Week #22 (04-10/11/2019)
“Rama Returns to Ayodhya” by Sahib Din. A religious site in the town of Ayodhya, India has been a subject of dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities. Recently, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Hindu temple to be built on the site. | Picture: Sahib Din
AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national petroleum and natural gas company, has confirmed (04/11) its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and will list the company on Tadawul or Saudi Stock Exchange in December. If the IPO achieves a valuation of $1.5 trillion, it could be the world’s largest, surpassing Apple and Microsoft. However, analysts predicted that Saudi’s tense relationship with Iran, lack of transparency of the IPO, plummeted oil prices, and security issues could discourage investors.
The Saudi King Salman, welcomed (07/11) the director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Gina Haspel, in Riyadh. Both of them met after the U.S. sentenced three people, including two Saudis, for trying to reveal the identity of Twitter users who were criticizing Saudi’s royal family. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington has been strained following the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. The CIA linked the murder to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—an accusation denied by Riyadh.
Recent violence in Ethiopia has left at least 86 people dead. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed gave (04/11) his statements regarding the issue in his first public appearance since the riots broke out. In his statements, Ahmed disclosed the victims’ sex, ethnic, and religion. He reasoned, “[There was] no ethnic, gender, or religious group that does not kill when there is a problem [violence].” The riots broke out after Jawar Mohammed—Oromo ethnic group’s activist—accused the government of threatening his life.
Riot police and judges clashed (05/11) in Oran, Algeria, after protesting judges interrupted their pro-government colleagues’ swearing-in session. The justice ministry’s unprecedented mass reshuffle in October has affected thousands of Algerian judges, leading the judges to call for the judiciary independence. Despite the removal of longtime Algerian leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April and having presidential election scheduled on December 12, protesters are still demanding the political reform.
Iran resumed (07/11) uranium enrichment at the Fordow plant—a fourth move away from the 2015 nuclear deal. Russia, France, Britain, and Germany expressed their concerns following the announcement and demanded Iran to “abide by its obligations”. Iran, who has always denied that their nuclear program carries military dimension, said that the uranium enrichment took place under the International Atomic Energy Agency’s supervision.
The International Criminal Court has sentenced (07/11) Bosco Ntaganda of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 30 years in prison. A former military leader, Ntaganda was found guilty of murder, rape, and recruitment of child soldiers during the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militia in 2002-2003. Ntaganda’s boss and founder of UPC, Thomas Lubanga, was already put on trial and is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence.
A convoy transporting workers of Semafo—a Canadian gold mining company—was ambushed (07/11) by gunmen in eastern Burkina Faso, leaving 37 civilians killed and over 60 wounded. The death toll is expected to rise as there are many people who have not been accounted yet. The ambush is believed to have a link with jihadist movement originated in Burkina Faso’s northern neighbour, Mali. Although Semafo has suffered from attacks in the past year, the company is still operating in Burkina Faso and decided to transport its expatriate workers by helicopter.
ASIA
The 35th ASEAN Summit, which lasted five days (31/10-04/11), was concluded with some notes. India’s decision to opt out from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a regional free-trade agreement, forced the remaining 15 countries (ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand) to hold the signing at least until 2020 under Vietnam’s chairmanship in ASEAN. Another event that marked the summit was the U.S. that sent a relatively modest delegation, headed by U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien. In a subtle response, only three ASEAN countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos) sent heads of government to ASEAN-U.S. summit, whilst the rest were represented by their foreign ministers. Regarding key challenges, the summit has addressed special concerns on Rohingya crisis as well as the U.S.-China trade war.
As Japan-South Korea relations remain tense, China said (04/11) during the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit that they planned to hold a trilateral meeting in Chengdu next month in an attempt to create regional peace and stability. Observers said the Chengdu meeting will be “little more than symbolic” and that Beijing has little chance to settle the dispute, albeit it could at least signal the improvement in relations between China and Japan. In the same day in Bangkok Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have agreed to resolve their diplomatic issues. The trilateral summit, set to be hosted annually, has long been suspended due to territorial and historical disputes among the three countries.
Public unrest in Hong Kong intensified after a student protester, who was hospitalized for high-fall injuries on Monday (04/11), died on Friday (08/11). The death has sparked impromptu protests and vigils on Saturday from anti-government protesters (09/11). On the same day, seven lawmakers were either detained or faced arrest for “obstructing a May meeting of the local assembly” and are due to appear in court on Monday (11/11). A pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan opined that the government is trying to escalate public anger to cancel or postpone the upcoming district council election set to be held on November 24. Similar to previous weeks, the anti-government protests, which have entered its 24th week, are still rampant with vandalism—targeting mainly what perceived to be pro-Beijing businesses—and police firing tear gas to disperse protesters. Earlier on Wednesday (06/11) Junius Ho, a pro-Beijing lawmaker who is accused of helping to organize attacks on civilians in Yuen Long station, was stabbed by a man pretending to be his supporter.
