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PEACE & SECURITY REPORT
IPSI's Peace & Security Report (PSR) is a concise weekly e-publication intended to brief busy students, academics, advocates, and practitioners in the conflict management community on pertinent global news, events, and trends. Meticulously researched and written by IPSI, the PSR empowers us all to take a step back from our immediate deadlines each Friday and gain a greater understanding of the week's global events.
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Featured Article
Tunisia: Confronting Social and Economic Challenges International Crisis Group  Eighteen months after initiating the Arab spring, Tunisia still can boast of an ongoing, successful transition. The former regime, which came to symbolise corruption and social injustice, is gone and democratic gains are palpable. Yet, formidable social and economic challenges threaten to halt progress. Among these challenges, three stand out: rising unemployment - particularly of university graduates - stark regional inequalities and corruption. Although the unity government led by the Islamist An-Nahda party is aware of these social and economic ills, it so far has been unable to address them rapidly enough and is failing to quell the impatience of workers and unemployed youth who expect to reap the fruits of their involvement in past struggles. To avoid destabilising social conflicts, the government needs to better respond to the escalating violence caused by worsening economic conditions; get a handle on the large informal economic sector, including smuggling; overcome administrative bottlenecks that hamper socio-economic improvements; and foster democratisation at the regional and local level. |
Africa
GUINEA-BISSAU: Angolan troop withdrawal from Guinea-Bissau underway
On Wednesday, Angolan military forces began withdrawing from Guinea-Bissau, ending an unpopular year-long mission whose presence had angered local soldiers and prompted the military coup in April 2012. The force had originally arrived in March 2011, and was charged with reforming the unstable country's military after a series of army uprisings since independence from Portugal in 1974; however, many locals interpreted the foreign military intervention as an occupation and enforcement arm for the government. The roughly 270-strong presence left via cargo plane and ship, taking with them tanks, heavy weaponry, armored vehicles, and other supplies. Comment: An unidentified Angolan diplomat stated that the departure signaled an end to military cooperation with Guinea-Bissau. In mid-May, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS mediated a deal with the Bissauan junta for a 600-person ECOWAS force to replace the Angola mission. These troops are to keep order in the country during a one-year transition until new elections are held. (AFP, Independent Online, News 24, Reuters)
NIGERIA: Reported engine failure leads to Lagos plane crash
Privately owned domestic airline Dana Air MD-83 crashed into the suburban area of Iju-Ishaga in Lagos on Sunday, killing all 153 people on board and wounding at least six people on the ground. Although Dana Air claims there was nothing wrong with the aircraft and that it had underwent strenuous safety checks, the government in Abuja suspended Dana Air's operating license and set up a panel to review the safety of all airlines in the country. Comment: Dubbed as one of Nigeria's worst airline disasters, the accident has renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerian aviation. This has additionally prompted the Nigerian National Assembly to set up Joint committees on Tuesday to conduct an investigation into the "air worthiness" of all airlines operating in Nigeria. The exact known cause of the crash on the sunny Sunday afternoon remains unclear. (All Africa, France 24, News 24, Reuters)
SOUTH SUDAN: President Kiir requests 4 billion USD in stolen funds be returned
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir wrote a letter dated May 3 to 75 current and former senior government officials on Sunday asking that 4 billion USD in unaccounted public money be returned. Not specifying the time period nor implicating anyone by name, the letter encouraged those responsible to return the funds in exchange for amnesty and protection of identity. World Bank warnings last month over Juba's struggling economy have compelled the new nation to try and recoup its economic losses. Comment: South Sudan's decision to shut down oil production due to a transit fee dispute with Khartoum in January 2012 led to a 98 percent loss in revenue. A report released by the country's Auditor General showed over 1 billion USD remained unaccounted for between 2005 and 2006. Kiir has pledged to continue efforts to recover the country's losses, and has affirmed the role of the South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC), which is said to have recovered an estimated 60 million USD from fraudulent transactions and misappropriation of funds. (Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Sudan Tribune)
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Americas
BOLIVIA/CHILE: Bolivia calls for 1904 Treaty negotiations with Chile
