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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.

Corrected Version: We apologize for double posting the Americas briefs under the South Asia region.  The corrected 6/22/2012 PSR is below.
Featured Article
The Bologna Symposium begins! 
IPSI Featured Article
*click on the photo above for a complete slideshow of week one photos.
 
The 2012 Bologna, Italy Symposium on Conflict Prevention, Resolution, & Reconciliation is officially underway at The Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna Center!  This year, we are making it easy for peacemakers around the world to experience the Bologna Symposium along with the 50 amazing emerging leaders in attendance.  Here's how:
Africa
NIGERIA: Escalated sectarian violence in the north
Increased Christian-Muslim tensions in the northern cities of Damaturu and Kaduna has resulted in an estimated 80 deaths since Monday. Church bombings conducted by Boko Haram over the last three Sundays sparked Christian youth to burn mosques and property belonging to Muslims on June 17, generating additional civil unrest throughout the week. Hours after the rioting began, government officials imposed a state-wide ban on movements and mandated a curfew with troops patrolling the streets. Comment: As Africa's most populous country, with an almost even split between Muslims and Christians, Nigeria's sectarian violence has worsened in recent months. Boko Haram's attacks, which mostly target security and authority forces, have recently also focused on Christian churches, contributing to the escalating violence. Since mid-2009, Boko Haram has killed more than 1,000 people in Nigeria. (Al Jazeera, All Africa, CNN, France 24, Reuters)

SUDAN: Student protestors and police clash over austerity measures
Five days of protests at universities over government austerity culminated on Wednesday when police forces intervened with tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons to disperse demonstrations. The austerity measures proposed by Sudanese Finance Minister Ali Mahmoud, who estimated the budget deficit at around 2.4 billion USD in May, phase out fuel subsidies while raising taxes on imports and banking profits. Comment: With Juba shutting down the oil pipeline through Sudan in early January, Sudan has been grappling to address its increasing budget shortfall. In May of this year, Khartoum also devalued its currency, pushing inflation up to 30 percent, in an attempt to attract more remittances from expatriate Sudanese. Furthermore, the University of Khartoum has remained closed since late December when students clashed with riot police following a dispute over university fees. (AFP, All Africa, Bor Globe, Reuters, Reuters)

TOGO: Electoral reform protests in Lom�
Several thousand protestors gathered in the capital city Lom� beginning on Tuesday under the rallying cry of "Sauvons le Togo" (Save Togo) to challenge planned changes to electoral laws, especially the provision that allows unlimited presidential terms. The stone throwing demonstrators were violently repressed by the local gendarmerie, resulting in 119 demonstrators and 22 security forces injured, and about 55 persons arrested. "Sauvons le Togo" is a coalition of human rights and campaign groups who organized the protests calling for President Faur� Gnassingb� to hold a dialogue over the planned electoral reforms. Comment: Togo has been ruled by the Gnassingb� family for more than four decades; first General Eyadema for 38 years, and then Faur�, installed as president by the military after his father's death in 2005. Parliamentary elections are to be held in October of this year, although no precise date has been set. (All Africa, AFP, AFP, BBC News, NY Times, rfi)
 
Researched/Written by Katrina Fung
Americas

EL SALVADOR: Negotiated gang ceasefire holds for over 100 days
The Catholic Church-mediated ceasefire agreement between rival gangs Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 passed its 100th day this week. The successful negotiation occurred during two mass services in the country's prisons between the gangs and is being credited for the recent decrease in murder rates. In El Salvador, the murder rate dropped from 14 per day in March to 5 per day in May. This is a 50 percent decrease in murder rates from the same period last year, saving an estimated 850 lives. The government claims no responsibility or involvement in the agreement; they only acknowledge that they facilitated the accord in the prison. On Tuesday, the MS-13's leadership stated that they are looking to start negotiations with the government for a more permanent peace pact. They are looking for job programs or other public support for gang members in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. Comment: In El Salvador, the MS-13 and Barrior 18 are two primary criminal groups with substantial amounts of power, responsible for drug activity and violence. (Ministerio de Jusitica y Seguridad P�blica, BBC, Mi Gente Informa, Forum Libertas)

