Iran: EU leaders summon ambassadors

 

European leaders summon Iran ambassadors over repression of protests

France's Foreign Minister said this Tuesday that he had summoned the Iranian ambassador to object to what he described as "state violence unquestioningly unleashed on peaceful protesters" in Iran. Similar calls have been raised by a series of European governments, as the death toll grows in Iran and the USA threatens to intervene.

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Melissa Chemam

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Since the mass protests have erupted across Iran, demanding an end to the clerical system in power since 1979, a severe and brutal crackdown from authorities has followed, activists saying at least 648 people have been killed, with fugures remaining unclear due to an internet blackout.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday afternoon that he had summoned the Iranian ambassador in Paris to object to what he described as "state violence unquestioningly unleashed on peaceful protesters" in Iran.

"I conveyed this condemnation to the Iranian Foreign Minister," Barrot said. "And it will be reiterated to the Iranian Ambassador to France, whom I summoned today to the Quai d'Orsay," he added before members of parliament during the question period in the National Assembly."

"But we will not stop there. There can be no impunity for those who turn their guns against peaceful protesters," Barrot continued.

The previous day, President Emmanuel Macron had made similar statements.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated almost at the same time on Tuesday that the European Union would "quickly" propose new sanctions against those responsible for the repression of protests in Iran.

 

UK, EU summoning

The UK government also summoned on Tuesday the Iranian ambassador in London "to answer for the horrific reports" emerging from Iran amid a deadly crackdown on protests, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said.

"The minister for the Middle East, at my instruction, has summoned the Iranian ambassador to underline the gravity of this moment and to call Iran to answer for the horrific reports that we are hearing," she told MPs in a statement to parliament.

Cooper added she was "fearful that the reports that we have seen may underestimate the full scale of the horror as further evidence and testimony reaches the outside world".

Finland and Denmark summoned Iran's representatives to their countries as well on Tuesday, because of Tehran's nationwide shutdown of the internet and violent crackdown on protests. 

"Iran's regime has shut down the internet to be able to kill and oppress in silence," Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen wrote on social media X.

"This will not be tolerated. We stand with the people of Iran - women and men alike", she said, adding that she would "summon the Iranian ambassador this morning".

Valtonen said the Nordic country was also "exploring measures to help restore freedom to the Iranian people" together with the EU.

Later on Tuesday, Denmark's foreign ministry announced that it had summoned Iran's charge d'affaires, as the ambassador was currently away, "to express the government's condemnation of the Iranian regime's use of violence against demonstrators".

The ministry said in a statement that it has also urged "Iran to comply with its international obligations, including the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly."

"This also applies to ensuring free and unhindered access to the internet," it said.

Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) said Monday that the violent crackdown on a wave of protests in Iran has killed at least 648 people.

But it warned the death toll was likely much higher -- "according to some estimates more than 6,000".

US threats

A nationwide shutdown of the internet by authorities in Iran, which activists fear is aimed at masking the scale of a crackdown, has now lasted over 108 hours, a monitor said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said also on Tuesday that Iranians should continue nationwide protests, take over institutions and record names of "killers and abusers," as authorities there cracked down on mass demonstrations.

"Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY."

 (with AFP) 

A dangerous weekend for the world...

I'm in charge of our website at RFI English this weekend, so much going on!

A summary, in brief:

 

Trump tells Cuba to 'make a deal, before it is too late'

Washington, United States, Jan 11, 2026 (AFP) - US President Donald Trump urged Cuba on Sunday to "make a deal" or face unspecified consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money to Havana would now stop.

   "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!" Trump said on his Truth Social channel. "I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

Trump said that "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!"

Read on: https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20260111-trump-tells-cuba-to-make-a-deal-before-it-is-too-late

President Trump also reposted a social media message on Sunday suggesting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, born to Cuban immigrant parents, would become the next leader of Cuba.

   Trump republished a Truth Social message from user Cliff Smith, posted on January 8, that read "Marco Rubio will be president of Cuba," accompanied by a crying laughing emoji.

Cuban president replied to US: 'No one tells us what to do'.

Israel says supports Iranian people's 'struggle for freedom'

Jerusalem, Jan 11, 2026 (AFP) - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday that Israel supports the Iranian people in what he described as their "struggle for freedom", as major protests shake the Islamic republic.

   Iran has been gripped by days of deadly protests, initially ignited by anger over the rising cost of living but rapidly evolving into a broader movement challenging the theocratic government that has ruled the country since the 1979 revolution.