During the fourth session of the Organization of American States (OAS) Assembly in Cochabamba this week, Bolivian chancellor David Choquehuanca called for negotiations with the Chilean government to revise the 1904 Treaty; the treaty established the land division that keeps Bolivia landlocked and without sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean by the northern territory of Chile. Bolivians argue that this negatively affects the Bolivian economy, whereas Chileans claim sovereignty over the territory. Choquehuanca threatened to take their case to an international court if Chile does not agree to renegotiate the terms of the treaty. He claimed that the OAS and other international organizations are responsible for finding a multilateral resolution to the debate. However, the OAS member governments concluded that the conflict should be resolved through bilateral dialogue. Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno called the approach "frivolous" and stated that Chile is not going to change its position. Comment: Bolivia fought for and lost its maritime access to the Pacific Ocean during the twenty-year War of the Pacific with Chile. Since that time, numerous Bolivian presidents have approached the Chilean government to renegotiate the treaty. (La Razon, ABC Español, Los Tiempos, La Tercera)
COLOMBIA: Elvira murder spurs violence against women protests
On Sunday, protesters organized in the National Park of Bogotá in response to the brutal rape, impalement, and murder of Rosa Elvira Cely. Protesters chanted and held signs that stated "we are all Rosa Elvira" in the same park where she was killed on May 23. It is suspected that two of Elvira's fellow classmates committed the atrocities. One protester stated that cases like Elvira's are, "products of a society that is sick. In this matter, we are all responsible for what has happened." Protesters voiced their discontent with the government's lack of response to similar violent crimes against women and demanded that more support be given to victims in order to justly punish perpetrators. Elvira is survived by her twelve-year-old daughter. Comment: In Colombia, two women are raped every hour, according to Medicina Legal, which adds up to 17,935 cases of rape every year. Eight women are hit every hour and one dies every three days due to domestic violence. On July 20, the Colombian Congress will be presented with a proposal to chemically castrate sex offenders. (El Espectador, El Tiempo, Caracol, El Colombiano, Colombia Reports)
GUATEMALA: Student protests dispersed by tear gas
Early this week, students from the Universidad de San Carlos (Usac) blocked Avenida Petapa in Ciudad de Guatemala with burning tires, provoking riot police to disperse the crowd using tear gas. Demonstrations were in support of last week's teaching student protests. The protesters over took and painted their messages on four buses that formed a blockade. Usac Rector Estuardo Gálvez condemned both the blocking of the streets and the use of force to disperse the protesters. Comment: The protest was a demonstration of support for the previous student protests, which were sparked by the Ministry of Education's curriculum reforms that extend the study time for teachers from two to five years. Students criticized education authorities for a lack of student involvement in degree requirements. In the original protest, 22 students were hurt after the police crackdown. (Siglo 21, Telesurtv Prensa Libre)
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East Asia
CHINA: Tiananmen anniversary vigil attracts record numbers
In the event's largest showing to date, over 180,000 people attended Hong Kong's annual candlelight vigil on June 4 to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. Demonstrators called for continued remembrance of the tragedy and its victims, as well as greater efforts to peacefully press for democracy within China. Organizers say that the political scandal involving Chinese Communist Party Leader Bo Xilai and recent diplomatic incident involving Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng may have contributed to the record numbers at the event. Comment: The 1989 crackdown by the Chinese government on pro-democracy protesters remains a controversial topic of discussion in China, and authorities have made efforts to censor dialogue about it amongst the population. (Epoch Times, CNBC, NY Times)
CHINA: Clash in Xinjiang leaves 17 injured
An unsanctioned religious school was the target of a police crackdown on "illegal preaching" activities in China's northwestern province on Wednesday, ending with the alleged use of tear gas by police to clear the building. Chinese government officials stated that the raid followed a tip by local residents that children were being held captive at the religious center, and that injuries were caused by the ignition of a homemade incendiary device activated by suspects now in custody. The Uyghur World Congress, an exile group based in Germany, disputes the account, claiming that the injuries were the result of the use of tear gas by police forces and that the raid represents a Chinese push to extinguish religious activity in the historically Muslim region. Comment: China's Xinjiang province is home to the Turkic-speaking Uighur ethic group, which has protested alleged attempts by the Chinese government to stifle the practice of Islam and suppress their culture. Chinese authorities attribute violence in the region to terrorist activities designed to destabilize the local government and radicalize the local population, and claim that Uighur groups have ties to al-Qaeda. (Reuters, Guardian, US News)
