Please note: The following news items are presented here for informational purposes. The views expressed within them are those of the authors and/or individuals quoted, not those of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the National Defense University, or the Department of Defense.
Has the White House Bungled a Historic Africa Summit?
US: African Leaders Should Honor Constitutional Term Limits
“Third term for DRC President Kabila will wreak social havoc”
U.S. Will Broaden Sanctions to Deter Violence in Congo
U.S. and French collaboration in Africa: Security and defense considerations
Nigeria: Terrorism driving investors away
Analysts: Once Fundamentalists, Boko Haram Now Mainly Fighters
Nigeria: Terror’s insidious new face
Artisanal gold mining’s curse on West African farming
Dutch forces tackle Mali threat
Africa Takes Steps Toward Attaining Millennium Development Goals
This year, on its birthday, South Sudan would like to take stock of its estimated 9,000 child soldiers
S. Sudan’s Kiir extends amnesty to ex-political detainees
Life-saving aid deal between Sudan, South Sudan
Mamphela Ramphele, Veteran of Anti-Apartheid Struggle, Quits Politics
Tunisia raises terrorism alert level
Undoing the Resource Curse: How oil can save Libyan democracy
Ginbot 7’s Andargachew Tsege: Ethiopia confirms arrest
Behind deadly force in Kenya, there’s often a police badge
EA secretive trial deal for terrorism suspects
Somali piracy: ‘Roads better than warships’
Can the new African Court truly deliver justice for serious crimes?
Today’s News
Has the White House Bungled a Historic Africa Summit?
[...] the administration scrambles to put the finishing touches on the event, individuals in and out of government worry that the summit, held when little of official Washington is even in town, may end up doing more harm than good. African leaders won’t be getting any one-on-one meetings with President Barack Obama, which could leave them feeling snubbed by a leader they’ve long seen as unusually invested in the continent’s future. More importantly, critics say the three-day summit, which begins Aug. 4, may represent a missed opportunity to narrow the growing gap between America’s economic ties with African countries and those of China, which has spent years building new commercial relationships across the continent. J. Peter Pham, the director of the Africa Center for the Atlantic Council in Washington, says the White House still sees Africa through a decades-old framework in which it is viewed as an impoverished continent with country leaders traveling to Washington hat in hand rather than as nations with robust and growing economies. Foreign Policy
US: African Leaders Should Honor Constitutional Term Limits
The Obama administration says African leaders should honor constitutional term limits. The U.S. assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said President Barack Obama’s call for strong institutions in Africa includes respecting limits on power. “If constitutions call for term limits, then those term limits need to be honored. And we have been very clear in discouraging African leaders from making changes in their constitution that will benefit one person, one party, to allow that person to stay in power longer than the constitution intended for them to stay in power.” VOA
“Third term for DRC President Kabila will wreak social havoc”
Proposals to review the Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitution to permit President Joseph Kabila to seek a third term of office, if accepted, will only plunge the Congolese further into poverty and insecurity, both his political opponents and experts warn. Radio Netherlands
U.S. Will Broaden Sanctions to Deter Violence in Congo
he United States will expand sanctions on groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, making it easier to target those who are trying to instigate violence and disrupt peacekeeping efforts in that country, the White House announced on Tuesday. “The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in the D.R.C., which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security and stability of the country,” the White House said in a statement. The announcement is a quiet signal that the United States is trying to stay engaged in a troubled region that the administration is often accused of forgetting. It comes a week after the administration placed sanctions on the Allied Democratic Forces, a Ugandan militant group that operates in eastern Congo, and brings the United States in line with United Nations sanctions that are already in place. Those targeted by the sanctions could be subject to travel bans or have their assets frozen. The New York Times
U.S. and French collaboration in Africa: Security and defense considerations
