Revolution in China???

The Guardian reports that there has been very small signs of a potential democratic revolution spreading through China. There was an online call for a "Jasmine Revolution" in 13 cities throughout China. It is unknown where this online message originated from, and there is some speculation that it may have been started from abroad. This message, of course, caused a "swift crackdown" with "scores" of arrests from Chinese Authorities. President Hu Jintao stated that top government officials need to have more strict internet observation policies so to sustain order, handle online information and "to better guide public opinion."

Fortunately for the government officials, there was a huge police presence at the locations and relatively few protesters showed up. Still, a Hong Kong based democratic advocacy group estimated that 100 protesters were "taken away by police, prevented from leaving home, or were missing" throughout the country. There were also many reports of police simply asking citizens in the protest-designated areas what they were doing and recommended that they not take part.

It is interesting to entertain the idea that this democratic revolution is expanding, at least to a certain extent, to the Chinese population. The tight controls that the Chinese Government has on the population has been tested multiple times, but the revolutions in the Middle East seems to increase pressures all around. I believe, as one activist in China suggests, "I think it is significant, not in terms of whether it is going to topple the political system, but in indicating China is not immune from larger global trends about the impact of new communications on people's aspirations."

Brianna Howell

Oil and Libya

Despite the great crackdowns on human rights with the abuse of the civilains, as well as the need to rescue many that work in Libya in Libya and trying to get out, much of the focus had been on what will happen to oil.
The oil prices have begun surging in repsonse to the crises, and worry over the cost of premiums on the global economy are heavily discussed. Most economists have stated that markets are self correcting and in the long run we will see a stabilization of the prices.
I think these crisis's show the need to redirect our energy poilicy on more reusable sources of energy so countires can focus on the cost of human lives, rather than the cost of oil.

http://oilandglory.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/22/the_middle_easts_new_susceptibility_index

Greg Voegtle

Protests in Libya

The most recent sign of the crumbling regime has been a recent military plane crash which resulted from two pilots ejecting from their military planes to abandon a mission to
bomb an opposition city. The brutality of Gadhafi and his means to supress his citezens reveals itself here, but more importanlty, the fact that one of the pilots was a member of his tribe shows lack of loyalty and support he has. It appears there is still a minority of support for him among the police an militia men, who roam the streets firingrounds into the air chanting long live Gadhafi, however the civillians are taking atrong stance against them.
Some of the military has supported the civilians in the cities and have worked with citizens in building blockades in communittees to protect them from pro Ghadafi forces. Many countries have called for economic sanctions against the regime due to the bloody crackdown, however we must wonder whether this may worsen the situation for civilians and not the military.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110223/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_libya

Greg Voegtle

"Everyone's Doing It..."

The new craze that seems to be sweeping the North African and Middle Eastern areas of the world is none other than peaceful protest. With Morocco, Libya, Yemen, Algeria, Jordan, Bahrain, and even Iran now joining the likes of Egypt and Tunisia, whether these determined citizens are demanding a regime change or just to be taken more seriously as citizens, there is definitely an air of change. Almost as surprising as these unlikely countries is the lack of power held by the United States to issue opinions or calls to action to the current heads of state. As seen in Egypt, and now in the laundry list of other nations, the citizens do not need or want the support of the United States, who, has in many cases aided in these very citizens oppression. If these new seven nations can have their demands met, who knows what the next country will be to fall to the will of their people.


megan smith

Revolution Anxiety Spreads to China

The fear of a popular uprising has spread across the world, from the Middle East, to Africa, and now to China. Anonymous calls for a "Jasmine Revolution" (a phrase that gained fame in the Tunisia revolt) spread across Chinese social media sites on Sunday afternoon, prompting swift action from the Chinese government. The government blocked the words "Jasmine Revolution" from being posted on Internet search engines and social media sites and blocked people from being able to send text messages to multiple recipients. This action follows others that highlight the nervousness that has risen in China's government since the waves of protest begun in other areas of the world. Throughout the week there have been reports of lawyers, rights activists, and dissidents being rounded up by the Chinese government and being placed under different forms of house arrest. At this time it is reported that two of these lawyers are still missing. Many Chinese are seeing an increased police presence in the streets of their major cities. While this is going on, President Hu Jintao is urging his officials to adress any "social problems" before they cause instability in the country.