   "We support the Iranian people's struggle for freedom and wish them success," Saar said in a video interview posted on his X account.

Iran protests New protests hit Iran as alarm grows over crackdown 'massacre' 

Paris (France) (AFP) – Iranians took to the streets in new protests against the clerical authorities overnight despite an internet shutdown, as rights groups warned on Sunday that authorities were committing a "massacre" to quell the demonstrations.

Read more here: https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20260111-new-protests-hit-iran-as-alarm-grows-over-crackdown-massacre

'Rioters' must not disrupt Iranian society: President Pezeshkian on state TV

 Paris, France, Jan 11, 2026 (AFP) - "Rioters" should not be allowed to disrupt Iranian society, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday in his first remarks after three nights of intensified protests against the authorities.

   "The people (of Iran) should not allow rioters to disrupt society. The people should believe that we (the government) want to establish justice," he told state broadcaster IRIB.

Syria US and EU urge fresh talks between Syria govt, Kurds after deadly clashes

 The United States and the European Union on Saturday urged the Syrian government and Kurdish authorities to return to negotiations after days of deadly clashes in the northern city of Aleppo.

For more: https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20260111-us-and-eu-urge-fresh-talks-between-syria-govt-kurds-after-deadly-clashes

Syria govt forces detain 300 Kurds, evacuate 400 fighters from Aleppo

Aleppo, Syria, Jan 11, 2026 (AFP) - Syrian government forces evacuated more than 400 Kurdish fighters from the last district in Aleppo to fall to the army and detained 300 Kurds, an interior ministry official told AFP on Sunday.

   Kurdish forces said the combatants were evacuated "through the mediation of international parties to stop the attacks and violations against our people in Aleppo".

Greenland 'American? No!' says Greenland after latest Trump threat 

Greenland's political parties said they did not want to be under Washington as US President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory, raising concern worldwide.

Read on from here: https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20260110-american-no-says-greenland-after-latest-trump-threat

Africa

Benin heads to polls after failed coup shakes political landscape 

Benin votes on Sunday in legislative and local elections that come just over a month after an attempted coup shook the commercial capital Cotonou. The vote follows weeks of campaigning and comes ahead of a presidential election in April.

Insight: https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260110-benin-heads-to-polls-after-failed-coup-shakes-political-landscape

South Africa 

 USA Why the new US ambassador to South Africa could strain relations even further 

Leo Brent Bozell III, the conservative activist picked by President Donald Trump to represent the United States in South Africa, is preparing to begin his new role as ambassador after being confirmed by the US Senate. A history of opposition to the country's ruling party during its struggle against apartheid makes him a controversial choice.

Details: https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260110-leo-brent-bozell-iii-new-us-ambassador-to-south-africa

Somaliland 

The risky calculations behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland 

Israel's decision to formally recognise Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, has drew criticism from most African countries – most of all Somalia, which has long opposed Somaliland's efforts to secede. 

I look at what's driving Israel to pursue the partnership, and why it is causing concern throughout the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region here: 

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260109-the-risky-calculations-behind-israel-s-recognition-of-somaliland

Somaliland, Israel, Somalia: What's at stake?

 

The risky calculations behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland

Israel formally recognised Somaliland, the breaking-away region of Somalia, as a sovereign state in December, a move that drew criticism from most African countries, including Somalia, which has for long opposed Somaliland's efforts to secede. The two have now started diplomatic meetings, angering further Mogadishu, and creating worries not only in the Horn of Africa but in the whole Red Sea region.

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By Melissa Chemam

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Since its declaration of independence in 1991, Somaliland  had not been formally recognised by any country, until Israel did so on 27 December 2025.

The move looked unexpected to many, as the the breaking-away region of Somalia had tried to gain recognition unsuccessfully for decades.

Authorities in Somalia, which are entirely in favour of safeguarding the integrity of their territory, have decried Israel's decision and rallied the African Union and other African nations for support.

> Read also our piece on RFI: UN ambassadors condemn Israel's recognition of Somaliland

But the two regions are moving forward with their decisions, and Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, visited Somaliland on Tuesday (7 January), ten days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.

Saar met Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in the capital Hargeisa and discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties. 

And Somaliland’s president will head thus to Jerusalem mid-January.

Somalia's Foreign Ministry denounced an "unauthorised incursion" into the country. It criticised Gideon Saar's visit as "a serious violation of Somalia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity", and "unacceptable interference in the country's internal affairs," stating that Somaliland is "an inalienable part of internationally recognised Somali territory."

