© Photo by United Nations Photo via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
Philippines: Over 200 Arrested After Mass Protest Against Corruption
Sudan: Cholera Outbreak in Darfur Triggers WHO Alarm as Death Toll Surpasses 3,000
Lebanon: Amnesty International Urges ICC Jurisdiction Over Israel–Hezbollah War Crimes
Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Announce Plan to Exit ICC
Gaza: Italy and Spain Send Navy Ships after Drone Attack on Flotilla
Palestine: Blair Leads Proposal for Post-War International Transitional Authority in Gaza
Mexico: Demonstrators Attack Military Base in Protest Over Disappearance of 43 Students
Gaza: New Evidence Raises Questions over Israel’s Account of Nasser Hospital Strike
ICJ: Mali Drone Dispute Case Against Algeria Blocked Due to Lack of Jurisdictional Consent
On 19 September 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said that Mali’s case against Algeria concerning the downing of a military drone cannot proceed without Algeria’s consent regarding the court’s jurisdiction. Mali accused Algeria of deliberately shooting down its drone near Tinzaouaten, along the desert border, during operations against armed groups between 31 March and 1 April. Mali characterised the incident as an unlawful act of aggression under international law and sought judicial intervention. In response, Algeria contended that the drone was an armed surveillance aircraft that violated its airspace and was therefore lawfully intercepted. Since Algeria has not accepted the ICJ’s compulsory jurisdiction, the court transmitted Mali’s application to Algiers, clarifying that no further action would be taken without Algeria’s consent. The case highlights the ICJ’s reliance on state acceptance and underscores the jurisdictional obstacles that frequently limit access to international adjudication.
Germany: Court Dismisses Palestinian Appeal on Arms Exports to Israel
On 22 September 2025, the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) reported that Germany’s Higher Administrative Court (VGH) in Kassel denied legal protection to a Palestinian complainant challenging German arms exports to Israel. The ruling continues a pattern in which German courts have rejected safeguards for people from Gaza, despite evidence that German weapons are being used unlawfully against civilians. The ECCHR stated that “arms exports that enable attacks on the civilian population in Gaza in violation of international law are themselves in breach of international law,” urging the Constitutional Court to review the decision. The case concerns German spare parts for Israeli Namer and Merkava tanks, crucial for Israel’s ground operations in Gaza. The complainant sought to suspend the export licenses, arguing they endangered his life. Both the Frankfurt Administrative Court and the VGH ruled that Germany cannot control Israel’s military actions and found no direct legal link between the export licenses and the complainant’s risk.
https://www.ecchr.eu/en/press-release/rechtsschutz-gegen-waffenexporte-erneut-verwehrt
South Sudan: Trial of Suspended Vice President Machar Commences Amid Security Concerns
On 22 September 2025, Riek Machar, South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, appeared in a Juba court for the commencement of his treason trial, surrounded by heavy security and limited media access. Machar faces serious charges, including treason, murder, and crimes against humanity, stemming from alleged support for Nuer militia raids that resulted in numerous fatalities and the displacement of over 80,000 civilians earlier this year. Machar’s defence attorney argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, asserting that as a sitting vice president, Machar is entitled to constitutional immunity, and called for his immediate release alongside seven co-defendants, including the Minister of Petroleum. Prosecutors rejected these claims as baseless. Since March, Machar has been under house arrest, and the combination of his detention and the trial has raised concerns about a potential resurgence of conflict between Nuer and Dinka forces, jeopardising the fragile peace established by the 2018 civil war settlement. These proceedings underscore the ongoing challenges South Sudan faces in reconciling accountability, political power, and stability.