Mary Naset

Protests in Libya Take a Turn for the Worse

The death toll in Libya has risen to 104 people as Libyan security forces moved against protestors in Benghazi, the second largest city in the country. On Saturday the first protest to seriously challenge Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's rule in forty years erupted in Benghazi. The past four days Libya has seen it's government shaken by protests as security forces fired on a funeral procession. The government is using every means necessary to squelch the protests, including cutting the country off from the internet. Protesters say it is too late for dialogue with the government, that too much blood had been spilt to begin talks for peace. The article implied that the harder the government cracks down the greater the pushback from the protesters to make their claims heard. Libya is just the fourth in a successive line of countries that have fallen to protesters as successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt had shown lay people it was possible to remove a long time dictator. Libya, Algeria and Yemen are all cracking down with military force on the uprisings in their respective countries, trying to prevent them before they gather too much momentum. Western criticism is gathering as news reaches the western world of the atrocities that the middle eastern governments are using excessive military force.

by Margaret Nunne

Opposition Leader in Rwand Sentenced to Four Years

Bernard Ntaganda, an opposition leader in Rwanda, has been sentenced to four years in prison for enflaming ethnic tensions in the country. The chief prosecutor argued that divisive speech had no place in Rwanda because it would reverse the years of hard work the country has put in to rebuilding itself. However, the article points out that this is the second Hutu opposition leader to land in jail since attempting to run in the last presidential election. President Kagame, a Tutsi, won 93% of the popular vote in the last election, only the second election since the 1994 massacre. Human rights activists disapprove of the ruling say that the government is using laws meant to stop a repeat of the killing to keep powerful opposition rulers from running against the government. Two journalist were sentenced to seventeen and seven years respectively for similar charges for enflaming ethnic tension. Mr. Ntaganda was accused, tried, and found guilty for criticizing an economic development plan as well as arguing that the genocide courts were finding for or against people simply because of their race.

By Margaret Nunne

Egypt and King Louis XVI

This article compares the Eygyptian revolution to two other main coup-de-tats, the one in England in 1688 and France in 1789. The author analyzes what type of recolution Egypt will become, and explains how it could take several months depending on the political conditions of the country, and whether a ruling party is ready to take power. Additionally, he points out that it will be near impossible to predict whether their will be a "rein of terror", like seen in the French Revolution or whether a duling democraycy will be put in place. It is importants that he notes that during the frnech revolution, the Jacobins and more radical groups did not take hold of France until after the fall of Bastille, and that a similiar reign of terror could occur in Egypt, but not until a couple years have passed. It is very possible the media will overlook the more critical turning points in Egypts revolution, and that this will be a very long process before the final hold on power takes place.

Greg Voegtle

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/07/why_we_cant_rule_out_an_egyptian_reign_of_terror?page=0,1

Youtube/Facebook Ban Lifted in Syria

Facebook and Youtube are now accessible in Syria for the first time in three years, an event which marks the first time the Syrian government has lifted restrictions on public internet use. Though there has been no official confirmation of the end of the ban from government figures, Mazen Darwish, head of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, stated that he was given "semiofficial confirmation." It is speculated that the lifting of the ban is a preventative response to unrest following protest in Egypt and Tunisia, however in Syria it is not viewed as a particularly meaningful concession. Despite the ban, Syrians have historically accessed the popular sites through web proxies. Still, president Bashar Assad has told the Wall Street Journal that he will seek political reforms in Syria. However the country has largely escaped the political tumult that has increasing built in the middle east, and questions remain about how much internal pressure actually exists in Syria. A recent "Day of Rage" scheduled in Damascus to protest the autocratic regime failed to draw any protesters.

Chris Bilbro

Oh, Obiang

"The concept of democracy, human rights and good governance are not new to Africa, but they should be adapted to the African culture."

