Al Jazeera speaks to UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres who calls the situation in Sudan and South Sudan a “massive humanitarian emergency”.
Somalia’s growing Islamist radicalism is spilling over into Kenya. The militant Al-Shabaab movement has built a cross-border presence and a clandestine support network among Muslim populations in the north east and Nairobi and on the coast, and is trying to radicalise and recruit youth from these communities, often capitalising on long-standing grievances against the central state. This problem could grow more severe with the October 2011 decision by the Kenyan government to intervene directly in Somalia. Radicalisation is a grave threat to Kenya’s security and stability. Formulating and executing sound counter-radicalisation and de-radicalisation policies before it is too late must be a priority. It would be a profound mistake, however, to view the challenge solely through a counter-terrorism lens.
If you are in and around London on Monday this event promises to be interesting:
The newly formed SOAS UN Society is having its inaugural event- a debate on the motion “The UN does more harm than good for global security and development”. Speaking in proposition is David Chandler, a renowned academic currently based at the Centre for the Study of Democracy.
Speaking against is David Wardrop, a longstanding member of UNA-UK who has been involved with the association in senior roles for many years. Chairing the debate is Keith Hindell, former BBC correspondent to the UN. For students with an interest in international politics, development and international governance, this is the chance to hear more reasoned dynamic arguments on a contentious issue, especially in the developing world.
We’re really excited about this year’s events and hope you can join us. The event is not ticketed and is totally free, we will be welcoming questions and comments from the floor.
Event Details
Monday 30th January, G50, SOAS Russell Square from 5pm. Event will end at 7pm if not before.
If you have any further questions about the society, or would like to be added to the mailing list please contact Quintin Chou Lambert (542903@soas.ac.uk) or Letty Thomas (287384)
South Sudan’s recent moves to halt oil production, and the Chinese intervention to try to broker an oil deal between Juba and Khartoum, have once again drawn attention to the importance of China’s role in the Sudans, as well as the role of Indian and Malaysia oil investment.
A year after the historic referendum in favour of South Sudan’s independence, this panel will consider relations between the two new Sudans and their Chinese, Indian and Malaysian allies. It does so at a critical time, amidst ongoing conflict, economic difficulty and tense relations between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as heightened expectations about what China can do to assist a final settlement between Khartoum and Juba.
About the Editors
Daniel Large has been research director of the Africa Asia Centre, Royal African Society at SOAS, and is a research associate with the South African Institute of International Affairs’ China in Africa programme.
Luke Patey is a Research Fellow at the Danish Institute of International Studies, Copenhagen.
By successfully turning to China, Malaysia and India from the mid-1990s, amidst civil war and political isolation, Khartoum’s ‘Look East’ policy transformed Sudan’s economy and foreign relations. Sudan, in turn, has been a key theatre of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian overseas energy investment. What began as economic engagements born of pragmatic necessity later became politicized within Sudan and without, resulting in global attention.
Despite its importance, widespread sustained interest and continuing political controversy, there is no single volume publication examining the rise and nature of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian interests in Sudan, their economic and political consequences, and role in Sudan’s foreign relations. Addressing this gap, this book provides a groundbreaking analysis of Sudan’s ‘Look East’ policy. It offers the first substantive treatment of a subject of fundamental significance within Sudan that, additionally, has become a globally prominent dimension of its changing international politics.
If your are a reader of SudanTribune.com please let me know what you think of the site and how we can improve. The survey will be up until the end of the month.
If you are near enough to London to get to this looks very interesting. Will be taking a look today. Will write a review as soon as I can.
TL
Frontline: A Year of Journalism & Conflict
Until 5 February
Daily 10.00-18.00 (last entry 17.30)
Embankment Galleries, South Wing
Free Admission
Frontline: A Year of Journalism & Conflict focuses on four of the major stories of 2011: the Egyptian revolution, Syria, the Libyan conflict and the UK riots. This multimedia exhibition offers a unique insight into the editorial, political and human aspects of news reporting.
The exhibition features live news reports from the stories as they happened and stills taken from Sky News HD footage. iPads throughout the exhibition give visitors access to background interviews with the journalists, editors and producers who worked on breaking the story as well as timelines, maps and photo galleries.
The exhibition highlights the dilemmas facing news organisations in authenticating and broadcasting often deeply disturbing images to the public.
Visitors may find some of the images in the exhibition disturbing. Parental supervision may be advised.
Revealing the hidden lives of four of Africa’s bravest investigative journalists.
Moving documentary on press freedom in Africa and the brave journalists who fight to expose corruption, human rights abuses and the excesses of those in power.
December 20, 2011 (JUBA) — South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayadrit conducted Tuesday a one-day visit to the Jewish state where he met with Israeli president and the prime minister who both pledged to support the new state.
President Kiir, whose initial official visit to Israel was previously scheduled for 27 December, abruptly arrived at Ben Gurion Airport Tuesday morning for meeting with the Israeli officials before continuing his journey to Juba.
The Southern Sudanese leader was returning from the United States of America where he attended an International Engagement Conference organised to introduce the new nation to international donors and investors.
Speaking in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, a senior official from South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs said the visit focused mainly on bilateral ties.
“President Kiir visited Israel and met with several government officials including President Shimon Peres.”
He also toured the “Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum and Hall of Names in Jerusalem before holding talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak”, says the official who requested to remain anonymous.
He said President Kiir was warmly welcomed and accorded full presidential treatment with all his delegation by the Israeli government and assured him that full economic and diplomatic relations would be accorded to South Sudan.
The Israeli government recognised the South Sudan independence 24 hours after its proclamation on 9 July. Also Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Kiir in July promising his country’s assistance in areas of infrastructure, communications and agriculture.
Further an Israeli delegation led by Danny Danon, a member of Likud Party and Parliament member was in Juba last August and invited Kiir to visit Israel.
Kiir, at the time, pledged according to Danon, to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, which has a disputed status in the international law and a contentious issue in the peace talks with the Palestinian authority.
The South Sudanese senior diplomat said his government is still mulling the appointment of an ambassador to the Jewish state. He underlined that an act governing diplomatic and consular affairs has just been passed by the National Assembly.
The Israeli President Peres hailed the struggle of South Sudanese for their independence and pledged to support the newly established state.
“Israel has supported, and will continue to support, your country in all areas in order to strengthen and develop it.”
“We know that you courageously and wisely struggled against all odds to establish your country and for us, the birth of South Sudan is a milestone in the history of the Middle East and in advancing the values of equality, freedom and striving for peace and good neighborly relations”, Peres stressed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with Kiir said a government delegation will visit South Sudan to assess how Israel can help the new country, his office reported.
President Kiir extended an official invitation to Netanyahu to visit South Sudan. The Israeli prime minister is expected to tour a number of countries in East Africa next February.
As the 193rd member of the UN South Sudan will have a vote in the UN General Assembly should the statehood of Palestine be considered again at the global body.
