Landmarks in the Historical Development of Human Rights Theory: A Synoptic View
This essay touches on conceptual debates around theories of human rights, particularly as they apply to language and universality, before presenting a narration of philosophical development towards the contemporary understanding of human rights through Greek and Roman thought, Mediaeval Europe, liberal and revolutionary individualism, and the creation of the UN system after WWII.
Interview with Mary King
ASHOK PATNAIK, a journalist working mostly on the Indian sub-continent, questions Professor Mary King, peace activist, academic, authority on non-violence and author of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr: The Power of Nonviolent Action, which is about to be reissued in India and elsewhere. Professor Mary King is currently professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at UPEACE where, amongst other duties, she advises the Rector on the development of the Africa programme.
Genocide in Rwanda: Draft Case Study for Teaching Ethics and International Affairs
This case aims to use the genocide of 1994 in Rwanda to help students appreciate what may be the roots and common causes of genocides. It is written in the suspicion that there may be some sort of “recipe” that can be followed by political elites bent on the extermination of a group. This article was originally published on http://www.ciaonet.org/isa/wrs01/
Conflict, Climate Change, and Water Security in Sub-Saharan Africa
The paper is a review of literature on conflict, climate change and water security on Sub-Saharan Africa. It identifies poverty as a threat in Sub-Saharan African countries that may have effect on its water security. It analyses in Sub-Saharan Africa region, the conflict trend of water security in correlation with climate change impacts. It advocates sustainable water management as the ameliorative and mitigation approaches to the negative effects of climate change on water security in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The “Other” Occupy
Victoria Fontan reports from Occupy Fallujah.
Somalia and the Slippery Slope of Jubbaland
Abukar Arman discusses the political crisis in Jubbaland in terms of the Somalian government’s reaction, the potential of the crisis to trigger further unrest, and the complicating role of kenyan and Ethiopian troops.
Setback for Boko Haram ceasefire agreement
Nine women taking part in a polio vaccine program and three North Korean doctors working in a Yobe state hospital have been killed in northeastern Nigera. Lawal Tsalha comments on the implications of these latest killings for the fragile ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram.
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.
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.
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.