KSC: Witness in Former President Thaci Trial Says KLA Had No Hierarchy
On 23 September 2022, John Stewart Duncan, the third witness for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, told the Kosovo Specialist Chamber (KSC) that the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was not a hierarchical organisation but a complex network of power structures. He explained that effective military control was shared between general commander Agim Ceku and zone commanders, while Thaci and Jakup Krasniqi focused on political affairs. Duncan, a former political advisor to General Wesley Clark, who was NATO’s Supreme Commander in Europe during the Kosovo conflict, noted that KLA soldiers came from diverse backgrounds and that a demilitarisation agreement had to be negotiated with zone commanders, who held real authority. According to Duncan, although Thaci signed the agreement, he lacked full control over the KLA and could not ensure full implementation of his orders. Thaci has been in detention in The Hague since November 2020, where the KSC was established to ensure fair proceedings and protect witnesses, though procedures preserving witness identities have raised transparency concerns. Thaci will call 11 witnesses and former speaker Krasniqi will call two. The defence case is expected to close by 14 November, with the panel having 90 days to issue a verdict, likely in spring 2026.
France: Court Sentences Former President Sarkozy to Five Years in Prison for Conspiracy in Libya Campaign Financing Case
On 25 September 2025, a criminal court in Paris found former French President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy in connection with illicit campaign financing from Libya for his 2007 presidential election and sentenced him to five years in prison. Sarkozy served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012. Prosecutors asserted that Sarkozy, during his tenure as interior minister in 2005, forged a deal with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to obtain millions of euros in funding in exchange for political support for Libya on the international stage. Sarkozy has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The court acquitted him of other charges, including passive corruption and additional illegal financing counts. It is expected he will be summoned by prosecutors within one month to begin serving his prison sentence.
IRMCT: Case of Rwanda Genocide Suspect Félicien Kabuga Remains Paused Amid Health and Transfer Disputes
On 25 September 2025, judges of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) convened to deliberate the situation of Félicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, who remains in legal limbo two years after being deemed unfit to stand trial. Arrested near Paris in 2020, Kabuga was indicted on charges of genocide and incitement to commit genocide. However, proceedings were halted in 2023 when medical experts determined that his dementia hindered meaningful participation in the trial. Now approximately 90 years old, Kabuga refuses transfer to Rwanda, citing concerns over potential mistreatment, while European nations have declined to accept him. Judges noted that this deadlock is reminiscent of the challenges faced by other acquitted or released individuals from international tribunals who find themselves without legal status in their host countries, including five Rwandans stranded in Niger.
https://apnews.com/article/rwanda-genocide-kabuga-hague-court-f06b8b9000f5e6bfe58031c7fa85bd0e
ICJ: France Withdraws Case Against Iran Over Detained Citizens Amid Diplomatic Efforts
On 25 September 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirmed that France had withdrawn its case against Iran regarding the detention of two French nationals, Cécile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris, who have been held in Tehran’s Evin prison for over three years. France had accused Iran of arbitrary detention, inhumane treatment, and a denial of consular protection, framing the situation as a violation of the Vienna Convention. Iran has denied these allegations, asserting that the couple served as spies for Israeli intelligence. The ICJ did not provide a reason for France’s withdrawal. This decision came just a day after President Emmanuel Macron addressed the matter with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly. Afterwards, Macron reiterated France’s demand for the detainees’ release, while Pezeshkian said they discussed ways to resolve the matter.
IACHR: Court Presses Mexico to Ensure Justice for Ayotzinapa Victims
On 26 September 2025, the Inter American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) called on Mexican authorities to ensure justice for the 43 students who disappeared from a rural college in Ayotzinapa between 26 and 27 of September 2014. Eleven years after the crimes, the case has not yet been clarified, and perpetrators have not been held accountable. The Court stated that its Precautionary measure 409/14, which urged Mexico to elucidate the victim’s fate and requested proper assistance to survivors, remains in force. The possible involvement of police, military personnel and state authorities in the crimes was reported by the Presidential Commission for Truth and Access to Justice in the Ayotzinapa Case (COVAI). Victims and their representatives have raised concerns about obstacles to justice, including ineffective dialogue, alleged irregular benefits for military personnel, and withheld documents from the Ministry of Defence. Mexico reported intensified search operations, ongoing investigations into the armed forces’ involvement, increased focus on technical and scientific evidence, and efforts to extradite suspects and obtain information from detainees. The reestablishment of direct dialogue with families by President Claudia Sheinbaum and the commitment to open military archives and engage independent experts to assist prosecutions were acknowledged as positive developments by the IACHR. The Court also expressed concerns about engaging with the Special Prosecutor’s Office and stressed that the transition must include a clear strategy to progress investigations, strengthen evidence, accelerate prosecutions, improve mechanisms, and keep victims central to the process.
