By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – He’s been described as a “master strategist”, but can the incoming chair of the African Union beat the daunting challenges ahead? That is the difficult question facing Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, president of the Democratic Republic (DRC) as he assumes the post just relinquished by South […]
Biden’s New Message to Africa Clears Way for Okonjo-Iweala at WTO
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – At a virtual meeting on February 6 with members of the African Union Summit 2021, President Joe Biden shared his vision for more trade and investment opportunities while advancing peace and security. “The United States stands ready now to be your partner in solidarity, support […]
Rohingya Continue to Suffer Even After Escaping to Supposed Safe Land
By Bahauddin Foizee* DHAKA (IDN) – The horrible scenes of hungry, tired and almost lifeless Rohingya refugees entering Bangladesh shocked the world in 2017. Even today, many Rohingyas are attempting to make the journey from Myanmar to Bangladesh, believing that a foreign land (Bangladesh) would be safer than their homes (Myanmar). Although they aren’t migrating […]
‘Africa No Filter’ Encourages African Media to Abandon Clichéd Narratives
Interview by Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) – Africa No Filter is a not-for-profit set up last year to help shift harmful and stereotypical narratives about Africa through research, advocacy and grant-making to storytellers. It is funded by the Ford Foundation, Bloomberg, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Luminate, Open Society Foundation, Comic Relief, the Hilton Foundation and […]
Myanmar Military Regime Can Rely on China, Russia and India
By Thalif Deen* NEW YORK (IDN) – When million-dollar arms sales knock on the door, human rights violations and war crimes fly out of the window. As the United Nations grapples for a reaction to the military coup in Myanmar, both China and Russia, two veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), refused […]
Myanmar Coup: Asian Response Echoes the Adage ‘Democracy Comes with Stability’
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Both coverage in the Asian press and statements by neighbouring Asian governments reported in the media on the grabbing of exclusive power by the military in Myanmar, reflects the traditional Asian adage that democracy should go hand in hand with economic and political stability. Thus, sanctions and external funding […]
Two African Nations Emulate U.S. and Cry Election Fraud
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Endangered citizens of the Central African Republic are fleeing the country in the hundreds of thousands as rebel fighters seek to overturn the recent re-election of President Faustin Archange Touadera with familiar cries of fraud and demands for his ouster. Touadera was re-elected after a […]
Macron Willing to Reconcile with Algeria But No Official Apology
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Time marches on but murderous crimes committed during war may demand an apology regardless of the number of years that elapsed since the crimes took place. Such is the current case presented by Algerians who have renewed their demand for an apology for colonialization and […]
The Three-Country Alliance Against Tigray Might Jeopardise Ethiopia’s Future
By Martin Plaut LONDON (IDN | Eritrea Hub) – The Tigray war has turned into an all-out conflict, pitting Tigrayan forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation front (TPLF) against Ethiopian federal troops, the Eritrean army, Amhara militia and – as revealed last week – Somali soldiers. Despite what would seem to be overwhelming odds […]
Asia Welcomes An “Engaging” US President Biden
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Asian newspapers have welcomed the new American President Biden’s “engaging with the world” message in his inauguration speech to that of his predecessor Trump’s “America First” rhetoric. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has welcomed President Biden’s “engaging” tone in his speech on January 20.