In a day marked by significant political developments, Guinea prepares for its first presidential election since a military coup in 2021, while Ukraine's President Zelenskyy engages in peace talks with European leaders and Donald Trump amidst ongoing missile strikes on Kyiv. Meanwhile, violence erupts in northern Israel following a stabbing and suspected car-ramming incident, and separatist tensions escalate in Yemen as Saudi airstrikes target newly captured territories.

Guinea's Presidential Election and Junta's Controversy

On Sunday, 6.7 million eligible voters in Guinea will participate in the first presidential election since the 2021 coup led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who is now the frontrunner. Doumbouya's candidacy follows a controversial referendum that allowed him to run and extended presidential terms from five to seven years. Opposition groups, including the Forces vives de Guinée coalition, have condemned his actions as a betrayal of democracy, accusing him of becoming the "gravedigger" of the democratic process. The political landscape remains fraught, with major opposition parties suspended and their leaders barred from running. This election is significant as it represents the first electoral process in any junta-run state in West Africa since 2020, amidst a backdrop of ongoing political turmoil in the region.

Ukraine's Intensified Peace Talks Amid Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with European leaders and Donald Trump in Florida as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a peace deal with Russia. The meeting, scheduled for Sunday, aims to address critical issues such as security guarantees and territorial discussions regarding the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. This diplomatic push comes in the wake of renewed missile strikes on Kyiv, which injured eleven people. Zelenskyy has indicated that a proposed 20-point peace plan is "90% ready," and he is open to holding a referendum on the plan if a ceasefire is achieved. The discussions are seen as crucial in refining the terms of the peace agreement, as both sides continue to navigate the complexities of the conflict.

Violence Erupts in Northern Israel

In northern Israel, a Palestinian motorist carried out a deadly attack, running over a man and stabbing a woman, resulting in both fatalities. The assailant, who was shot and wounded by a civilian at the scene, has been described by Israeli authorities as conducting a "rolling terror attack." In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered military action in the assailant's hometown of Qabatiya. This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence, with over 1,000 Palestinians and 57 Israelis reported killed in the ongoing conflict since October 2023. The Israeli military is preparing for further operations in response to the attack, which has heightened tensions in the region.

Separatist Tensions Rise in Yemen

In Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group that recently seized control of two oil-rich provinces, reported that Saudi Arabia conducted warning airstrikes near its positions. The STC claimed the airstrikes were a response to recent ambushes involving its fighters. This marks the first military action by Saudi Arabia since it called for the STC to relinquish the newly captured provinces. The STC's efforts to establish a separate southern state have faced pushback from the Saudi-backed UN-recognized government, which argues against unilateral actions that threaten Yemen's unity. Demonstrations in the port city of Aden reflect growing support for the STC's independence agenda, despite calls from regional powers for a unified Yemen.

Wrap-up

Today’s news highlights significant developments in Guinea’s political landscape, ongoing diplomatic efforts in Ukraine amid military escalations, violent incidents in Israel, and rising separatist tensions in Yemen. Each of these situations reflects broader regional challenges and the complexities of governance, security, and international relations.

Sources: theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team