Philippines: Over 200 Arrested After Mass Protest Against Corruption
On 22 September 2025, over 200 people were arrested in the Philippine capital of Manila following clashes that erupted during mass anti-corruption protests. The demonstrations, which drew nearly 50,000 people to a park, were held on the historical anniversary of the imposition of martial law. Protesters were demanding accountability for a scandal involving massive amounts of public funds lost to “ghost flood control projects” – schemes where infrastructure was paid for but never built. This corruption included climate-related projects, undermining the country’s ability to withstand its high vulnerability to natural disasters, knowing it faces an average of 20 tropical cyclones yearly. This fraud resulted in a significant loss to the Philippine economy of roughly 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) between 2023 and 2025. In the political fallout, the Senate President and House Speaker (the President’s cousin) stepped down. While many demonstrations were peaceful, masked protesters engaged in violence at Mendiola and Ayala Bridge, resulting in clashes where police used tear gas for dispersal. The police reported that 131 officers were wounded and vehicles were set ablaze, leading to the arrest of 224 suspects, some of whom were minors. Following the unrest, Manila saw an increased police presence and the imposition of a curfew for minors.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/21/protests-philippines-corruption-state-flood
Sudan: Cholera Outbreak in Darfur Triggers WHO Alarm as Death Toll Surpasses 3,000
On 23 September 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that at least 3,000 Sudanese have died from cholera across Sudan since the outbreak began in July 2024. The epidemic, the deadliest in the country in years, has now spread to all 18 states. The Darfur region, where cholera has been spreading since May, is particularly affected due to heavy rains and flooding, overcrowding and limited access to clean water in displacement camps. As of Sunday, WHO reported 12,739 cases and 358 deaths in more than half of Darfur localities. In some areas of West Darfur, the case fatality rate has reached 11.8%. In response to the situation, WHO launched a vaccination campaign targeting the most affected communities, aiming to protect 1.86 million people. However, delivering vaccines to Darfur remains a major challenge, and access to life-saving treatment for cholera is severely limited, as 14 months of violent conflict have devastated the health system and pose serious security risks for front-line workers.
https://apnews.com/article/sudan-darfur-who-cholera-cases-deaths-ce14451c091be9825847d9ddacf9fa19
Lebanon: Amnesty International Urges ICC Jurisdiction Over Israel–Hezbollah War Crimes
On 23 September 2025, one year after hostilities escalated between Israel and Hezbollah, Amnesty International urged Lebanon to grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction to investigate war crimes. Israel’s airstrikes killed at least 558 people and injured 1,800 others on 23 September 2024, and its unlawful attacks since the conflict began destroyed border villages, hit residential buildings, health facilities, ambulances, and paramedics. At least 57 civilians were killed while trying to return to their homes in southern Lebanon during a 60-day ceasefire in late 2024. Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, called on Lebanon to accede to the Rome Statute and enable the ICC to investigate and prosecute these war crimes, stating that “the Lebanese government must break the cycle of inaction and pursue justice for all victims”, and that “By failing to join the ICC, the Lebanese government is knowingly blocking a vital path to international justice.”
Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Announce Plan to Exit ICC
On 23 September 2025, it was reported Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, members of the Alliance of Sahel States (ASE), had announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing that the Court has become “an instrument of neocolonial repression” and a “global example of selective justice.” The ASE accused the ICC of failing to perform its role and of violating its own Statute by promoting institutionalised impunity for some perpetrators while targeting others. The states said they will adopt internal justice mechanisms to protect human rights and combat impunity. The Alliance’s withdrawal from the ICC will take effect one year after the UN Secretary-General is notified in writing (Article 127 of the Rome Statute). Criticism of the ICC’s disproportionate focus on African leaders and conflicts has previously been raised by other African states such as South Africa, Gambia, and Burundi, which withdrew from the Court in 2017. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s decision comes amid a worsening Sahel security crisis, with al-Qaeda and Islamic State attacks against civilians and allegations of serious abuses by state forces.
