Issues and Options for the SADC Standby Force mission in Mozambique
At the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held in Mozambique on June 23, 2021, the regional body endorsed a decision to deploy a SADC Standby Force mission to the Republic of Mozambique, by October this year.
The Fight Against COVID-19 needs Global Co-operation
Speaking at the G7 Summit held on 13 June 2021, South Africa has commended the G7 and other countries for the collective action taken to overcome the current global health crisis and the commitment to create a better, greener and more prosperous world. Ending the pandemic must be our most immediate priority. COVID-19 is not over.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the origins debate: when the scientific becomes political
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned out to be a major crucible for globalization and the interconnected world order, and its multi-faceted impact has dwarfed World War II and the Global Financial Crisis in terms of both compound effects and shocks on a global scale.
Invoking KK’s ‘One Zambia One Nation’ for peaceful elections in Zambia
As Zambians head to the polls in August 2021, learning from past electoral experiences will be valuable. Bearing in mind that the country is still battling with many challenges associated with the outbreak of the pandemic, this piece argues that avoiding a twin struggle of COVID-19 impacts and electoral violence, by conducting free, fair, credible and peaceful August elections would be the best option to enhance democratic principles and maintain the international standard of holding peaceful elections that Zambia has set for many years.
How to react to a Coup d’état – Lessons and Warnings from Mali’s recent coup
On 25 May 2021 Mali saw its second coup within less than a year. The developments in May presented an interruption in Mali’s transitional process that makes a successful transition less likely than ever. Mali is again at a crossroads.
The May 27 Agreement: Oasis or Mirage?
Somali leaders signed a landmark election agreement on 27 May 2021 in Mogadishu. Almost immediately afterwards a number of friends and constituents called me to ask why it had taken this long; why we had to go to the brink of armed conflict for them to sign, what, essentially, is a recycled version of the 17 September 2020 Agreement and the Baidoa Technical Team recommendations. How, they asked, could we be sure this agreement would not unravel, like so many agreements before it.
Mali’s Latest Coup d’état – a Geopolitical and Security Dilemma
On the afternoon of 24 May 2021, the Malian Transitional President, Bah N’Daw, and his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were arrested by elements of the Malian Armed Forces and taken to the Soundiata Keïta military camp in Kati. Wild rumours circulated in Bamako. Finally, the Malians were informed of the events that they have become used to for some time. They were wondering about this umpteenth coup d’état.
The Coup and Implications for Preventing Violent Extremism in Mali
The coup d’état in Mali which occurred on 24 May 2021, the second in nine months, marks another critical juncture for the country. Mali continues to face a multi-faceted crisis: a resilient jihadist insurgency which is highly active in northern, central and increasingly southern parts of the country, communal violence and the rising prominence of self-defence militias.
Mali: MINUSMA’s mandate renewal in uncertain times
This month, the United Nations Security Council will renew the mandate of the 8-year-old United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) at a time of multiple transitions and great uncertainties, which we have analysed in this recent EPON report.
Climate change and violent conflict in Mali
Since May 2020, violent conflict has killed 2,070 people in Mali. Insecurity has forcibly displaced more than 300,000 people, of whom 56 per cent are women. The drivers of Mali’s multiple conflicts are not arcane. Meaningful dialogues around poverty, marginalisation, limited livelihood opportunities, weak governance, political instability and more, can open doors to engaging with the community militias and armed groups that operate in the country. More reason, then, to ensure that the turbulent winds of climate change do not blow those doors shut.