This quote was part of Equatorial Guinea's acceptance speech after he was appointed the President of the African Union. According to this article, the president of the AU rotates on a one-year-term basis and rotates between the 5 regions of Africa. To begin the selection process, one of these regions selects a candidate that the other nations within that sub-region decide upon. The leaders of the other African nations not located within that region only have to "sign off" on the regions decision.

Obiang's opposition leader and head of Equatorial Guinea's Convergence for Social Democracy program, Placido Mico, has been extremely critical of Obiang's appointment to the position and states that there isn't an ounce of democracy displayed by Obiang's regime (no freedoms or liberties, widespread corruption, human rights violations). Mico states that Obiang was able to attain this position because of his "generosity and material and financial aid to other heads of state." Sounds about right.

I love this quote by Obiang simply for the fact that I think it is very useful in helping to give us a good stance on the government's perspective on our topics. I believe the term "African culture" in conjunction with our favorite concept of state sovereignty are going to help us get through conference. We will preach our familiarity and respect for "democracy", but use these terms to put that ever-present PR spin on controversial issues.

Brianna Howell

Bangladesh the new Egypt?

Earlier today many major cities in Bangladesh including Dhaka were stuck by extreme protest from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the current opposition party to the current government. The cause for protest stems from the BNP's opinion that the current regime is not running the country effectively. The protests have shut down schools, businesses and transportation across the nation. One of BNP's major claims is that the current government has failed to regulate the country's capital market, resulting in an economic fall. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian, however, is denying the claims and is saying this is just an attempt by the BNP to destabilize the government. Time will tell if this new round of protests is in fact the citizens of Bangladesh attempting to hold their officials accountable, or if it is just an opposition group seizing the opportunity to ride on the coat tails of Tunisia and Egypt.

Megan Smith

UN-supported organization to crack down on global AIDS fund

After speculations have suggested that billions of dollars have disappeared from the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the organization has vowed to strengthen their security against corruption. This announcement comes after Germany, the fund's third-largest financial supporter after the U.S. and France, suspended aid to the organization. The fund has a budget of $22 billion. The majority of the money has disappeared in four African countries, including Mali, Mauritania, Djibouti, and Zambia. In Djibouti's case, millions of dollars stolen from the fund were used to buy cars and motorcycles. Money is not the only thing missing, however. Large quantities of anti-malarial drugs have also been stolen and then sold on the black market.

-Abbey Smith

Trial Begins in Iran for Three Detained Hikers

Three hikers who while hiking in Kurdistan in North Iraq inadvertently crossed the border into Iran will stand trial for espionage and illegal border crossing today Sunday February 6, 2011. Only two of the hikers are present during the trial, as the third, Sarah E. Shourd, had been released on bail to the United States for medical reasons. The other two hikers, Joshua F. Fattal and Shane M. Bauer, remain in Tehran's notorious Evin prison. For all three of the hikers pleas of not guilty were entered to the court. The hikers' lawyer, Masoud Shafiee, said that no decisions had been handed down in the case and that it would continue at a later date. Originally scheduled for November, this hearing was postponed until now because Sarah Shourd has not returned to Iran for trial. Being tried in absentia, the $500,000 bail money Ms. Shourd put up will be forfeited. Mr. Shafiee has complained that he has been unable to see his clients despite assurances he would be able to preceeding trial. Speculation however, is pervasive in that Iran may release the hikers as it did with a French academic after the protests in May over the Iranian presidency. While no formal declarations have been made, the judge presiding over the hikers' trial has been known to sentence opposition members to death.

by: Margaret Nunne

Fighting in Southern Sudan

Former pro-Khartoum fighters began creating violence today when the group was asked to surrender their heavy weaponry. This call for the surrendering of weaponry comes as a preventative measure preparing for the succession of Southern Sudan. As of now, the number of dead is about 20, but is expected to rise. Currently the SPLA as well as UN peacekeepers are manning a buffer zone between the newly defined territories in attempts to quell this violence. This is just a taste of the potential violence to be felt throughout the Sudan region culminating in the international recognition of Southern Sudan as a sovereign state on July 9th.


