Simplifying peacemaking in a complex world
12/7/2022: Since the early-2000s, the world has become more complex with a range of new actors complicating efforts to achieve peace, compounded by the inadequacy of the UN. Three former heads of state of Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia reflect on what it takes to end conflict in a meaningful way.
Source: African Arguments
Biden should not renew arms sales to Saudi Arabia
14/7/2022: Reports suggest that the ban on US sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia will be reviewed during the forthcoming visit of President Biden. Since the beginning of the war in Yemen, Human Rights Watch and other groups have documented how the Saudi- and UAE-led coalition has used US weapons in apparent unlawful airstrikes.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Probe into war crimes in Ukraine needs coordination
14/7/2022: A conference hosted by the International Criminal Court has agreed to coordinate efforts to bring perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine to justice. There are concerns that too many organisations are investigating the evidence.
Source: DW
Could armed force mandate solve Mali’s insecurity?
7/7/2022: Despite the renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, the UN Secretary-General has suggested a new force may be required to end the spiral of instability. He advised that such a mission would have to be led by the African Union.
Source: African Arguments
Tshisekedi, Kagame to meet in Angola over Congo war
6/7/2022: Angolan President Joao Lourenço, who is also the chairman of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region, will hold talks with the two leaders with the aim of brokering peace between Rwanda and DR Congo. The countries have been at loggerheads following counter accusations of support for rebel groups in eastern DRC.
Source: The East African
ICC double standards have no place in global justice
1/7/2022: As the International Criminal Court marks its twentieth anniversary, Amnesty International has warned that its legitimacy risks being eroded by a selective approach. For example, recent attention to alleged war crimes in Ukraine contrasts with reticence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source: Amnesty International
Landmines: US moves closer toward global ban
21/6/2022: The Biden administration has stated that the US will destroy stocks of antipersonnel mines except those needed for the Korean peninsular. The policy sets the goal of ultimately joining the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Eliminate nuclear weapons before they eliminate us
21/6/2022: The UN Secretary-General has addressed the First Meeting of States Parties to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, taking place in Vienna. The treaty was adopted in July 2017 and entered into force in January 2021.
Source: UN News
The UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda has stalled
15/6/2022: Back in 2000 UN member states committed to including women in all peace-building processes. Despite 100 countries enacting national plans to further this agenda, women remain largely absent from conflict mediation.
Source: PassBlue
Global Peace Index falls again
15/6/2022: The Global Peace Index, a measure of peace using 23 indicators released annually for the past 16 years, fell by 0.3% in 2021, the 11th deterioration in 14 years. Countries experiencing violent internal conflict rose from 29 to 38.
Source: Devex