Quartz Africa posted on 29 May 2018 an article titled "There Is Growing Momentum to Adopt China's Yuan As a Reserve Currency in Africa" by Abdi Latif Dahir.
African central bank leaders from southern and eastern Africa recently discussed whether to hold the Chinese Yuan as part of their foreign reserves. The discussion underscored China's push to internationalize its currency to promote trade and investment.
The Herald (Zimbabwe) published on 11 June 2018 an article titled "Zim Should Consider Adopting China's Renminbi."
Showing posts with label sanctions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sanctions. Show all posts
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Interview on US-Africa Relations and Related Issues
International Policy Digest published on 28 May 2018 an interview with me by Yacqub Ismail that focused on US policy in Africa, US-China competition and cooperation, the new US defense strategy, the American military base in Djibouti, Gulf State engagement in Africa, The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the relaxation of US sanctions on Sudan.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
US Ambassador to South Sudan Has Senate Hearing
The Voice of America ran a story on 11 April 2018 titled "Proposed S. Sudan Envoy Tells Senate Panel He's Ready for the Job" by Ayen Bior.
During the hearing, Senator Cory Booker alleged that Uganda has transferred U.S. military aid to the government of South Sudan. The ambassador-designate said he was unaware that any U.S. military equipment had been transferred from Uganda to South Sudan.
During the hearing, Senator Cory Booker alleged that Uganda has transferred U.S. military aid to the government of South Sudan. The ambassador-designate said he was unaware that any U.S. military equipment had been transferred from Uganda to South Sudan.
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.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Sudan: Prospects for Economic Re-engagement
The Atlantic Council published in March 2018 an issue brief titled "Sudan: Prospects for Economic Re-engagement" by Jeffrey Herbst, senior fellow at the Brenthurst Foundation.
The paper describes the political economy of Sudan, which shapes Khartoum's priorities and affects how it will respond to demands for economic reform. It reviews the immediate steps that the US and Sudan can take to improve economic relations, now that most sanctions have been eliminated. Finally, it discusses what should be done to prepare for Sudan's removal from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
The paper describes the political economy of Sudan, which shapes Khartoum's priorities and affects how it will respond to demands for economic reform. It reviews the immediate steps that the US and Sudan can take to improve economic relations, now that most sanctions have been eliminated. Finally, it discusses what should be done to prepare for Sudan's removal from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Is There Any Prospect for Peace in South Sudan?
World Politics Review published on 14 March 2018 a commentary titled "A Resurrected Peace Plan Is the Best Hope for Ending South Sudan's Brutal War" by Andrew Green, a freelance journalist based inn Berlin.
In spite of the optimistic title of the author's commentary, he concludes there is no end in sight for the current negotiations as fighting continues for a fifth year and aid agencies report that 9,000 people are estimated to be losing access to food every day.
In spite of the optimistic title of the author's commentary, he concludes there is no end in sight for the current negotiations as fighting continues for a fifth year and aid agencies report that 9,000 people are estimated to be losing access to food every day.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Time To Get Tough with Warring Faction Leaders in South Sudan
African Arguments posted on 12 March 2018 a commentary titled "South Sudan: Buying Off Elites To Stop Fighting Won't Work. Here Is What Might" by Daniel Akech Thiong, an independent consultant dealing with South Sudan.
The author argues that you cannot buy off warring elites in South Sudan. He calls for "emptying the fuel tank" by removing the rewards of war. This may include an arms embargo, asset freezes, and a travel ban.
The author argues that you cannot buy off warring elites in South Sudan. He calls for "emptying the fuel tank" by removing the rewards of war. This may include an arms embargo, asset freezes, and a travel ban.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Sudan, US Sanctions, and Regional Politics
The International Crisis Group published on 23 February 2018 an analysis titled "Can Sudan Manage Economic Discontent Amid Volatile Geopolitics?" by Magnus Taylor.
The author suggests that Sudan has not been able to take full advantage of the decision by the United States to lift some of its sanctions. The situation has been complicated by regional political developments.
The author suggests that Sudan has not been able to take full advantage of the decision by the United States to lift some of its sanctions. The situation has been complicated by regional political developments.
Friday, February 9, 2018
Washington Post Editorial Supports South Sudan Arms Embargo
The Washington Post ran an editorial on 8 February 2018 titled "An Arms Embargo against South Sudan Comes Better Late than Never."