Megan Smith

LRA in call for free, fair Uganda vote

Uganda's Lords Resistance Army, a rebel group opposed to President Yoweri Museveni's regime, is calling for more transparency during the upcoming Presidential elections. This was revealed through a press statement issued by its peace team leader, Justine Labeja Nyeko. Nyeko is worried that, “Despite the ritual of elections, the army state in Uganda has not won political legitimacy."

I think this is generally a good move. The LRA might be guilty of horrible crimes, but for them support free and fair elections is a step in the right direction. It is not known for sure, what the LRA hopes to gain from the elections; given that their rebel group will not participate.

In the past, the opposition leader, Kizza Bisigye has hinted a willingness to bring an amicable resolve to the LRA question.

Etienne

Photographed Amazonians

In a rather undetailed article, the Associated Press reported that Brazil recently released undated photographs of indigenous people in an attempt to bring awareness to their "plight... of possible annihilation." The picture (seen above) shows both adults and children gazing at the camera, and the article states that they were seen carrying baskets of fruits that were grown in a communal garden. The photo was taken by rights groups, the National Indian Foundation, Survival International, on the border of Brazil and Peru. The groups fear that illegal logging will destroy the indigenous peoples current habitats and send them fleeing into different areas of the rainforests. The National Indian Foundation reports that there are currently 67 different tribes living in these rainforests that do not maintain contact with the modernized world that account for about 500,000 people, according to the last census.

While I believe the cause is valid reasoning for taking the pictures, the picture to me is worth 1,000 words. Ironically, I can't exactly verbalize how I feel about this. The concept of globalization and the need for western modernization is one that I've long felt conflicted about, and this picture seems to summarize that. These people look, frightened and concerned and over all, confused at the camera. I can't imagine what they were thinking, or how I feel about it; all I know is that I find this image very upsetting.

Brianna Howell

Egypt & New Media

While much can be said about the recent events in Egypt, one pivotal aspect has been the role of technology and new media. One of the defining moments of these protests (though that hardly seems like a descriptive enough word for what has been occurring) is when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak cut off his country's Internet and wireless services. This early move by President Mubarak shows just how much of a threat social networking poses to leaders trying to suppress their people. As was shown in the recent events in Tunisia and the events in Iran of over a year ago, social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become the great mobilizer of the people, especially the youth. While activists in Egypt are eager to use tools like Facebook to advance their message and action, their is also a sense of caution that should be exercised. As easy as these tools can be used to mobilize people, they can just as easily be used by governments to gain information about their citizens.

Mary Naset

Egypt Slows Protests, Potentially Dangerous for US

Egypt's protests against Hosni Mubarak's thirty year regime have major implications for the Middle East and the United States. Today the Egyptian military stepped in to restore order to the streets, with warm greetings from the people protesting. Egypt has played a major bulwark against Arab aggression against Israel because of Egypt's treaty with Israel in 1979. A major recipient of U.S. aid, the $1.5 billion Egypt receives yearly has helped prop up the Mubarak regime, and Egypt protects a major pipeline that funnels oil to the West. The Egyptian protests have been fueled by the population's displeasure over poverty, joblessness, repression, and lack of democracy. Protesters have included militant groups that the government would prefer not to have influence on Egypt, including a group with ties to Osama bin Laden and Hamas. Mubarak has responded to the protests by shuffling his cabinet, though it hasn't improved his appearance to the population. The military has become the police force in Egypt and appears to be the deciding factor as to how the conflict will play out, because it has yet to decide if it is with the regime or the people. This crucial decision may decide the future of Egypt.

by Margaret Nunne

Equatorial Guinea new AU chair, rights group slams move

The Equatorian dictator, Teodoro Obiang will be the new leader of the African Union, an elite club of African dictators known more for lavish meetings than tangible action. Obiang takes over amid protests from human rights groups.

Reedy Brody of Human Rights Watch said, ""President Obiang's record is anti-ethical to the African Union's mission and values,". Further adding that,"Equatorial Guinea's vast oil revenues fund lavish lifestyles for the small elite surrounding President Obiang, while the majority of the population lives in dire poverty,"

Equatorial Guinea is a key U.S. ally mainly due to its lucrative oil reserves.

Etienne

Egypt:The Tunisian domino effect?

