The current stand-off in post-election Ivory coast is put in perspective.
Laurent Gbagbo remains defiant in spite of pressure from the international community, urging him to step down following elections he was widely believed to have lost to Alassane Ouattara.
Such is the stand-off in Ivory Coast at the moment, that analysts fear that another civil war could ensue less than 10 years after the last. Fatalities are reported to stand at near 200, and around 17,000 Ivoriens have been reported to have fled into neighbouring Liberia..
Pressure has mounted on Gbagbo to step down, not least from Regional leaders who have threatened to use "legitimate force" to oust him should he continue to refuse to leave the seat of power.
Time will tell how this will play out, however something worth noting seems to be occurring on the continent.. The era of authoritarian rule that shows scant regard for democratic principles is in its death throes..
From Kenya to Zimbabwe and Guinea (which has just completed its first democratic election since its founding in 1958) questions are being asked post-elections that were not asked in the past..
Next stop in 2011... Nigeria. Watch this space!
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Friday 15 October 2010
The best part of us...
The extraction of the last of 33 miners trapped half a mile underground in Chile for 69 days, thereby bringing to an end what many have described as an extraordinary act of humanitarianism, is put in perspective.
Two months, nine days and eight hours after their ordeal began, the 33 miners including the rescue workers sent bellow to support them, were delivered to the earth's surface.
As happens in times of great travail or great joy, our best part..our humanity shines through, as has been reflected in a world united in its support for the miners and Chile.
One however expects, and with good reason, that as soon as the last of the cameras leave Compiapo Chile, and our attention shifts, our best part... our humanity would quickly be cast aside, rather than employed in the pursuit of a more united and peaceful world..
.. That is until we are gripped by yet another profound event such as played out in Compiapo.
Two months, nine days and eight hours after their ordeal began, the 33 miners including the rescue workers sent bellow to support them, were delivered to the earth's surface.
As happens in times of great travail or great joy, our best part..our humanity shines through, as has been reflected in a world united in its support for the miners and Chile.
One however expects, and with good reason, that as soon as the last of the cameras leave Compiapo Chile, and our attention shifts, our best part... our humanity would quickly be cast aside, rather than employed in the pursuit of a more united and peaceful world..
.. That is until we are gripped by yet another profound event such as played out in Compiapo.
Thursday 26 August 2010
In recognition of a changing nuclear landscape..
Avner Cohen and Marvin Miller's op-ed article entitled 'Bringing Israel's bomb out of the basement' is put in perspective.
The article, see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/opinion/25iht-edcohen.html does well to highlight the need for a re-think of the Jewish state's policy of 'opacity' about Its nuclear capabilities given the current political realities in the middle east, and indeed the world.
It is the view of this blogger, that the article is particularly insightful in implying that there is a very real risk of Israel losing international support for retaining Its nuclear capacity and military edge, should Its moral edge be squandered...
The article, see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/opinion/25iht-edcohen.html does well to highlight the need for a re-think of the Jewish state's policy of 'opacity' about Its nuclear capabilities given the current political realities in the middle east, and indeed the world.
It is the view of this blogger, that the article is particularly insightful in implying that there is a very real risk of Israel losing international support for retaining Its nuclear capacity and military edge, should Its moral edge be squandered...
Sunday 18 July 2010
The Kimberely Process, the World Diamond Council and Marange's diamonds..
The agreement reached by the Kimberely process and the world diamond council to allow Zimbabwe export a limited amount of diamonds from Its Marange diamond fields, is put in perspective.
Concerns have been raised about the wisdom of allowing Zimbabwe export these diamonds, given what has been described as widespread human rights abuses perpetrated by the Zimbabwean military on individuals the military deemed illegal miners of the stones. Indeed human rights groups contend that profits from organised smuggling of Marange diamonds by the government is being used to finance the political and military elite of Robert Mugabe's government.
The current agreement is seen as in part, heading off threats by Zimbabwe to export these diamonds on Its own without international approval, which could potentially destabilise global diamond trade.