REGIONAL: U.S. to increase fleet presence in East Asia
U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta announced last weekend that the U.S. intends to shift its naval focus away from the Middle East and towards the Pacific, resulting in the assignment of 60 percent of U.S. naval forces to the region by 2020. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin lightly criticized the announcement, stating that U.S. intentions to increase its military presence in East Asia were contrary to the climate of peace and cooperation that currently pervades there. Seeking to defuse anxieties that a U.S. military buildup in the Pacific would increase the likelihood of confrontation with China, Panetta said the stronger focus "will benefit China" and that the U.S. remains committed to building trust and promoting diplomatic resolutions to disputes in Asia. Comment: There are many unresolved territorial disputes in East Asia, most notably those concerning the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and Senkaku islands. China claims competing ownership over each, and they remain sources of diplomatic tension. Over five trillion dollars of trade goods pass through the region's shipping lanes every year. (Al-Jazeera, Economic Times, Bloomberg)
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| Europe & Central Asia
ARMENIA/AZERBAIJAN: Eight killed in clashes along the border
On Monday and Tuesday, five Azeri soldiers and three Armenian soldiers were killed in border clashes, just one week ahead of a visit from Secretary Clinton. Armenia claims it had intercepted a group of Azeri troops attempting to cross the border and was acting in self-defense. The fighting this week was among the fiercest in recent years, taking place along the border near Tavush in Armenia and Qazax in Azerbaijan. Comment: Tensions between the two countries have been high since the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the 1990s, which left 30,000 dead and displaced more than 100,000. With the help of the Armenian government, the primarily Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan after the fall of the Soviet Union. Azeri officials have frequently threatened to take back the area by force. (Reuters, RFE/RL, BBC)
KAZAKHSTAN: Guard admits to killing fourteen, burning down guard post on border with China
On June 6, Kazakh officials announced they had taken a border patrol guard into custody and charged him with the killing of fourteen fellow soldiers and burning down their guard post last week. According to officials, the suspect blames the incident on a mental blackout and was fueled by ongoing internal conflicts within the group. The killings took place on May 28 when everyone at the post was asleep. Comment: The killings were originally blamed on Chinese foragers attempting to cross the border; however, the suspect was found living with a group of sheep herders on June 4. A criminal case was also opened against the commander of a nearby post who had not reported that communications went down. (AP, Reuters, BBC)
RUSSIA: Government to impose heavy fines on protesters
Following some of the largest anti-government demonstrations since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian officials are expected to adopt a law that would increase fines levied on protesters. The bill still requires President Putin's signature; however, it would increase punishment nearly 150-fold for citizens, and up to one million rubles for political leaders. Critics believe the bill is being hurried through parliament to be in force for June 12, when massive opposition protests are scheduled to take place in Moscow. Comment: It took approximately one hour for the upper house to debate and vote on the bill, which passed 132-1. Massive protests broke out earlier this year in the run-up to the Russian presidential election when Putin had entered the race and was announced the victor. (AP, Moscow Times, AFP)
Researched/Written by Daniel Pechtol
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Middle East & North Africa
IRAQ: Suicide bomber targets Shi'ite Endowment office, 26 killed and 190 wounded
On Monday, a suicide vehicle-born explosive devise targeted the Shi'ite Muslim Endowment office in Baghdad, killing an estimated 26 people and wounding roughly 190. Security officials believe the Islamic State of Iraq, the Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda, was behind the attack. The Shi'ite Endowment office monitors and maintains religious and cultural sites and was immersed in a dispute with the Sunni Endowment office regarding an important Shi'ite shrine in the Sunni dominant city of Samarra. Comment: The Shi'ite Endowment office bombing marks the most destructive attack in Iraq in the last three months, demonstrating that sectarian tensions between Shi'ite and Sunni factions continue to fester and politically debilitate the country. Shi'ite leader Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is garnering criticism for allegedly excluding Sunni and Kurdish factions from power-sharing agreements. In response, multiple political groups are currently attempting to attain a vote of no confidence against Maliki. Last Thursday, roughly 17 people were killed in a series of bombings in Baghdad, while on March 5, 25 policemen were killed by assailants bearing the al-Qaeda flag in the town of Haditha. (Reuters, Al Jazeera, CNN)