Thousands of protesters paralyzed the streets of Cairo demanding the immediate resignation of Egypt's President, Hosni Mubarak. The protesters armed with stones are said to have clashed with anti-riot police who in turn used water canons and tear gas to repress them.

Meanwhile, Egypt officials have reacted by temporarily shutting down twitter, a social network popular among young activists. The Egyptian dictator, has been in power for nearly 30 years. He is said to enjoy close "strategic" ties with Washington.

Etienne

Moscow's Terrorist Attack

While much information regarding todays suicide bombings in Moscow's busiest airport, Domeodovo, BBC News initial reports state that this is in fact, a terrorist attack. President Medvedev cancelled his trip to Switzerland's economic forum and has called for an increase in domestic security, specifically in subway systems, and other airports which have been targets for terrorist attacks in the past. This attack left dozens dead and over 160 injured.

Little is known about the bomber itself but a Russian news network states that his head has been found (weird?). There have been witness reports stating that the bomber walked up to the international arrival gates with a suitcase bomb.

The "Russian way" of dealing with the terrorist attacks was to resume business as usually as possible. According to this article, only one of the airport entrances was closed and most domestic flights were still taking place as scheduled. Domeodovo Airport is one of Russia's most up to date airports, but its security has been lax even in recent years. In 2004, two suicide bombers were able to purchase airplane tickets illegally through airport personnel, and boarded the plane successfully. There were two different flights that day which were bombed resulting in 90 deaths.

Brianna Howell

Outspoken journalist murdered.

An influential journalist, Gerardo Ortega, is the latest victim in murders directed towards journalists in the Philippines. As reported by AFP, although the suspect has been caught by police, his motives are yet to be established. In the past, journalists have been murdered by powerful individuals who want to silence them. 146 of them have have been killed since 1986.

Etienne

Zimbabwe Art Exhibit Banned

An art exhibit displayed at the National Gallery in Zimbabwe has been banned, and the artist charged with a crime, because it has insulted President Robert Mugabe. The art display revealed graphic depictions of the atrocities committed by Mr. Mugabe's presidency in its early days. The government's efforts to lay the past to rest has only provoked memories of the Gukurahundi, the name for the slaughter of civilians twenty five years ago. With another election season coming upon Zimbabwe, a poll shows seventy percent of individuals are terrified of political violence against them. A large number, however, are also willing to take the risk of voting against Mr. Mugabe because of a deep desire for democracy. The government has rubbed old sentiments raw, by proposing to base the North Korean soccer team there before the World Cup in South Africa in June. It was the North Koreans that equipped and trained the Fifth Brigade that killed an estimated 10,000 civilians in four years. The art exhibit was meant to explore the old wounds that have since healed over, but the artist has been detained, arrested and held in leg irons before being released on bail, and is awaiting his trial for insulting the president, and communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the government. Found guilty and he is liable for up to 20 years in prison.

by Margaret Nunne

Somalia Hesitant on Mercenary Group

A representative of the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia stated that the country may be cutting ties with a mercenary group. The group, Saracen International, is a private security company said to be composed of South African mercenaries and the Blackwater Worldwide founder. The group first tried to sell their services to the TFG by offerring to train Somali troops to defend themselves from pirates and Islamic insurgents. While this agreement seemed to be working for the parties, a recently-released African Union report exposed Erik Prince, Blackwater's founder, as a financial and managerial backer in Saracen International. This revelation has caused many of the TFG's foreign supporters, such as the United States, to develop anxiety over the relationship. In response to this, the Somali Minister of Information has said, "At this point, our collective thinking is that this is not a good thing. We don't want to have anything to do with Blackwater. We need help, but we don't want mercenaries."

Mary Naset

TV station shut down causes protests in Tunisia

Tunisia's interim government shut down the broadcast of Hannibal TV, a private television company that has been running for five years. The reason they gave was that the television company had committed "grand treason" trying to "destabilize the country." Many Tunisians do not agree with their interim government, however, and took to the streets to protest for hours on Sunday. They say the shut down of a private television company is a direct threat to freedom of the press. It is also believed that the issues the government had with the company could have been worked out without shutting down the station so abruptly.