It is not entirely surprising that business interests have played a significant part in Zimbabwe being granted formal approval to export diamonds from Marange...
For the sake of peace however, it is perhaps best that the country be allowed to 'legally' export Its diamonds, with necessary checks and balances in place.
A Zimbabwean Government that goes ahead to sell Its diamonds without approval would become more entrenched, combative and intolerant of opposition. This would certainly not bode well for Its citizenry..
Concerns have been raised about the wisdom of allowing Zimbabwe export these diamonds, given what has been described as widespread human rights abuses perpetrated by the Zimbabwean military on individuals the military deemed illegal miners of the stones. Indeed human rights groups contend that profits from organised smuggling of Marange diamonds by the government is being used to finance the political and military elite of Robert Mugabe's government.
The current agreement is seen as in part, heading off threats by Zimbabwe to export these diamonds on Its own without international approval, which could potentially destabilise global diamond trade.
It is not entirely surprising that business interests have played a significant part in Zimbabwe being granted formal approval to export diamonds from Marange...
For the sake of peace however, it is perhaps best that the country be allowed to 'legally' export Its diamonds, with necessary checks and balances in place.
A Zimbabwean Government that goes ahead to sell Its diamonds without approval would become more entrenched, combative and intolerant of opposition. This would certainly not bode well for Its citizenry..
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Gold, Iron, Copper and Lithium... What could these mean for Afghanistan?
The discovery of rich mineral deposits scattered throughout much of Afghanistan by Pentagon Officials and American Geologists, is put in perspective.
It has been reported that as much as $1 trillion worth of untapped mineral deposits have been discovered in Afghanistan.. deemed to be "enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself.." The question is, In what direction could the war go?
Conflict-riven Afghanistan is in the throes of more than just a war..
Corruption is a dangerous canker worm, and the extent of its contribution to the conflict could well be magnified should it not be brought under significant control by the time Afghanistan starts to reap the dividends from its rich mineral deposits.
One imagines that should the conflict worsen in spite of Afghanistan cashing in on the sale of its minerals, corruption would be identified as the culprit above all else, that has contributed to making this so..
It has been reported that as much as $1 trillion worth of untapped mineral deposits have been discovered in Afghanistan.. deemed to be "enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself.." The question is, In what direction could the war go?
Conflict-riven Afghanistan is in the throes of more than just a war..
Corruption is a dangerous canker worm, and the extent of its contribution to the conflict could well be magnified should it not be brought under significant control by the time Afghanistan starts to reap the dividends from its rich mineral deposits.
One imagines that should the conflict worsen in spite of Afghanistan cashing in on the sale of its minerals, corruption would be identified as the culprit above all else, that has contributed to making this so..
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Dateline Prague; April 8 2010
Obama arrives Prague castle to sign treaty. Photo: Filip Singer/EPA
Thursday April 8 2010 marked the signing of a nuclear arms treaty by U.S president Barack Obama, and Dmitry Medvedev the Russian leader. This treaty would slash their respective nuclear arsenals by a third.
What might this truly signify?
The Peoples of the world are far too mistrustful of each other to imagine that the suggestion of a world completely free of nuclear weapons would be acceptable.
Cynics would contend that this treaty represents is at best, window dressing...
What a treaty to reduce nuclear stockpiles does however, is to bring the most militarily powerful countries in the world around a common truth..
The truth that weapons of such potential devastation have no place in our world.
The U.S. and Russia may not feel ready to completely get rid of nuclear weapons just yet, however by signing this treaty, they have shown a willingness to coalesce around this common truth...
Thursday 25 March 2010
An impasse that is perhaps best.
The widely reported impasse between the Obama administration and the right wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the issue of illegal settlements, is put in perspective.
Bibi Netanyahu continues to talk tough about continuing settlement expansion in occupied East Jerusalem even as The United States Government has refrained from shifting Its position, insisting that Israel halt the building projects, as not doing so works against peaceful co-existence as well as the Two- State solution.