So, why is this decision creating so much worry? and what are Israel's reasoning with this new partnership?

Torn history  

Somaliland lies in northwestern Somalia, in the Horn of Africa, along the strategic Gulf of Aden in the Red Sea, and it shares land borders with Ethiopia, Djibouti and the rest of Somalia.

Up until the 18th century, the Somali region consisted of independent sultanates and clan-based societies, with limited and indirect Ottoman influence along parts of the coast. European powers started establishing ports and trade agreements in the region too.

Following the Berlin Conference of 1884–85 and what is known as the 'Scramble for Africa', France, Britain and Italy moved to formalise their presence in the Horn of Africa.

Britain declared a protectorate over north-western Somalia in 1887 (which became today's Somaliland), while Italy established control over southern and north-eastern Somalia from 1889, through a series of treaties with local rulers. France's influence remained around the Gulf of Tadjoura, which is now Djibouti.

For the first part of the twentieth century, Somaliland remained a British protectorate, while the Somalia we know today was colonised further by Italy. 

Somali nationalist movements grew in the 1940s and 50s, and Somaliland gained independence on 26 June 1960, followed by Italian Somalia on 1 July.

But over the years, Somalilanders had kept their English-speaking habits and different administrative rules. And with the increasingly authoritarian regime of Siad Barre, Somalilanders were victims of repression.

With the fall of Barre in 1991 and the begining of a civil war, the region declared independence.

Somaliland has since sought formal recognition as an independent state for decades, signing bilateral agreements with various foreign governments on investments and security coordination.

Strategic location  

Since 1991, Somaliland has been governing itself independently, avoiding war, and organising democratic elections.

Since the election of new President Abdullahi in December 2024, the breaking-away region has launched a more obvious foreign policy to pursue recognition from the international community, especially towards Donald Trump.

> Read also my piece: With a new president, Somaliland seeks international recognition

This is when Israel started looking at a partnership, including recognition.

"Due to its strategic location on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, the territory of today’s Somaliland has drawn geopolitical attention from great powers for a long time," Nasir M. Ali, researcher on the Horn of Africa and the former director of Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Hargeisa, Somaliland wrote in a recent report.

Analysts believe that an alliance between Israel and Somaliland is particularly advantageous for Israel because of its strategic position on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, facing the Houthi rebels of Yemen, supported by Iran, who have carried out numerous attacks against Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

Ali told me that Somalilanders are overwhelmingly in favour if pursing the parnership. "They've been waiting for recognition for decades, and now is the time," he said. "The strategic reasons are strong, and others in the Muslim world have already reallied Israel."

Unity at stake

Abdullahi had suggested last month that Somaliland join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 that saw Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates — a close partner of Somaliland, Bahrain then Morocco establish ties with Israel.

Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland also follows two years of increasingly strained ties with many of its closest partners over its war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank.

"Somaliland is a fully operational country founded on the principles of international law," the Israeli foreign minister said. "Somaliland is – and has been – a stable democracy for almost 35 years," and "it is pro-Western and a friend of Israel.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pursue cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy, and has invited Somaliland's president to visit Israel. The latter is invited to come to Jerusalem next from week.

Israel's government has also advocated for what officials describe as voluntary Palestinian migration from Gaza. But Somaliland has denied that the Israel recognition agreement allows it to establish military bases, or to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in the region.

Some analysts argue that Israel's support could however harm Somaliland's hopes for global recognition.

After Sarr's visit to Hargeisa, the African Union has called for the “immediate revocation” of Israel’s official recognition of Somaliland, calling for respect of Somalia's territorial integrity.

The European Union, China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia also condemned the recognition, fearing growing insecurity in the Red Sea. 

"Israel's recognition could be seen as not the best place to start, among African and Muslim partners of Somaliland," Ali reckons, "but it could also seduce countries like Ethiopia and other potential partners."

This could definitely be a game-changer for Somalia, which has a lot to lose, for East Africa and for the whole region, Ali concludes.

Ugandan elections 2026 - D-8

 

Repression against opponents intensifies in Uganda ahead of general elections

It has been almost forty years to the day since Yoweri Museveni took power in Uganda, and he intends to renew his mandate in the presidential election of 15 January 2026, seeking a seventh term as head of state. One one main opponent is able to run, Bobi Wine, but his and his party's campaigns are marred by repression.

