Reconciliation…One More Time!
Abukar Arman argues for a meaningful national reconciliation strategy in Somalia — not led by the government, any foreign government, or special interest group, but by the Somali people themselves.
One Billion Rising, and more
Tags: Civil rights, Economic justice, Europe, Gender and sexuality, Hate crimes, India, Street theater, Women’s rights
On the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement
Though the combat phase of the war is over, the Korean peninsula is still without a lasting peace.
Transforming a university conflict into a student development platform
In this article, Shahbaz Israr Khan tells the story of how the student council of Gomal University was formed to mediate a conflict between two student societies, and eventually became a way for students to break down the barriers between them and play a meaningful role in the administration of the university.
The Wholesaling of Political Islam
“Political Islam” is a term often used to mask over many shades of political and Islamic opinion as well as their interactions. Abukar Arman unmasks the term and discusses its complexity in light of Egypt’s ongoing political crisis.
The Prospects of the African Mechanisms for Preventing, Managing and Resolving Conflict
This article discusses the potential of African mechanisms for peace, especially the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, to prevent, manage, and resolve violent conflict on the continent, both within and between states. While various criticisms and challenges are discussed, the author ends on an optimistic note and makes a series of practical recommendations for AU member states, pointing a way forward, toward a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
The Plight of Iraqi Women
Years of war and insecurity in Iraq have had a devastating impact on society generally, and women in particular. Majid Ahmed Salih discusses the issues of gender inequality under Iraqi law, widowhood and orphanhood as results of war, and the exploitation of Iraqi women in the international sex industry.
The fallacy of armed intervention and the tragedy of violence
Andres Jimenez discusses the ongoing violence in Syria and the fallacy of conflict resolution through further violence. Jimenez argues that the increasing participation of regional and international powers makes Syria a focal point of larger conflicting interests, frustrating peace efforts; rather, the role of the international community should be to support the Syrian people themselves and Syrian civil society as they struggle to reach an acceptable socio-political settlement – ideally through nonviolent means.
The end of war and the promise of peacebuilding
Bob Baskin, president of the peace alliance, comments on Obama’s recent speech calling for an end to the US’ current state of “perpetual war” against terrorism in favour of limited and specific military campaigns. Baskin welcomes the change in tone from the US administration, and argues that it should go further by stregthening institutional mechanisms for peacebuilding within the US and addressing the root causes of terrorism through positive engagement in the international community.
Why should we know where Saja is?
Why does a small village in Southern Tanzania seem like a hotbed of international intrigue a la Cold War era? Hang on, looks like all the international powers are there only to help.
In this “parable” of international development, Saumava Mitra critically reflects on the strategies of charity givers, technologists, and commercialists, and questions the real impact they have had on the people of Saja.