Three Afghan judges and a court staffer were killed (07/11) in Afghanistan after Taliban militants, who fought to overthrow the foreign-backed Afghan government, ambushed their car. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, said he was not aware of the attack but would check local commanders. The attack was followed (09/11) by a Taliban insurgent’s suicide car bomb blast at an Afghan military camp that killed the militant, a security force member, and wounded three other members. On Sunday (10/11), Waisuddin, the local commander who was involved in the judges murder, was killed in an airstrike conducted by Afghan forces. Meanwhile, in an ABC interview broadcast (10/11), U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, predicted that the 14.000s American troops in Afghanistan will remain there “for several more years” because the mission to prevent the terrorists from attacking the US and other countries “is not yet complete”.
India’s Supreme Court has ruled (09/11) in favor of a Hindu temple to be built on a disputed religious ground in the town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The site has been a subject of dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities. The Hindu maintained that the site is the birthplace of the god Ram and that the Muslims has destroyed a temple dedicated to Ram and built a mosque on it. In 1992, Hindu hardliners destroyed the mosque, inciting Hindu-Muslim violence with some 2,000 casualties. The judge has also ordered that as “restitution for the unlawful destruction of the mosque”, 5 acres (2 hectares) of alternate land will be given to the Muslims to build a mosque. A key Muslim body in the region said they are not satisfied with the verdict.
AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA
Tensions occurred between Australia and China after the former criticized Beijing’s human rights record and suspected China of interfering the Australia’s political system. Yet, Scott Morrison, the prime minister of Australia, denied (04/11) that such diplomatic tension has undermined the two countries’ economic bonds. Morrison also reassured that there have never been intentions for both countries to adopt each other’s system as they are “two very different countries”. On the same note, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has released an official statement regarding the meeting of these pair, stating that differences may happen frequently, but it does not have to hamper the will of cooperation.
Craig Peacock, former Western Australia (WA) trade commissioner to Japan, is set to spurt of the criminal charges while repaying the AUD 540,000 rort (04/11). Peacock has illegally rorted the tax-payer allowance in actions of forging the official documents, misappropriating fees, tax evasion, and double dipping. Late last week, WA police stated that they would not be able to charge Peacock as he was misusing the money while in Japan and not in Australia. However, the police later issued an apology, saying, “That was an error and WA Police Force apologizes for this. There are complexities with jurisdictional issues which WA Police Force is working through with the State Solicitor’s Office.” Attorney-General John Quigley confirmed that the police would not continue the case without “formal legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions Amanda Forrester or the State Solicitor Nicholas Egan”.
Legal triumph in tackling the climate change was finally achieved as New Zealand passed its zero-carbon bill (07/11) with 119 votes to one. Reducing to “net-zero target for almost total green house emissions by 2050” is the primary goal that lies within the zero carbon bill (08/11). Environmental urgency has brought the government to plant a billion trees in 10 years and to fully use the renewable energy in running the nation’s electricity by 2035. After the bill was passed, Prime Minister Jacinda Arden claimed that New Zealand is on the “right side of the history”. Whereas Kevin Hague of Forest & Bird said the bill was only “a first step” and demanded more convincingly concrete climate actions.
After Samoa and Tonga, Fiji has become the third Pacific country to declare (08/11) a measles outbreak. The country’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services announced on Thursday (07/11) that the measles outbreak has affected the lives of Serua/Namosi subdivision, with two confirmed cases and two suspected cases found in Wailali Settlement in Wainadoi. From the four cases, one person is under the hospital’s treatment, whereas the other three have recovered or are doing so at home. The ministry advises members of public to actively participate in preventing the outbreak to spread and promptly ask for further assistance should they have the measles symptoms.
EUROPE
Poland’s the Law and Justice Party (PiS)-led government suffered another blow after the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) ruled (05/11) that the country has broken EU law with changing judges’ retirement ages. The retirement age for both male and female judges and prosecutors used to be 67. But in 2017, the conservative PiS government cut the retirement age to 65 for men and 60 for women. PiS argued that the move was necessary to fight corruption and that they have applied “positive discrimination”—an argument that was rejected by the Luxembourg-based court. Reported by BBC, the Polish government “could be forced to reverse some key elements of its judicial reform” as a consequence of breaking EU law.