Earlier this year, the Washington Post posted a joint article by Presidents Barack Obama and François Hollande. In the piece, entitled “Obama and Hollande: France and the U.S. enjoy a renewed alliance,” the two heads of state say, “Perhaps nowhere is our new partnership on more vivid display than in Africa.” Since the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, which led to instability in the Sahel region (in particular in Mali) France has increased its leadership role in security and diplomatic issues in sub-Saharan Africa. It has also strengthened its partnership with the U.S. in the region, especially in the fight against terrorism. However, the record of involving African-led troops has been mixed, as illustrated by the ongoing conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR). As security concerns across the continent—such as those in Nigeria, the CAR, South Sudan and elsewhere—continue to fester, I sat down to answer some questions on the different ways the U.S. and France approach security in Africa as well as how they might work together. Business Day
Nigeria: Terrorism driving investors away
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar on Tuesday declared that the activities of terrorists in the country have driven both foreign and local investors out of the country. This is as she warned that the trend has the risk of undermining the core values of the nation, which is the Rule of Law, respect for human rights, protection of civilians, and tolerance among the various ethnic groups in the country. Mukhtar noted that “modern terrorism is a complex and ever-changing phenomenon.” Speaking in Abuja at the National Workshop for Judicial Officers on anti-Terrorism organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Crime and Drug (UNODC) and the European Union, the CJN pointed out that “the seminar is holding at a crucial time in the history of our Nation. Daily Independent
Analysts: Once Fundamentalists, Boko Haram Now Mainly Fighters
After five years of what is called Nigeria’s “Islamist insurgency,” some analysts say the conflict with militant group Boko Haram is no longer about any recognizable ideology, as the majority of victims are Muslims. It has morphed from a religious sect into a violent movement. More than 12 years ago in northeastern Nigeria, a group of fundamentalist Muslims led by a man named Mohammad Yusuf quietly formed. Yusuf told followers that in order to live pure, godly lives, they should reject all things Western, especially education. FILE – Handout photo obtained on August 5, 2009 shows Mohammed Yusuf surrounded by soldiers at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, on July 30, 2009 shortly after his capture by Nigerian troops.FILE – Handout photo obtained on August 5, 2009 shows Mohammed Yusuf surrounded by soldiers at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, on July 30, 2009 shortly after his capture by Nigerian troops. Some locals thought the group was a bit odd, and nicknamed them “Boko Haram,” which roughly means, “Western education is sin.” VOA
Nigeria: Terror’s insidious new face
It’s several weeks since the Islamist militants of Boko Haram kidnapped more than 260 girls from a school in northeastern Nigeria and the general wants me to see what he’s up against. He invites me to his office in the capital, Abuja, and opens his laptop. The general clicks on one folder titled Abubakar Shekau. A first clip shows the future leader of Boko Haram in his years as a preacher, in a white cap and white babban riga, the traditional Nigerian pajama, tunic and cape. A second clip is more recent, from 2013, and shows Shekau in a clearing, looking far bulkier, in full combat camouflage. The Washington Post
Artisanal gold mining’s curse on West African farming
Gold mining is not new to these areas of West Africa and in fact, stretches back over a millennium. A series of West African empires thrived from the ninth to 15th centuries because they controlled the trans-Saharan trade with gold and slaves flowing north in exchange for salt, cloth and textiles coming south. Empires literally rose and fell, based on their ability to control where gold was being mined in contemporary Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali. The gold mines of these ancient West African empires were eventually tapped out and largely fell dormant for several centuries. Large-scale gold mining returned to the region in the 1980s when new gold mining methods, such as cyanide leaching made such operations economically viable again. Regional gold production has surged in recent years and is now a leading source of income for Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana. Al Jazeera
Dutch forces tackle Mali threat
Dutch troops have joined a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali to meet a growing security threat from the region to the Netherlands, and Europe as a whole that “softer” approaches can no longer contain, the Dutch foreign minister said. The Netherlands has deployed some 450 Special Forces troops, intelligence operatives and attack helicopters to a UN force rolling out across northern Mali, where al Qaeda-linked Islamists occupied swathes of the country before being driven back last year by French troops. Although Dutch forces do not have an offensive mandate, the deployment marks a shift towards security issues in Africa for the Netherlands and their task – gathering intelligence – is new to UN peacekeeping missions that have traditionally avoided the art of spying. IOL News