Uganda: Bobi Wine Set to Face Museveni in 2026 Election
On 24 September 2025, Ugandan opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, was cleared by the Electoral Commission (EC) to run in the presidential election scheduled for January 2026. Wine will run against President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has governed since 1986 and is seeking a seventh term in office after a 2017 constitutional amendment removed age limits. The opposition leader remains Museveni’s main rival; in the disputed 2021 election, he took 35% of the vote, subsequently accusing Museveni of fraud, which led to protests, dozens of deaths, and Wine’s house arrest. His party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), is now the largest opposition bloc in parliament, with significant support in urban areas. However, the opposition has raised serious concerns about intimidation, citing arrests and abductions of supporters by security forces. With another key opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, currently jailed on treason charges, many Ugandans doubt the fairness and credibility of the upcoming vote.
Gaza: Italy and Spain Send Navy Ships after Drone Attack on Flotilla
On 25 September 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a civilian initiative aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, came under attack by drones and aircraft while sailing in international waters near Greece. The flotilla, made up of around 50 boats carrying aid supplies and volunteers including lawyers, journalists, parliamentarians and activists from more than 40 countries, reported 13 explosions during the night, as well as radio jamming that disrupted communications. Following the attack, Italy deployed a navy frigate to the area and announced the dispatch of a second vessel the next day, while Spain also confirmed it would send a warship to protect the flotilla. Both governments framed their intervention as necessary to safeguard civilians at sea after what they described as “unacceptable attacks.” Despite Italy and Spain dispatching ships, Israel threatened the flotilla again on Thursday, accusing it of “serving Hamas” and warning it would not be allowed to reach Gaza.
Palestine: Blair Leads Proposal for Post-War International Transitional Authority in Gaza
On 25 September 2025, The Economist reported that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is advancing a proposal for a UN-mandated “Gaza International Transitional Authority” (GITA) to oversee Gaza for five years following the conclusion of the war. The plan, backed by Gulf states and reportedly supported by US President Donald Trump, would establish the GITA as Gaza’s supreme political and legal authority, with a multinational force entering to support the administration once stability is restored, until eventual transfer to the Palestinian Authority. Advocates argue the model mirrors international administrations in Kosovo and East Timor during their transitions to statehood in the 1990s. However, the initiative faces widespread Palestinian scepticism due to Britain’s colonial legacy in Mandatory Palestine, Blair’s controversial role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and Israeli actions during his eight years as envoy of the Quartet (USA, EU, Russia and the UN) in the Middle East. Critics warn of replicating patterns of prolonged external control over Palestinian self-determination, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas insisting that his administration should take charge. How the proposal would navigate Hamas’ position and the hardline Israeli government’s ambitions remains unclear.
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/09/25/could-tony-blair-run-gaza
Mexico: Demonstrators Attack Military Base in Protest Over Disappearance of 43 Students
On 25 September 2025, demonstrators in Mexico City rammed a truck into the gates of a military base and set it on fire, demanding accountability for the 43 Ayotzinapa students who disappeared in 2014. For many Mexicans, this case has become emblematic of the state’s involvement in bloodshed in the country. The protest took place on the eve of the 11-year anniversary and exposes the ongoing anger at state and military involvement in the disappearances, which a 2022 truth commission classified as a “state crime.” Authorities believe the students were abducted and killed by a cartel acting in collusion with government and military officials. However, nobody has been convicted yet. Current Ayotzinapa students and relatives of the missing accuse the army of withholding key documents and believe the state’s role in the Ayotzinapa killings extends beyond what has been disclosed so far. President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged that there are new lines of investigation, but families say little progress has been made.
