In conflict-affected societies, humour has significant potential to contribute to the escalation or reduction of conflicts. This paper provides a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the social role of humour in conflicted societies, drawing on literature from social psychology, health and conflict resolution. The paper offers an analytical model regarding the role of humour in peacebuilding in divided societies, as well as documenting several examples of the application of humour and the opportunities and challenges to using humour in societies in conflict.  READ MORE >>

BURKINA FASO: President reelected; opposition claims irregularities
President Blaise Compaoré, in power since 1987, won reelection with over 80 percent of the vote in the November 21 elections. Four of the six opposition candidates -- none of whom won over 8 percent of the vote -- refused to accept the election results, claiming irregularities, but an ECOWAS observer said the election was "credible" and "transparent." Comment: Compaoré's victory was slightly improved over his 2005 win. A lack of a strong and united opposition may explain the relatively low turnout and weak opposition results; only 20 percent of the country is registered to vote, and just over half of those actually voted. Compaoré plans to add a Senate to the National Assembly, but may also change the constitution to allow him to stand again in 2015. (Reuters, AllAfrica, RFI, RFI)

COTE D'IVOIRE: Run-off vote held
Opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara was declared the victor in the November 28 Presidential election runoff; however, sitting President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept the results and the Constitutional Court is contesting the outcome of the election. The UN transferred peacekeepers from Liberia, and ECOWAS deployed 100 additional election observers in advance of what was a relatively peaceful election. European Union observers, however, claimed obstruction by the federal election commission in advance of the vote. Comment: Observers within the country are worried that a lack of resolution of the election could quickly lead to violence, and ECOWAS President, Nigerian Goodluck Jonathan, is urging the supporters of both candidates to maintain calm. (UNNewsService, AllAfrica, Foroyaa, RFI, AfriqueenLingue, IRIN)

DRC/CAR: Bemba trial begins at ICC
The trial of former Democratic Republic of Congo Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba began at the ICC on November 22. Bemba is on trial for atrocities committed by his troops in the Central African Republic and plead not guilty at the opening of the trial. Comment: Witnesses in the opening days of the trial recounted gang rape and atrocities committed by both sides in the conflict. The trial is significant because Bemba is not accused of directly committing the atrocities, but of commanding the troops who committed them. (BBC, VancouverSun, AFP)

GAMBIA: Diplomatic ties with Iran severed
Gambia severed all diplomatic and economic ties with Iran and gave Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country on November 23. The move was made with little warning and left Tehran claiming it was the victim of U.S. interest in Gambia. An arms shipment seized in Nigeria last month and a second seized last week originating in Iran are now thought to have been meant for Gambia. An Iranian has been arrested in connection with the seized shipments in Nigeria. Comment: Whatever the reason behind Gambia's decision, it is a blow to Iran's West African diplomacy. Some speculation has suggested that Gambia, one of Africa's poorest and most lawless states, may be positioning itself for increased Western aid and trying to save face by distancing itself from Iran and the weapons shipment. (TehranTimes, BBC, BBC, DailyNation, Bloomberg)

SUDAN: Regional tensions increasing
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir attended the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) conference in Ethiopia on November 23 after the conference was moved from Kenya to allow his attendance. The conference was aimed to ensure a peaceful referendum in Sudan on January 9, but little progress was made between North and South Sudanese leaders. Sudan's neighbors are concerned about a return to violence, which is estimated could cost over $100 billion. Comment: Continued voter registration is an encouraging sign, but the stalemate over the Abyei region threatens the peaceful outcome of the vote. Both North and South are said to be massing troops in preparation for a return to war. Under international pressure, Bashir was banned from an African Union-European Union conference in Libya and canceled a planned trip to the Central African Republic. (SudanTribune, Reuters, Bloomberg, ReliefWeb)

Researched/Written by Carla Avandano