A Tragedy..

Recently, about 150 people were killed in Kiwanja, Eastern Congo in what the International Herald Tribune of December 11th 2008 describes as "a study in unfettered cruelty meted out by the armed groups fighting for power and resources in Eastern Congo".

the Tribune draws one's attention to how the world's largest peace keeping force [centred in the Congo] has failed in its mandate to protect the people, and in the words of Anneke Van Woudenberg a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch, "the people were betrayed not just by rebels who committed terrible war crimes against them, but by the international community that failed to protect them".

The rebel forces of Laurent Nkunda meted out death and rape on the people whilst trying to flush out it's enemies. Government- allied militias looted and meted out rape on the people, as they attempted to flee Nkunda's advancing forces..

.. And what is the largest United Nations peace keeping force anywhere in the world cites poor communication and staffing, as well as inadequate equipment and intelligence breakdowns, as reasons for failing in its mission of protecting the people..

What happened in Kiwanja ranges from a lack of appreciation of the need for a 'people- centred' peace keeping, to a blatant disregard for human life..

What happened in Kiwanja is quite simply, a tragedy.

The Obama presidency and hope for a more peaceful world.

Barack Obama will on January 20 2009, start a 4 year term as the 44th President of the United States of America.

His ascension to the presidency has been achieved on the back of a rational and emotionally mature approach to issues- including those of foreign policy.

He has promised to dialogue with America's adversaries if that is what it takes to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable solution to crises..

Obama's thoughtfulness as well as his steady approach to foreign policy issues may yet serve as the soothing balm that an increasingly fractious world needs..

The man who would be the most powerful person in the world may yet, by sheer dint of personality and temperament, steer our collective discourse more towards a quest for peace than a readiness for conflict.

On Mogae, Botswana and the Mo Ibrahim Prize..

It is to be lauded, the idea behind the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Prize for good Governance, initiated by Sudanese- born Dr Mohammed Ibrahim.

A prize won in Its inaugural year by Joaquim Chissano (former president of Mozambique), the 2008 winner has been named as Dr Festus Mogae, Botswana's former leader.

Kofi Anan, spokesperson for the foundation described Mogae's efforts to protect the peace, security and development of his country in the face of tough challenges, as the reason for his securing the prize.

Despite critics accusing Dr Ibrahim of wasting his money trying to bribe African leaders into behaving themselves, there is some sense in initiating such a prize..

.. On a continent rife with conflict, poverty, disease and corruption, there is a desperate need for achieving necessary traction in solving the continent's ills.

A Prize for good Governance which by virtue of its principles, encourages a striving for the noble and the ideal, goes some way in creating the platform for achieving this necessary traction..

Talking means one cares enough..

The recent comments made by Brigadier Mark Carlton- Smith the British commander in Afghanistan, regarding the war in that country, is put in perspective..

Brigadier Carlton- Smith declared that the British [and indeed the Americans] were not going to win the war [against the Taliban] and insisted that it was about ".. reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that is not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army".

He went on to highlight that talks with the Taliban about a political settlement should not be ruled out...

These comments show admirable insight and tremendous personal courage.

There is however another side to the issue..

.. That Talks mean that hopefully, untold hundreds of ordinary Afghans caught in the cross-fire get to enjoy relative peace.

.. Talking means you care enough about them..

Skepticism, hopefully not a hinderance..

Yesterday Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai finally signed a power- sharing agreement, which should hopefully bring peace to the streets of Zimbabwe and set the country on the path of economic recovery..

Reports have put the inflation rate in Zimbabwe at 11 million percent.. "one of the highest inflation rates ever recorded"..

As far as this power- sharing agreement is concerned, skepticism rightly or wrongly has quickly taken foothold.

Analysts have described the agreement (details of which, are still fuzzy) as "complex" and "confusing"..

Great Britain has pledged to support the recovery of Zimbabwe only in the event that the deal is "faithfully implemented"..

A European Union statement links its [European Union] aid to "reforms"..

The most important thing perhaps is that Robert Mugabe has agreed to share power with Morgan Tsvangirai. . that both Men appreciate that the road will not be easy, but declare that Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans remain the reason why they want to try..

It is understandable, the concerns of the skeptics... however, for the sake of Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans both men perhaps best be actively encouraged through what would be a difficult process..

A 'wait and see' approach that judges, without an honest appreciation of the difficulties, is not the way to go as this approach may not be in the best interest of ordinary Zimbabweans..

The need for responsible and intuitive leadership.

For the sake of maintaining peaceful co-existence, especially in regions of our world fraught with conflict and mistrust, leadership needs to have as its central focus, the safety and welfare of the led... the ordinary man, woman and child.

Hindsight has confirmed what the world had long suspected;.. that Russia has been biding its time to make its voice heard..

Mikheil Saakashvili the Georgian leader, by his gross miscalculation of forceful crackdown in South Ossetia, had walked right into Russia's trap..

One might ask, was the Georgian leader focusing on the peace, security and overall well being of ordinary citizens of his country and the immediate region when he made his move in south Ossetia? Did he at any point consider what Russia's response might be?

Responsible and intuitive leadership that is less about self, and which has as its focus the welfare and safety of the man, woman and child on the streets, would immediately recognise the danger inherent in baiting a larger more powerful country with something to prove..

Hundreds have lost their lives and swathes of Georgia lie in ruins... so much for the Georgian leader's exploits in south Ossetia.

Events of history have shown again and again that leadership has mostly one shot at making important decisions..

Hence for leadership, hindsight is mostly a luxury..

The dangerously combustible mix of: Increased standing in the world, increased nationalistic pride and grouse against established power(s).

In the last three days Russia has been at war with Georgia, a conflict that has, if reports are to be believed, left more than 2000 civilians dead.

In the words of George W. Bush, this conflict is "occurring in regions of Georgia far removed from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia.."

As worrying, the Russian foreign minister has reportedly declared that the Georgian president "must go". This prompted what Richard Roth, CNN's U.N correspondent described as "language from another era.." on the floor of the United Nations security council.

Surely the reason why Russia is so concerned about South Ossetia wouldn't be about.. the need to change the regime in Georgia!???...?

Currently Russia (a militarily powerful country that has known its fair share of prominence) enjoys increased standing in the world.. not least because of the billions of dollars It is accruing from the sale of its oil. The increased nationalistic pride felt by Russian citizens is there for all the world to see..
The Russian federation has, in the recent past, hardly passed up on a chance to criticize the United States for what it describes as increasing U.S hegemony...

The mix of Increased standing in the world, nationalistic pride, and grouse (real or perceived) against established power(s) whilst good for a nation's psyche, should perhaps best be very carefully managed..

... Russia, Europe and indeed the world need only look back to 70 years ago to remind themselves of why..