Monday, December 13, 2010

Final Thoughts


Throughout history Africa has been plagued by violence, when a substance of value is found within the region it has caused violence nine times out of ten. Whether these resources are diamonds, minerals, timber, or fossil fuels, nations have either fought with neighboring countries, colonizing powers or with themselves along ethnic lines of identify over these valuable commodities. Furthermore weak leadership in Africa has added to the problems. Leaders in Africa have consistently failed to invest in infrastructure and put these vast sums of western money to good uses. Instead the money is used to ensure that current leaders stay in power by distributing the funds throughout the top tiers in state rather than the well being of those in need. 
             Presently, oil is a hotbed for conflict within Africa. Large exporters of oil such as Sudan, Nigeria, and Angola all have histories of violence.  With the current state of affairs expected to continue, violence is likely to balloon in these areas over the coming years. Western civilizations offer too much money and benefits for smaller developing nations to pass up. Developed nations seem to be satisfied with just receiving a steady flow of oil, what a developing nation does with the money and its environment are not our concern or at least not a priority. Nowhere is harsh reality illustrated more clearly than in Africa.
            Sudan is a country with a huge amount of oil reserves, almost equal to that of a Middle Eastern nation. It also has the largest Arab population of any African nation, which is often times what fuels conflict within Sudan. Arabs in the north try to create laws that only benefit there own people and try to silence the Christian black Africans living mostly in the south. Sudan got its independence from Brittan in 1956, shortly after a lengthy civil war broke out. The southerners, anticipating independence, feared the north would dominate the new nation. Historically, the north of Sudan had closer ties with Egypt and was predominantly Arab and Muslim while the south was predominantly a mixture of Animism and Christianity. The civil war lasted until 1977, but then broke out again in 1983 and lasted until 1989. Finally, the north and south formed the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) the terms of the agreement are that a new party, the SPLM (Sudan people's liberation movement) would be allowed to hold a vote in Southern Sudan that would allow the southern region to secede and form a fresh new country, to be know as South Sudan. The vote is supposed to be held in January of 2011 and is expected to pass almost unanimously.
            As of now, the oil revenues are being split evenly between the north and south, however it seems likely that if Southern Sudan does indeed form in January of 2011 they will want a larger share from the oil profits. The bulk of Sudan’s oil in fields along the still-unmarked boundary between the North and the South, between the still-heavily armed Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement and the equally well-armed military loyal to President Omar al-Bashir. According to most estimates, more than 70 percent of the oil reserves and more than 70 percent of the current production are inside Southern Sudan. Sadly this oil wealth is extremely likely to be a source of conflict in the coming years.
            With the north being the more powerful militant region that has exhibited control over the entire nations in the past, it seems highly unlikely for the north to just allow the newly developing, now rival nation to be the only benefactors of the third largest oil reserves in Africa. Although Northern Sudan does have a decent amount of oil, it is dwarfed by the reserves in the south. Still its impossible to know for sure what will happen and only time will tell. On a positive note, there has recently been little violence with the current peace agreement still being upheld, but when Southern Sudan forms they will want to do whatever they can to jump stat their economy, and taking control of the oil revenues that is on their land seems like the logical thing to do. 
            Currently Sudan can produce around 400,000 barrels per day of crude oil and plans for the government to increase this to 600,000 by the end of the year are already underway. As mentioned previously, the south is also where all the developed, discovered oil is, fields in the north have not yet be explored to there potential. It could take several years for the north to develop their own oil industry and start turning a profit from. It will be essential for these two neighboring countries to work together in the early years of Southern Sudan forming or another civil war could ignite instantly over oil rights. Violence speculations aside it is essential that outside observers and third parties monitor where Sudan’s oil revenues go whether they are shared or taken by the south corruption is very likely.
            There should always be concern when leaders of third world countries have unchecked amounts of western money flowing into their country. Often times the revenues from natural resources are not used in ethically correct ways.  The economic term used to describe this is called dutch disease. This means leaders are able to do whatever they want with large sums of money and have very little incentive to invest it back into the country where the resources were exploited.