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Melissa Chemam, 7 January 2026
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At the age of 81, Museveni seems to think a change of power in Uganda isn't possible. But, if the decades-long opponent Kizza Besigye is in prison, the popular former pop singer Bobi Wine, who officially garnered 35 percent of the vote in 2021, is in the race.

According to Kristof Titeca, a professor at the Institute for Governance and Development of the University of Antwerp, Belgium, Museveni will probably win the presidential and his party the legislative elections of 15 January, but the country is more interested in what will come next, especially the succession old autocrat, who is beginning to show signs of weakness.

Another issue is the level of repression against opponents.

 

'Brutal campaign of repression'

According to a statement from Amnesty International, released on Monday, Ugandan security forces have unlawfully targeted opposition rallies with unnecessary and excessive force and arbitrary arrests, and subjected some attendees to torture or other ill-treatment.

The organisation has documented incidents in which security officers launched tear gas at peaceful crowds in Kawempe and Iganga, and pepper-sprayed and beat people. These actions were accompanied by undue movement restrictions aimed at disrupting the opposition party National Unity Platform’s (NUP) campaign rallies.

Amnesty International also received reports and verified digital evidence of such disruptions in other parts of the country.

“The authorities have launched a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters, making it extremely difficult for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

“The Ugandan authorities must uphold their human rights obligations and allow the opposition to hold its campaign rallies without undue restrictions and without subjecting their leaders and supporters to arrests, torture or other ill-treatment.”

An eyewitness told Amnesty International that during the Kawempe rally on 24 November, following the arrival of NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, “police launched tear gas and pepper spray, to stop the rally”. The ensuing panic led to a stampede which caused dozens of people to fall into a deep ditch nearby.  The police also used dogs to intimidate the crowd, pushed people into a truck with the butts of their rifles and beat them with batons and wires.

The NGO lists many other incidents, including some deaths.

“Nobody should die simply for exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Authorities must immediately open impartial and thorough investigations into all alleged instances of unlawful use of force by security forces. Those responsible should be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty,” Tigere Chagutah added.

Amnesty urges Ugandan authorities to "commit to respecting, protecting, promoting and ensuring full respect for human rights before, during and after the elections,” as Tigere Chagutah said.

“They must immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained solely for attending opposition rallies or for their actual or perceived support for the NUP.”

A 'hybrid regime', between between authoritarianism and democracy

The repression was already severe during the last election campaign, in 2021.

"At the beginning of this election campaign, things were rather calm, which surprised quite a few people," Titeca told my RFI colleague, Christophe Boisbouvier. "But as soon as Bobi Wine and his political party, the NUP, really started campaigning, the repression escalated," he added.

There were quite a few arrests. The NUP claims that between 300 and 400 people were arrested. Analysts say it's closer to 200. There was also a real attempt to prevent Bobi Wine and the NUP from campaigning, from organising rallies. 

The repression remains very clear, Titeca insists.

A prominent lawyer, Sarah Bireete, was also arrested.

"This didn't happen in the previous elections," Titeca said. So this is the first time a figure like Sarah Bireete has been arrested on charges that were somewhat vague."

Since 1986, Uganda has been considered a hybrid regime, according to Titeca.

"It has authoritarian tendencies, but also democratic ones. This also means that the government and President Museveni constantly need the support of the international community, namely the European Union and the United States, in other words, the financial and political backing of these international actors."

The most important question for Ugandans is now about what can happen after President Museveni. His son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in charge of the army, is seen as his successor, which could foresee more repression.

"The biggest danger for the country is: How will this transition unfold? Will the army, the population accept that someone from Museveni's clan once again stays in power?" That remains to be seen, the analyst concludes. 

Somaliland and Israel start reciprocal visits, angering Mogadishu

Somaliland and Israel start reciprocal visits, angering Mogadishu

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, on Tuesday, ten days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.

Senior Somaliland officials said that Saar met Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties. 

Israel formally recognised the breaking-away region of Somalia Somaliland as a sovereign state on 27 December, a move that drew criticism from most African countries, including Somalia, which has long opposed Somaliland's efforts to secede.

 The Somali Foreign Ministry denounced an "unauthorised incursion" into Somalia. Mogadishu considers this self-proclaimed republic, which Israel recently recognised, to be part of its territory.

The Somali Foreign Ministry this criticised Gideon Saar's visit  as "a serious violation of Somalia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity", and "unacceptable interference in the country's internal affairs," stating that Somaliland is "an inalienable part of internationally recognised Somali territory."

