Evolving situation The Government of Sudan has accused Ethiopia of ambushing Sudanese troops on December 15. Four soldiers died. Large military reinforcements deployed by Sudanese army along the border with Ethiopia after clashes in which Sudanese military were killed and wounded, reports Al Sharq newspaper. Nine priests killed in the Church in Adi Aweshi, Tembien, […]
Welcome to the Anthropocene
Human Constructions Have the Same Mass as All Living Organisms Viewpoint by Jan Zalasiewicz and Mark Williams* LEICESTER, United Kingdom (IDN) – Our deficiencies have always driven us, even among our distant ancestors, back in the last Ice Age. Having neither the speed and strength to hunt large prey nor sharp teeth and claws to […]
UN Chief Appoints an Eminent Indian National as Resident Coordinator in China
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Siddharth Chatterjee, an eminent Indian national at the world body, as UN “resident coordinator” to China, who has the same rank as an ambassador of a foreign state accredited to that country. The Chinese government’ has formally accepted the UN […]
EEPA Report on Horn of Africa Situation on December 17
Military situation Heavy shelling is continuing in many villages in Tigray. Reported that male youth were forcibly recruited: “any males who tried to return home were taken to a local meeting and told by the Amhara forces that they would have to become soldiers.” Forced recruitment was earlier reported by UN High Commissioner for Human […]
Breaking the Culture of Violence to Advance SDG 16 On Peace & Security
Viewpoint by P. I. Gomes* PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (IDN) – In the Preamble of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reference is made to what is called the 5P’s of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. They capture with such lucid precision what is referred to as “all areas of critical importance […]
‘If We Are Serious About Peace, We Must Take Women Seriously’
By Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury in New York The following is the full text of the address by Ambassador Chowdhury at the Knesset of Israel on November 17, 2020, at 14:30 Israel Standard Time. He is former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations and initiator of the precursor decision leading to the UNSCR […]
Situation Report on Horn of Africa No. 27
By EEPA Europe External Programme with Africa is a Belgium-based Centre of Expertise with in-depth knowledge, publications, and networks, specialised in issues of peacebuilding, refugee protection and resilience in the Horn of Africa. EEPA has published extensively on issues related to movement and/or human trafficking of refugees in the Horn of Africa and on the […]
The Story of Giscard D’Estaing’s Fascination for ‘Emperor’ Bokassa’s Diamonds
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Early December the former president of France Valery Giscard D’Estaing died. The Guardian in its obituary described him as “the grand old man of French politics”. President Emanuel Macron said, “his presidency had transformed France and his direction still guides its way”. The New York Times said […]
Situation Report on Horn of Africa No. 26
By EEPA Europe External Programme with Africa is a Belgium-based Centre of Expertise with in-depth knowledge, publications, and networks, specialised in issues of peacebuilding, refugee protection and resilience in the Horn of Africa. EEPA has published extensively on issues related to movement and/or human trafficking of refugees in the Horn of Africa and on the […]
Supporting Small Island Developing States to Build Back Better in the face of COVID-19
Viewpoint by Angélica Maria Jácome Daza The writer is FAO Director, Office for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). BRUSSELS (IDN) – The possible food crisis that could be triggered by the effects of COVID-19 differs significantly from traditional food crises brought on by conflict or natural […]