Africa Takes Steps Toward Attaining Millennium Development Goals
A new U.N. report says sub-Saharan African countries have made some progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), but poverty remains a widespread problem. At the beginning of this century, U.N. member states unanimously agreed to forge a commitment to help the poorest to achieve a better life by 2015. The Millennium Declaration articulated a bold vision and established concrete targets for improving the existence of tens of millions of people and for saving the lives of those threatened by disease and hunger. A new report by the U.N. Development Program notes that persistent obstacles and new challenges may hinder sub-Saharan Africa’s ability to meet the 2015 goals on schedule. VOA
This year, on its birthday, South Sudan would like to take stock of its estimated 9,000 child soldiers
Birthdays are a time to reflect, even for countries. South Sudan turns 3 years old today and this year it has decided to take stock of its estimated 9,000 child soldiers. It’s a staggering figure and one that has motivated the world’s youngest nation — also one of its most troubled — to try to change its image amid brutal war. Last month, South Sudan’s national army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), recommitted to eliminating children from its ranks as part of the UN children’s fund’s star-studded “Children Not Soldiers” campaign. Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are also working with the UN to stop the use of children by government security forces before 2016. Globalpost
S. Sudan’s Kiir extends amnesty to ex-political detainees
South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir said the former political detainees were free to return and participate in efforts to end nearly seven months of conflict in the new nation. Speaking at the country’s third independence anniversary on Wednesday, Kiir said he had invited the former captives to the capital, Juba, but wondered why they did not respond, despite showing interests. “I had wanted them to join us in Juba so that we come and celebrate this third anniversary together, but they have not responded in the way that we have expected”, remarked the president. Sudan Tribune
Life-saving aid deal between Sudan, South Sudan
Life-saving aid could move from Sudan to its former enemy South Sudan under a deal to feed some of the millions battling hunger in the war-torn South, a diplomat said on Wednesday. The two countries signed on Tuesday evening a memorandum of understanding for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver food to northern South Sudan, said Kau Nak, the South’s charge d’affaires in Khartoum. “It’s a kind of a life-saving mission,” he told AFP on the third anniversary of the South’s separation from Sudan. More than 1.5 million people have been forced to flee almost seven months of war, after a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar spiralled into brutal ethnic conflict. News 24
Mamphela Ramphele, Veteran of Anti-Apartheid Struggle, Quits Politics
Mamphela Ramphele, a prominent veteran of the struggle against apartheid, raised great expectations in early 2013 by entering politics and starting a new party. A black woman who had two children with Steve Biko, the anti-apartheid martyr, and went on to forge a formidable career as a medical doctor, business executive and managing director at the World Bank, she seemed such a compelling candidate that South Africa’s main opposition group even proposed a merger with her fledgling party. But Ms. Ramphele, 66, failed spectacularly in the general elections in May, with her party picking up a mere two seats. After months of recriminations and increasingly fierce internal fighting, Ms. Ramphele made official on Tuesday what was already clear to most South Africans: that she was done and quitting politics altogether. The New York Times
Tunisia raises terrorism alert level
Tunisia raised its security alert level inside cities and at sensitive sites, especially during iftar. Security forces will storm terrorist hideouts in the mountains along the Algerian border, between Jendouba and El Kef provinces, as they did last April in Jebel Chaambi, the defence ministry declared on Thursday (July 3rd). The move came in response to a landmine blast that killed four soldiers July 2nd on Jebel Ouergha, El Kef province. A mine blast in the same area wounded six troops a day earlier. Magharebia
Undoing the Resource Curse: How oil can save Libyan democracy
