World Politics Review posted on 26 November 2018 a commentary titled "Is the Trump Administration Offering to End Sudan's Isolation for the Wrong Reasons?" by Richard Downie, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Sudan has been on the US state sponsors of terrorism list since 1993. Discussions are taking place between Sudan and the US to remove Khartoum from this list, which both sides agree has not been justified for a number of years. The problem is that Washington has other concerns about Sudan dealing primarily with human rights that it is trying to improve before it removes Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
Showing posts with label human rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human rights. Show all posts
Monday, November 26, 2018
Sunday, November 18, 2018
2018 Index of African Governance
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has just released its 2018 Ibrahim Index of African Governance. It evaluates safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development.
Of Africa's 54 countries, more improved than deteriorated. The top five countries in order were Mauritius, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Namibia, and Botswana. Countries in the Horn of Africa performed poorly with Ethiopia scoring best at number 35 followed by Djibouti (38), Sudan (49), Eritrea (51), South Sudan (53), and Somalia (54).
Of Africa's 54 countries, more improved than deteriorated. The top five countries in order were Mauritius, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Namibia, and Botswana. Countries in the Horn of Africa performed poorly with Ethiopia scoring best at number 35 followed by Djibouti (38), Sudan (49), Eritrea (51), South Sudan (53), and Somalia (54).
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
US Works To Improve Relations with Sudan
Foreign Policy posted on 8 November 2018 an article titled "Trump Administration Gives Sudan a Way To Come in from the Cold" by Robbie Gramer.
Sudan's foreign minister recently visited Washington. The Trump administration offered a scenario whereby Sudan could be removed from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Sudan's foreign minister recently visited Washington. The Trump administration offered a scenario whereby Sudan could be removed from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Friday, October 5, 2018
South Sudan Delegation Received Poorly in Washington
Foreign Policy posted on 4 October 2018 a report titled "Remember South Sudan? Washington Would Prefer Not To" by Robbie Gramer.
South Sudan is a rare case of the United States midwifing a country into existence, trying to help create a new democracy from scratch. Perhaps nowhere outside South Sudan was there as much optimism about South Sudan's future as in Washington. That optimism crumbled in 2013 following internal political clashes. A recent South Sudan delegation to Washington led by first vice president Taban Deng Gai learned just how much his country has fallen from grace.
South Sudan is a rare case of the United States midwifing a country into existence, trying to help create a new democracy from scratch. Perhaps nowhere outside South Sudan was there as much optimism about South Sudan's future as in Washington. That optimism crumbled in 2013 following internal political clashes. A recent South Sudan delegation to Washington led by first vice president Taban Deng Gai learned just how much his country has fallen from grace.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Ethnic Violence in Ethiopia
Ethiopia Insight posted on 4 October 2018 an article titled "Tens of Thousands Flee Benishangul after Oromia Border Dispute Flares" by Ermias Tasfaye, Ethiopia Insight, and Soloman Yimer, freelance journalist.
Benishangul-Gumuz is Ethiopia's latest region to experience ethnic violence as the Gumuz community reportedly attacked Oromo and Amhara residents. Tens of thousands have been displaced.
Benishangul-Gumuz is Ethiopia's latest region to experience ethnic violence as the Gumuz community reportedly attacked Oromo and Amhara residents. Tens of thousands have been displaced.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Sanctions Offer Hope for End of South Sudan Civil War
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 14 August 2018 a commentary titled "Sanctions Prove Key to Ending South Sudan's Civil War" by Meressa K. Dessu and Selam Tadesse, both at ISS.
The authors argue that UN sanctions at least put pressure on the conflicting parties in South Sudan to accept the peace initiatives proposed by the IGAD mediators. Success now depends on effective and consistent enforcement of the agreements.
The authors argue that UN sanctions at least put pressure on the conflicting parties in South Sudan to accept the peace initiatives proposed by the IGAD mediators. Success now depends on effective and consistent enforcement of the agreements.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Zimbabwe to Adopt China's Facial Recognition Program?
Foreign Policy published on 24 July 2018 an article titled "Beijing's Big Brother Tech Needs African Faces" by Amy Hawkins, a freelance writer based in Beijing.
CloudWalk Technology, a Guangzhou-based start-up, has signed a deal with Zimbabwe to provide a mass facial recognition program. The agreement is on hold until Zimbabwe's elections on 30 July. If the deal goes through, it will enable Zimbabwe to replicate parts of the surveillance infrastructure that have made freedoms so limited in China.
