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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
The Hague Symposium begins! *click on the photo above for a complete slideshow of Symposium photos. In the first week of the inaugural The Hague Symposium on Post-Conflict Transitions & International Justice, the participants not only began to form bonds with each other, but also had the opportunity to meet some of the field's top leaders, including Fatou Bensouda, Lt. Gen. Ton van Loon, Professor Dov Jacobs, Jan Pronk, and Derick Brinkerhoff. Catch-up on this week's events:
As always, you can read all about The Hague Symposium by visiting the event webpage. |
Africa
COTE D'IVOIRE: UN refugee camp attacked
On Friday, UN Nahibly camp was attacked by a crowd of about 300 young men armed with clubs and machetes that killed seven and wounded more than 13 civilians. The attack came after four people were allegedly killed by people from the camp late Thursday in the Kokoma district of Duekou, inhabited mostly by ethnic Malinke. The majority of camp inhabitants are from the Guere ethnic group, traditional supporters of former president Laurent Gbagbo, who has had tense relations with the Malinke ethnic group, considered to be supporters of President Alassane Ouattara. Comment: Victims of the camp assault accused the UN peacekeepers of failing to protect them during the raid. Cote d'Ivoire is still recovering from the civil war that erupted last year when Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in the 2010 elections; a conflict that killed about 3,000 people and forced one million to flee their homes. Duekou has long been a triggering point for ethnic violence, aggravated by disputes over land ownership. The UN estimates about 86,000 people are still displaced internally from the conflict. (AFP, Al Jazeera, Reuters, UPI)
GHANA: President Mills passes away and Vice President sworn in
Ghana's President John Atta Mills died suddenly on Tuesday, three days after his 68th birthday and five months before he was due to stand for re-election. In keeping with Ghana's constitution, Vice President John Dramani Mahama took the oath of office as head of state in front of parliament hours after the announcement of Mills' death, serving as caretaker president until elections at the end of this year. In a statement signed by presidential chief of staff John Henry Martey Newman, the deceased leader's death was termed "sudden and untimely." Comment: With Ghana's reputation for two peaceful transitions in government following elections in 2000 and 2008, political analysts hailed this move as part of a growing sign that the country's political institutions are solid and working smoothly. Ghana has seen democratic elections for its leadership no fewer than four times since the last military coup in 1981, a rare feat in Sub-Saharan Africa. (All Africa, Ghanaian Chronicle, News 24, Reuters)
MADAGASCAR: Failed mutiny attempt ahead of talks between the President and the ousted leader
On Sunday, a coup attempt by armed soldiers failed to capture a military camp situated near the country's international airport. Madagascar's army says it is in control of the camp, and the leader of the rebellion, Corporal Koto Mainty, was killed. The attempt comes at a time when Madagascar is trying to implement the Southern African Development Community (SADC) roadmap to stabilize the country. It also came ahead of talks between current President Andry Rajoelina and ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana on Wednesday. Comment: The 15-member SADC mediated the Wednesday talks in the tiny island of Seychelles between Rajoelina and the man he toppled in 2009. The organization set a deadline of July 31 for the rivals to settle their differences, so that a timetable for elections can be unveiled next week. Madagascar has been mired in political crisis since the 2009 ousting, with the army regularly intervening in Madagascan politics. (AFP, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, All Africa, BBC News, France 24)
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Americas
CUBA: 50 arrests at funeral of Oswaldo Paya
Cuban police arrested fifty dissidents at Oswaldo Paya's funeral on Tuesday in Havana. Dissidents shouted slogans against the government during the funeral and were subsequently arrested by police. Several of the hundreds of funeral attendees held up hands in the symbol of "L" for liberty and chanted "libertad." Many of those arrested have since been released, but the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation was unable to give exact numbers. One detainee, Guillermo Farinas, reported being struck in the face, forced onto a bus and taken to a police barrack where he was detained for nine hours. Mr. Farinas is famous for staging hunger strikes to increase awareness of political prisoner issues in Cuba. Comment: Mr. Paya, a prominent activist leader against the Castro government, died in a car crash on Sunday. Paya's children claim foul play in Paya's death, while officials claim the driver of the car lost control and hit a tree. (El Nuevo Herald, Clarin, Los Tiempos)
CUBA: President Raul Castro 'willing to talk to US'
