By Greg Fry and Terence Wesley-Smith* SUVA, Fiji, 15 March 2023 (IDN) — In his recently published article “Sea of many flags”, the head of the ANU National Security College Rory Medcalf makes the case for why Pacific Island states should regard the deep regional involvement of a Western coalition of powers, “quietly” led by […]
Freedom of the Press Suffers a Body Blow in Senegal
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | DAKAR, 14 March 2023 (IDN) — Journalism is in trouble in Senegal. On March 3, a reporter with the news service Walf TV was detained and then charged with six crimes, including “spreading false news,” after reporting on the questionable prosecution of an opposition politician. The […]
Racist Attacks and ‘Fake Facts’ Spark African Migrant Flight from Tunisia
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | TUNIS, 14 March 2023 (IDN) — A campaign targeting Black migrants in the north African nation of Tunisia has escalated with misleading videos on social media. The African Union has responded—cancelling a major conference on illicit financial flows due to take place in Tunisia this month.
Shakeup of US Ambassadors Headed for Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK, 13 March 2023 (IDN) — Following the contentious election exercise in Nigeria, now facing court challenges by at least two of the parties unsuccessful at the polls, President Joe Biden has named new US ambassadors to four African nations where troubles also abound. The four countries are […]
Thailand: Hunger Strike Ended, Not the Fight
By Jan Servaes* BRUSSELS, 13 March 2023 (IDN) — Political hunger strikers Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon, 21, and Orawan “Bam” Phupong, 23, ended their hunger strike on Saturday, March 11, after 53 days. “Tawan and Bam want to let the public know that we have ended the hunger strike to save our lives and continue fighting,” […]
A Woman Doctor Gets Top Job at Greenpeace Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK, 7 March 2023 (IDN) — At a time of monumental climate challenges – from floods and pollution to hunger and drought, a legacy organization has tapped Dr Oulie Keita of Mali to lead the continent-wide activist group. The new Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa was chosen after […]
Port Moresby Shows Jakarta How It’s Done With 3 PNG Hostages Freed
By David Robie This article was published in Asia-Pacific Report and is being republished with the author’s permission. SUVA, Fiji, 6 March 2023 (IDN) — Two countries. A common border. Two hostage crises. But the responses of both Asia-Pacific nations have been like chalk and cheese.
Pacific Islanders Want Japan to Stop Dumping Nuclear Waste into Their Ocean
By Kalinga Seneviratne SUVA, Fiji 6 March 2023 (IDN) — Alarmed at Japan’s plans to dump nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean regional leaders are calling upon the Japanese government to immediately call a stop to such plans. Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong, said on Monday (6 March) “there […]
Flawed Nigerian Polls Stir Outrage Among Nation’s Voters
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | ABUJA, 2 March 2023 (IDN) — An error-filled election exercise witnessed countrywide and worldwide marred Nigeria’s much-awaited national polls, leaving the victory by the ruling party candidate stained by the stench of corruption and dubious validity. Held on February 25 using the supposedly secure Bimodal Voter […]
Tunisian President’s Remarks Spark Fear Among Migrants and ‘Blacks’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | TUNIS, 27 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Tunisian President Kais Saied sparked controversy last week when he complained that sub-Saharan migrants arriving in Tunisia were changing the complexion of the North African country from “Arab” to Black. The President complained that “the undeclared goal of the successive […]