Week 146 (21-27/03/2022)

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The prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, stated that he will send weapons to Ukraine. On Friday (25/03). | Picture: EP

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

An Australian-Iranian jailed in Iran has died (23/03). Eighty-three years old Shokrollah Jebeli died in Evin prison in Tehran after being imprisoned for more than two years and became a subject of torture. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it had tried to help Jebeli, but the Iranian government, who does not recognize dual citizenship, denied Jebeli “consular access”.

At least four people have died from an attack in a shopping center in Beersheba, Israel (23/03). The Shin Bet—Israeli security agency—named Muhammad Galeb Ahmad Abu Alqian, an Israeli Arab who had been arrested for supporting the Islamic State (IS), as the attacker. He was shot dead by a bus driver.

A gunfight at the entrance of Aden Adde International Airport, Somalia, has caused at least eight deaths (23/03). Five of the victims were foreigners, including an African Union soldier. The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group took responsibility for the attack.

Almost 840,000 doses COVID-19 vaccines donated to Kenya through the global COVAX scheme have expired before they could be administered (23/03). Doubts over the vaccines, particularly over the AstraZeneca, contributed to the decline of people who want to get inoculated. Responding to the doubts, Kenyan Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe told people to stop believing in rumors and misinformation surrounding the vaccines as they do not have any scientific evidence.

ASIA 

Reported in Borneo Bulletin (22/03), after visiting India, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Cambodia for talks with the country’s longtime leader, Hun Sen, on Sunday. In the meeting, both leaders made a joint statement condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. In the agreement, Kishida also mentioned his intention to support “the promotion of democracy and the rule of law such as holding elections in a way that reflects diverse voices from Cambodian people”. 

Reported in Eurasianet (22/03), Turkmenistan inaugurated a new president, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, on March 19. In his speech, the new president pledged that Turkmenistan would bolster cooperation with, among other international financial institutions, the International Monetary Fund. He also signaled the government’s intention to buy more modern and advanced weaponry. Berdymukhamedov, the only son of the outgoing president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, got 72.97% of the votes in the early presidential election on March 12. 

Reported in Aljazeera (25/03), recurring economic crisis in Pakistan have prompted a motion of no-confidence on Prime Minister Imran Khan in the parliament. In recent weeks, more 20 legislators deserted Khan, leaving him short of the minimum 172 that he needs for a simple majority in parliament. Meanwhile, the speaker of Pakistan’s parliament has adjourned the motion, provoking opposition accusations he is buying time for Khan to muster support after a spate of defections from his party. The speaker responded that he adjourned the proceedings in order to conform with a longstanding tradition to refrain from carrying out parliamentary business on the first day of a session convened shortly after the death of a member of parliamentary. 

A China Eastern plane carrying 132 passengers crashed into a mountainside in southern China. According to China’s civil aviation authority, all of the passengers and crew members have been confirmed (26/03) dead. The incident has become the deadliest plane crash in nearly 30 years. Authorities are still investigating the case. 

AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA

Starting Tuesday (22/03), Papua New Guinea (PNG) has loosened several COVID-19 regulations. People entering the country using water transportation no longer need a COVID-19 test, but must be fully vaccinated and will be tested upon arrival. While people taking air transportation, international or domestically, must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative test taken within 72 hours before departure.

Thousands of Kiribati residents have no access to clean water (22/03). The NGO ChildFund New Zealand has tried to raise the awareness of contaminated water in Betio, where piped water is only available for a few hours every 2-3 days, for five years by working with the communities. The main source of water in the region is shallow groundwater. However, it faces increasing threats of rising sea levels, high tides, storm surges, and waste contamination.

Australia has finally agreed to New Zealand’s offer to take 150 refugees per year from detention centers in the Pacific (24/03). The initial offer was made by former Prime Minister John Key in 2013 and was extended by his successors Bill English and Jacinda Ardern. Refugees who can be accepted into New Zealand must currently be in Nauru or Australia under regional processing arrangements; meet the requirements for the New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Program; be referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); and have not resettled to other countries. This offer reflects New Zealand’s close relationship with Australia. Meanwhile, spokesman for human rights and refugees, Golriz Ghahraman, said New Zealand’s refugee quota had not been filled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Solomon Islands confirms a security partnership with China (25/03). The purpose of the security agreement is to create a more secure and comfortable environment for both local and foreign residents. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand said the Solomon Islands partnership with China would be a breakthrough that is considered a “backyard” where it can disrupt the institutions and arrangements that currently support the security of the Pacific region.

EUROPE

Despite pursuing neutrality, Moldova submitted a bid to join the European Union (EU) over fear of Russia (24/03). The application was submitted together with Georgia and Ukraine’s. Moldova turns to the EU for humanitarian support as it prepares the influx of Ukrainian refugees. However, the Moldovan government mainly refuses direct involvement in military alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Bulgaria has finally terminated the controversial “golden passports” scheme (24/03). The scheme allowed foreigners to acquire residency when they invested a minimum of EUR 500,000 and citizenship at EUR 1 million. Most of the beneficiaries came from Russia, China, and the Middle East. The decision was taken after the European Parliament condemned the scheme amid the Western sanctions on Russian oligarchs. Cyprus and Malta have also been called to end their “golden passports” and “golden visas” schemes.

Amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the EU plans to constrain its dependence on Russian fossil fuels by making an agreement with the United States (US) to supply the bloc with liquefied natural gas (LNG) (25/03). Despite this, EU countries are still divided on whether to sanction Russian oil and gas directly. Latvia and Poland agree to sanction Russia, in contrast with Germany and Hungary who argue that oil embargo could cause economic damage. Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain propose energy price caps and decoupling the price of electricity and gas.

The United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and the US imposed fresh sanctions on Myanmar (26/03). The sanctions are mainly targeting the senior military officials. The announcement of the new sanctions came at the same week that the US ruled Myanmar’s 2017 crackdown on Muslim Rohingya as genocide.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Petroecuador, Ecuador’s state oil company, declared force majeure on diesel cargo from Russia. As reported on Thursday (24/03), The company was unable to provide funding for diesel imports due to US sanctions. Ecuador's energy needs are greater than its demand, which means it will result in scarcity and an increase in prices.

Brazil lifted its ban on Telegram after just two days. On Sunday (20/03), the social media platform agreed to several anti-disinformation measures. Some of these measures will limit users and the spread of content that is considered a hoax.

A member of the British Royal Family, Prince William, expressed his profound sorrow for the slavery that took place in Jamaica. However, Prince William has not yet issued a formal apology from the British. On Wednesday (23/03), Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, said his country was trying to become completely independent and free.

Mexico’s president, Manuel Obrador, inaugurated Filipe Angeles International Airport on Monday (21/03). The airport was intended to reduce congestion in the Mexico City hub. The airport construction drew criticism from business groups whose airport construction was canceled by Obrador before he took office.

THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

The US announced it would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees on Thursday (24/03). Vulnerable people including journalists, people in need of treatment, and LGBT groups will be prioritized. The funding for the refugees reached USD 1 billion.

Demonstrations against climate change were held in various cities in Canada on Friday (25/03). The demonstrators demanded the Government to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Furthermore, the demonstrators also urged the protection of indigenous communities.

The prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, stated that he will send weapons to Ukraine. On Friday (25/03), Trudeau said he would prioritize defense procurement for Ukraine. However, Trudeau has not commented much on Canada's defense budget this year.

The US and Canada imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military junta leader on Saturday (26/03).  These sanctions are due to the violence and brutality that has occurred since the coup in 2021. There is also a discussion to expand the sanctions to gas revenue and aviation fuel.