CloudWalk Technology, a Guangzhou-based start-up, has signed a deal with Zimbabwe to provide a mass facial recognition program. The agreement is on hold until Zimbabwe's elections on 30 July. If the deal goes through, it will enable Zimbabwe to replicate parts of the surveillance infrastructure that have made freedoms so limited in China.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Germany To Expand Cooperation with Ethiopia
Deutsche Welle published on 20 July 2018 an article titled "Germany Welcomes Developments on Horn of Africa" by Daniel Pelz.
The article reports that Germany has begun working on plans to expand its cooperation with Ethiopia in view of the changes being made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Germany also regards Ethiopia as a strategic partner.
The article reports that Germany has begun working on plans to expand its cooperation with Ethiopia in view of the changes being made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Germany also regards Ethiopia as a strategic partner.
Friday, July 13, 2018
U.S. Role in Ending the Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict
Foreign Policy published on 12 July 2018 a commentary titled "Trump Needs to Close the Deal in the Horn of Africa," by Daniel Runde, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The author argues that the United States has an outsized role in the Horn of Africa and this is an historic opportunity to ensure that peace and normalization of relations take place between Ethiopia and Eritrea. While I agree that the United States should do everything appropriately possible to encourage this development, I believe the author has an exaggerated view of U.S. influence in the region. So long as Ethiopia and Eritrea themselves are sincerely trying to end this dispute, it may be more appropriate for outside powers to remain on the sidelines unless assistance is requested by both parties.
The author argues that the United States has an outsized role in the Horn of Africa and this is an historic opportunity to ensure that peace and normalization of relations take place between Ethiopia and Eritrea. While I agree that the United States should do everything appropriately possible to encourage this development, I believe the author has an exaggerated view of U.S. influence in the region. So long as Ethiopia and Eritrea themselves are sincerely trying to end this dispute, it may be more appropriate for outside powers to remain on the sidelines unless assistance is requested by both parties.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Commentary on Ethiopia's New Leader
The Ethiopia Observer published on 4 July 2018 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Charismatic Leader: Riding the Wave of Populism or Reforming Ethnic Federalism?" by Alemayehu Weldemariam, a PhD candidate at Georgetown University.
The author urges Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to prove that is the reformist, not the populist, that Ethiopians have long been waiting for. Abiy has to take care that the hopes he has raised are not replaced by despair.
The author urges Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to prove that is the reformist, not the populist, that Ethiopians have long been waiting for. Abiy has to take care that the hopes he has raised are not replaced by despair.
Righting Past Wrongs in Ethiopia
The Ethiopia Observer published on 22 June 2018 a commentary titled "Admitting Guilt in Ethiopia: Towards a Truth and Reconciliation Commission?' by Kjetil Tronvoll, a professor at Bjorknes University College in Norway.
The author commented favorably on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's acknowledgement of widespread human rights violations by previous Ethiopian governments and wonders if this will result in a historic change of culture in Ethiopia.
The author commented favorably on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's acknowledgement of widespread human rights violations by previous Ethiopian governments and wonders if this will result in a historic change of culture in Ethiopia.
Monday, July 2, 2018
China Invites African Military Leaders to Beijing
Deutsche Welle posted on 29 June 2018 a report titled "Why Has China Invited African Army Chiefs to Beijing?"
China's Ministry of National Defense invited high-ranking military representatives from 50 African countries to the first China-Africa Defense and Security Forum in Beijing in early July. The article speculates on the reasons for this event.
China's Ministry of National Defense invited high-ranking military representatives from 50 African countries to the first China-Africa Defense and Security Forum in Beijing in early July. The article speculates on the reasons for this event.
Friday, June 29, 2018
Sudan after Sanctions
The US Institute of Peace (USIP) published in May 2018 a report titled "Sudan after Sanctions: Sudanese Views of Relations with the United States" by Aly Verjee, a visiting expert at USIP.
Twenty years of comprehensive US economic sanctions on Sudan were permanently revoked in October 2017, although the US continues to designate Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, preventing a broader normalization of relations. Sudan's deteriorating economy, government repression, and failure to resolve Sudan's multiple conflicts have overshadowed this decision by the US.
Twenty years of comprehensive US economic sanctions on Sudan were permanently revoked in October 2017, although the US continues to designate Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, preventing a broader normalization of relations. Sudan's deteriorating economy, government repression, and failure to resolve Sudan's multiple conflicts have overshadowed this decision by the US.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
China's Just Another Great Power in Africa
The East Asia Forum posted on 17 May 2018 my brief commentary titled "China's Just Another Great Power in Africa."