            It’s no surprise that this sort of behavior can cause tension between the few wealthy individuals benefiting from it and the neglected impoverished masses. Rightfully so, dutch disease outrages the people who are forced to live in affected parts of the world and suffer while their leaders grow richer. However, what isn’t so right is the way in which citizens often go about making their voices heard, through violence. Rebels often attack western institutions, and use hostage taking, piracy, car bombs, whatever they can think of to try and bring down the system that they hate. In the end, civilians are the ones who suffer the most. Innocent workers are often used as hostages or killed, car bombs exploding at election rally’s and embassies may make a statement but at the expense of innocent people. Violence can certainly capture the world’s attention but it puts a negative stipulation with rebel groups in third world countries who are trying to improve the quality of life for those truly suffering.
            Nigeria is a perfect example of this tragedy; corrupt governments have allowed oil companies like Shell and Chevron to drill for oil in their country with no code of ethics regarding the environment or social responsibility. In the early 1990’s when these companies first moved in to Nigeria, tensions ran high in the delta area where the Ogoni people live. They were concerned with the fact that the government was allowing these companies to destroy their land while the government gets rich and refuse to invest the money back into the country. Eventually, their frustration lead to the formation of activist groups which speak out against the government. The Nigerian government began to get very frustrated with the groups ability to get western media’s attention and organize boycotts on Nigerian oil. To put an end to this, the government began raiding villages and arresting leaders and other people who were involved in organizing the protests. Villagers grew tired of the governments rash oppression and formed groups like MEND, Movement for Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta. These groups can be descried as a violent rebel group that will stop at nothing to make their voices heard. Make no mistakes about it though; MEND is a sophisticated organization that has specific goals and interests, meant benefit the people of Nigeria. MEND is different than the anarchy seen in Somalia and other parts of Africa because they have a cause, and in many people’s eyes “a just” reason for using violence.
            In September of 2008, MEND launched what they called “Operation Hurricane Barbossa,” essentially an ongoing string of militant attacks to bring down the oil industry within Nigeria or within close proximity to the Nigerian Delta. They started with a series of attacks on Shell and Chevron pipelines and oil platforms. In one instance they killed 22 government soldiers in an oil platform take over. The rebels suffered heavy casualties as well which lead to a temporary ceasefire that lasted until January in 2009.  Throughout 2009 MEND continued to attack the oil industry with strings of car bombs outside government buildings and the bombing of pipelines within Nigeria. MEND started to receive a lot more media attention; they started to correspond with several foreign journalists sending them e-mails as to when new attacks will happen and their reasons behind the attacks. In the summer of 2009, MEND destroyed a section of a Chevron pipeline that they claimed carried 80% of the companies of-shore crude oil to a loading platform.
            Most recently in 2010, two car bombs that exploded at Abuja, the capital of Nigeria during a parade this October. There were 12 people killed in the attack and 17 people were injured, mostly civilians and few government employees were among the casualties. The bomb was less than a kilometer away from president Goodluck Jonathan, its intended target. MEND claimed responsibility for this disaster, and also claim to have sent warning in the form of an email to a journalist half-an-hour before the bombs detonated. Shortly after, MEND also attacked two Exxon Mobil oil platforms on November 8th and then again on November 15th. Between the two takeovers they kidnapped two Americans, two Indonesians, a Canadian, and seven Nigerian oil workers and held them for ransom. There’s no word yet on whether they received the ransom for the workers but ransoms have been paid in the past to avoid more negative media coverage. Although unnecessary lives have been killed as a result of MEND there is something to say for those who take a bold stance against government corruption and fight for the enrichment of oppressed people.
            The recent events in Nigeria are a perfect example of what could happen overnight in Sudan. North Sudan will be in a hurry to develop their oil industry and may very well allow western companies with no morals to come in and have free reign of their oil reserves. There is also a chance that this money will not be spent in ethical ways, or will cause tensions between North and South Sudan; in either instance violence is a predictable outcome. Resources have historically caused violence in Africa, and now in this modern world our dependency and desperation for resources will always take precedence over the environment and people with no voice. A sad but true reality that is so clearly seen throughout Africa. 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Spike In Piracy Throughout Somalia