On July 26, Cuban President Castro announced in Guantanamo at a Revolution Day celebration that he is willing to hold talks with the United States. He emphasized that the conversation will be between equals and, "we are nobody's colony, nobody's puppet." According to Mr. Castro, he is willing to discuss human rights, free press and democracy, amongst other issues. Mr. Castro stated that, "if they want to talk, we will talk." Comment: For five decades the two countries have not had diplomatic relations. Mr. Castro quipped confrontations with the U.S. should happen on sports fields: "preferably baseball when sometimes they win, sometimes we do." (BBC, STL Today, El Nuevo Herald)
JAMAICA: Diaspora debates
On July 19th, the Jamaican parliament voted in favor of a Diaspora committee, which will investigate methods of increasing Diaspora involvement in Jamaican matters. The principle goal of the committee is to decide on a constitutional reform that permits Diaspora members to be elected into parliamentary positions. So far, most Jamaicans support Diaspora voting rights, but disapprove of residents living abroad serving in the parliament. Comment: An estimated one million Jamaicans live overseas and are large contributors to the Jamaican economy. The Jamaican Promotions Corporation developed a Business Diaspora Strategy that works to incorporate the Diaspora's economic potential for more local benefits. (CN Weekly News, Jamaica Gleaner, Caribbean News Now )
PERU: Third prime minister in a year appointed by Humala
President Humala appointed human rights lawyer and former Justice Minister Juan Jimenez as prime minister of Peru on Tuesday in Lima. Mr. Jimenez' predecessor, Mr. Oscar Valdes, was harshly criticized for authoritarian crackdowns on gold mine protests over the past few months across Peru, which incentivized Mr. Humala to end the appointment. His appointment is part of a larger reshuffle of six new members in the cabinet of nineteen members. "This will be a cabinet of dialogue. We will move closer to the people. We will readdress the issue of social conflicts in Peru," Mr. Jimenez stated upon his appointment. Comment: The protests over social-environmental issues between local communities and the private sector across the country are contributing to low approval ratings of President Humala, which are currently at 40 percent. Mr. Jimenez represents a change in the image of the government and is the third prime minister in a year since the election of President Humala. Several areas are in states of emergency, have reported deaths and continued protests persist in national news. (Diario Correo, La Republica, Andina)
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East Asia
SOUTH KOREA: Activist group to file International Criminal Court case against Kim Jong-Un
A private South Korean committee announced its plans on Tuesday to file a criminal case against North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un regarding its alleged treatment of South Korean prisoners of war. Activist leader Park Sun-young stated that the intention of the case was to raise international awareness of the Korean POW issue and to place pressure on the North Korean regime to repatriate its prisoners. The North Korean government has denied holding any prisoners of war, and asserted that missing soldiers from the Korean War voluntarily defected to the North during the conflict. This account contradicts the testimonies of former POWs who claim to have escaped North Korea, where they were allegedly forced to work in industrial mines. Comment: The two Koreas have remained locked in a military stalemate since the end of the 1953 Korean War, for which no peace treaty was signed. South Korean activists claim there are still hundreds of POWs held in the North. (Yonhap, UPI, Korea Times)
MYANMAR: Escalation of sectarian violence prompts opposition calls to protect minorities
In her first address to the Myanmar parliament on Wednesday, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi recognized the need for the new government to protect the rights of ethnic minorities within Myanmar. "To become a truly democratic union with a spirit of the union, equal rights and mutual respect, I urge all members of parliament to discuss the enactment of laws needed to protect the equal rights of ethnicities," she said in her speech. Her comments follow continuing violence in western Myanmar, where ethnic violence has prevented the Thein Sein government from reaching a ceasefire agreement with the region's numerous rebel groups. The violence has displaced thousands of people from the region, and presented a major challenge for Myanmar's fledgling democratic government. Comment: Myanmar has hosted a sectarian conflict between majority Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims for decades, with tensions escalating in recent months following riots triggered by the rape of a Buddhist woman by ethnic Rohingya Muslims in May. The Myanmar government views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. (Wall Street Journal, The Telegraph, Bangkok Post)
REGIONAL: China approves military garrison on disputed islands
