Selected recent developments and news stories from Burundi, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Burundi
Central African Republic
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Liberia
Sierra Leone
Region
Burundi
UN Mission Renewed; Concerns Remain
The UN renewed the mandate for its mission in Burundi last month, but it was not without “grave concern”. The UN and various rights groups point to large numbers of extrajudicial killings linked to the government. Additionally, opposition members have increasingly been detained and accused of terrorism while civil liberties more generally have been further restricted. These are trends that have been on the rise since the 2010 election, and as highlighted by UN officials, only detract from Burundi’s post civil war recovery.
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Opposition Leader Arrested
Burundian opposition leader Alexis Sinduhije, founder of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD), has been arrested in Tanzania after arriving from Rwanda. Sinduhije claims his life would be in danger should he be returned to Burundi where the government hopes to charge him with murder. He cited increasing political restrictions placed on him and his party while chairman of the Democratic Party of Tanzania, Christopher Mtikila, raised concern about the state of Burundi’s political and civil rights. Mtkikila claims Sinduhije is guilty of nothing more than exercising his right to free speech.
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Central African Republic
UN Warnings Come Amid Rebel Violence
The UN has noted the dangers of the security vacuum in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the threat it poses to future stability. According to the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA), the government’s inability to exert its authority across the country only makes it more attractive to different rebel groups in the region. Currently, there are 14 rebel groups operating within CAR borders. The UN consequentially warned against the dangers of underfunding any peacebuilding efforts as the country is currently at a pivotal moment in its post-conflict recovery. These warnings come as recent fighting between the Popular Front for Recovery, FPR (a Chadian rebel group) and the Central African People’s Democratic Front, FDPC (a domestic insurgency) has broken out, leading the UN to suspend its movement in the area.
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Rebel Group Quits Peace Talks
The People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) has removed itself from the peace process underway in the Central African Republic after its leader Jean-Jacques Demafouth was arrested. He has been accused of attempting to organize a coalition of rebel groups in an effort to destabilize the country. The APRD has in turn accused the government of violating the peace accords.
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Central African States Work Together to Combat LRA
A more positive development for the Central African Republic, however, can be seen at a recent UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) meeting at UN headquarters in New York. A number of central African states affected by the presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) including CAR have agreed to allow their troops unhindered movement across state lines in pursuit of the rebel group.
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Guinea
Controversial Reforms on President’s Agenda
President Conde has announced his agenda for the coming year, with new plans to both reduce the size of the army and begin a review of mining contracts. The timing of the announcement is politically risky given the fragility of the recently established peace in the country. Conde’s plans could have significant consequences for Guinea at a number of levels. Upsetting international investors in regards to mining could do more harm than good for the nation’s already weak economy. Scaling back the military also poses a threat to peace and security should such measures aggravate the notoriously unmanageable soldiers.
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One Dead as Power Cuts Spur Protests
One person was shot and killed after soldiers were sent into Kamsar to bring order to protests that had erupted over electricity cuts. The protests saw an additional 33 people injured. Numerous government buildings and a police station were damaged by the youth protestors as they expressed their frustration and discontent with blackouts and electricity cuts that have become commonplace in the area.
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Guinea Bissau
President Sanha Passes Away Leaving Uncertain Political Future
President Sanha died on 9 January in Paris after a series of health problems. His death comes at a particularly troubling time for the nation given its history of political instability. What was described by the government as an attempted coup in late December saw numerous high level military officials arrested. The details surrounding the event are still unclear and some speculate the violence was connected to the illegal drug trade or even soldiers demanding higher pay. Elections are expected within 90 days of Sanha’s death. Until that time, Speaker of Parliament Raimundo Pereira has been appointed to serve as interim president. The opposition, however, has completely rejected Pereira as interim president, raising even more concerns for a peaceful transition of power.
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Death of Sanha Spurs Fears of Increased Drug Trafficking
As the future of political stability of Guinea Bissau remains uncertain, fears about increased drug trafficking have increased. West Africa already serves as a transit point for essentially one fourth of all cocaine in Europe as the drug makes its way from South America. If the country should fall into political disarray that number could increase dramatically. The drug trade permeates all sectors of society and is deeply entrenched in the highest levels of the military. In the poverty stricken country the effects of further instability coupled with proliferated drug trafficking could have a series of negative consequences reaching far outside Guinea Bissau.
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UN Security Council Reacts to Death of Sanha
Following the death of President Sanha, the UN Security Council has sent its condolences to Guinea Bissau; however, it also urged the nation to “respect the legal and institutional framework for the transitional phase”. In light of the December attack against army headquarters, the Security Council called for the respect of civilian rule and encouraged the government of Guinea Bissau to enact additional measures to improve rule of law in the country. Specifically, the Council encouraged the government to launch a Pension Fund for military servicemen and continue efforts to fight narcotic trafficking. The country’s demobilization of military officers, in particular, was a welcomed effort.