-Abbey Smith

Hu's Successor

In light of Hu Jintao's recent visit to the United States, the New York Times published an article on Xi Linping, China's current Vice President, who is apparently being groomed to take President Hu's position. According to this article, Li has gained popularity throughout China mainly for his success in breeding economic growth within the country. In addition to this, he is also well-connected amongst big businesses and comes from a politically active family. Li currently holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission within the country which essentially proves that he will become the party leader in 2012, and become President in 2013. It will be interesting to see how Li pursues policies with the west due to the fact that Li is popular with a greater segment of the Chinese population. It seems he is able to cross the ideological divide more frequently than his predecessor. The Times speculates that this will give him the ability to experiment with more economic policies than Hu Jintao, which is interesting considering the current economic tensions between China and the West. The article also mentions how compared to Hu, Li is somewhat of a loose cannon and has told critics of Chinese policy to "stop pointing fingers at us" and has frequently made jabs at the West. It'll be interesting to gain more insight into China's future leader, and see how relationships between China and the US change within the years leading up to the succession.

Brianna Howell

US State Senator Visits Malabo

Yesterday, Rodney Ellis, a Texas state Senator, paid his first official visit to Equatorial Guinea. According to the government owned Equatorial Press, the purpose of the visit is to improve relations between Equatorial Guinea and Texas. In particular, the senator is concerned about the oil exploration that links the two states.

Etienne

Private Military Contractors

With the recent discussion of private companies that make money on war, here is a company that supplies our Pentagon, Navy and commanders on the ground with equipment. Their most recent project, a super drone: which can track 64 combantants at once on a battlefield at one time.

With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq dying down, private military contractors must finds new fields to invest their military projects in so they do not lose business. The recent propossed 100 billion dollars in cut backs in military spending, affects companies such as BAE sytems, which is a defense giant supplying trucks, artillery to top secret surveillance technology to our military, has to make cut backs, thus causing signifigant job loss. Similair to what we learned in last years class in regards to Dick Clarks warnings about cyber security, this company has focused its projects on such areas, due to fears about China and Russia.

Politics plays a strong role in defense spending as well, for Obama will more likely begin cuting defense projects on weapons systems much easier that he can cut health care progrms for employees.

Greg Voegtle

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0117/features-bae-systems-linda-hudson-pentagon-under-gun.html

Ghana's oil discovery: blessing or curse?

(This article is from December 15, 2010)

As Ghana joins the Oil rich club in Africa, Ghana also realizes that it cannot rely on this resource. Ghanaians are aware that oil will not magically create more jobs or make the ordinary people richer and they are prepared to quickly implement legislation that governs the administration and this new industry. Lucky for Ghana, they also have gold and cocoa to rely on unlike most other African countries, such as Angola where oil represents 92% of its GDP. Ghanains are still figuring out if this discovery is a blessing or a curse but they are attemping to avoid the mistakes of some otehr African countries that have fallen into the oil revenue curse where only the elites benefit while the ordinary citizens suffer.

By: Ivana Miljic

Africa's economic growth picking up, says expert

The head, Razia Khan, of African research for Standard Chartered Bank is very optimistic about 2011 and Africa's growth. She predicts that Africa's growrth will continue to recover and grow to the level that it was at before the economic crisis took its toll on the continent. She says that a large part of Africa's success in its recovery has to do with China's effect on commodity prices and the strenght of China and its support. Although she did not mention which commodities specifically are supported by China, it could be safely assumed that some are most likely in the oil industry.

By: Ivana Miljic

Israel Sells Equatorial Guinea Navy Equipment

Israel’s defense is about to deliver two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) to Equatorial Guinea's navy. The two boats are reportedly said to have cost US $10 million. This is a small amount for the small oil rich but dictatorial regime.