Somalia - 

Two separate notable incidents of piracy have happened recently both involve Somalia. First off there is a trial set to take place November 4th here in the United States, regarding the fate of several individuals who have been accused of piracy. It is the first time this charge has been brought on anyone in close to 100 years, but the five men who were involved will face life sentences if convicted, the five men fired openly at a United States naval vessel off the coast of Somalia. The naval boat was patrolling the waters for pirates and approached the suspicious boat when they were attacked. No U.S. service men were injured in the attack.

In other related news European naval forces subdued several pirates who commandeered a Yacht piloted by several South African men. The South African’s were headed up the coast when there several men stormed boat in the middle of the night with automatic weapons. The men were taken hostage; one was left on board the other two were brought to shore. The pirates were seeking a ransom, however before any negotiation, naval forces spotted the yacht moving erratically and investigated. The pirates fired on the naval vessel, prompting the European Forces to eliminate the pirates. The one hostage on the yacht was rescued, the fates of the other two hostages are not yet known.

11 Dead 700 Wounded After Moroccan Raid


Morocco /Western Sahara–


A raid conducted by Moroccan forces on a Western Sahara protest camp has left 11 people dead, 700 wounded and 160 missing. The protest camp was that of the Polisario Front a group of people fighting for Western Saharan independence from Morocco. Western Sahara was annexed by Morocco in 1975, recently there have been U.N. mediated talks between the two nations regarding independence however not a lot of progress was made. The Polisario Front has made a point of saying that this raid is just another example as to how abusive the Moroccan government has been. They used water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition on protestors. Several thousand protestors had been camped near the boarder for months. The Polisario Front also accuses the Moroccan government of stealing phosphate resources from their country, as well as other natural resources that should be used by the people in Western Sahara. It is things like this that have prompted thousands to camp out in protest, however the Moroccan Government saw them as a threat and acted violently. 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Two Thirds of Benin Are Underwater Due to Months of Heavy Rain.

October 24, 2010

Benin –



            The small West African nation of Benin has been hit with the worst flooding since the 1960’s. Months of intense rain have left more than two thirds of the extremely poor nation underwater and helpless. Much of the country is made up of rural villages that have no modern technology what so ever. Almost 700,000 people have been affected according to the estimates done by the UN refugee agency. Areas that were not previously vulnerable to flooding have likely been effected and many entire villages have been completely whipped out.

Amidst the after math there are several major concerns. The first is the health factor; about 800 cases of cholera have been reported and each day this number drastically rises, with about 100 more everyday. The water that has now engulfed these villages and trapped villagers on their roofs is very contaminated, due to the lack of swage systems in the area.  Clean water for drinking and bathing is also needed immediately. The worst part of this is that the rain is not supposed to let up for some time according to meteorologists interviewed by the BBC.

There is help on the way, medical supplies, and shelter will be flown in from Denmark in the coming days. This disaster has proved to be a trying tine for the small nations infrastructure that will be heavily tested as so many people need to utilize the few shelters, hospitals, and clinics that the country has.




Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Power Sharing In Zimbabwe Facing Some Difficulties

Zimbabwe-

Zanu-PF vs MDC


For the last 18 months there has been a power sharing agreement between the 2 major political groups in Zimbabwe. Between the infamous Robert Mugabe, president, and the leader of the ruling Zanu-PF party, and Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe’s new prime minister and the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Mugabe brought on Morgan Tsvangirai to help him rebuild his legacy which has been lost due to his power abuse and corruption. Morgan Tsvangirai had serious doubts about taking the job and working with what he considered a horrid leader. However things seemed to be going fairly smoothly for nearly 178 months until recently.

