Myanmar’s military abuses against civilians intensify
30/1/2024: Governments that provide arms or materiel to the military junta in Myanmar risk being complicit in war crimes, according to Human Rights Watch. The campaign group says that sanctions have been inconsistent and that governments in the region have turned a blind eye to the junta's rights violations.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Mali’s peace deal ends
26/1/2024: In recent months there has been a surge in attacks by armed Islamist groups across Mali. Meanwhile, UN peacekeepers, deployed since 2013, are withdrawing at the request of the junta. With the end of a 2015 peace agreement, the threat to civilians across Mali remains grave.
Source: Human Rights Watch
The ICJ ruling is a repudiation of Israel and its western backers
26/1/2024: Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, observes that enormous damage to the ‘rules-based order’ will be done if the US and UK fail to call on Israel to comply with the order of the International Court of Justice.
Source: The Guardian
UN world court calls for prevention of genocidal acts in Gaza
26/1/2024: The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel should prevent acts of genocide and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The UN Secretary-General has called on all parties to comply with the Court order.
Source: UN News
US and UK: give peace a chance in Yemen
17/1/2024: Recent military airstrikes by the US and Britain against the Houthis for their naval blockade in the Red Sea could undermine the peace process for the longstanding conflict within Yemen. Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, the main parties to the peace talks, have been edging towards a peace deal.
Source: PassBlue
African Union urges restraint over Ethiopia-Somaliland deal
18/1/2024: The African Union's Peace and Security Council has urged representatives of Ethiopia and Somalia to pursue "meaningful dialogue" after landlocked Ethiopia signed a surprise maritime accord with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia has vowed to defend its territory by "all legal means."
Source: The East African
What is South Africa’s genocide case against Israel?
9/1/2024: South Africa has initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice in relation to its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Israel is confronted with allegations of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Here are the most important questions before proceedings get underway in The Hague.
Source: DW
Yemen’s peace plan boosts Houthis’ regional influence
29/12/2023: The UN special envoy for Yemen has expressed optimism about UN-led negotiations with Saudi Arabia, the Presidential Leadership Council and the Houthi militia. The peace plan offers the much-desired exit option from the war for Saudi Arabia but some have said the Houthis stand to gain in power.
Source: DW
Why the South China Sea was turbulent in 2023
26/12/2023: Through 2023 both China and the Philippines have been taking greater risks over disputed islets and shoals in the South China Sea. Their competing claims are considered a real threat to security and stability in waterways that carry trillions of dollars in global trade.
Source: DW
UN resolution on war in Gaza is an important but insufficient step
22/12/2023: The UN Security Council has adopted a compromise resolution calling for “expanded humanitarian access” to Gaza. Amnesty welcomes the humanitarian commitment but warns that nothing short of an immediate ceasefire is enough to alleviate the mass civilian suffering.
Source: Amnesty International