The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held a public oral hearing on 14 May 2025 in a case filed by Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and its partners, accusing the Ethiopian government of committing “widespread human rights violations” during the Tigray war—violations they allege “have persisted” despite the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in November 2022. In a statement following the hearing, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and partners described it as “growing international recognition” of what it said were grave violations committed by Ethiopia against civilians, including “mass killings and sexual violence,” as well as forced displacement, famine, and a prolonged communication blackout…The hearing is part of a broader series of international efforts seeking accountability…The complaint echoes findings by the now-dissolved International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE), which, in its final report before its mandate expired in October 2023, documented evidence of “war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on a staggering scale.” (Addis Standard)

The WSIS+20 Africa Regional Review Meeting, held in Cotonou from 14 to 16 May 2025, concluded by adopting the Cotonou Declaration calling for the continuation of the World Summit on the Information Society process, including the Internet Governance Forum and WSIS Forum for the next decade urging a unified African voice for an inclusive digital future. This will reinforce alignment with the Global Digital Compact, enhancing Africa’s leadership in digital governance and ensuring technology serves as a force for socio-economic progress, sustainability, and equity.

The three-day event brought together ministers, parliamentarians, regional and international organizations, civil society, youth representatives, academia, and the private sector to assess progress made since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and chart a renewed course for Africa’s digital future.

Presiding over the closing ceremony, Mr. Mahougnon KAKPO, representative of the President of the National Assembly of Benin, emphasized the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in bridging the digital divide. “I call for the mobilization and commitment of all stakeholders, governments, parliaments, the private sector, civil society, and international partners to intensify our efforts to ensure universal and affordable access to information and communication technologies,” he stated.

Echoing this call, Mrs. Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, Minister of Digital Economy and Digitalization of Benin, underscored the continent’s immense potential: “Africa is a young, dynamic, and promising continent. Digital technology is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate its development, transform its economies, and improve the lives of its people. With determination and ambition, we can build an African information society that is a model of inclusion, innovation, and shared prosperity.” (Press release)

The heads of the African Union Commission, the Arab League and the United Nations have pledged to unify their efforts for a stronger, more coordinated international response to end the conflict in Sudan and achieve a permanent ceasefire, according to a joint statement. The high-level consultative meeting, held on the sidelines of the recent Arab League Summit in Baghdad, aimed to “stop the fighting and violence in Sudan, alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and reach a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” according to a statement issued following the discussions…They said their efforts would build upon existing frameworks, including relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, the Jeddah Declaration, and decisions by the African Union (AU) and Arab League. (Sudan Tribune)

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Individuals who live in Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania and are bequeathed assets may have to pay a tax on their inheritance. This inheritance tax is levied on the value of the bequeathment received by the beneficiary, and the beneficiary pays it.