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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.
Featured Article
State of World Population 2012 
By Choice, Not By Chance: Family Planning, Human Rights and Development
  
UNFPA
IPSI Featured Article

All human beings - regardless of age, sex, race or income - are equal in dignity and rights. Yet 222 million women in developing countries are unable to exercise the human right to voluntary family planning.

 

This flagship report analyzes data and trends to understand who is denied access and why. It examines challenges in expanding access to family planning. And it considers the social and economic impact of family planning as well as the costs and savings of making it available to everyone who needs it.

 

The report asserts that governments, civil society, health providers and communities have the responsibility to protect the right to family planning for women across the spectrum, including those who are young or unmarried.

 

Nevertheless, the report finds that financial resources for family planning have declined and contraceptive use has remained mostly steady. In 2010, donor countries fell $500 million short of their expected contribution to sexual and reproductive health services in developing countries. Contraceptive prevalence has increased globally by just 0.1 per cent per year over the last few years.

 
East & South Africa 

KENYA: Police officers attacked in Samburu district

On Saturday, 42 Kenyan police officers were killed in the most deadly attack on police in Kenya's history. The police were following cattle rustlers in the area and were ambushed by an unknown number of assailants. The bandits utilized anti-personnel bombs, rocket propelled grenades, and other sophisticated weaponry in the attack. The police do not have comparable firepower, and it is believed that the attackers possessed these weapons with the intention of using them on rival groups, rather than the police. Comment: This incident has called into question the regulations on the influx of illegal arms into Kenya. Amnesty International Country Director Justus Nyang'aya asserts that there are about one million illegal weapons in Kenya. The government has met additional scrutiny in regards to how ill equipped and underfinanced the police officers are in Kenya. (Al Jazeera, BBC, All Africa)

 

SOMALIA: Parliament approves Cabinet

The Federal Parliament of Somalia approved the ten minister cabinet of Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid on Tuesday; 219 of the 225 votes cast in the Parliament approved of these appointments. The cabinet is small and made up of people from a wide mix of clans who hope to fight corruption and end conflict. Saaid stated "taking into account the current situation, I have appointed a lean, effective cabinet that can lead the government in this difficult situation and that can bring full, reliable peace." Comment: Among the cabinet members appointed was Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, who will be the first female foreign minister in Somalia's history. Adan says her appointment "turns a new page for the political situation of our country and will lead to success and prosperity." (All Africa, Reuters, Al Jazeera)

 

SUDAN: Yellow fever outbreak spreading in Darfur

A World Health Organization (WHO) report released on Tuesday stated that a yellow fever outbreak has killed 107 people within the past six weeks in the Darfur region of Sudan. According to the report, over 30 percent of people with symptoms died. The remote and conflict laden nature of the Darfur region prevents the government from providing easily available healthcare. While the outbreak is primarily located in central Darfur, one case of yellow fever appeared in Khartoum, and this individual was isolated and is receiving treatment. Comment: Yellow fever is spread by mosquitos, and it has been asserted that this year's heavy rain season is the cause for an increase in the mosquito population. While there is no cure, 2.4 million yellow fever vaccines are expected to arrive in Khartoum next week. The Sudanese government has stated that an anti-mosquito campaign is needed, while central Darfur residents confirmed that spraying campaigns and mosquito net distributions have not yet occurred. (Sudan Tribune, All Africa, Al Jazeera, Reuters) 

 

Researched/Written by Sean Barrett

West & Central Africa

GUINEA-BISSAU: ECOWAS extends mission

On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) extended the initial six-month mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in Bissau by another six months at an emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria. This occurred a few days after ECOWAS and Guinea-Bissau signed the Status of Mission Agreement formalizing the deployment of the force in May 2012. The summit also called upon the African Union to recognize the Transitional Government in Guinea Bissau, established with the facilitation of ECOWAS. On November 7, ECOWAS gave USD 63 million (EUR 49 million) to help the country reform its army as it recovers from an April coup. Comment: The European Union - once a source of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the state - refuses to recognize interim President Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo's administration. Guinea-Bissau will be unable to hold presidential elections before Nhamadjo's mandate expires in May without broad international recognition and financial backing. (Reuters, Afrique en Ligne, AFP)