Etienne

Tunisia's Parliamentary Speaker Becomes President

Tunisia's Parliamentary Speaker, Fouad Mebazzaa, was sworn in as Tunisia's interim president yesterday. Mebazza will become president Following President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's flight from the country after increasingly violent protests left at least 13 dead. The protests, exceedingly rare under Tunisia's authoritarian government, began last month after a shopkeeper committed suicide in protest against being prevented from selling fruit and vegetables by the police. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi previously announced that he would take the position after Ali signed a decree providing him with presidential powers, but was rebuked by Tunisia's Constitutional Council and prevented from doing so. Although there is generally widespread celebration in Tunisia after 23 years of Ali's corrupt rule, looting and sporadic gunfire have occurred overnight as Mebazza takes power, leading to a strict curfew and military patrols in the streets to maintain order. The international community has overwhelmingly reacted positively, with both the U.S. and EU praising the development and calling for democratic elections in the near future.

Chris Bilbro

A successful vote cannot eliminate history

The vote for South Sudan's independence went smoothly and successfully. Now finished, the results are to be tallied in 2 weeks' time. However, despite the orderly process of peaceful voting that has occurred, the country is still contentious.

Much of the tension between the two sections of the country can be seen in Abyei, an area in the middle of the north and south, where Christianity meets Islam and cattle herders meet nomads. Like much of the strife in the area, battles are fought daily over land and water rights, but added to the mix is the presence of oil, which can make any sticky situation that much stickier. This area is so contested that they were to be given their own vote on whether they would join the South or stay with the North. However, it has been postponed indefinitely because neither side can determine who can vote there.

If the vote goes for independence, South Sudan will be named the newest country of the world in July. However, independence is never as simple as that. For South Sudan, borders will need to be drawn, and Abyei is in that mix. Both sides know this and seem to be vying for position now.

-Abbey Smith

Officials Held in Tunisia

The military, acting under orders from the interim government, has held two officials that are connected with the former dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. The relationship between the former and interim government has been called into question because of these recent arrests, as the country walks a shaky line between peace and justice. One official, formerly in charge of Mr. Ben Ali's security, in attempting to flee across the border, was arrested by citizens. That official was then turned over to the state and then to the military as he was charged with conspiracy against the government. The other official, formerly the interior minister, was arrested without any charges announced. Both were accused of insighting violence in the country after Mr. Ben Ali left the country. The arrests point to an increased position of the military in suppressing counter speech against the government, a possible start for simply another dictatorship, this one by the military. However, Mr. Ben Ali was forced out by a popular uprising last week, but looting has been rampant in the country. Fouad Mebazza, the interim president, has pledged to form a unity government to return the country to stability.

by Margaret Nunne

Corruption In Africa :(

The corruption in Africa may affect us in the States more than one would expcect. What was the cause for oils to reach $140 a barrel in the summer of 2008? Unemployed youth in Nigeria kidnapping oil workers and demanding a ransom, in response to years of not receiving a percentage the benefits of the money that rolls in from oils production. 44% of Nigerians 20-24 are unemployed, and life expectancy and education in the basket of oil production, the Delta, are lower than the national average.

This article also discussed some stats regarding money inflow to Africa and how much has been lost:
From 1970 and 2008- $854 billion dollars has been lost due to illicit financial outflows. This number will only increase because on average now, $148 billion are stolen every year. In addition Forbes most corrupt countries list, 9 of the first 16 are from Africa.
This article will be important to consider for E.Q. as well, as it shows what likely patterns for our country with Obiang as a leader as well.



http://www.modernghana.com/news/311705/1/corruption-in-africa-where-does-the-buck-stop.html

Is George Clooney helping Sudan

The journal Foreign Policy examines whether the active and determined efforts of actor George Clooney to bring attention to events in in Sudan are helping the cause. One perspective is that without the celebrity clout of Clooney few Americans would know or care about Sudan. Yet as the author points out, sometimes international attention only complicates the process.

Article

William Muck

Mass Rapes Continue in the DRC

Doctors Without Borders has reported that up to 33 women were raped on New Years Day in one region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The coordinated attacks took place in Fizi, South Kivu in the easter section of the country. According to an official with Doctors Without Borders, Annemarie Loof, "Women had been restrained with ropes or beaten unconscious with the butt of a gun before being attacked, some in front of their children. Up to four armed men were involved at a time and homes and shops were looted." Mass rapes are not a new tragedy in the DRC. A UN report concluded that at least 240 people were raped between July 30th and August 4th in the Walikale region of the DRC's North Kivu in 2010. Survivors of these attacks have accused the Congolese Mai-Mai militia and the FDLR of carrying out these horrific attacks. After a condemnation by the UN of DRC security forces last summer, it is obvious that not enough is being done to improve this tragic situation.