MEXICO: Students of YoSoy132 movement host presidential candidate debate
Three of the four Mexican presidential candidates participated in the YoSoy132 student-organized online presidential debate earlier this week. In the debate, Josefina Vazquez Mota, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Gabriel Quadri responded to questions posted on the internet. Enrique Pen Nieto, whose comments originally sparked the student protest movement YoSoy132, did not participate and stated that he does not believe the conditions of the debate to be impartial. Organizers of the debate purposely left a chair empty amongst the candidates to highlight Nieto's absence. Candidates discussed indigenous rights, the future of the state oil Pemex, and control of Mexican media and telecommunication sectors. Comment: It is difficult to determine how many people followed the debate or what the impact on July's presidential election will be, as major television networks did not cover the debate, and it was the first in the campaign season to not be organized by traditional authorities. Some members of the YoSoy132 movement see this debate as a mobilization for an honest and fair election. (Jornada, BBC, Jornada, Clic Noticias)

UNITED STATES: Obama issues executive order changing deportation laws for young immigrants
On Friday, Obama signed an executive order that allows an estimated 800,000 illegal immigrants to avoid deportation from the USA and to apply for two-year work permits if they meet certain requirements. Conditions include that immigrants must have come to the USA before their sixteenth birthday, pose no criminal or security threat, graduate from high school, and prove that they have been living in the country continuously for at least five years. Those eligible for the new deportation deferrals must currently be under the age of 30. President Obama stated, "This is not amnesty. This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stopgap measure." Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano added, "These young people really are not the individuals that the immigration removal process was designed to focus upon." Comment: Mexico's President Calderon praised the deportation limitation move. The declaration is seen as appealing to Latino voters in the upcoming presidential election, without being strong enough to isolate more conservative voters. (CNN, Washington Post, Business Week, NY Times) 

 

Researched/Written by  Amber Hill
East Asia
CHINA: Impending U.S. Sanctions prompt Iranian oil import reductions
On Wednesday, news sources indicated that as the U.S. prepares to enact sanctions against Iranian oil buyers, China may reduce its imports of Iranian crude. If so, China will join a list of nations exempted from potentially being severed from the U.S. financial system, including Japan, South Korea, and India. Comment: The United States has sought strict economic sanctions against Iran after evidence indicated covert uranium enrichment procedures. China currently accounts for over 20 percent of Iran's oil export sales. China is one of many nations that have defended Iran's nuclear projects internationally, which Iran asserts are peaceful. (Chicago Tribune, Reuters, CNN)

MYANMAR: Refugees flee outbreak of ethnic violence
The spread of arson and riots in the western Burmese state of Rakhine has displaced tens of thousands of people according to statements by UN and Burmese officials on Friday. Neighboring Bangladesh, which already hosts thousands of Burmese refugees, has closed its border with Burma to halt the influx of people despite pleas from the UN Refugee agency to accommodate the displaced. Both Myanmar president Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have called for a quick and peaceful resolution of the violence to facilitate Myanmar's transition to democracy. Comment: Sectarian violence erupted in Rakhine last week after the June 3 murder of ten Rohingya Muslims, allegedly killed in response to the rape and murder of a Buddhist woman last month. While the conflict appears to be de-escalating, locals of both ethnicities continue to flee towards Bangladesh for refuge. (BBC, Radio Australia, Herald Sun, Channel News Asia)

NORTH KOREA/CHINA: Officials deny alleged export of missile launch vehicles
Last Wednesday, spokesman for Beijing's foreign ministry Liu Weimin denied involvement in North Korea's acquisition of mobile missile launch vehicles. The vehicles, which were displayed during a Pyongyang military parade in April, can transport and fire long range ballistic missiles from the field, making them more difficult to target. Suspicions that the launchers were of Chinese origin surfaced after their public appearance. Last week, the Tokyo-based newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported to have tracked the vehicles to a Cambodian-flagged cargo vessel which sailed from China to North Korea. The allegations have renewed concerns about weapons proliferation between the two nations. Comment: North Korea remains under a United Nations arms embargo with which China is in stated compliance. China has also publicly agreed to abide by guidelines outlined by the informal Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), though it is not a member. (Guardian, Defense News, Asahi Shimbun)