New relations expanding on the Abraham Accords

Abdullahi had suggested last month that Somaliland join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 that saw Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates — a close partner of Somaliland — and Bahrain establish ties with Israel.

Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland follows two years of increasingly strained ties with many of its closest partners over the war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank.

Analysts believe that an alliance with Somaliland is particularly advantageous for Israel because of its strategic position on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, facing the Houthi rebels of Yemen, supported by Iran, who have carried out numerous attacks against Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

The Israeli foreign minister said in a statement that “unlike ‘Palestine,’ Somaliland is not a virtual state, it is a functioning state."

"Somaliland is a fully operational country founded on the principles of international law," he added. "Somaliland is – and has been – a stable democracy for almost 35 years," and "it is pro-Western and a friend of Israel.”

A strategic location  

Somaliland was for most of the twentiest century a British protectorate while the rest of Somalia was colonised by Italy, until the country's independence in 1960.

The territory lies in northwestern Somalia along the strategic Gulf of Aden and shares land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Somalilanders joined the new state of Somalia but kept the English-speaking habits and different administrative habits. Since the fall of authoritarian leader Siad Barré, it declared independence and has since sought formal recognition as an independent state for decades, signing bilateral agreements with various foreign governments on investments and security coordination.

Since its declaration of independence in 1991, no other country had formally recognised Somaliland.

What's ahead

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would pursue cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy, and has invited Somaliland's president to visit Israel.

The region sits across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthis have launched long-range missile and drone attacks on Israel since October 2023, as part of the Gaza war.

Israel's government has advocated for what officials describe as voluntary Palestinian migration from Gaza. But Somaliland has denied that the Israel recognition agreement allows it to establish military bases, or to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in the region.

Somaliland’s president will head to Jerusalem next week.

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Read also my piece from December 2024:

With a new president, Somaliland seeks international recognition

 

art: “All About Love” by Mickalene Thomas

 

Meanwhile… Some beauty can’t hurt: Impressive Mickalene Thomas exhibition - “All About Love” - at Grand Palais in Paris:

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As usual, I'll have so much to write about her art, but... I'm a news journalist, the world is on fire and democracy is dying...

A threat to the world

 

Words from the independent journalist, Carole Cadwalladr:

This should precipitate a whole new global crisis. It’s an unprovoked military assault on a sovereign nation in breach of international law. What should worry us more is if it doesn’t. The US bombed Nigeria at some point over the Christmas break and it barely broke the sound-news barrier.

How Europe and “the west” responds to Trump now and the actions that governments take downstream from that is going to set the path for 2026. Because Trump isn’t just a rogue, out-of-control president, America is a rogue state. And the longer we fail to acknowledge that, the more danger we are in.

Read on:

The Threat from America

America is not our enemy, but it's a danger to itself and the world

Carole Cadwalladr

Jan 03, 2026

Venezuela - Important comment

 

Important words, from Tammam Aloudat CEO of The New Humanitarian, on his LinkedIn account:

I suppose what we talked in The New Humanitarian most recent Rethinking Humanitarianism podcast about Internatinal Law being under threat and the Liberal International Order failing is now an undisputed fact.
https://lnkd.in/ecfwJT7G

The other failing system is Western journalism. We saw this in the biased coverage of the genocide in Gaza over more than two years. Journalism has become, by and large, a tool for power and any pretence of balance or objectivity, or any adherence to what we are seeing with our own eyes is gone down the drain.

Yet, the past hours are shoking in their own way. All western news outlets repeat the Trump administration talking points: Maduro Captured. Not abducted, not kidnapped, not illegally ceased in an act of agression, but captured as if he was a wanted criminal. No one talks about the need to actually capture Netanyahu, the genocidaire with an ICC warrant against him who still flies over EU airspace with impunity.

The whole of the journalistic world, from the "left" in the Guardian and Independent to the "right" in Fox, The Times, and the Economist parrot the exact words. So do the liberal CNN, BBC, and others.

This is no longer journalism. Why do we even need so many outlets who are all culturally, economically, and politically captured and controlled by ruling classes that have little regard for human life.

All this is not to defend Maduro, to be clear. There are very many ways to be both against dictators and against western imperialism and hegemony. Those are not the only choices we have.

Nigeria was attacked a few days ago, Iran is threatened, Venezuela is attacked, Gaza is still attacked every day. The cowardly EU and its governments have no guts to condemn the vulgar aggression.

We are going towards dark times.