Although the arms embargo on South Sudan imposed by the Trump administration will have little practical effect because the United States does not sell any weapons to South Sudan, it may presage another effort in the United Nations Security Council to impose a global arms ban.
Although the arms embargo on South Sudan imposed by the Trump administration will have little practical effect because the United States does not sell any weapons to South Sudan, it may presage another effort in the United Nations Security Council to impose a global arms ban.
Thursday, February 8, 2018
South Sudan Peace Talks Lacking Optimism
The Institute for Defense Analyses Africa Watch published on 8 February 2017 a brief commentary titled "Expectations Are Low for the Second Round of South Sudan Peace Talks" by Sarah Graveline.
The author concluded that if the talks do not go the way the South Sudan government wants, there is little to stop it from continuing its military campaign. Similarly, a leading opposition group has stated its intention to continue fighting should the talks fail.
The author concluded that if the talks do not go the way the South Sudan government wants, there is little to stop it from continuing its military campaign. Similarly, a leading opposition group has stated its intention to continue fighting should the talks fail.
Monday, January 8, 2018
North Korea's Military Links with the Horn of Africa
The Diplomat published on 6 January 2018 a commentary titled "North Korea's Military Partners in the Horn of Africa" by Samuel Ramani, University of Oxford.
While Sudan and Uganda reportedly are no longer violating sanctions against North Korea, the author suggests that Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia are continuing to do so. He argues that Eritrea and Somalia are unlikely to suspend military links with North Korea, although Ethiopia may be in the process of complying with sanctions.
While Sudan and Uganda reportedly are no longer violating sanctions against North Korea, the author suggests that Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia are continuing to do so. He argues that Eritrea and Somalia are unlikely to suspend military links with North Korea, although Ethiopia may be in the process of complying with sanctions.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Are African Countries Observing Sanctions against North Korea?
The Diplomat published on 8 December 2017 a commentary titled "Why North Korea Sanctions Are Failing in Africa" by Merve Demirel, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.
The author argues that so far UN sanctions against North Korea have not functioned in Africa in a way to isolate North Korea. She bases this largely on the fact that only 15 percent of African UN members are in compliance with reporting requirements concerning North Korean sanctions. It should be noted, however, that the African countries are notoriously bad in meeting international reporting requirements.
The author argues that so far UN sanctions against North Korea have not functioned in Africa in a way to isolate North Korea. She bases this largely on the fact that only 15 percent of African UN members are in compliance with reporting requirements concerning North Korean sanctions. It should be noted, however, that the African countries are notoriously bad in meeting international reporting requirements.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
State of Sudan-US Ties
Abu Dhabi's The National carried a story dated 28 November 2017 titled "US and Sudan Rebuild Ties after Decades of Sanctions" by Joyce Karam.
The commentary suggests that the recent thaw in US-Sudan ties is not about resolving every outstanding issue but is rather a recognition that engagement achieves results, whereas decades of sanctions and economic and cultural isolation didn't achieve much.
The commentary suggests that the recent thaw in US-Sudan ties is not about resolving every outstanding issue but is rather a recognition that engagement achieves results, whereas decades of sanctions and economic and cultural isolation didn't achieve much.
Monday, November 20, 2017
UN Security Council Extends Arms Embargo on Somalia and Eritrea
The United Nations recently posted a report on the UN Security Council decision to "Extend the Arms Embargoes on Somalia and Eritrea." Eleven members of the Security Council supported the decision and four (China, Russia, Egypt, and Bolivia) abstained. No country voted against the resolution.
The Somali arms embargo does not apply to the Somali national security forces. The resolution also reaffirms the ban on the import and export of Somali charcoal. While the most recent report of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea has not in recent years found any conclusive proof of Eritrean support for al-Shabaab, the Security Council emphasized that the Monitoring Group has not been able to visit Eritrea since 2011, thus limiting its ability to investigate the issue. Some members of the Security Council also expressed concern over Eritrea's handling of Djiboutian prisoners of war following their border dispute and continuing Eritrean support for "certain regional armed groups." Eritrea argued that the Security Council did not properly take into account its counter claims.
