Peacekeeping in the DRC – Time for a Reality Check
By Caelin Briggs Thu, 12/20/2012 - 16:11The recent surge of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, culminating in the fall of the provincial capital of Goma to members of the M23 rebel group, is first and foremost a human tragedy. Though M23 has now withdrawn from the city and agreed to peace talks, 130,000 people remain displaced, with many forced to flee from camp to camp in search of safety.
Thein Sein Should Send Suu Kyi to Rakhine
By Melanie Teff Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:53This article originally appeared in The Bangkok Post.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been more successful in mobilising Myanmar's people for change than any figure in recent history. Through her perseverance, she convinced her compatriots that with time, effort and unity of purpose, reform really was possible. The odds were long, but eventually she won and was proved right.
As Abyei Deadline Passes, Risks Rise for Mediators - and Civilians
By Caelin Briggs Wed, 12/12/2012 - 17:28Wednesday, December 5th, marked the deadline given by the African Union (AU) for the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to reach agreement on the contested border state of Abyei.
Throughout repeated rounds of Juba-Khartoum negotiations (and despite the efforts of the AU and U.S. mediators), the dispute over Abyei has remained intractable. As Wednesday’s deadline came and passed, the two countries remained just as gridlocked as they were in early September, when this most recent round of talks began.
Stateless in America: Part I
By Avy Mallik Mon, 12/10/2012 - 12:29Exactly one year ago, a historic summit took place in Geneva on the rights of refugees and stateless people. On December 9, 2011, the United States and 154 other nations met to discuss the importance of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions. But what made the conference historic was not the debate, but the pledges.
Mali: A Strategic Minefield for the Security Council
By Michael Boyce Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:59This post originally appeared at UN Dispatch.
