Monday 19 December Meeting with representatives of the Transitional Government of National Unity and other peace partners, The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) decried the missed opportunities in 2016 to end the war. At least six people are confirmed dead after a fuel tanker exploded at Sherikaat, a suburb of Juba. Tuesday 20 December… Read more »
Month: December 2016
A Word of Warning ahead of 2017
Decency, humility, and thoughtfulness are core virtues in a civilized society. Now we need to fight for them. «Political correctness» can be a sinister labeling for common decency «Political correctness» can be a sinister labeling for common decency. A wish to preserve dignity and openness, and to avoid willfully disrespecting others’ beliefs or characteristics, should after… Read more »
The Moonlanding
“I’ll be the first Palestinian woman to land on the moon,” she states with a wry smile. The world – and space – lies at her feet, as in theory it does for children all over the world. But these particular legs are standing on shaky ground. Her legs are in Lebanon, more specifically, they’re… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 50
Monday 12 December The South Sudan President’s office issued a statement denying reports in which several officials and presidential guards claimed over USD 280 million was stolen. HSBA Issue Brief: “Legitimacy, exclusion, and power: Taban Deng Gai and the South Sudan peace process” Tuesday 13 December Riek Machar held as ‘guest’ in Pretoria, South Africa…. Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 48 & 49
Tuesday 29 November President Salva Kiir said numerous assurances of support and cooperation from the UN and regional leaders encouraged his acceptance of the Regional Protection Force (RPF). The Government of South Sudan (GOSS) presents strategic measures to improve non-oil revenues. Salva Kiir visited South Africa for bilateral talks with President Jacob Zuma. Al Jazeera:… Read more »
Russian Foreign Policy Concept is vague on the Arctic
Russia has found itself in a very different international situation than that envisaged by its basic documents in 2013, so there was clearly a need in revising its Foreign Policy Concept – and President Vladimir Putin duly approved a new one on 30 November 2016. The Concept is more assertive and harshly worded than the… Read more »