At this time, political commentators do not seem certain how this impasse will resolve itself, especially as Mr Netanyahu clearly is constrained by his far- right governing coalition, and Barack Obama, for the sake of his credibility and the need to project strength, couldn't possibly do what the Israelis want, and turn a blind eye to settlement expansion.
This impasse is however a welcome opportunity.. an opportunity perhaps for two very important stakeholders in the Mid-East peace process- The United States and the State of Israel- to look at themselves in the mirror.
The United States would have to stand firm on the issue of freezing settlement expansion, even at the risk of soured relations and the increased isolation of the state of Israel, to continue to pride itself as a credible partner for peace.
The State of Israel would have to endure repercussions for what is clearly a policy that is inimical to the peace process, to the extent that it begins to feel that it is losing more than it is gaining from pursuing such a policy...
In the current scheme of things, a credible and sustainable negotiation for the sake of peace could not possibly succeed otherwise...
Bibi Netanyahu continues to talk tough about continuing settlement expansion in occupied East Jerusalem even as The United States Government has refrained from shifting Its position, insisting that Israel halt the building projects, as not doing so works against peaceful co-existence as well as the Two- State solution.
At this time, political commentators do not seem certain how this impasse will resolve itself, especially as Mr Netanyahu clearly is constrained by his far- right governing coalition, and Barack Obama, for the sake of his credibility and the need to project strength, couldn't possibly do what the Israelis want, and turn a blind eye to settlement expansion.
This impasse is however a welcome opportunity.. an opportunity perhaps for two very important stakeholders in the Mid-East peace process- The United States and the State of Israel- to look at themselves in the mirror.
The United States would have to stand firm on the issue of freezing settlement expansion, even at the risk of soured relations and the increased isolation of the state of Israel, to continue to pride itself as a credible partner for peace.
The State of Israel would have to endure repercussions for what is clearly a policy that is inimical to the peace process, to the extent that it begins to feel that it is losing more than it is gaining from pursuing such a policy...
In the current scheme of things, a credible and sustainable negotiation for the sake of peace could not possibly succeed otherwise...
Saturday 6 March 2010
A window of opportunity...
The situation in Nigeria, west Africa that has seen a political impasse created by a leader whose illness state has virtually crippled the country, is put in perspective.
The uncertainty surrounding the fitness of President of President Yar'Adua to continue to rule, and the apparent lack of credible direction by the country's legislature, has virtually ground the country to a halt and consigned Its populace to much hand- wringing and soul searching...
As unpalatable and chaotic as the Nigerian situation is at the moment, there is perhaps a window of opportunity..
An opportunity not so much for the leadership as for its followers... an opportunity to remind those at the helm of affairs that they have been elected to serve the ordinary man, woman and child on the streets, and not themselves...
Now is the time for a 'quiet revolution' that sees the ordinary Nigerian being more knowledgeable and assertive of his rights... a 'quiet revolution' that sees a championing of causes that serve more the collective than self...
It is time for the ordinary Nigerian on the streets to wield the power they possess, but know not that they possess.. the power to absolutely insist that only a leadership that looks after the interest of the collective, is good enough for them...
The uncertainty surrounding the fitness of President of President Yar'Adua to continue to rule, and the apparent lack of credible direction by the country's legislature, has virtually ground the country to a halt and consigned Its populace to much hand- wringing and soul searching...
As unpalatable and chaotic as the Nigerian situation is at the moment, there is perhaps a window of opportunity..
An opportunity not so much for the leadership as for its followers... an opportunity to remind those at the helm of affairs that they have been elected to serve the ordinary man, woman and child on the streets, and not themselves...
Now is the time for a 'quiet revolution' that sees the ordinary Nigerian being more knowledgeable and assertive of his rights... a 'quiet revolution' that sees a championing of causes that serve more the collective than self...
It is time for the ordinary Nigerian on the streets to wield the power they possess, but know not that they possess.. the power to absolutely insist that only a leadership that looks after the interest of the collective, is good enough for them...