The far-right Vox party is predicted (06/11) to soar into third place in Spain’s fourth general election on Sunday after it benefits from the Catalan independence protests. Rightwing Spanish parties are attacking caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE) for his approach in dealing with the Catalan protests. On Monday night’s debate (04/11), Pablo Casado of the conservative People’s Party (PP) accused Sánchez “does not believe in the Spanish nation” following his soft handling of the events in Catalonia, which was referred as “a permanent coup d’état” by Vox’s Santiago Abascal. Abascal himself was placed (06/11) as the winner of the debate by several Spanish newspapers. Even if Abascal did not win Sunday’s election, his participation in the debate has given him more boosts over his opponents.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, was criticized (07/11) for his controversial comment on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In his interview with The Economist, Macron stated, “What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO. You have no coordination whatsoever of strategic decision-making between the United Statesand its NATO allies. None. You have an uncoordinated aggressive action by another NATO ally, Turkey, in an area where our interests are at stake.” Speaking from Berlin, Germany (07/11), NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized the importance of Germany’s role in NATO, whilst condemning Macron’s comment. Stoltenberg warned that distancing Europe from its American ally would only “divide Europe”.
Threats against Italy’s Holocaust survivor and senator for life, Liliana Segre, have escalated (07/11) after the government passed her proposal to end racism and anti-Semitism, prompting police to give her an escort. Segre is one of the only 25 out of 776 Italian children who survived the concentration camp and has devoted her life to educate people about Holocaust. Her outspokenness provokes threats from the far-right extremists, whilst the far-right parties The League and Brothers of Italy refused to support her proposal.
In return for supporting a minority Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon demanded (08/11) Labour to back independence referendum. Responding to Sturgeon’s demands, the Conservatives’ Michael Gove said, “That would mean there would be two referendums next year—on Europe, and one on Scotland’s independence. It’s the last thing this country [the United Kingdom] needs.” In addition to independence referendum, Sturgeon also seeks for greater powers for the Scottish Parliament, an end to austerity, the devolution of powers over immigration, employment, and drug laws, as well as the freedom for Scottish people to “deciding our own future”. Furthermore, Sturgeon plans to propose a bill that protects National Health Service (NHS) from being a “bargaining chip in trade talks”. The third largest party in the House of Commons, Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party (SNP) holds the balance of power should no one wins an outright majority in December’s election.
As Germany celebrated the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Saturday (09/11), Chancellor Angela Merkel declared, “I remember those who were killed at this wall because they were seeking liberty. We want to ensure that no wall will separate people ever again. The Berlin Wall is history. Which teaches us this: No wall that segregates people and limits freedom is so high or so wide that it cant be broken through.” The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. The official ceremonies took place at the Brandenburg Gate and Bernauer Strasse, led by Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and was attended by Polish, Hungarian, Slovakian, and Czech leaders. Other world leaders including European Union (EU) Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, French President Emmanuel Macron, and American President Donald Trump also shared their memories and reflections of the Wall in their social media.
Despite having to face a runoff on November 24 after winning the ballot with 40% votes, Romania’s President KlauIohannis is still expected (10/11) to win his second term. An anti-corruption policymaker, Iohannis was praised by the West for his commitment to the rule of law. Supported by Prime Minister Ludovic Orban’s liberal minority government, Iohannis will have an opportunity to appoint chief prosecutors “willing to tackle endemic corruption” should he get reelected.
LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
“Dia de Muertas” or “Day of the Dead Women”protest highlighted the “Day of the Dead” celebrations in Mexico (04/11) as protesters demanding justice and an end to violence against women. Femicide, defined as “the murder of a woman because of her gender”, is a common practice in Latin America, with the United Nations (U.N.) predicted 12 women were killed daily in the region. Protesters in Mexico City carried more than 100 purple crosses with names of missing or murdered women. This action was praised by the Deputy Head of the U.N. Amina Mohammed.
Concern about the oil spill in Brazil intensifies as more than 4000 tons of crude oil residue (04/11) has been contaminating the country’s ecological marine since late August. Rodrigo Leão Moura, a marine scientist who is monitoring the calamity, stated the oil is still approaching, and despite not yet knowing how much the oil will land or what ecosystem will be affected, he is sure that the result could be tragic. As the oil has reached the Abrolhos Bank’s northern border, scientists grow more wary. Abrolhos Marine National Park is an extremely sensitive place, serves as the home of some Brazil’s renowned marine species, namely Brazilian brain coral (Mussismiliabraziliensis) and blue parrotfish (Scarustrispinosus), as well as sanctuary for seabirds and humpback whales. The environment has suffered from climate change and may deteriorate more from to the oil spill.