https://apnews.com/article/protest-ayotzinapa-43-students-missing-27d48f37e3564975f6f4fb5b9dfd7dd8
Haiti: Political Leader Appeals for Help Amid Escalating Gang Violence
On 26 September 2025, one of Haiti’s transitional leaders, Laurent Saint-Cyr, told the UN General Assembly that his country is “at war” with gangs ravaging the nation. From January to June 2025, gang violence caused more than 3,100 deaths and left 1,100 injured, while displacing some 1.3 million people across the country, according to the UN. The humanitarian impact has been profound, with many families living in makeshift shelters or converted public buildings, lacking basic access to water, health care, and adequate shelter. Saint-Cyr and other officials called for global attention, proposing a larger authorised force of some 5,550 personnel to support the UN-backed Kenyan-led mission already deployed in Haiti. He emphasised that neighbourhoods are disappearing, people are dying daily, and that Haiti’s collapse of public order demands global attention. This appeal comes just days after a drone strike by Haiti’s police in a gang-controlled district of Port-au-Prince killed at least eight children and several others during a birthday celebration. The strike has raised further concerns over civilian protection, use of force, and accountability amid Haiti’s spiralling security crisis.
https://apnews.com/article/haiti-un-gang-violence-shelter-camps-a99f965d40c2341ed197aae6c0e0e3d2
Gaza: New Evidence Raises Questions over Israel’s Account of Nasser Hospital Strike
On 26 September 2025, Reuters published an investigation into an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis that occurred on 25 August, which killed 22 people, including five journalists. Israel initially claimed the attack targeted a Hamas-operated camera identified via drone footage, but Reuters’ analysis of satellite imagery and video shows the device belonged to one of its journalists. The Israeli military has since stated that troops fired without the required approval in the chain of command but has not explained why no warning was given to Reuters or hospital staff, or why the site was struck again nine minutes later, killing first responders and journalists. Human rights experts and humanitarian organisations have cited the incident as deeply troubling, noting that over 200 journalists have now been killed in Gaza. The findings add to mounting international scrutiny and condemnation of Israel’s conduct, amid accusations of war crimes and genocide, which Israel denies, as its offensive into Gaza City intensifies.
Madagascar: Imposes Curfew After Violent Protests Erupt Over Repeated Power Outages
On 26 September 2025, it was reported Madagascar’s government enforced a nighttime curfew after demonstrations over chronic water and electricity shortages escalated into looting, arson, and clashes with police. The protests erupted over public frustration due to continuous power cuts lasting over twelve hours at a time. Protesters blocked roads with burning tires, attacked shops, banks, and cable car stations. Social unrest was reported not only in the capital, Antananarivo, but also at the offices of the national water and electricity company (Jirama) across the country. Authorities used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, while police chief Angelo Ravelonarivo said the curfew imposed from 7 p.m. on Thursday until 5 a.m. on Friday would remain until “order is restored.” The largely youth-led movement, mobilised through social media, highlights growing frustration with governance and failing infrastructure, posing a significant challenge to the authorities as they seek to contain unrest and tackle the underlying issues.
https://www.africanews.com/2025/09/26/madagascar-imposes-curfew-amid-violent-blackout-protests/
Weekly News Recap (26 January – 1 February 2026) © Photo by United Nations Photo via FlickrInternational Justice SectionICC: Pre-Trial Chamber Rules Duterte Fit to Stand TrialICC: Pre-Trial Chamber Refers Italy’s Non-Compliance in the Libya Situation to the ASPNetherlands: Court Sentences Eritrean Human Trafficker to 20 Years’ ImprisonmentECtHR: Rules Prosecution
Weekly News Recap (19 – 25 January 2026) © Photo by Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan via Wikimedia Commons International Justice Section Greece: 24 Aid Workers Acquitted of Migrant-Smuggling Charges IACtHR: Declares Honduras Responsible for Discriminatory Arrests and Failure to Investigate the Death of a
Weekly News Recap (12 – 18 January 2026) © Photo by Phillip Pessar via Flickr International Justice Section Austria: Rights Group Files Criminal Complaint in Austria Over Gaza War Crimes CJEU: Upholds Inclusion of Syrian Businessman on Sanctions List KSC: Closing Statements in Thaçi’s Trial Scheduled for February Bosnia and