Friday 15 January 2010
Great human suffering unites the world and shifts discourse..
The recent terrible tragedy brought about by a devastating earthquake in Haiti which has left a conservative 100,000 people dead, is put in perspective.
In the immediate wake of the disaster, the U.S government pledged total support to Haiti with Barack Obama declaring that Haiti "will never be forsaken". The Venezuelan government have quickly sent rescue experts, and the immediate response of the French foreign ministry has been to quickly rush in supplies and rescue experts. British Oxfam has quite quickly established a presence in Haiti. The United Nations who have lost personnel in in this tragedy have sought to lend their voice and expertise to the rescue effort...
Several other countries have since joined the effort of providing much needed food and clean water as well as vital medicines to alleviate the suffering of a country which is regarded as the poorest in the Americas and who have, in the recent past, known their fair share of major natural disasters.
Individuals across the world have contributed, and continue to contribute millions of dollars to this rescue effort...
Sad as it seems, it takes a disaster of this proportion for us human beings to find that which matters more than conflict and a readiness for it...
It seems to take a heartbreaking disaster such as this, for us to find our common humanity...
In the immediate wake of the disaster, the U.S government pledged total support to Haiti with Barack Obama declaring that Haiti "will never be forsaken". The Venezuelan government have quickly sent rescue experts, and the immediate response of the French foreign ministry has been to quickly rush in supplies and rescue experts. British Oxfam has quite quickly established a presence in Haiti. The United Nations who have lost personnel in in this tragedy have sought to lend their voice and expertise to the rescue effort...
Several other countries have since joined the effort of providing much needed food and clean water as well as vital medicines to alleviate the suffering of a country which is regarded as the poorest in the Americas and who have, in the recent past, known their fair share of major natural disasters.
Individuals across the world have contributed, and continue to contribute millions of dollars to this rescue effort...
Sad as it seems, it takes a disaster of this proportion for us human beings to find that which matters more than conflict and a readiness for it...
It seems to take a heartbreaking disaster such as this, for us to find our common humanity...
Sunday 3 January 2010
one year on..
The one year anniversary of the war in Gaza prompts a critical look at the Jewish street and its contribution to discuss vis-a-vis the resumption of the Middle East peace process.
Even as the Netanyahu Government expresses a commitment to returning to the negotiating table, there have been a series of demonstrations in Israel against settlement freezes.
These demonstrations are initiated and perpetuated not by the Government of Israel, but by ordinary people.. Jewish people. These are people who have known pain or whose relatives, friends or close acquaintances have known pain..
... One cannot help but romanticise about this nation of people who have known suffering becoming a beacon of hope for the hopeless.. people who would see their collective calling to be a commitment to peaceful co-existence with its neighbours.
.. a commitment that recognises without equivocation how inimical continued settlement expansion is to achieving a viable two state solution..
Given that the general world consensus is for the achieving of a viable Palestinian state existing side by side with a Jewish state, protests against settlement freezes takes something away from the Jewish people...
It chips away at the one weapon in the Jewish State's arsenal greater than all others...
It chips away at the moral high- ground..
Even as the Netanyahu Government expresses a commitment to returning to the negotiating table, there have been a series of demonstrations in Israel against settlement freezes.
These demonstrations are initiated and perpetuated not by the Government of Israel, but by ordinary people.. Jewish people. These are people who have known pain or whose relatives, friends or close acquaintances have known pain..
... One cannot help but romanticise about this nation of people who have known suffering becoming a beacon of hope for the hopeless.. people who would see their collective calling to be a commitment to peaceful co-existence with its neighbours.
.. a commitment that recognises without equivocation how inimical continued settlement expansion is to achieving a viable two state solution..
Given that the general world consensus is for the achieving of a viable Palestinian state existing side by side with a Jewish state, protests against settlement freezes takes something away from the Jewish people...
It chips away at the one weapon in the Jewish State's arsenal greater than all others...
It chips away at the moral high- ground..
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