Ethiopia
“The violence in Tigray is horrifying. It shocks the conscience.” - US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Godec.
Pressure is building on Ethiopia over the conflict in its Tigray region, which has been marked by horrific sexual violence, extra-judicial killings and massacres. Most notably, the US has over the last couple of days stepped up its response. The administration has imposed sanctions on individual government and military officials and today said it was preparing additional sanctions. Washington’s interest is clear - Ethiopia has long been its key ally in the Horn of Africa and the security lynchpin keeping armed groups like al-Shabab in check. Were Ethiopia to descend into all-out civil war, the stability of the entire area, including the Red Sea region, would be compromised.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Hong Kong
China continues to tighten its grip on Hong Kong. The city’s parliament, dominated by pro-Beijing politicians since an opposition walkout, today passed a hugely controversial electoral reform law that will prevent anyone a pro-China panel considers "unpatriotic" from being elected.
More in this good BBC write-up here.
Belarus
“I want you to hear my cry, the cry of my soul. So that you understand how difficult it is for us now and how much we are experiencing this situation. I am begging you, help me free my son.” - Natalia Pratasevich, mother of journalist Raman Pratasevich.
The European Union today prepared new sanctions on Belarus reported to directly target sectors from which President Alexander Lukashenko personally profits.
More from the Associated Press here.
And an excellent piece, also from the AP, interviewing other Belarusian dissidents in exile who are worried for their own safety after the detention of Pratasevich.