China's Central Military Commission approved the establishment of a permanent military presence in the disputed territory of the Paracel Islands on Monday. State news agency Xinhua reported that the military deployment, which will be based in the small town of Sansha, would be responsible for "guarding the city and supporting local emergency rescue and disaster relief" as well as carrying out "military missions." The move follows the swift election of representatives and the appointment of government officials to Sansha, which was declared China's newest city administration this week. Both the Philippines and Vietnam have condemned the move, with Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nbhi declaring that the act "violated international law." Comment: China seized control of the Paracel Islands from Vietnam following a 1974 naval battle. Parts of the South China Sea are contested by six different governments, with the People's Republic of China claiming nearly the entirety of the territory. (Reuters, Al-Jazeera, The Telegraph)
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| Europe & Central Asia
UNITED KINGDOM: Olympics security back on track
In response to security company G4S' admission earlier this month of not hiring enough security personnel for the Olympic events, the British government called in an additional 1,200 standby troops on Tuesday. 3,500 military troops were already deployed upon the announcement that the G4S numbers were insufficient. The security company is also under scrutiny for recent reports about trainees receiving multiple chances to pass anti-terrorism x-ray machine exams through which trainees were able to cheat their way. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated, that despite the last minute scramble for security personnel, London 2012 is "very much on track." Comment: G4S originally promised 10,400 security personnel in a USD 440 million contract. However, by early July only 4,000 people were hired. Nick Buckles, a G4S chief, acknowledged in mid-July to the Home Affairs Committee that G4S could not deliver "to the full extent of the contract," and publicly apologized on July 17. (Dailymail, Heritage, Guardian)
IRELAND: IRA banner reclaimed by militant Northern Irish groups
The Real IRA was joined by the Republican Action Against Drugs Text and other independent armed republican groups and individuals on Thursday under the reclaimed IRA banner. The coalition claimed to form a "unified structure, under a single leadership...subservient to the constitution of the Irish Republican Army." Statements released by IRA members promised intensified attacks against security forces. Comment: The Real IRA is responsible for the Omagh bomb that killed 29 people in 1998. RAAD was the center of IRA activity during the Troubles. (Guardian, BBC, Reuters)
SPAIN: Fresh anti-austerity protests hit the streets
Saturday witnessed fresh protests across Spain over the government's economic crisis cuts. Spaniard fears are rising over the financial stability of the country, and protestors say cuts unfairly target the poor, which may depress the receding economy more. Last week, the government's growth forecast for 2013 went from a 0.2 percent growth to a 0.5 percent contraction. An estimated 40,000 people protested in Madrid after Parliament eliminated traditional Christmas bonuses for public employees, increased value added taxes and reduced unemployment benefits. Protests thus far are mostly peaceful, although some clashes with the police firing rubber bullets and baton-charges are also reported. Comment: Currently, unemployment in Spain is over 24 percent. This is the highest rate for the country since the 1970s and young people maintain a jobless rate of 50 percent. (Khaleej Times, BBC, Fox News )
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Middle East & North Africa
IRAQ: Multiple bomb attacks in Baghdad and north, killing 115
On Monday, an estimated 19 separate bomb attacks and shootings erupted throughout Baghdad and north of the capital, killing about 115 and wounding 216 people. Bomb explosions continued on Tuesday in a neighborhood north of Baghdad, killing six and wounding three Kurdish Intelligence Force members, and injuring three civilians. The pattern of assaults indicates that military personnel and Shia communities were mostly targeted. The al-Qaeda (AQ) branch in Iraq, the Islamic State of Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a recent audio message, the assumed voice of AQ leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi claimed that the group was starting a "new stage" in their campaign to reunite tribal alliances to retake Sunni areas they retreated from in 2007-2008. Comment: According to BBC, analysts believe that AQ in Iraq is striving to intensify the sectarian political crisis by pitting Sunni Arab and Kurdish leaders against the Shia community. (Al Jazeera, BBC, AP, Al Jazeera)
SYRIA: Government and opposition forces fight for critical city, Aleppo
