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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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Colombia: Peace at Last?
ICG
After decades of failed negotiations and attempts to defeat the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas and the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN) militarily, a political solution to the Western Hemisphere's oldest conflict may be in sight. Following a year of secret contacts, formal peace talks with FARC are to open in Oslo in October 2012 and continue in Havana. They may be extended to the ELN. There seems a firmer willingness to reach an agreement, as the government realises military means alone cannot end the conflict and FARC appears to recognise that the armed struggle permits survival but little else. With no ceasefire in place, both sides must act with restraint on the battlefield to generate immediate humanitarian improvements. And they will need to balance the requirements of fast, discreet negotiations and those of representativeness and inclusion. The government and the guerrillas have the historic responsibility to strike a deal, but only strong social and political ownership of that deal can guarantee that it leads to the lasting peace that has been elusive for so long.
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East & South Africa
KENYA: Teacher strike ends
On Monday, the Kenya National Unit of Teachers officially ended its three week strike regarding wages; roughly 200,000 teachers demanded a 200 percent increase in pay, but settled on a 40 percent increase for the lowest paid teachers and a 20 percent increase for the highest paid. To accommodate this, the government is considering raising taxes and borrowing money. The national exams have been pushed back a few weeks to allow students to adequately prepare. Comment: The main causes for the strike were the increasing living costs in Kenya, while government salaries have remained mostly static. The movement of the teachers inspired doctors and university lecturers to consider following suit; many hospitals are now only operating on an emergency basis until an agreement can be reached. (The Standard, The Daily Nation, BBC)
SOMALIA: MP killed in Mogadishu, rebels claim responsibility
Mustaf Haji Mohamed, a member of Somalia's Parliament, was shot and killed outside his house in Mogadishu on Saturday by unidentified assailants. The Islamist rebel group Al Shabaab claimed they were behind the attack, as well as the attempted suicide bomb assassination of President Mohamud just two days after he took office. An Al Shabaab representative declared, "We killed legislator Mustaf... and we will kill all Somali MPs and officials one by one." Al Shabaab accuses the new parliament and president of participating in a government that operates contrary to Islamic Law. Comment: Al Shabaab asserts the current Somali government exists only to serve western interests and also intends to target foreign governments who support the administration. President Mohamud has made it clear security is a top priority for the new government. (The Daily Nation. Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC)
SOUTH AFRICA: Arrest warrant issued for Julius Malema
The former president of the African National Congress Youth League Julius Malema, who has been in the public eye for supporting the recent miner strikes in South Africa, is being accused of corruption, fraud, and money laundering in regards to government contracts he awarded to his home province of Limpopo. In a conflict of interest with foreign investors, Malema advocates the nationalization of the mines. Comment: Previously allied with the president, Malema is now one of his strongest critics after being expelled from the African National Congress. His vocal disapproval of the president coupled with his success in sparking unrest in the mines have caused many to believe this warrant is more politically motivated than based on solid evidence. Malema's lawyer claims the government has no evidence implicating Malema. (The Standard, Al Jazeera, All Africa)
Researched/Written by Sean Barrett
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West & Central Africa
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Rebels attack border post
On Sunday, Central African rebels killed two security border guards in Garoua Boulaï, a town in Cameroon's eastern region. Cameroonian forces killed one of the assailants and arrested two others in a counter-attack. The security officials had refused the group entry into Cameroon where two of its members had been arrested days earlier. The porous border between Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad is roamed by armed gangs, which carry out attacks on villages and also traffic in arms. Comment: Since 2005, the Central African Republic has faced low-level insurgencies from rebel groups opposed to President Francois Bozize, who came to power in a 2003 coup. The government in Bangui signed a peace deal with one of the last rebel groups in August. (Reuters, Euronews, Africa Review)
COTE D'IVOIRE: Court grants bail to ex-Ivorian minister
On Tuesday, a Ghanaian court granted bail to former Ivorian budget minister and spokesman for former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, Justin Kone Katinan, pending his extradition hearing. Katinan is one of around two-dozen members of Gbagbo's regime sought under international arrest warrants issued by Cote D'Ivoire. He is wanted in his home country for alleged economic crimes while he was budget minister during the Second Ivorian Civil War from 2010-2011. Comment: Cote D'Ivoire has closed its border with Ghana, following renewed concerns Gbagbo loyalists are using the nation as a base to launch attacks against President Alassane Ouattara's government. On Sunday, the government announced it would reopen its airspace to flights from Ghana but keep its land and sea borders shut. (Afrique en Ligne, AFP, Reuters)
EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Government takes France to the ICJ
On Tuesday, Equatorial Guinea filed a case against France in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague to order an end to a corruption inquiry into its leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema's family. The move follows the seizure by France in July of a Paris mansion, reportedly worth more than EUR 100 million (USD 130 million), in connection with an investigation into the president's son, Second Vice-President Teodorin Obiang. The Equatorial Guinean complaint calls on the ICJ to ban French interference in its internal affairs. No action can be taken in the proceedings until France consents to the court's jurisdiction in this case. Comment: The nation's main opposition parties have accused the president, Africa's longest-serving head of state, of lining up his son to succeed him. Equatorial Guinea is one of Africa's largest oil exporters, but most of its population of 720,000 lives in poverty. (AllAfrica, France24, BBC)
MALI: ECOWAS military force to deploy
On Sunday, Malian defense minister Yamoussa Camara announced an agreement with the West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), concerning a military plan to retake northern Mali from Islamist militants. Mali will host the 3,300-member force in Bamako and is waiting on the United Nations Security Council's approval. Mali has been in turmoil since March, when a military coup overthrew President Amadou Touré, the democratically elected leader, and a range of rebel forces seized control of areas across the north. Comment: On Wednesday, French President François Hollande called on the UN Security Council to meet urgently over Mali's request for an African-led military intervention. The instability in northern Mali has led 400,000 people to leave their homes, with more than half fleeing into neighboring countries. (BBC, France24, AllAfrica, France24)
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Americas
BOLIVIA: Mineworkers clash in La Paz
On September 19, rival mineworkers groups clashed and hurled dynamite at each other on the main street of La Paz, leaving one dead and four injured. The conflict stems from independent and public sector mineworkers vying for control over the recently nationalized Colquiri tin mine. The groups launched formal protests on September 1 and used strikes, marches, and roadblocks to disrupt the mine's operations. The dispute has resulted in approximately USD 250,000 in lost revenues per day and the government is hoping to launch formal negotiations to resolve the dispute. Comment: The nationalization of the Coliquiri mine is part of sweeping nationalization programs enacted by President Morales beginning in 2006. The reforms aim to ensure that Bolivian citizens, rather than foreign interests, profit from Bolivia's abundant natural resources, but the policies led to conflict between Bolivians over who is entitled to resource profits. The mining conflicts are one example of this phenomenon with 8,000 state miners and 100,000 independent miners vying for control of mines across the country. (BBC, AP, Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC)
HONDURAS: Human rights worker killed
The Honduran human rights worker, Antonio Trejo, was killed on Sunday in Tocontin while answering a phone call outside of a church. Mr. Trejo worked to protect the land rights of peasants in the palm-oil producing region of Bajo Aguan. Conflict in this region erupted in 2011 after peasant groups invaded and occupied land owned by large private agricultural corporations. In response, security guards shot and killed dozens of trespassing peasants. As a result of his work defending the peasants, Trejo received multiple death threats and filed documents requesting protection from a powerful billionaire land owner. Prior to his death he announced that if he was killed, the wealthiest man in Honduras, Miguel Facuss would be to blame. The U.S. embassy is collaborating with the government of Honduras to investigate his murder. Comment: In April, massive land conflicts broke out in Honduras when peasant groups coordinated invasions of large, privately owned farms. The peasants were protesting the unequal distribution of land and the government's failure to enact land reforms. Peasant groups accused the government of enacting policies that favor large landowners. The government denied these claims and blames the conflicts on criminal gangs posing as peasant associations. (BBC, AP, Al Jazeera)
MEXICO: 35 police officers arrested for working with Los Zetas drug cartel
The Mexican Navy arrested 35 police officers on Saturday in Xalapa, the capital of the Veracruz state. The officers are accused of collaborating with the country's most powerful drug cartel, Los Zetas. Los Zetas has a strong base in Veracruz due to its strategic location along drug trafficking routes. The federal government sent several thousand officers to Veracruz to control the violence and drug trafficking operations, but the co-option of police officers by high paying drug cartels remains a serious impediment to crime reduction efforts. Comment: Los Zetas is arguably the most powerful drug cartel in Mexico and is accused of carrying out the most violent atrocities in the ongoing drug wars. In 2005, Los Zetas split from the powerful Gulf Cartel and the initial members consisted primarily of defectors from an elite unit of Mexico's army known as El Gato. Recently released Mexican intelligence reports indicate the Los Zetas gang has split, prompting fears of increased drug violence in the region. (BBC, Reuters, AP)
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East Asia
CHINA: Aircraft Carrier Unveiled