The two leaders were supposed to pick members to be on a 15 person regional organization that would help negotiate between the two parties. This organization was supposed to be up and running by September 1st and as of now very little has been done. However it’s what little Mugabe has done that has made the prime minister so mad. One of the main principals of the organization was that the representatives would be from both parties and equally selected by both leaders. Mugabe went ahead and selected leaders that were entirely from his Zanu-PF party without consulting anyone. 

Morgan Tsvangirai was so irritated by this that according to the Economist, made remarks saying “war between those who believe in freedom and democracy and those who seek to maintain and abuse privilege is immanent”. He has even asked citizens of Zimbabwe and foreign governments not to recognize the appointments made by Mugabe. The only comment Mugabe has made is that fresh elections are needed and that the prime ministers 2 year term is almost up.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Mining Ban In Nigeria

Nigeria –

The Nigerian government has temporarily banned mining as the number of lead poisoning cases rapidly increase. Throughout northern Nigerian towns, soil that was extracted from gold mines was often carelessly dumped near water sources and areas where children played causing 18,000 known cases of lead poisoning and 400 child deaths.

The small village of Anka in Northern Nigeria was the first site found to have contaminated soil spread throughout the village. Shortly after many more sites where identified, after this discovery in June 2010 the government banned gold-mining in all of Zamfara, the northern city state home to Anka and other small villages like it. However the ban was largely ignored by most villagers and small time mining operations who make a meager living off  mining for minerals. Lead poisoning is estimated to have infected 18,000 people, and has killed 200 children in a single month. Lead poisoning causes lowered IQ, learning difficulties, behavioural disorders, high blood pressure, kidney damage, anaemia, muscle weakness, infertility in men and stillbirths in women, and when young children are heavy exposed if often leads to death.

The UN is now conducting water tests throughout mining areas in Nigeria. The results have been shocking as nearly all public-drinking wells tested well above the World Health Organization standards. Even more shocking is that privately owned wells tested even higher. Meaning that the full extent of the poisoning and actual numbers of those affected is not yet known. Despite the seriousness the UN has said that for the government to ban mining all together is not the best decision for the developing nation. 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A New Country In Africa

Sudan-

Sudan has been another area of extreme violence in Africa. The northern part of sudan is controlled by Muslims who have tried to impose there laws and religion on the mostly black Christian African in the south. This is essentially what caused Africa longest cicil war which ended in 2005 and had staggering causality rates of almost 2.5 million people, and displaced many more millions. The two sides formed the CPA (comprehensive Peace agreement) the terms of the agreement are that a new party, the SPLM ( Sudan people's liberation movement) will control the south led by President Omar al -Bashir, along with the right to succeed from the rest of Sudan. 

In early January of this year souther sudan will take a vote on whether or not to break away from sudan and form a new country. It is expected that they will vote to do so and if so, Africa will have a fresh new country called South Sudan. The vote is such a sure thing that the region has already started to go ahead and build state of the art (for the region) offices for its new government. The new capital will be Juba, home to 8 million souther Sudan people. Still there is a lot of concern over how well the new country would function in coming years and also as to whether  or not the northerners will abide by this agreement and let the region proceed with the vote.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

News From Somolia & Rwanda

Somalia- 

The consistently war plagued nation is now becoming a growing hot spot for Islamic jihadist. There is a growing concern over a new militant group called the Shabab, which means youth. The Shabab currently controls much of Southern and Central Somalia, the radical group is very similar to the Taliban in many ways. In areas where they control they force young men to come fight for them for face threats of violence and heavy taxation on their families. Although the Shabab are fairly primitive and don't have access to any weapons other than anti aircraft guns and AK-47s they are a force to be reckoned with and are a growing concern to the United States. On July 9th during the World Cup they claimed responsibility for a bombing in Uganda capital which killed 76 people including 1 American. This has lead the United States to continue funding the current government struggling to control Somalia. the current leader Sharif Ahmed is a so called "moderate" muslim who enforces Sharia Law and he has made it a crime to not be muslim in the nation. 

