too much to keep up with
So. The world's gone a little crazy. I can barely keep up with my Twitter feed, much less write coherent blog posts that aren't immediately out-of-date the minute I publish them. Here's a quick roundup and lots of links on several topics you may have missed in the melee:
- I think Gadhafi's a goner regardless of how many more 90-minute rants he subjects us to. Here's an analysis by Geoffrey York of what the impact will be for Africa and the African Union (featuring a couple of quotes from me), a great infographic on Gadhafi's reach in Africa (excuse the inclusion of Tunisia in Libya), and a nice analysis of other flashpoints on the continent that could be ignited or exacerbated by Gadhafi's fall.
- As far as I can tell, the African Union has yet to make any kind of statement on Gadhafi or Libya. Which makes sense considering how much of their budget he funds.
- By the way, the AP Stylebook apparently spells it "Gadhafi," so that's what I'm trying to use.
- Somali pirates killed four American hostages today, which prompted US military forces to kill two pirates and arrest thirteen others. This represents a significant shift; pirates have usually operated with the view that live hostages are worth more than dead ones. These killings appear to have happened in response to imminent US military action to rescue the hostages. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out.
- In Cote d'Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo appears to be taking advantage of the world's attention being focused elsewhere to perpetrate human rights abuses and killings against Ouattara supporters. At least six people were killed Monday in a violent crackdown against protesters.
- In the DRC, Lt. Colonel Kibibi Mutware has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in directing the New Year's Day rapes in Fizi. This is significant not only because Mutware is facing justice for his crimes through the use of a unique mobile court, but also because 49 women came forward to testify against him. This extraordinarily brave and difficult act by these survivors made all the difference in securing Mutware's conviction. These women are to be commended at the highest levels, and I hope other victims will see from their example that speaking out helps to achieve justice. It is possible to end impunity in the DRC. Kudos to the American Bar Association, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, and the Open Society Justice Initiative for funding the court's operations.
- Mass protests were scheduled for today in Gabon, but I haven't found any information on them. If you have updates or info, please post links in the comments.
posted by texasinafrica at 2/22/2011
5 Comments:
The African has now officially condemned the violence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12556005
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 12:37:00 PM
There is a civil war coming to Cote d'Ivoire, and things are de-escalating within the city fast.
An armed group calling itself the "Mouvement de libération des populations d'Abobo-Anyama" has taken over the northern Abidjan district of Abobo and now controls the northern highway, home to the Forces Nouvelles rebel force. The group has announced that they will now move on other districts and different militias on both sides are now recruiting and arming themselves within the city. The FDS security forces have surrounded the Abobo district, which has resulted in full out fighting between the two forces.
I think it would be wrong to portray this simply as Gbagbo forces abusing Ouattara supporters. I have taken numerous accounts of abuses being committed from both parties. Amnesty International and the Danish Refugee Committee have also reported this.
Thursday, February 24, 2011 11:58:00 AM
Rebecca, I am quite concerned about what is happening. Are you still there?
Friday, February 25, 2011 8:56:00 PM
Remember the "Iron Triangle of Intervention". On each leg of the triangle 1) Fast, 2) Cheap, 3) Effective(or good).
Draw this triangle and see that its true that for intervention you can only choose 2!
Example:
If you want it fast and Effective it won't be cheap in material costs or in the cost of human lives.
Dr. Seay does this mean i may have discovered a new therom?
Saturday, February 26, 2011 6:18:00 AM
@Texas- Yes, I'm still here. I've been in country for most of the past year. It's de-escalating pretty fast, with some pretty strong rhetoric across the media and population that is getting worse as the days progress.
Lots of displaced persons within the city. "Invisible commando" rebel fighters who are apparently impervious to bullets. Buses and gbakas (minibuses) burned down by opposing groups and fighting in at least 3 districts within Abidjan. Stores in one commercial district with fliers warning shops would be burned to the ground if they opened their doors the other day. Different groups barricading off different sections of the city with menacing thugs patrolling them. Apparent rebel takeover of a western town (http://bit.ly/hJZhc9) and fighting within Yamoussoukro and other places as well.
The fighting settled down a little today in Abidjan, the first day this week we weren't woken up to gunshots. People are still out and about in many parts of the city, but it is quieter than normal.
Saturday, February 26, 2011 5:26:00 PM
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