On September 25, China put its first aircraft carrier into service in a ceremony overseen by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. Built over the remains of an old Soviet ship the Chinese purchased in 1998, the carrier will initially only be used for training and testing purposes. Following the commissioning ceremony, China became the tenth country in the world to have an aircraft carrier in active service. Comment: The commissioning of the carrier likely signals China's intention of expanding its naval reach in the Pacific and comes at a time of heightened tensions over a series of territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. China does not currently have planes capable of landing on the carrier. (Xinhuan, Channel News Asia, NY Times)
INDONESIA: Terrorist Suspects Arrested
Indonesian anti-terrorist squad Densus 88 arrested 10 Islamic terrorist suspects after conducting a series of raids in Central Java's Surakarta and Borneo island last weekend. Authorities seized a variety of bombs, detonators, small arms, and extremist materials. National police spokesman Brigadier General Boy Rafli Amar said that the group had planned to bomb Indonesia's Parliament, attack police, and fight to establish Sharia law. Comment: Security forces have instituted increased security measures, and it is feared that terrorists may launch an attack on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the infamous 2002 bombing of Bali. Since March, police have arrested more than 30 militants and killed seven. (Jakarta Globe, Jakarta Post, Wall Street Journal)
VIETNAM: Three Bloggers Jailed
On September 24, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced three people to between four and 12 years in prison for publishing "anti-state propaganda." The bloggers had posted articles on a banned website called the "Free Journalists Club" that criticized the Vietnamese government for human rights abuses and corruption. The Court ruled that the defendants had taken advantage of free speech and constituted a threat to the stability and security of Vietnam. Comment: International activists have criticized the ruling and at least a dozen demonstrators protesting the charges were taken into custody. The high-profile trial lasted just over five hours. (Nhan Dan, Vietnam News, BBC, Radio Free Asia)
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Europe & Central Asia
GREECE/SPAIN: Austerity measures lead to mass protests and clashes with police
This week, the governments of Greece and Spain announced austerity measures to be imposed on their respective populations. Greece intends to implement cuts of EUR 11.5bn (USD 15bn), and Spain has proposed similar austerity cutbacks and tax hikes. In response to the cuts, thousands of protestors clashed with police in Greece, some throwing Molotov cocktails and pieces of concrete. In Spain, police fired rubber bullets at protestors involved in tearing down concrete barriers protecting parliament buildings. Comment: Greece must ensure budget cuts of USD 14.59bn if it is to receive its next bailout installment in October; however, with record unemployment and over a third of the Greek population below the poverty line, resistance has increased to further cuts. Spain is close to requiring an international bailout after its deficit remained over USD 60bn. Unemployment is close to 25 percent, with certain civil areas seeing salary decreases of around EUR 8,000. (BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN)
TURKEY: Blast kills seven members of security forces
On Tuesday, seven security force members were killed when their vehicle exploded after being targeted by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the eastern province of Tunceli; an area which the PKK aims to submit to its rule. Security forces arriving on the scene met additional PKK militants, resulting in one militant being killed. Comment: The PKK is outlawed in Turkey and is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The party has recently begun a series of activities aimed to convince Tunceli residents to leave the region or accept their sovereignty. Activities include setting fire to commercial vehicles, shops and businesses, and a recent assassination of a public prosecutor. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Hurriyet)
UNITED KINGDOM: European Court of Human Rights approves extradition of Abu Hamza
The European Court of Human Rights approved the extradition of Abu Hamza to the United States, holding that no violation of human rights would occur despite claims of inhumane treatment if extradition was permitted. Abu Hamza and four other defendants are suspected of planning a terror camp in Oregon and aiding Osama Bin Laden from London. Comment: Abu Hamza has been held in custody for eight years, convicted of soliciting to murder and stirring up racial hatred. Two other defendants have been held since 1998 and are yet to face trial. The defendants can be extradited to the United States under the Extradition Treaty of 2003; the treaty allows for extradition of defendants when U.S. law is broken by acts committed in the United Kingdom. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Reuters)
Researched/Written by A. Max Jones
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Middle East & North Africa
IRAN: Women banned from 77 academic fields, Human Rights Watch protests
On Saturday, Human Rights Watch released a statement urging Iran to lift restrictions on women enrolling in certain academic fields, emphasizing the bans were in violation of the international right to education for everyone without discrimination. Starting with this academic school year, 36 universities have barred women from 77 different university academic concentrations, including counseling, engineering, and business. Extra limitations have been implemented on campuses to segregate genders into separate classes. According to Iran's National Education Assessment Organization, 60 percent of those who passed this year's college entrance exam were women, who now make up the majority of college students. Comment: According to Al Jazeera, Iranian officials are alarmed over the country's declining birth and marriage rates, which they partially link with women's increasing enrollment in higher education in the last twenty years. The Iranian Nobel Peace laureate, Shirin Ebadi, told BBC, "The Iranian government is using various initiatives... to restrict women's access to education, to stop them from being active in society, and to return them to the home." (Al Jazeera, Daily Star, BBC)