 

MALI: African leaders agree on troop deployment

On Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS agreed on a military force of 3,300 troops with a one-year mandate to wrest control of northern Mali from Islamist extremists. The soldiers would be provided primarily by Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, but possibly from countries outside the bloc as well. Cote D'Ivoire President Alassane Outtara told reporters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, that the soldiers could be deployed as soon as the UN approved the military plan. Ouattara said he hoped UN Security Council approval could come in late November or early December, which would allow the force to be put in place days afterward. The plan is to be transferred to the UN through the African Union. Comment: Foreign powers are divided on the best approach to the crisis in Mali; however, ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo has said the bloc should pursue a dual approach of dialogue and military pressure. (France 24, BBC, Afrique en Ligne)

 

WESTERN SAHARA:  Foreign nationals expelled

On November 7, Morocco ordered what it said were 19 foreign journalists -- 15 Spaniards and four Swedes -- to leave Laayoune, the main city of Western Sahara, claiming they had traveled there under false pretexts. The interior minister said the journalists entered national territory without revealing their true identities, pretending to be on holiday in the kingdom while there to cover the commemorations of deadly disturbances in 2010. Morocco's annexation of the former Spanish colony in 1975 was not recognized by the international community. The pro-independence Polisario Front denounced the expulsion in a letter sent to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Comment: On Monday, a United Nations envoy warned that new hostilities could break out in Western Sahara unless there are "serious negotiations" on its future. Early this month, Ross visited Morocco and the Polisario leadership, as well as Algeria and Mauritania. (AFP, AFP, AllAfrica)

 

Researched/Written by James Asuquo-Brown III
Americas

ARGENTINA: Hundreds of thousands protest the government

Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Buenos Aires last Thursday to protest rising inflation, violence, and government corruption. The protesters blamed President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner for the problems facing the country, specifically stalled economic growth and inflation, which recently reached 25 percent according to economic analysts. Many citizens blame President Kirchner for these problems, and demonstrators protested proposed constitutional reforms, which will allow her to run for a third term. Comment: Discontent with President Kirchner is a relatively recent phenomenon. After succeeding her husband, Nestor Kirchner in 2007, she became popular for her wealth distribution policies, improvement of education, and nationalization of Spanish owned industries.  Recently her policies limiting imports and restricting foreign currency exchange has alienated large sections of the middle class. (The Guardian, BBC, Reuters)

 

COLOMBIA: Peace negotiations delayed four days

Peace negotiations between the FARC rebel group and Colombian government, which were set to begin in Havana, Cuba on Thursday were pushed back to Monday. "Technical details" are cited as the reason for the delay, specifically assessing civil society groups. The negotiations will address five main issues including land reform, ending armed violence, ensuring freedom for political opposition and citizen participation, drug trafficking, and victims' rights. Comment: The Colombian government estimates that over the course of the conflict between FARC and the Colombian military, 600,000 individuals have been killed and millions have been displaced. In recent years support for FARC declined significantly and membership dropped from 16,000 in 2001 to 8,000 at present. (Reuters, BBC, Colombia Reports)

 

REGIONAL: Recovery from Sandy is slow

The effects of Sandy are still apparent throughout the Caribbean and the Northeastern U.S.  Haiti faces the most devastating consequences with the UN warning of an impending food crisis that could leave 1.5 million Haitians without proper nutrition in 2013. Recent floods in Haiti worsened the problem, destroying 70 percent of Haiti's crops and leaving over 21,000 individuals homeless. In Cuba, power has recently been restored in eastern Santiago, after three weeks without electricity. The Northeast U.S. coastlines were devastated and the damage is currently being assessed. In New York and New Jersey, gas shortages and downed power lines are slowly being restored. Comment:  The UN and Haitian government are working to raise USD 39 million to provide food, water, shelter, and sanitation for 1.2 million at risk Haitians in order to avert an impending humanitarian crisis. (BBC, AP, CNN,AP)