ISRAEL: Israeli Supreme Court rules in favor of settlement demolition
The Supreme Court ruling to demolish five Israeli apartment buildings in the West Bank Ulpana outpost still stands after legislators blocked a bill attempting to legalize the settlement and circumvent the court's decision. Amid stringent opposition from his own right-wing Likud party, Prime Minister Netanyahu opposed the bill and upheld the decision of the Supreme Court. Some Israeli politicians are seeking to legalize all Israeli settlements on private Palestinian land, despite their status as violations of international law. In order to calm protests against the demolition, which included a three day settler march to Jerusalem, Netanyahu ordered 300 new homes to be built in the Beit El West Bank settlement. The Housing Minister Ariel Atias announced that 551 more housing units will be built across the West Bank. Comment: Palestinians strongly oppose Netanyahu's ruling to increase construction and settlements in the West Bank. The ruling goes against Palestinian preconditions to restart peace negotiations with Israeli that stalled in 2010. Netanyahu maintains that talks should resume without any preconditions and refuses to halt Israeli settlement development. (AP, Al Jazeera, Reuters)
SYRIA: Assad government allows humanitarian aid workers into four cities, expels foreign diplomats
On Tuesday, the Syrian government agreed to allow the first humanitarian aid workers, other than the Red Cross, to enter into four cities highly affected by the fighting between rebel opposition and the Syrian government, including Homs, Deraa, Idlib, and Deir Azzor. At the same time, the Assad government declared 17 foreign diplomats as "personae non gratae" in retaliation for Western countries expelling Syrian diplomats after the Houla massacre. Comment: On Thursday, UN envoy Kofi Annan proposed the creation of a "contact group" between Russia, China, Western nations and regional powers, including Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in order to reestablish Annan's stalled Syrian peace plan. This new proposed contact group is intended to solve the impasse between Russia, China, and the rest of the UN Security Council regarding the contentious possibility of external military intervention in Syria. The proposed dialogue within the contact group will attempt to map out a "political transition" within Syria, which aims to give Assad an opportunity to relinquish power and establish free elections in the country. Opposition members report pro-government militia groups attacked the Hama province on Wednesday, killing roughly 78 people. (Al Jazeera, Daily Star, Reuters)
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South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: NATO air strike kills 18 Afghan civilians in Logar province
On Wednesday, Afghan villagers claimed that NATO airstrikes killed 18 civilians, including 7 women and 5 children. ISAF soldiers in the Logar province maintain that the airstrikes targeted alleged Taliban militants hiding in the village. NATO has refused to make an official statement regarding the incident until its own internal investigation is complete. Comment: President Karzai has repeatedly warned NATO and Western government officials that Afghan civilian deaths will not be tolerated. He has ordered an investigation into the incident, potentially harming Afghan and NATO/ISAF relations. (Reuters, Al-Jazeera, BBC)
INDIA: Panetta calls for deeper defense ties with India
U.S. Secretary of Defense Panetta, in his first visit to India, has called for deeper defense relations in an effort to ensure regional security and stability. Panetta stated that the U.S. seeks to expand its presence in "Western Pacific and East Asia into the Indian Ocean region and South Asia," and a supportive defense relationship with India is the "lynchpin" to this strategy. Comment: Indian defense analysts stated that this cooperation is unlikely as it is India's stated policy to remain independent and neutral of major powers. Furthermore, India's security policy is primarily focused inward, and the government is still unsure about its position in regards to the U.S.-China relationship. (Reuters, DAWN, BBC)
PAKISTAN: U.S. suspends funding of Sesame Street
On Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner has announced that the agency will suspend funding of the Pakistani version of Sesame Street due to allegations of corruption and fraud. Rafi Peer Theater Workshop, which was contracted by the U.S. Agency for International Development to produce the show, has denied these allegations. They hope to continue production of the children's program through other resources. Comment: Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit agency that brings Sesame Street to countries around the world, stated that they were dismayed and surprised by the allegations against Rafi Peer. (Hindustan Times, DAWN, Reuters)
Researched/Written by Nishat Jafreen
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