 

Researched/Written by Kenneth Bloomquist

Europe & Central Asia
GREECE: Antonis Samaras sworn in as prime minister
Antonis Samaras was sworn in as the new prime minister of Greece on June 20. His political party, New Democracy, created a coalition with the Socialists (Pasok) and Democratic Left parties. This coalition faces intense pressure from the austerity-weary Greek public. Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos stated that the three party coalition had "taken on the burden of responsibility to renegotiate the bailout agreement and [the job] of exiting Greece from the crisis." Comment: Mr. Samaras is Greece's fourth prime minister in eight months. A new Cabinet was sworn in on Thursday, which put an elected government in charge of Greece for the first time in 224 days. (BBC, CNN, Guardian)

NORWAY: Breivik trial ends, victims' families walkout
The trial for Anders Behring Breivik, the man on trial for the murder of 77 people and injuring 242 others on July 22, 2011, concluded with the families of victims walking out of the courtroom when Breivik attempted to justify the massacre. "He has a right to talk. We have no duty to listen," state one member of the boycott. Participants of the walkout made it clear that their actions are aimed at Breivik himself and not the court. Breivik admits to the killings and injuries, but does not accept the charges of terrorism and premeditated murder against him. His lawyers argue that Breivik is sane and his actions were politically motivated by an extreme rightwing ideology; they are asking for acquittal. Comment: The verdict will be delivered on August 24. (BBC, Guardian, NPR )

UNITED KINGDOM: Cargo vessel with Russian-made attack helicopters stopped
Earlier this week, a cargo ship, MV Alaed, armed with Russian-made attack helicopters was stopped off the shores of Scotland. The insurance for the MV Alaed was withdrawn by the Standard Club (not the UK government) due to reports that the ship may be carrying weapons bound for Syria. The European Union has an arms embargo on Syria and discourages other countries from supplying arms as well. Comment: The Russian embassy in London has not commented about the incident. (BBC, Telegraph, MSNBC)

Researched/Written by  Amber Hill

Middle East & North Africa
EGYPT: Protestors demonstrate in Tahrir Square against SCAF power grab
On Tuesday, Muslim Brotherhood-led protestors thronged Tahrir Square to object the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' (SCAF) move to obtain sweeping political and judicial powers. Due to Egypt's High Constitutional Court ruling, the SCAF dissolved the Islamist-led parliament, claiming it was unconstitutional and contained illegal provisions. On Sunday, the military amended the Constitution, giving the country's top generals certain executive powers previously reserved for the president, while martial law was declared the day before by the Justice Minister of the SCAF. Alongside these events, the two presidential candidates, Ahmed Shafiq and Mohammed Morsi, both claimed victory in the run-off election. State run and unofficial media reported that Morsi had a decisive lead with the majority of the votes, yet the Presidential Election Commission declared the officials results will be delayed until the review of 400 electoral complaints. Comment: AP reports that Egyptian activists are worried that this delay indicates the military might be planning to declare Shafiq the winner. On Monday, top members of the SCAF reassured the country that the military is not trying to take over the country and the future president will still have authority to appoint ministers and veto legislation. Major General Mohamed el-Assar claims, "No one will return Egypt to the past, no matter who wins the presidency." (UPI, Al Jazeera, Al-Ahram, AP, Al Jazeera)

ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: Israeli and Palestinian forces exchange fire
While the catalyst remains unclear, conflicting reports indicate that beginning Monday morning Israel conducted numerous airstrikes into Gaza, while Hamas launched missiles into Israel. Hammas, which previously brokered an unofficial truce with Israel, admitted it was responsible for launching 96 rockets and nine mortars into Israel. The Israeli airstrikes targeted "terror sites" in retaliation for the missile launches, which include a training center for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades and other Hamas security bases, and have resulted in a total of eight Palestinian deaths. On Wednesday, an Israeli air strike in the southern town of Rafah in Gaza killed an alleged Palestinian operative of al-Tawid wa al-Jihad, whom Israel claims was involved in the Monday raid along the Israel-Egypt border that killed an Israeli civilian. Comment: Late Wednesday, the military wing of Hamas declared that it had reached a ceasefire agreement with Israel, which was mediated by Egypt. BBC reports that Israel has neither acknowledged nor denied the brokered truce agreement, but stated, (Israel) would "continue to operate with perseverance and determination against those who use terror against the state of Israel." (Al Jazeera, BBC, Palestinian News Agency, Haaretz, Al Jazeera)

SYRIA: Red Cross waits to evacuate Homs, pending ceasefire truce
Aid teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Syrian Red Crescent have thus far been unable to enter the city of Homs to evacuate people trapped and wounded by 10 days of fighting between pro-government and rebel forces. On Wednesday, the ICRC reported that both sides of the conflict agreed to a temporary two-hour ceasefire to allow the evacuation, while pro-opposition Homs residents claim that both rebels and government troops were still engaged in fighting, preventing the ICRC from accessing the population. A Homs resident said another evacuation agreement had been reached a few days earlier, but collapsed when pro-Assad forces opened fire. Government officials counter that military forces were trying to evacuate civilians on Tuesday, but were obstructed by rebel factions. Comment: According to Reuters, the mounting violence in Syria forced the United Nations ceasefire observer team to suspend its operations, indicating Kofi Annan's proposed six point peace plan has ceased to be effective. Earlier on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports roughly 20 soldiers were killed by rebels forces in an overnight attack in Latakia and an estimated 58 more people have been killed across the country. (Daily Star, BBC, Al Jazeera) 

 

Researched/Written by Anna Cecilia Moriarty

South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Taliban praises India for not increasing involvement in Afghanistan
On Sunday, the Taliban issued a statement praising India for not deepening its involvement in Afghanistan as requested by the U.S. Secretary of Defense Panetta earlier this month. The Taliban also assured India that Afghanistan will not be a base for any Pakistani militants with anti-India agendas. Comment: Leon Panetta visited India earlier this month asking that the government take a more active role in ensuring Afghan security. Indian officials responded by stating that the request is not feasible for India, therefore they will pursue a course that allows the country to remain independent. (DAWN, Reuters, Hindustan Times)

NEPAL: Conservationists to use drones to combat poachers
On Wednesday, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal stated that they will soon use special unmanned drones with a built-in camera and GPS to track movements of endangered species and activities of poachers. WWF Nepal hopes that the presence of poachers in national parks will be detected by the drones, and the information will be passed on to proper law enforcement officials. Comment: Tigers and one-horned Rhinos inhabit the area, and their populations have decreased drastically due to illegal wildlife trade. These drones are expected to be a very cost effective way of ensuring the protection of the endangered species. (Dawn, BBC, Sydney Morning Herald)

PAKISTAN: Taliban bans anti-polio campaign in Waziristan
On Sunday, Pakistani Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur in the North Waziristan tribal region issued a statement declaring that the organization will not allow an anti-polio campaign in the area, to the dismay of local and international health organizations. Gul Bahadur proclaimed that the ban will continue until the U.S stops drone attacks in Waziristan. Comment: Analysts have commented that this ban is a reaction to the case of Dr. Shakil Afridi who aided U.S. intelligence officials in locating Osama bin Laden through a vaccination program. On Wednesday, Pakistani government officials stated that they will attempt to persuade Gul Bahadur to lift the ban and allow the country's polio eradication program to continue in Waziristan. (Dawn, Hindustan Times, New York Times)
 

Researched/Written by Nishat Jafreen

June 22, 2012
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In This Issue
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Africa
Americas
East Asia
Europe & Central Asia
Middle East & N. Africa
South Asia
IPSI News
IPSI News - Fatou Bensouda
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IPSI News - Fatou Bensouda
IPSI congratulates The Hague Symposium keynote speaker Fatou Bensouda for being sworn in as the ICC's new Prosecutor.  
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Dr. Francis Deng
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