International Boundary Commission will soon attempt to demarcate border, although elements in Ethiopian Government have signalled reluctance to cooperate – calling for new body to rule on disputed areas. Eritrea opposes call. Mandate of UN peacekeeping mission (UNMEE) renewed for another six months. UNMEE urged both governments to speed up steps to demarcate border.

President Lansana Conte confirmed he will seek new seven-year term in December elections. 69-year-old Conte, ill with diabetes and heart problems, has ruled since 1984 coup. Thousands of Liberians have fled into Guinea since mid- September to escape ongoing instability in Liberia.

Tumultuous month with new civilian leader now installed following military coup against President Kumba Yalla on 14 September. Yalla elected president in January 2000, but had repeatedly delayed scheduled elections since then. Coup, led by General Verissimo Correia Seabra, Chief of Staff of armed forces, met with widespread popular support. Businessman Henrique Rosa sworn in as interim president on 28 September. Parliamentary elections to take place in six months, followed by presidential elections 12 months later. Group of unidentified men attacked army barracks in town east of capital on 26 September. Attack repelled.

UN approved peacekeeping force of 15,000 troops for Liberia. UN force to take over from ECOWAS on 1 October – but full UN force will not deploy for several months. Former President Charles Taylor trying to run Liberia from exile in Nigeria. Nigerian President Obasanjo warned Taylor against interfering in Liberia in breach of asylum conditions. Obasanjo also stated that Taylor did not have sovereign immunity – implying Taylor could be handed over to Sierra Leone Special Court if Nigeria so decides. Sekou Conneh, leader of LURD rebels, returned to Liberia from exile in Guinea. Government and rebel troops continue to commit atrocities against civilians in countryside.

Negotiating security pact with Nigeria to clamp down on smuggling, human-trafficking and cross border banditry.

Several people died in fighting in oil city of Warri in Niger delta.

Paul Kagame sworn in as president on 12 September after winning first direct universal suffrage elections since 1994. EU observer team had strong reservations about openness and fairness of electoral environment. Voting in parliamentary elections commenced on 30 September. New prosecutor of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Hassan Jallow, commenced four-year term on 15 September.

UN extends mission (UNAMSIL) to March 2004. Failure to address corruption remains a concern. Special Court has called for international community to ensure Charles Taylor arrested and handed over for trial.

Delegates at peace talks in Kenya adopted charter for new government on 15 September. President Hassan of Transitional National Government (TNG), which controls small area of Mogadishu, abandoned talks and has rejected charter. TNG’s mandate expired on 13 August. Breakaway Somaliland not represented at talks.

Peace talks in Kenya between Sudanese Government and rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army going well. Parties signed agreement on 25 September on security arrangements for six-year transition period – removing significant obstacle to ending conflict. Uganda claims Sudan arming Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in Uganda. Parties agreed to renew for two months ceasefire due to expire at end of September.