 

Researched/Written by  Rachel Goldberg
East Asia

CHINA: Government completes leadership transition

On November 15, the Chinese government completed a once-a-decade leadership transition as Xi Jinping succeeded Hu Jintao as general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.  Six other officials were also elected to the Political Bureau Standing Committee.  The orderly process was only the second smooth transition in over 60 years of Communist Party control.  Comment: Although the new leaders were elected on Thursday, analysts believe the succession decisions were pre-determined.  Hu Jintao's presidency will come to an official end in March 2013 and the new leaders will be gradually assimilated into their roles.  Most of the new committee is known for being politically conservative.  (Xinhua, BBC, AP)

 

INDONESIA: Members of Islamic school detained

On Monday, Indonesian police detained 48 students and a teacher from Islamic boarding school Pondok Darul Akhfiya in Nganjuk, East Java.  According to national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar, officers seized rifles, ammunition, sharp weapons, and extremist books.  Police acted after members of the local community reported suspicious activities at the school including nightly martial arts exercises.  Comment: The raid comes after 11 suspected militants allegedly planning to bomb the U.S. embassy were arrested in Java two weeks ago.  Police have not yet allowed journalists to investigate the scene.  (AP, Jakarta Globe, Jakarta Post)

 

JAPAN: Prime Minister dissolves parliament

On November 14, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced that he would dissolve the lower house of parliament on Friday in return for opposition support on financing and electoral reform bills.  The move follows a strong decline in support for Noda's Democratic Party of Japan.  A general election will be held December 16.  Comment:  Elections will likely result in former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party taking power.  Analysts speculate the new administration may be more assertive in dealing with China and expansive in its fiscal politics.  If Abe is elected, Japan will have had seven leadership changes in seven years.  (Japan Times, Xinhua, Reuters, Washington Post)

 

MYANMAR: Earthquake hits northern Myanmar

On Sunday, at least 26 people were killed and 231 injured after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit northern Myanmar.  The region surrounding the epicenter is known for the mining of minerals and several mines reportedly collapsed following the earthquake.  Hundreds of buildings were also damaged.  Comment: Official information has been released slowly and the exact extent of the damage remains unclear. Myanmar's government has invited donations to aid those affected by the earthquake. (Mizzima, AFP, NY Times, Reuters)

 

Researched/Written by Grant Gill

Europe & Central Asia

FRANCE: France recognizes Assad opposition coalition

On Tuesday, President Francois Hollande became the first western leader to accept The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces,  supporting the coalition "as the only representative of the Syrian people and therefore as the future provisional government of a democratic Syria." In addition to France, the Gulf Cooperation Council has also recognized the coalition, with the United States and United Kingdom only lending their support for the coalition. The coalition has repeatedly called for international recognition because its acknowledgment would enable weapons to be bought and supplied to troops. Comment: Since the beginning of the uprising against Assed in March 2011, an estimated 36,000 people have died and more than 408,000 people have fled Syria. On Sunday, opposition groups met in Doha and agreed to form a coalition. In response, Syria's deputy foreign minister Faisal Muqdad has called the meeting "a declaration of war," complaining that "these people don't want to solve the issue peacefully through the mechanisms of the UN." (Al Jazeera, BBC, Reuters)

 

POLAND: Nationalist protestors clash with police on Independence Day

On Sunday, police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and truncheons to disperse a violent right-wing march during the Polish Independence Day. Extreme right-wing supporters threw fireworks and concrete to protest the government's split from Catholic views on abortion, gay rights, and the growing integration with the European Union. The clashes demonstrate a polarization within the nation, with nationalists alleging Polish Catholic traditions are being ruined, while those more liberal preferring increased European participation. Comment: November 11 is Polish Independence Day, a date which celebrates the end of 123 years of partition from Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Last year, similar demonstrations occurred on Independence Day when right wing protestors clashed with left wing radicals. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski spoke before the protest, denouncing violence and stating that "today public life is poisoned by excessive rows," and "we should be critical, but criticism should not mean mutual destruction." (BBC, The Guardian, Reuters)