LIBYA: Demonstrators seize Ansar al-Sharia headquarters
On Friday night, protestors stormed and seized the headquarters of Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi, resulting in four deaths and dozens of injuries, and prompting the group to evacuate "to preserve security in the city." A mixture of police, government troops, and activists appeared to be a part of a coordinated assault of the city's militia headquarters, which came after 30,000 person "Save Benghazi" group protest against militant groups earlier that day. The attacking crowds shouted, "No more al-Qaeda!" and "The blood we shed for freedom shall not go in vain!" Ansar al-Sharia, along with the Abu Slim militia, also withdrew from five bases on Saturday in the city of Derna in reaction to the previous night's demonstrations. Ansar al-Sharia is suspected to be a part of the attack on the U.S. consulate on September 11, but denies any involvement. Comment: The coordinated attacks on Ansar al-Sharia mark a pivotal transformation in the country where authorities previously were unable to confront heavily armed militant groups. Demonstrator Hassan Ahmed told Yalibnan, "After what happened at the American consulate, the people of Benghazi had enough of extremists. They did not give allegiance to the army. So the people broke in and they fled." (Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC, Yalibnan)
SYRIA: Two explosions near the Syrian Army's headquarters, four security guards killed
In Damascus early Wednesday, two explosions near (one possibly inside) the Syrian Army's headquarters killed four security guards, injured 14 people, and set fire to at least two floors of the main building. An opposition spokesman said the Free Syrian Army was behind the bombings and claimed "dozens" had been killed, while information minister Omran al-Zoubi reported no military official casualties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports an exchange of artillery fire after the explosions. Comment: Al Jazeera reporter Rula Amin maintains even if senior military officials were not harmed "it is still an achievement for the rebels to come so close" to such an pivotal strategic location for the Syrian Army in the capital. The attacks came a day after the Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad called for unilateral Arab intervention in Syria at the annual UN General Assembly. In the face of the UN Security Council's inability to react, he said, "...it is better for the Arab countries themselves to interfere out of their national, humanitarian, political, and military duties and do what is necessary to stop the bloodshed in Syria." (Al Jazeera, Reuters, The Guardian)
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South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Demands for more democratic rule
On September 23, 20 Afghan political groups met in Kabul to reach an agreement to strengthen democratic governance and announce the formation of a cooperation and coordination council to help ease political transition after the next election, expected in 2014. The council plans to work jointly on drafting a "Charter of Democracy" to be signed by all parties. Karzai has implied that he will not seek a third term in office and the next election would overlie with the end-of-mission date for NATO troops. The formation of the new council was supported by both opposition and ruling party groups. Comment: This step has been flaunted as support for constitutional order and democratic governance. Some see this step as concern about the uncertain political process, corruption, and lack of reconciliation in the past. Council members emphasized the reconciliation process needs to be "Afghan-led, comprehensive, just and part of a political process that safeguards constitutional values." (Ariana News, Foreign Policy)
MALDIVES: Former president subject to travel ban
On September 25, the Hulhumale Magistrate Court ordered former President Mohamed Nasheed be prohibited from leaving Malé without court permission. The ruling comes in the face of a trial concerning the arbitrary and secret detention of a senior judge during Nasheed's tenure. Nasheed resigned in February 2012 claiming he was ousted by a coup; an inquiry commission concluded that this was not the case. These orders have come days before Nasheed's party is due to start election campaigning. Comment: Supporters of Nasheed say the ruling is "unfair and politically motivated;" however, the courts point out this is standard procedure before such trials. The detention of the judge is said to be the real reason for Nasheed's resignation as it cost him the support of the military and police. (BBC, Associated Press, Minivan News, Daily News)
PAKISTAN: Senior Pakistan officer killed
Wednesday, a senior Pakistani geology official, Moshin Raza Naqvi, was shot dead in Quetta, Balochistan. Two gunmen were waiting for Naqvi outside the main gait to his office, fired from close range, and escaped arrest. Police official Mohammed Ayaz believes this is a case of sectarian killing as Naqvi was a member of the Shia community. Bolachistan is a very poor province and experiences a significant amount of sectarian violence. Comment: Naqvi's family says that he had no quarrels with anyone and that the killings were certainly sectarian. Sectarian violence between extremist Sunnis and Shias has claimed more than 4,000 people over the past 20 years. (BBC, Press TV, Dawn)
Researched/Written by Maanasa Reddy
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IPSI News
IPSI Faculty Juan Mendez, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, says "Morocco must do more to eradicate torture".
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