What's New

Guinea-Bissau: In Need of a State, 3rd July

International Crisis Group - Guinea-Bissau needs a state. Its political and administrative structures are insufficient to guarantee control of its territory, assure minimum public services or counter-balance the army’s dominance. This core weakness has been at the root of recurrent political crises, coups d’etat and the proliferation of criminal networks. Despite advancing little in 35 years of independence, Guinea-Bissau appears to have gained new momentum thanks to the signing of a Stability Pact by the three most important political parties in March 2007. Nevertheless, there is real risk of it becoming a narco-state and a political and administrative no-man’s-land, attractive to trafficking and terrorist networks in the Maghreb. The international community should urgently support the government’s efforts to consolidate democracy, reform the security sector and construct viable state structures. http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5549&

Clashes in Somalia kill 53, dozens wounded, 3rd July

MOGADISHU, July 2 (Reuters) - At least 53 people were killed in Somalia when Islamist insurgents clashed with Ethiopian troops and Ugandan peacekeepers in separate battles, a human rights group said on Wednesday. The latest flare-up in the 18-month-old insurgency came a week before a U.N.-mediated ceasefire between an Islamist faction and the interim Somali government is to take effect. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L02598546

Tsvangirai rejects Zimbabwe talks for now, 3rd July

Tsvangirai says conditions not yet right for talks * Government says Mugabe ready for negotiations * Draft U.N. resolution calls for travel ban, asset freeze * Britain backs sanctions drive http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L01237738

Robert Mugabe: a beast created by colonial Britain? 2 July

That Robert Mugabe's regime has brought Zimbabwe to its knees is unquestionable, but the responsibility for creating that regime lies uncomfortably closer to home. Michael Holman, a journalist who grew up in the town of Gwelo in Zimbabwe, explains. http://news.uk.msn.com/zimbabwe-elections-michael-

AFGHANISTAN: Humanitarian situation

Conflict and natural disasters have caused a "serious" and "deteriorating" humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the aid community must scale up its efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable people, John Holmes, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told IRIN in Kabul. more

Somalia: UN Sanctions Action Against Pirates, 2 July

A move by the UN to allow certain countries to use "all necessary means" to repress piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia is a welcome relief to the shipping industry. The United Nations Security Council last month allowed any State co-operating with the Somali Transitional Federal Government the right to enter the country's territorial waters and use all means necessary to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with relevant provisions of international law. http://allafrica.com/stories/200807011184.html

SOMALIA: Thousands displaced following attack on central town, 2nd July

Officials in Guri-Eil town in Galgadud region have appealed for urgent help for thousands of people displaced after fighting between Ethiopian troops and insurgents over the weekend. http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=79009

ZIMBABWE: Back to the past for a peaceful future. 2 July

JOHANNESBURG, 1 July 2008 (IRIN) - An echo of Zimbabwe's past is increasingly being viewed as the only peaceful solution left to save the country from itself. South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been the southern African region's appointed Zimbabwe mediator for a year, is now calling for a transitional government. http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=79037