The Syrian government sent dozens of tanks and reportedly thousands of troop reinforcements from Jabal al-Zawiyah to Aleppo on Wednesday after five days of fighting between pro-Assad and rebel forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human rights reports that fighting and shelling in the city killed 26 on the same day. Syrian government forces began aerial bombardments on the city starting Thursday, while activists believe that a ground campaign will follow shortly in order to secure the city. As rumors of a massive clash in Aleppo circulate, Turkey announced it is closing its crossing points with neighboring Syria, but will continue to allow refugees through. Comment: As Syria's largest city, Aleppo is a strategically vital industrial and commercial center, making it a critical location for both opposition and government forces to control. (Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC, AP, Al Jazeera)
SYRIA: Hints of chemical and biological weapons concerns international community
During a news conference on Monday, foreign minister spokesman Jihad Makdissi claimed that the Syrian government would never use chemical or biological weapons against the Syrian people, but would use them as defense against "external aggression." This comment unleashed condemnation from the international community, notably from Russia, who adamantly warned Syria against threatening to use chemical weapons in any circumstance. Makdissi emphasized later that if Syrian chemical and biological weapons did exist, they would be properly stored and secured. Comment: According to BBC, analysts suggest that the threat of chemical and biological weapon use by Syria will not compel Russia to shift its position on opposing foreign intervention in the country and insists that Assad's removal cannot a prerequisite to any political transition. Last Thursday, both China and Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that threatened sanctions against Syrian leaders if the 17-month violence against the uprising did not stop. (Al Jazeera, Reuters, AP, BBC, Reuters)
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South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Three foreign contractors killed in Herat
On Sunday, a gunman wearing an Afghan National Army uniform opened fire on a group of NATO/ISAF civilian employees in the province of Herat, killing three civilian contractors. The victims were two Americans and one Briton. The gunman was subsequently killed when NATO/ISAF military members returned fire in an effort to bring the situation under control. Comment: In the past year, there has been a surge in attacks where Afghan security forces turn against their UN and NATO/ISAF counterparts. However, attacks against civilians remain rare. (Al-Jazeera, Washington Post, BBC)
INDIA: Deadly riots in Assam leave to 36 dead
On Monday, ethnic violence erupted between the indigenous Bodo people and Muslim settlers in the state of Assam. More than 170,000 have fled their homes to escape the violence. The Indian government deployed 1,000 soldiers to Assam, who were given command to shoot-on-sight in order to quell the violence. Comment: Historically, tribal tensions between the Bodos and migrant Muslim settlers are common in the region. The violence this week began when four teenagers were killed by unidentified men in Kokrajhar district, which is predominantly Bodo. In retaliation, armed Bodo groups attacked Muslim communities, believing them to be perpetrators. (BBC, Reuters, Hindustan Times)
NEPAL: UN denounces school attacks in Kathmandu
On Wednesday, the UN issued a statement denouncing a growing number of attacks on schools by The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist linked youth activists. The UN stated that these attacks "go against the basic principles of children's right to education in a protective environment free from fear." The youth activists claim that attacking schools and school property signifies their grievances for excessive fees and perpetuation of false advertisements that give institutions foreign names to lure students. They claim that violence is the only way they can gain the government's attention. Comment: In May 2011, the UN and the government issued a directive called Schools as Zones of Peace. Under this directive, schools were proclaimed as safe havens for children to grow and continue their education in an environment free of violence. (BBC, Associated Press, Himalayan Times)
Researched/Written by Nishat Jafreen
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IPSI News
The 2012 The Hague Symposium on Post-Conflict Transitions & International Justice is currently underway!
Learn more here >> ___________________ |
IPSI News
IPSI Chairman of the Board Dr.William Zartman writes the following thinkpiece:
Genocide and identity conflict >> ___________________ |
IPSI Leadership
Cameron M. Chisholm Dr. I. William Zartman
Dr. P. Terrence Hopmann
Alexander Little
George Foote
Pamela Aall
Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah
Betty Bigombe Dr. Francis Deng
Jan Eliasson
Gareth Evans
Dr. Ted Robert Gurr
Amb. Jacques Paul Klein
Peter Kyle
Dr. Jean Paul Lederach
Jeffrey Mapendere
John Marks
Susan Collin Marks
Dr. Joyce Neu Dr. Valerie Rosoux
William Stuebner
Dr. Ruth Wedgwood Dr. Craig Zelizer About Us >> ___________________ |
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