Mary Naset

South Sudan begins to vote

Today started the week-long process of voting for South Sudanese on whether or not to secede from the country. Many have already voted, lining up long before the polls opened and because of the long lines, the polls even extended their hours so that they could finish for the day. For now, it looks like the newest country to the international stage will soon emerge. However, the Omar al-Bashir, president of Sudan, has warned that if the South secedes, there will be great instability. Many of the voters interviewed are voting for a new South Sudan, one they hope will be free of the war that has hounded their country for decades. Because of illiteracy, the ballot contains 2 symbols: a single hand for independence and two clasped hands to stay united. So far the voting process has been peaceful and organized. Hopefully this is a picture of what's to come.

-Abbey Smith

Human Rights Disaster (in Equatorial Guinea!)

According to recent reports, Equatorial Guinea is still lacking in the human rights department despite recent "efforts" towards improvements helped along by Lanny Davis, a former official under the Clinton Administration.

Davis, a democratic lobbyist, was hired mid-last year by President Obiang as part of a 1-year $1 million contract to bring about widespread reforms and a "new respect for human rights." So far, it seems as if there has been zero progress towards a reform, instead Davis has been engaged in cleaning up Obiang's international reputation. It is also interesting to note that Davis had entered into a similar contract with the Ivory Coast but recently detached himself after widespread media scrutiny of his ineffectiveness.

In March 2010, the State Department released an extensive list of human rights abuses Equatorial Guinea was guilty of committing (the usual--limited rights, no due process, unsubstantiated killings, political prisoners, trafficking, corruption, etc.), however Davis has not helped Equatorial Guinea address any of these issues. Last June, Obiang gave a public conference outlining his reforms, but critics say that this too was simply an attempt to gain more international support.

It is interesting to see a former US official being contracted to help Obiang reform his country and/or his image. My impression is that this is just as this report accuses, an attempt at international support for Obiang-- especially considering the increasing oil-based relationships that we have developed with the region. It's probably in the interest of both the US and Equatorial Guinea to improve public image; the US would prefer to not be making deal with human rights neglecting regimes, and Equatorial Guinea would receive more international interest for their oil investments. I wonder (hope) there is a human rights/democratic peace aspect to Davis's efforts, but I've learned enough about African politics to never be overly optimistic.

By Brianna Howell

Is Kim Jong-un the Next Successor in North Korea?

Experts in Seoul are questioning the veracity of the claims that Kim Jong-un will be next successor to the family dynasty in North Korea, because of the lack of movement on the part of the North Korean government towards making the announcement official. While Kim Jong-un was presented a high military title and two top positions within the Communist People's Party in the country in September, signs that he was going to be named the successor, but given his father's failing health, concern among experts in that nothing new has happened highlighting Kim Jong-un. Kim Jong-un resembles his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, but that is all we know for sure about the heir to the throne. Reports remain unconfirmed as to whether he's 28 or 29, studied in Switzerland or not, is married or not, and loves his elder brother or conspired with the Chinese to have him killed. A Chinese delegation met Kim Jong-un in October at a dinner meeting, however Robert Carlin a former State Department Intelligence Analyst who focused primarily on North Korea did not meet Kim Jong-un nor was Kim Jong-un even a topic of conversation in November upon seeing a uranium enrichment facility outside Pyongyang. In the media, Kim Jong-un has not been reverently hailed as leader of the party, and he hasn't even been acknowledged as Kim Jong-il's son. This in addition to other details such as a lack of bold type of Kim Jong-un's name in newspapers (showing important stature), lack of campaign slogans and media, and a lack of red type for his name on state printed calendars may be in deference to Kim Jong-il's recent recovery from his stroke in 2008 and unwillingness to step aside.

Margaret Nunne