Rwanda - 

Rwanda President Paul Kagame recently spoke in London, his first appearance in front of a western audience since his controversial re-election this past summer. He gave a lecture on the challenge of nation building, with regards to Rwanda. Critics say it was a very well done speech but he mentioned nothing of what on lookers really wanted to hear, his side of the story in regards to his allegation of running a tainted campaign with accusations of treating his opposition unfairly, and even accusation of genocide and the murdering of a reporter. The President was asked about these accusations during the question and answer session at the end of the lecture, he dismissed these accusations as "baseless" and "absurd" and quickly moved on to the next question.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

American Doctors Detained In Zimbabwe

This weekend in Harare, Zimbabwe a team of American doctors were arrested and detained soon after landing in the capital city. The Americans belong to the Allen Temple Baptist Church AIDS Ministry, based in Oakland, California. The team of doctors were carrying a four month supply of HIV/AIDS drugs for about 800 of the poorest people in the country. The team also brought along vitamins, clean bed linens, and food baskets.


The doctors were arrested on a charge of dispensing medicine without the supervision of a pharmacist or proper licenses. A newspaper in Zimbabwe quoted Detective Inspector Zimbili as saying. “There is a risk of dispensation of expired drugs. When premises are not licensed, it is difficult to check if the act is being complied with.” According to the teams lawyers they are still being held in hot, dirty, poorly ventilated holding cells, waiting for the Harare police department to finish processing paperwork to allow them to get out on bail. Although they are only expected to receive fines, this is just another example if the oppressive evil leadership in Zimbabwe. This issue has rightfully angered people throughout the nation and world alike. 




Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/world/africa/12zimbabwe.html?_r=1&ref=africa

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Rwanda Elections

Rwanda-

Fallowing the genocide in 1994, the first presidential election took place in 2003 when a new constitution was approved in Rwanda. Paul Kagame won this first election and served a seven-year term that ended in early 2010, Kagame was recently reelected in August 2010

On the surface this election looks to be a fair and democratically run as the Tutsi minority leader won the election with well over 90% of the votes, however in months leading up to the election there was a drastic surge in corruption, foul play and unexplained misfortune for anyone who tried to challenge Kagame. The BBC described the election as… "Marred by violence and intimidation against opposition politicians”.

Kagame’s opponents have stated that leading up to the election more the 30 newspapers have been banned. Causing the voices of the opposition to be drowned out by the power of censorship. Most notably the unsolved beheading of the vice-president of the
Democratic Green Party, Andre’ Kagwa Rwiereka. Furthermore in June 2010 Rawandan General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, also a critic of Kagame, survived and assassination attempt while on a trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. Weeks later journalist Jean-Leonard Rugamge, published evidence that linked Kagame to these events was found murdered in this Rwandan home.  Several journalists have also been mysteriously thrown in jail. Of the two other political parties in Rwanda both candidates have been smeared or disqualified from running on technicalities.

Kagame has denied all of these accusations and has been quoted as saying: “The people of Rwanda were free to stand for election, those who wanted to, and to qualify, so I see no problem. Some sections of the media seem to be reading from a different page.” Around the country Kagame is greeted with enthusiasm and is very well like for preaching his message of a unified Rwanda without ethnic politics. Rwanda has also experienced a steady up swing in tourism, and quality of life for the average citizen since Kagame’s first seven-year term.

 

Source:

“Voting Ends In Rwandan Election” Al Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/08/20108943239684905.html . Published August 9, 2010, Retvieved on September 6, 2010

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