The Somali arms embargo does not apply to the Somali national security forces. The resolution also reaffirms the ban on the import and export of Somali charcoal. While the most recent report of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea has not in recent years found any conclusive proof of Eritrean support for al-Shabaab, the Security Council emphasized that the Monitoring Group has not been able to visit Eritrea since 2011, thus limiting its ability to investigate the issue. Some members of the Security Council also expressed concern over Eritrea's handling of Djiboutian prisoners of war following their border dispute and continuing Eritrean support for "certain regional armed groups." Eritrea argued that the Security Council did not properly take into account its counter claims.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Iran Stepping Up Relations with Africa?
The Middle East Institute (MEI) posted on 23 October 2017 a commentary titled "Iran Seeks Closer Economic Ties with Africa to Minimize U.S. Sanctions" by Ahmad Majidyar, MEI.
The author suggested that the participation by Iran's foreign minister in the 13th Iran-South Africa Business Forum in Pretoria portends a renewed push by Iran to improve relations with Africa as the Trump administration is threatening to undo the nuclear agreement. Iran has not been active in Africa in recent years and recently experienced diplomatic setbacks in the Horn of Africa at the hands of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The author suggested that the participation by Iran's foreign minister in the 13th Iran-South Africa Business Forum in Pretoria portends a renewed push by Iran to improve relations with Africa as the Trump administration is threatening to undo the nuclear agreement. Iran has not been active in Africa in recent years and recently experienced diplomatic setbacks in the Horn of Africa at the hands of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Are Sanctions Working in Sudan?
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 12 October 2017 a commentary titled "Are Sanctions Working in Sudan?" by Peter Fabricius, ISS consultant.
Fabricius argues that the Trump administration's partial lifting of sanctions against Sudan reflects a carrot-and-stick approach. The partial improvement in Sudan's behavior is rewarded by the partial easing of sanctions. Perhaps that will encourage further improvement. Or perhaps not.
Fabricius argues that the Trump administration's partial lifting of sanctions against Sudan reflects a carrot-and-stick approach. The partial improvement in Sudan's behavior is rewarded by the partial easing of sanctions. Perhaps that will encourage further improvement. Or perhaps not.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Impact of Partial Lifting of US Sanctions on Sudan
World Politics Review published on 11 October 2017 a commentary titled "With U.S. Sanctions on Sudan Finally Lifted, How Will Khartoum Act?" by Andrew Green, a freelance journalist based in Berlin.
The U.S. decision to lift some sanctions on Sudan will pave the way for U.S. businesses and banks to resume activities in Sudan and could help jump start the country's economy.
The U.S. decision to lift some sanctions on Sudan will pave the way for U.S. businesses and banks to resume activities in Sudan and could help jump start the country's economy.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Trump Continues Obama's Partial Lifting of Sudan Sanctions
The Washington Post published on 6 October 2017 an article titled "U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Sudan, Ending Two Decades of Embargo" by Carol Morello.
The Trump administration has extended the partial lifting of U.S. sanctions against Sudan, a decision that was first taken during the final weeks of the Obama administration. Instead of relying on punishment via sanctions, the new strategy is to use relief to encourage more change in Sudan.
The Trump administration has extended the partial lifting of U.S. sanctions against Sudan, a decision that was first taken during the final weeks of the Obama administration. Instead of relying on punishment via sanctions, the new strategy is to use relief to encourage more change in Sudan.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Better US Diplomacy in Africa Needed to Counter North Korea
Foreign Policy published on 3 October 2017 a commentary titled "The U.S. Needs Real Diplomacy to Counter North Korea in Africa" by Grant T. Harris, National Security Adviser for Africa under President Obama.
The author concludes that the United States is not properly staffed at its embassies in Africa to counter North Korea's outreach to African countries, citing the cases of Namibia and Uganda.
The author concludes that the United States is not properly staffed at its embassies in Africa to counter North Korea's outreach to African countries, citing the cases of Namibia and Uganda.
Monday, October 2, 2017
North Korean Activities in Africa
The Swiss-based Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime published in September 2017 a report titled "Diplomats and Deceit: North Korea's Criminal Activities in Africa."
The report presents an overview of evidence implicating North Korea in criminal activity ranging from smuggling and drug trafficking to the manufacturing of counterfeit money and black market cigarettes.
The report presents an overview of evidence implicating North Korea in criminal activity ranging from smuggling and drug trafficking to the manufacturing of counterfeit money and black market cigarettes.
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