 

UNITED KINGDOM: Muslim Cleric released on bail

Abu Qatada was released on bail Tuesday after winning his appeal at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) which upheld a decision against deporting the cleric to Jordan. Qatada, held in jail for seven years without charge, is wanted in Jordan for encouraging militants who were responsible for bomb attacks in 1999 and 2000. SIAC held that Qatada would not receive a fair trial if he returned to Jordan, despite a 2005 agreement and recent diplomatic assurances that a fair trial would be obtained. UK Home Secretary Theresa May expressed anger at the result, saying "Qatada is a dangerous man, a suspected terrorist, who is accused of serious crimes in his home country of Jordan." Comment: Abu Qatada was labeled Osama Bin Laden's right hand man in Europe. He was arrested in 2002 under anti-terrorism laws and released in 2005 when the laws were overturned; however, Qatada was arrested a few months later pending his deportation to Jordan. Many in the United Kingdom have responded angrily to the cleric's release, The Daily Telegraph's editorial suggested it exposes "the limitations of the British state to decide who can and cannot stay within its borders." (Al Jazeera, BBC, Reuters)

 

Researched/Written by A. Max Jones

Middle East & North Africa

IRAQ: Explosions kill 26 and wound more than 100

On Wednesday, a series of five car bombings and a roadside explosion across the country killed at least 26 and wounded more than 100 people. The most destructive blast occurred in Kirkuk, the ethnically mixed northern region frequently targeted by militants, killing nine and wounding 39. In the Methatiya village, south of Baghdad, at least ten were killed and nine injured after a car bomb exploded in a marketplace. Two were killed and eight injured in an explosion in the mainly Shia town Al-Hufriyah, previously an al-Qaeda stronghold. Two bomb attacks in Mosul hit a police station and an army patrol, injuring five soldiers and two civilians. Two bombs were found inside Mosul University, but explosive experts carried out controlled detonations. No group has claimed responsibility, but car bombings are a commonly used tool of Sunni militants, such as al-Qaeda. Comment: Al Jazeera reports that this week's vicitims "have been frequent targets of violence: security forces, Shia and, increasingly, political parties in Kirkuk." These attacks illustrate episodes of violence still plague the country and destabilize security efforts of the government.  (Al JazeeraAP, Al ArabiyaAFP)

 

ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: Israel assassinates Hamas military leader during flare up of violence  

Several days of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza strip have left an estimated 15 Palestinians dead and at least 120 wounded; senior Hamas military commander Ahmed al-Jabari was killed along with his son by an Israeli attack in Gaza City on Wednesday. Israeli military spokeswoman Avital Leibovich reported the assassination was the start of an operation targeting armed groups and rocket firing sites in Gaza in response to over 250 rockets attacks on southern Israel since Saturday. The violence began when Palestinian fighters fired an anti-tank rocket at an Israeli army jeep. On Thursday, three Israelis were killed and five injured from rockets fired from Gaza while five Palestinians were killed in another round of Israeli airstrikes. Comment: There are fears the assassination of al-Jabari could lead to a major escalation in violence between Hamas and Israel, according to BBC correspondent Jon Donnison in Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Wednesday said, "Today we sent a clear message to Hamas and other Terrorist organizations, and if it becomes necessary we are prepared to expand the operation," despite a fragile truce brokered by Egypt on Monday. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Al Arabiya

 

