “stop the transfer of scenes of destruction from Gaza to the West Bank.”
Congo: M23 Rebels Seize Goma and Advance South to Gain More Territory
On 30 January 2024, it was reported the M23 rebel group seized more towns in eastern Congo in an attempt to expand their control of the region. On Monday, the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, claimed the city of Goma, the capital city of the North Kivu province, after a swift advancement in the biggest escalation of the conflict since 2012. The M23 rebels have now advanced towards the centre of South Kivu province, and according to reports have taken over several towns, including Kalungu, Kanyezire and Mukwinja. Corneille Nangaa, the head of the Congo River Alliance, a militant coalition which includes M23 rebels, stated their aim is to reach Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. Despite international calls to de-escalate tensions, the M23 rebels continue their advancement across the South Kivu province, towards the provincial capital of Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second largest city. On 28 January 2025, the Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi, called on young people to join the army and promised a “vigorous and coordinated response against these terrorists and their sponsors.” Tshisekedi also criticised the international community for their “silence and inaction,” which was an outrage given the “unprecedented worsening of the security situation” that could lead to a wider escalation in the Great Lakes region. Tshisekedi did not attend a summit with the East African Community bloc on Wednesday. Leaders at the meeting called for an immediate ceasefire and for talks to commence between Congo and the armed groups. Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, attended the meeting amid growing international pressure over Rwanda’s role in the conflict. According to the UN, the M23 rebels are backed by 4,000 troops from Rwanda, but Rwanda continues to deny the claims. Congo is rich in gold and other minerals used to make batteries and electronics. The M23 group is one of many armed groups battling for control in mineral-rich eastern Congo, whose vast mineral deposits are estimated to be worth US$24 trillion.
UN: Human Rights Chief Appeals for Funding of US$500 Million in 2025
On 30 January 2025, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, appealed for US$500 million in funding for 2025 to support its work. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was already struggling with chronic underfunding, but this could be further impacted by cuts to US foreign aid by President Donald Trump. The annual appeal is for funds outside of the allocated UN funds from member states’ fees, which only covers a small percentage of the office’s requirements. At a speech in Geneva, Turk told members he is concerned that if funding targets are not met in 2025, people will be left to struggle without adequate support. This could result in human rights violations going undocumented and human rights defenders losing protection, “in short, lives are at stake” he added. The OHCHR gets about 5% of the regular UN budget, with the majority of its funding coming from donations following its annual appeal. Most of the funding is provided by Western states, with the US giving US$35 million in 2024, 15% of the total received last year, followed by the European Commission. Yet, the office only collected about half of the US$500 million it needed last year.
Syria: Rebel Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Declared Transitional President of Syria
On 30 January 2025, Ahmed Al-Sharaa was named as the Transitional President of Syria. Al-Sharra, who was once associated with al-Qaida, is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS, and spearheaded the campaign that removed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power in December, ending the Assad regime’s rule after more than half a century. Previously, the US had a US$10 million bounty on al-Sharaa, but it was recently removed after he had a meeting with a US delegation in Damascus. Al-Sharaa now has the job of establishing a temporary legislative council for the transitional period. Al-Sharaa stated his top priorities as interim President is to fill a vacuum in government “in a legitimate and legal way.” He also said a priority is to uphold civil peace through transitional justice and to prevent revenge attacks. Following al-Sharaa’s appointment some Syrians took to the streets of Damascus to celebrate. However, Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, has a more pessimistic outlook of al-Sharra’s role. He stated al-Sharra’s appointment reinforced his “status as the strongman ruler.” Gerges added it is his view “that HTS and al-Sharaa intend to consolidate single-party Islamist rule.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/former-rebel-leader-is-syria-s-new-interim-president/7956463.html
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