It looks at the aid, trade, investment and security relationships between Africa and Western countries and Africa and China, concluding that they all are pursuing their own interests in similar ways. In fact, a lot of the recent commentary on China-Africa relations is engaging in hyperbole.
It looks at the aid, trade, investment and security relationships between Africa and Western countries and Africa and China, concluding that they all are pursuing their own interests in similar ways. In fact, a lot of the recent commentary on China-Africa relations is engaging in hyperbole.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Statement on Ethiopia
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, issued on 26 April 2018 a statement following his visit to Oromia in Ethiopia. His statement was generally optimistic; he reported that he found tremendous hope, but also anxiety.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
South Sudan and Sanctions
The Nation posted on 9 April 2018 an article titled "Can US Sanctions on South Sudan Rein in a Nation of Warlords?" by Simona Foltyn, freelance journalist.
The author noted that limited US sanctions so far have failed to bring about any positive change in behavior in South Sudan. Without regional buy-in to enforce them, they could have the opposite effect on the South Sudan government. They also impact disproportionately the government rather than the opposition.
The author noted that limited US sanctions so far have failed to bring about any positive change in behavior in South Sudan. Without regional buy-in to enforce them, they could have the opposite effect on the South Sudan government. They also impact disproportionately the government rather than the opposition.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Chinese Mining Operation in Mozambique Contributes to Serious Flood
Amnesty International published in 2018 a major report titled "'Our Lives Mean Nothing': The Human Cost of Chinese Mining in Nagonha, Mozambique."
The study concludes that the mining operations since 2011 of the Chinese company, Haiyu, significantly increased the risk of flooding in the region, including a flash flood in 2015 that left about 290 people homeless. Haiyu has been mining mineral sands to extract ilmenite, titanium, and zircon.
The study concludes that the mining operations since 2011 of the Chinese company, Haiyu, significantly increased the risk of flooding in the region, including a flash flood in 2015 that left about 290 people homeless. Haiyu has been mining mineral sands to extract ilmenite, titanium, and zircon.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
US-Sudan Relations: A Way Forward
The Atlantic Council published in March 2018 an issue brief titled "Sudan: Soft Power, Cultural Engagement, and National Security" by Tim Carney and Mary Carlin Yates.
As part of a program to improve US-Sudan relations, the authors comment that the reforms necessary to drive real change--improvements in governance, rule of law, human rights, and political participation--are well known and must remain a centerpiece of US-Sudan engagement. They should not, however, take a back seat to narrow counterterrorism concerns.
As part of a program to improve US-Sudan relations, the authors comment that the reforms necessary to drive real change--improvements in governance, rule of law, human rights, and political participation--are well known and must remain a centerpiece of US-Sudan engagement. They should not, however, take a back seat to narrow counterterrorism concerns.
Sudan-US Engagement Recommendations
The Atlantic Council published in March 2018 an issue brief titled "Sudan: Politics, Engagement, and Reform" by Johnnie Carson and Zach Vertin.
In an effort to improve relations between Sudan and the United States, the paper makes a series of recommendations to the government of Sudan and, if implemented, indicates the appropriate response from the United States.
In an effort to improve relations between Sudan and the United States, the paper makes a series of recommendations to the government of Sudan and, if implemented, indicates the appropriate response from the United States.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
China, the US, and Ethiopia
The Diplomat posted on 20 March 2018 a commentary titled "Why the West Needs to Stop Complaining and Start Engaging China in Africa" by Pippa Morgan, a PhD candidate at Fudan University in Shanghai.
Using Ethiopia as the example, the author suggests that much more could be achieved in Africa if China and the West proactively worked together across the continent. Much of the political discourse seems unable to accept that China's role is equaling--or even surpassing--that of the West.
While the author's suggestion is well taken, there are many reasons why there has not been more cooperation between China and the West in Africa and some of the reasons are found in China and with African governments. If African governments do not want China and the West to cooperate, it probably will not happen.
Using Ethiopia as the example, the author suggests that much more could be achieved in Africa if China and the West proactively worked together across the continent. Much of the political discourse seems unable to accept that China's role is equaling--or even surpassing--that of the West.
While the author's suggestion is well taken, there are many reasons why there has not been more cooperation between China and the West in Africa and some of the reasons are found in China and with African governments. If African governments do not want China and the West to cooperate, it probably will not happen.
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