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Liberia
Major Economic Stimulus from Central Bank of Liberia
The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has launched a major economic stimulus package specifically targeting the country’s microfinance institutions and more specifically, rural women. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will manage the loans through its Liberia Inclusive Financial Sector Program. This is the second time in two years that the CBL has attempted to stimulate economic growth. In 2010 the bank sponsored a $5 million package while this second effort will consist of $2.7 million. Supporters of this most recent measure see it as an extension of the CBL’s goal of financial inclusion and a positive step in the process of increasing Liberia’s economic growth and productivity.
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Sirleaf Begins Second Term
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia began her second term on 16 January 2012. The runoff elections that ultimately brought her back to power were marred by the opposition boycotts and violence that followed. Those events raised concerns about the country’s overall stability and seemed to pose a significant threat to the democratic transition after years of civil war. During her inaugural speech, however, Sirleaf called for reconciliation among Liberians and urged the country to continue to work towards its “rightful place as a beacon of democracy”.
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National Peace and Reconciliation Process Begins
Nobel Laureate Leymah Roberta Gbowee, appointed by President Sirleaf to head a reconciliation initiative, has announced that the first phase of the National Peace and Reconciliation process has begun. Gbowee has traveled to three different counties thus far, leading discussions with citizens in an effort to encourage national dialogue. Gbowee has acknowledged that very different mindsets persist across Liberia and the concepts of peace and reconciliation are interpreted by citizens in numerous ways. Despite these differences, however, she continues to stress the importance of unity among Liberians when working towards a full recovery from the country’s civil war.
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Clinton Promises More Support to Liberia
During a recent visit to Liberia, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised wide ranging American support to the country as it faces a number of post conflict challenges. Clinton pledged American assistance with regard to development, specifically infrastructure and youth employment. The Secretary of State also made it clear that the United States stands firmly behind Liberia in its security sector reform efforts with special attention paid to police training and ensuring accountability.
Liberia was just one stop of the Secretary of State’s trip through West Africa which was viewed more generally as an attempt by the US to promote democracy as well as its own security and economic interests. Efforts to befriend the region’s leaders and establish more of a foothold is also intended to counter the heavy presence of China. Accompanying Clinton through West Africa was Senator Christopher Coons who stated "I'm convinced that we're missing an important strategic opportunity for the United States. China is taking advantage of our absence as a major funder of infrastructure and is advancing their economic and I think policy agendas across the continent.”
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Sierra Leone
Riots Unfold During By-Election
Members of both the All People’s Congress (APC) and Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) began to riot during the country’s by-election in Fourah Bay, just outside of Freetown. With individuals on both sides suffering stab wounds, the police interceded with tear gas and live bullets. The rioting comes at a critical time for Sierra Leone as it marks ten years since the end of the civil war. Additionally, national elections are scheduled to be held in only another nine months.
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Youth Unemployment Threatens Stability
According to the UN and international aid groups, the level of youth unemployment poses a significant threat to peace and stability in Sierra Leone. Facing a 70% unemployment rate and lacking both the skills and the necessary capital to own or operate and business, the youth of Sierra Leone have great potential to be a leading factor in any civil unrest. That potential is very real as this year’s upcoming elections are seen as a particularly vulnerable time for the country. Just last year, in fact, the city of Bo saw a political rally turn violent as young people vandalized different areas. The situation in Sierra Leone is reflective of a larger global trend of youth unemployment that many feel need to be addressed more thoroughly by the international community.
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Region
UN: Greater Stability in West Africa but Concerns Remain
The Secretary General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa, UNOWA, Said Djinnit, briefed the Security Council on the situation of West Africa stating that political stability has improved, but not without noting that progress is “tenuous”. The briefing highlighted recent elections and praised the region for recent stability, without “a repeat of open conflict nor tensions tied with institutional or political crises among States”. Regional piracy, recent events in Guinea Bissau, and the situation in Nigeria, however, were all detailed as prominent threats to stability. UN support of the region was praised and further efforts on the part of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) were detailed.
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Country: Sierra Leone,
Guinea-Bissau,
Central African Republic,
Burundi,
Subregion - West Africa,
Subregion - East Africa,
Regional - Africa,
Liberia,
GuineaThemes: Youth Employment,
Social Recovery,
Rule of Law,
Peace Process,
Elections,
Economic Recovery,
Drug Trafficking/ Crime,
Development Policy,
DDRLanguage: English