At first glance, Libya’s massive oil dependence looks like the country’s biggest weakness. Conflict and corruption spawned by oil recently brought down one government and currently threaten to tear the country apart. Yet oil is also the key to Libya’s future. It fuels the economy, generating 65 percent of GDP (over $7,300 per person each year) and 95 percent of government revenue. If Libya can reorganize the management of its natural wealth, it will turn oil from a divisive force into the tie that binds the country’s people and regions together. If it fails to manage its oil wealth properly, a sad downward spiral of ethnic conflict, economic stagnation, and lawless violence is inevitable. A successful oil policy in Libya would include revenue sharing, to nurture grassroots democracy and dampen separatist tendencies; cash transfers to citizens, to demonstrate that the new democratic government can deliver on social and economic expectations; and transparency, to guard against the corrosive corruption that was the hallmark of Qaddafi’s regime. Foreign Policy
Ginbot 7’s Andargachew Tsege: Ethiopia confirms arrest
Ethiopia has confirmed it has arrested opposition leader Andargachew Tsege, who disappeared in Yemen last month. His UK-based wife Yemi Hailemariam told the BBC she was shocked to see him paraded on state television. Ethiopian TV said Andargachew had been arrested in Yemen and then extradited. It described him as the country’s “most wanted person”. He was sentenced to death in absentia in 2009 on charges of planning to assassinate government officials – which he denied. Andargachew, a UK national, is secretary-general of Ethiopia’s banned Ginbot 7 movement. BBC
Behind deadly force in Kenya, there’s often a police badge
Kenyans are five times more likely to be shot dead by police than by armed robbers, according to a new survey that highlights problems in what is often perceived as one of the world’s most corrupt law-and-order forces. A five-year study found that 67 percent of people who died from gunshot wounds in six major urban areas between 2009 and 2013 were shot by a police officer, compared with 14 percent who died at the hand of armed thugs. The US, Britain, and Sweden are leading international efforts to help Kenya’s police force change from one that is best known for fleecing citizens and for taking bribes in exchange for turning a blind eye, into one that serves and protects. CS Monitor
EA secretive trial deal for terrorism suspects
On August 4, last year, I failed in my first attempt to gain entry into the Luzira Upper Prison, Uganda’s maximum security prison, to visit seven Kenyan terrorism suspects who court records show are victims of extraordinary renditions to Uganda. “You cannot just come here and see the Al Shabaab,” a prisons officer at the gate growled at me, probably unaware of the ruckus being made about the controversial arrest of the suspects. later learnt that even the Uganda Commissioner of Prisons could not grant the permission to see the Kenyan suspects — Idris Magondu, Mohammed Ahmed Abdow, Hussein Hassan Agade, Mohammed Hamid Suleiman, Yahya Suleiman Mbuthia, Habib Suleiman Njoroge and Omar Awadh Omar. I later turned to Plan B. I was to enter the jail masquerading as a lawyer for the suspects. I paid a few thousand Ugandan shillings at a stall in Kampala and in about 10 minutes, the supporting documents were ready. I left for Luzira and managed to get in. Standard Media
Somali piracy: ‘Roads better than warships’
Building roads and harbours in Somalia is a better way of tackling piracy than deploying warships, a study says. Local elites and communities protect pirates because they lack an income, says the study by two UK universities. The EU, US and China have all sent ships to the waters off Somalia in order to keep shipping lanes safe. This has led to a decline in attacks off the Somali coast, with the UN estimating that about 40 people are still being held by pirates. At the peak of their activity three years ago, the pirates held more than 700 crew members and more than 30 ships. BBC
Can the new African Court truly deliver justice for serious crimes?
As atrocities continue to be committed across Africa, the continent’s leaders seem more concerned with their own fate before international courts than a rigorous pursuit of justice for these crimes. It is hard to fathom that in 2014, commitments to end impunity are under threat by African leaders even though the continent has been ravaged by serious crimes for decades and the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU) rejects impunity. In adopting the draft protocol of the proposed African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court) at the recent AU Summit in Equatorial Guinea, African leaders have signed off on the establishment of a new court that will provide immunity from prosecution to serving heads of state and senior government officials for a range of serious crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide (‘international crimes’). ISS