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been set out of jail (09/11) and was greeted by his family and supporters right outside the prison. Sentenced to 12-year prison time over corruption and money laundering, Lula—as he is widely known—has only served a year and a half behind bars before finally being released on Friday (08/11). A day before his release, the Supreme Court reversed the previous decision that has put powerful politicians and business leaders in jail, allowing Lula to be free until he has “exhausted all appeals”. Lula, declared enemy of current Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, still cannot run for office under electoral law. However, his release is expected to vitalize his Workers’ Party and Bolsonaro’s opposition.
Patricia Arce, the mayor of small town Vinto, Bolivia, was dragged (07/11) by the anti-government protesters and had her hair cut and body painted red. Arce was accused of transporting President Evo Morales’ supporters to stop the protesters, as well as blamed for the reported deaths. In other Bolivian cities, police have joined (09/11) the anti-government protests and some uniformed officers could be seen demanding Morales to be out of the office so that Bolivia would not be turned into a dictatorship. Morales called for new elections on Sunday (10/11) after the Organization of American States (OAS) found “serious irregularities” in the last election’s results. Opposition Luis Fernando Camacho rejected Morales’ offer, reasoning that it was too late and that OAS’ findings only reinforced the reasons why Morales should resign.
Many Haitians seeking for medical care can be seen lining as a U.S. Navy ship docked in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (09/11). The floating hospital raised Haitians’ hope of getting medical treatments after ongoing protests against President Jovenel Moïse forced some of the country’s hospitals to temporarily close. Some of those awaiting free medical treatments have spent a lot of money and time, hoping they will get a chance to meet the doctors whilst grunting over their own deteriorating health. The ship, called the USNS Comfort, is in a five-month medical mission and is making its last stop in Haiti after visiting Central and South America, as well as other Caribbean islands. The healthcare program runs in Haiti from November 4 to 12, treating people ranging from diabetic issues to chronic illnesses.
THE UNITED STATES (U.S.) & CANADA
Representing the United States (U.S.) for the U.S.–ASEAN Summit in Bangkok (04/11), the National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien has profoundly condemned the Chinese government for intimidating smaller Southeast Asian nations whilst powerfully controlling the South China Sea. O’Brien came to a realization that China has been blocking access to the total of $2.5 trillion oil and gas reserves in the conflicted zone—a tactic that is against “the rules of respect, fairness, and national law”. Responding to O’Brien, China stated that it is still keen to “maintain and uphold long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea”. Just as China tried to get closer to South Asian nations, O’Brien read President Donald Trump’s invitation to ASEAN leaders to “join me in the United States for a special summit, meeting at a time of mutual convenience in the first quarter of 2020”.
The evacuation orders for the Kincade Fire in Northern California have been lifted by the Californian authorities (04/11). Firefighters confirmed (07/11) that the fire has been 100% contained by late Wednesday. The cause behind the Kincade Fire has yet to be determined but it was assumed to have linked to the electrical lines. The fire destroyed 174 homes and 11 commercial buildings. In Southern California (04/11),the firefighters have reportedly contained 70% of the Tick fire that burns down the dry bush and timber. The blaze damaged at least 35 houses whilst destroying 175 houses and three buildings. The electricity shutdown done by Southern California Edison along with other utilities last week was to prevent high wind to spark fires out of the power lines.
The public hearing for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry has come into existence (08/11). The U.S. top officials such as William Taylor, George Kent, and Marie Yovanovitch are scheduled for public hearing on different dates next week. The above three names have been through private interviews (09/11) where Taylor reportedly admitted that there was“quid pro quo”between the U.S. and Ukraine. Meanwhile, a transcript showed that former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Yovanovitch, was frightened after Trump described her as “bad news” to his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The anxiety felt by Yovanovitch somehow being justified by the statement of George Kent as he recognized Rudy Giuliani—Trump’s personal lawyer—as the main actor behind numerous false information regarding the former ambassador.
Canadian Professor John Durrant was left surprised (10/11) after he was invited as guest of honor on Russia’s Day of National Unity in the grand Georgievsky Hall and seated next to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The award was given to Durrant for the decade of service as Russia’s honorary consul at Memorial University in St. John’s. In his thank you speech, Durrant pledged to “work tirelessly” in establishing understanding between the people of Canada and Russia.
Stacie Gradiola Oley, Research Intern at INADIS’ Unit of International Political Economy, contributed valuable writing for this brief.