News Round Up

2011-11-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

NEWS UPDATE

THE AFRICA PROGRAM AND LEADERSHIP PROJECT

11/07/2011 – 11/13/2011

BURKINA FASO

Agence France-Presse (AFP): “Burkina Faso, Niger ‘Worried’ about Weapons from Libya” (November 13, 2011)

Burkina Faso and Niger have voiced rising concerns over threats to regional security as a result of the Libyan conflict. Niger’s Prime Minister underlined fears of arms trafficking that may be heavily present in the region. On his recent visit to South Africa, the president of Niger asked for military aid to assist in resisting the growing number of armed groups and traffickers.

http://news.yahoo.com/burkina-faso-niger-worried-weapons-libya-185244383.html

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

UN News Centre: “UN Report Sounds Alarm Over Pre-election Human Rights Violations in DR Congo” (November 9, 2011)

A recently released report by the United Nations strongly warns that the ongoing human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could undermine the November elections. The report highlights innumerable cases of human rights violations that have been carried out against individuals voicing their opposition to the current administration of President Joseph Kabila. These violations went as far as victimizing anyone wearing T-shirts promoting the opposition party. These upcoming elections are said to be this central African nation second democratic election in fifty years.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40341&Cr=Democratic&Cr1=Congo

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Reuters Africa: “Rights Groups say Equatorial Guinea Referendum is Power Grab” (November 13, 2011)

Rights groups have condemned a referendum held on Sunday in Equatorial Guinea stating that this was merely an attempt of the incumbent president to retain hold on power. The changes proposed in the referendum includes removing an existing age limit for the presidential post; allowing for the creation of a vice-presidential position (but one whose appointment will be solely confined to the hands of President Obiang); and offering a bill in the future that would impose presidential terms limits. President Obiang’s son has come to clash with U.S.’ authorities as the latter will seek to grasp over $71 million in assets linked to his name.

http://af.reuters.com/article/equatorialGuineaNews/idAFL5E7MD0F120111113

LIBERIA

Associated Press: “Liberia Opposition Vows to Not Accept Vote Results” (November 10, 2011)

Liberia’s main opposition party has stated that it will not accept the run-off election results and that which they boycotted leaving the current President as the only candidate running. Although deemed free and fair by observers, Winston Tubman, head of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has reiterated claims of electoral irregularities during the first elections which, he claims, favored the incumbent President. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been elected to serve a second 6-year term.

http://news.yahoo.com/liberia-opposition-vows-not-accept-vote-results-140330003.html

SOMALIA

All Africa: “Former President Condemns Kenyan Invasion” (November 14, 2011)

Somalia’s former president, Abdikasim Salad Hassan, has overtly condemned Kenyan military presence within Somalia’s territory. He stated that Kenya lacked sufficient eligibility due to its infringement on a sovereign state having not been given the “go-ahead”. Both Kenyan and Somalia’s transitional government are fighting al-shabab militia at the bordering regions. Ex-president Hassan currently lives in Egypt.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201111141195.html

SOUTH SUDAN

Sudan Tribune: “South Accuses North Sudan of Cross Border Attacks” (November 13, 2011)

South Sudan has submitted allegations charging Sudan of attacks perpetrated alongside its border with Sudan. Five soldiers have lost their lives, according to South Sudan, by mercenaries hired by the government of Khartoum. These latest fighting have prompted the exodus of humanitarian organizations from the Upper Nile. Both countries have increased their military presence along the border in efforts to combat growing tensions.

http://www.sudantribune.com/South-accuses-north-Sudan-of-cross,40709

SUDAN

Sudan Tribune: “Rebel Groups Agree to work together for Regime Change in Sudan” (November 12, 2011)

Four main rebels groups involved in the Sudanese conflict have agreed to join forces and mobilize in their efforts to “overthrow the [ruling] government of the National Congress Party (NCP).” The new coalition termed, the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), will include the “Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the two main factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) and Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N).” They have outlined their intentions of primarily resorting to popular and military means in order to bring down the current regime.

http://www.sudantribune.com/Rebel-groups-agree-to-work,40706

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