SYRIA: Heavy clashes and army bombardments continue, 63 die on Tuesday

As heavy fighting continues, at least 63 people died throughout the country on Tuesday, including 41 casualties from Syrian army shelling and fierce battles in and around Damascus. Syrian tanks also shelled towns east of the capital, including Harasta, Zabadani, and Irdin, killing at least seven civilians. Fighting also occurred in Eastern Ghuta, east of Damascus, resulting in the deaths of ten soldiers and one rebel. Syrian warplanes bombed the rebel-held town Ras al-Ain on the northern Turkish border and bombarded other rebel positions in the provinces of Deraa, Homs, Idlib and northern city of Aleppo. Comment: The recent airstrikes on bordertown Ras al-Ain resulted in another mass exodus into Turkey, adding to the roughly 9,000 refugees who escaped to the neighboring country last week when rebels overtook the town. According to the Observatory for Human Rights, the overall death toll since the conflict began in March 2011 has reached more than 37,000 people. (Al Jazeera, Naharnet, Al Shorfa) 

 

Researched/Written by Anna Cecilia Moriarty

South Asia

AFGHANISTAN: Murder of 16 Afghan civilians may lead to death penalty

On November 14, Army Prosecutor Major Rob Stelle said that the killing of 16 Afghan villagers in March was carried out in a methodical manner, and the perpetrator, Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, should face a court martial and the death penalty. "Most despicable was the murdering of children in their own homes," Stelle said during his 10 minutes of closing arguments, adding that nine of the dead were children and five were younger than 5 years-old. Sgt Bales' lawyer, Emma Scanlan, told the hearing that the evidence presented was not sufficient to go forward to a court martial.  She pointed to inconsistencies, including the testimony from Afghan witnesses that more than one shooter was involved. Comment: No U.S. service member has been executed in more than 50 years. (Al Jazeera, BBC, The Gaurdian)

 

AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN: Taliban prisoner released for Afghan peace

On November 14, Pakistan agreed to release 10 Taliban prisoners to aid the Afghani government in its efforts to convene peace negotiations. This move comes after a series of failed requests by Afghan officials in the past. Sources state that some captives have been freed; however, there is some disagreement over which individuals will be released. A senior Pakistani army official said it was unclear whether Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the former Afghan Taliban second in command, would be released. Comment: The impending withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014 has led to a greater urgency in finding a lasting peace in Afghanistan. The decision to release the prisoners is a victory for the Afghan High Peace Council, as it may ease mistrust between the Taliban and the Kabul government. (Wall Street Journal, Al Jazeera, BBC)

 

SRI LANKA: UN failed to protect civilians

On Wednesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon publically acknowledged the failure of the UN System to protect Sri Lankan civilians during the last month of the Civil War against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The admission comes after a critical internal panel review was leaked to the press; the report was published November 14. This is the second report published on the topic, and it explains inaccuracies in the first report. Earlier it was believed that fewer than 10,000 civilians died, although the new panel review states there is credible information that over 70,000 are "unaccounted for." Furthermore, it appears that both the government and the LTTE exploited civilians.  Comment: The report concludes that "the United Nations system failed to meet its responsibilities - highlighting, in particular, the roles played by the Secretariat, the agencies and programs of the UN Country Team, and the members of the Security Council and Human Rights Council," said Ban. (United Nations, BBC, Reuters)

 

Researched/Written by Maanasa Reddy

November 16, 2012
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In This Issue
Featured Article
East & South Africa
West & Central Africa
Americas
East Asia
Europe & Central Asia
Middle East & N. Africa
South Asia

IPSI News

IPSI - Fatou Bensouda
IPSI Faculty and ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda warns against cutting ICC funding. 
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IPSI News
IPSI - Jan Eliasson
IPSI Advisor and UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson states UN should be measured on how many lives it positively changes.
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IPSI Leadership 

 

Cameron M. Chisholm

Dr. I. William Zartman 
Dr. P. Terrence Hopmann 
George Foote

Alexander Little 
Kevin Melton

William Stuebner 
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

John Prendergast

Dr. Valerie Rosoux 
Dr. Ruth Wedgwood

Dr. Craig Zelizer

 

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