Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe.

Today's three stories you should know.

Jan 11, 2023

Afghanistan

At least 20 people were killed in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul today when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the foreign ministry, the Taliban has said. The attack was reported to have happened while a Chinese delegation was meeting with Taliban officials inside. ISIS, an avowed enemy of the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram channel it is known to be affiliated with. The group’s Afghan affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan Province or ISIS-K, has quickly emerged as the biggest security threat to the Taliban since it returned to power in August 2021.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Tigray forces, who had been engaged in a war with the government for the last two years, today began surrendering their heavy weapons. The disarmament was a key part of a peace deal signed between the sides two months ago. The agreement said that the handover of weapons would take place at the same time as the withdrawal from Tigray of troops from neighboring Eritrea, who had been fighting alongside the Ethiopian government. According to residents, though, Eritrean forces remain in several areas, and Eritrea’s government has not commented on when they might leave.

Zimbabwe

A particularly draconian anti-strike law was introduced in Zimbabwe today. Under it, health workers such as nurses and doctors can be sent to jail for up to six months if they go on strike for more than three days. Industrial action by healthcare workers has become relatively common in the country with workers arguing that their salaries are too low and that they don’t have the equipment necessary to do their jobs.