African Leaders Hug It Out

Tiksa Negeri/Reuters

After nearly two decades of violent conflict, the leaders of a pair of African nations met in July for the first time since 2000. Newly elected Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (left) flew to Eritrea, where he embraced that country's president, Isaias Afwerki, on the tarmac. The meeting led to celebrations in the streets of Asmara. Both countries have poor human rights records, and the hope is that making peace will move them closer to liberalization.