The scenes of joy when the first Ethiopian flight in 20 years landed in Eretria spoke volumes about how people have responded to the end of hostilities between the neighbouring countries. Martin Plaut explains that change will be most keenly felt in reclusive Eritrea, which has severe restrictions on political expression, the press and international agencies. Peace is also likely to bring an end to forced military service, which has led hundreds of thousands to leave the country in a bid to dodge conscription.

The 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia was Africa’s collective worst since 1982 with all five of the continent’s teams eliminated in the first round. With this year’s tournament dominated by European teams filled with players with African roots, the question is asked: why aren’t they playing for the countries of their parentage? Chuka Onwumechili argues that it’s time Africa’s administrators tried to find out so that they can work to rectify the situation.