The problem of fear

The current conflict between Israel and Hamas which has seen militants rain scores of rockets over southern Israel, whilst the Israeli defence force widens Its military campaign over Gaza, is put in perspective. So far, 3 Israeli civilians and 11 Palestinians including Ahmad al-Jabari, Hamas' top military commander have lost their lives. Hamas promises a "devastating" response to Israeli aerial attacks, and Israel's leader has expressed that his country "will not accept a situation in which Israeli citizens are threatened by the terror of rocket attacks". Israel has warned Hamas leaders and operatives to "stay out of sight" or risk the same fate as Al-Jabari. From the rhetoric as well as actual conflict, one gets a sense that on both sides of the divide, fear is being fed. Hamas rocket attacks, regardless of how many lives claimed, is causing a palpable sense of fear amongst the Israeli population of Southern Israel, as surely as Israel's deadly response is striking fear into the hearts of the Palestinian people. Fear is an emotion that is causing not just mistrust, but a hardening of positions, as well as a slow and insidious exhaustion which would only serve to work against dialogue and subsequently, peaceful co-existence.

In the grip of Inequality

Martin Plaut's article 'Behind the Marikana Massacre' a behind the scenes look at the reasons behind the clash that left 34 miners dead, shot by security forces, is put in perspective. The strike by platinum miners in Marikana South Africa which led to this tragedy reflects what is widely recognised as the increasing disconnect of the ordinary man, woman and child on the streets, from the wealth and with it the greatly improved standard of living, which seems to be the exclusive reserve of the priviledged and well connected these days. Martin Plaut ends his article by declaring that "South Africa is not a country at peace with Its people". How is this so, one might ask? Inequality is perhaps at the root of the answer. The South African leadership should take note that Inequality in South Africa like anywhere else in the world, impacts negatively on social cohesion. The fuel that feeds inequality is greed, its path smoothed by an indolent leadership that fails to pay attention to the wellbeing of its people.

Highlighting what should really matter

An article by Asli.U. Bali and Aziz T. Rana published in the International Herald Tribune of 10/4/2012 titled: To stop the killing, deal with Assad is worth a read. The arguments made are quite robust insofar as it highlights an example [as in this case] of complicated dynamics that are quite often ignored either because of a simplistic view of conflict or a blatant protection of interests that ultimately disregard what should be the primary interest- the protection of the ordinary man, woman and child on the streets...

On Africa's increasing apetite for democracy and the rule of law

Recent events in Senegal, Mali and the Southern African nation of Malawi, that have seen an upholding of democracy and the rule of law, are put in perspective. Senegal has seen what ended up being a smooth transition of power from Abdoulaye Wade to Maky Sall, in spite of concerns expressed to the contrary. As recently as yesterday, Mali's coup leaders led by Captain Amadou Sanogo have bowed to pressure and offered to stand down and allow a transition to civil rule, as part of a deal struck with the regional bloc ECOWAS. Just today in Lilongwe, the Malawian vice president Joyce Banda has formally taken over leadership of the country following the death of President Bingu Wa Mutharika from a heart attack and the subsequent fears that a succession struggle would ensue. These further buttress the argument that in Africa, the increasing apetite for democracy and the rule of law is gathering steam. The increasing apetite for democracy and the rule of law? Indeed! as surely as it perhaps has as its mirror image, a decreased apetite for conflict and an increasing intolerance for arrogant and unconstitutional leadership, which by themselves are inimical to human progress.

One year on...

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the uprising that started in Benghazi Libya, and that lead to the deposition of Muammar el-Gaddafi, Libya's strong man of some 42years. Today also marks 24 hours since the release of a 45 page report by Amnesty international, accusing Libya's militiamen of broad human rights abuses against those they suspect of being sympathetic to the former leader.

Amnesty International have described interviewing victims of torture occurring in several of Libya's town's and cities.. torture akin to that which Muammar Gaddafi was accused of meting out on his people.

Now, the world faces a challenge that surely was to be expected!??. Muammar Gaddafi's exit from power was a profound enough event as to need to be carefully managed by not only Libya's transitional government but also the external parties that helped depose him.

Amnesty International and other human rights advocates have asked Libya's current leaders to "show the political will to prosecute people who commit serious crimes regardless of their role in the uprising". For the sake of the rights, security and well being of ordinary Libyans, it is time for that call to start being echoed by the wider international community and organs of international justice.

Evil occupies created vacuum

The current crises to hit the west African country of Nigeria, which sees it grapple with the senseless killings meted out on its citizenry by the Islamist Boko Haram,as well as having to deal with removal of fuel subsidy in the midst of profligacy by a corrupt government, is put in perspective.

It seems that years of corruption by successive governments that have ruled Nigeria since its independence, and an amazing lack of will of its citizenry to call its leaders to account, has led to a situation that threatens the fragile peace and weak stability that the country has lived with since the end of its civil war 32 years ago.

Taking into consideration the much publicised kidnapping of oil workers and ordinary citizens in Nigeria's south, and the senseless carnage meted out on ordinary Nigerians by a 'Boko Haram' that is beginning to reach beyond its northern Nigeria enclave, One feels that evil has indeed occupied a vacuum...A vacuum created by successive governments that have had scant regard for the basic needs of its citizenry. A government made up of individuals that continually come up with innovative ways keeping power and untold riches gained by dishonest means, for itself.

In the current protests over removal of fuel subsidy, one however sees an opportunity..

An opportunity for ordinary Nigerians to hold their government to account as regards what would be done with money saved from fuel subsidy removal, and beyond that to seriously question government about the way they are being governed.

One feels that this, more than any crack down on the likes of Boko Haram, would guarantee peace, unity and achievement of the much vaunted potential of the ordinary Nigerian.