Day: April 20, 2016

EU to train and reform CAR’s armed forces

Certainly, the new president of Central African Republic (CAR) has come with a good dose of mathematical luck from the amphi theatre to bolster the hopes for a better CAR than is expected. Not only has the African Union readmitted the CAR (ending a three-year suspension following a coup that sparked the

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Somali migrants drown off the Mediterranean coast

On Monday April 18, 2016, the Somali government confirmed that an estimated 200-300 Somalis died due to a boat capsizing off the Mediterranean coast. Although the number cannot be verified given the undocumented nature of the fleers, it is believed that the number could be higher, potentially in the range of

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Darfur: The Controversial Referendum

  Civil wars remain one of the key manifestations of Sudan since its independence from Anglo-Egyptian condominium rule. Triggered by inter alia, oppressive rules, ethnic and ideological cleavages, competition over scarce resources and colonial legacies as well, major confrontations have been a long-term reality. The North-South war of 1955–1972, the

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Peacekeepers’ Sex Abuses: U.N. Not Doing Enough

  ‘The active maintenance of  truce between nations or communities by  international military forces’– this is the official definition of peacekeeping by the United Nations. But over the years, these armed men have added some unwritten functions like impregnating young women, acquisition of sex slaves and promotion of child prostitution

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When Conflict in South Sudan Spills Over: The Gambella Attack

Violent raids in the Gambella region along the border of South Sudan and Ethiopia last Friday have left 208 dead and 75 injured, including women and children. The armed men have also kidnapped 108 children from Ethiopia and stole 2000 heads of livestock. It is believed that the attackers were

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Jerusalem Bus Explosion in Light of Passover

In what is being suspected to be a terrorist attack, approximately 21 people were injured by a bus explosion in Jerusalem on April 18th. This blast happened in light of the upcoming Passover, a Jewish holiday beginning on April 18th ending on April 30th. This incident is also one of many acts of

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