Basque prime minister presented autonomy plan to region’s parliament – Spanish Government said plan illegal. Basque regional government filed a challenge in the European Court of Human Rights against Spanish anti-terror law banning Basque separatist party Batasuna. One member of terrorist organisation ETA killed and two policemen wounded in shootout on 14 September.

Kremlin-backed candidate, Akhmad Kadyrov, looks set to win 5 October presidential election in Chechnya after two key opponents dropped out of race. Rebels vow to continue violence in run-up to vote. Six Russian soldiers killed in attacks on 18 and 19 September and seventh in landmine blast, days after truck bomb at security building in southern Russia killed two and wounded 25. Chechnya’s acting president admitted to hospital with case of poisoning – unknown whether poisoning was deliberate.

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 Ndayizeye held his second face-to-face talks with leader of the country’s biggest rebel group, CNDD-FDD, in South Africa. Talks discussed proposals to share government, military and parliamentary posts and comply with last year’s largely ignored ceasefire agreement. The second largest rebel group, FNL, still refuses to join talks with Government. Fighting between army and FNL in north-western Burundi caused more than 21,000 people to flee.

Democratically elected president of CAR overthrown in coup on 15 March 2003 by General Francois Bozize, who has promised to hold presidential elections by end of 2004. CAR closed its border with DR Congo on 21 August. CAR issued international warrant for arrest of former president, Ange-Felix Patasse, on charges of murder and theft of more than $100 million.

President Joseph Kabila and former rebel leaders agreed on senior officers for new army, removing another stumbling block to peace. This completes installation of new transition government. Transition parliament had opening session on 22 August. Militias in war-devastated province of Ituri agreed to work with new government to restore security to the province. French-led peace-keeping force in Ituri handed over posts to beefed-up UN mission (MONUC) on 31 August, which formally takes over on 1 September.

Held first presidential election since the 1994 genocide on 25 August 2003. Incumbent President Paul Kagame, a Tutsi, received 95% of the vote, with about 80% turnout. Opposition says will challenge result in court. Election monitors criticised government for not allowing opposition parties to compete on equal footing. UN Security Council voted to replace Carla Del Ponte as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda with UN Secretary-General nominating Gambian judge, Hassan Jallow.

President Hassan said Transitional National Government will remain in power until a new government is formed, despite expiry of its mandate on 13 August. TNG controls small area of Mogadishu. Peace talks continue in Kenya, though some key parties, including TNG and Somaliland, refusing to attend. UN Security Council expressed concern over "persistent flow of weapons and ammunitions" to Somalia.

Peace talks in Kenya between Sudanese Government and rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army at critical stage. Postponed to 10 September, as Government initially refused to negotiate on basis of draft framework agreement prepared by mediators, while SPLA demanded that framework document be sole basis for discussion. Deal making behind scenes may produce agreement. Uganda claims Sudan is arming Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in Uganda.

Fighting continues between Ugandan armed forces and Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in the north.