Africa – Page 2 – The Diplomatic Envoy

Tigray Conflict Escalates Amid New Offensive and Famine Warnings

October 27, 2021October 26, 2021 Jarrett Dang 0 Comments Conflict, Ethiopia, Humanitarian Crisis, Tigray

Ethiopian troops have launched a new offensive to regain control of the restive Tigray region from ethnic separatists. According to The New York Times, the October offensive comes as a result of months of planning and has seen the use of airstrikes and foreign-made drones made in China, Iran, and Turkey. Government forces are also enlisting the help of anti-Tigrayan militias, although troops from neighboring Eritrea are currently uninvolved.

Africa International News

Protests Erupt After Tunisia’s President Suspends Constitution

October 5, 2021October 4, 2021 Hamzah Khan 0 Comments Africa, Constitutional Crisis, Political Crisis, Tunisia

On September 22, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced that he would suspend parts of the country’s constitution and rule by executive decree, according to The Guardian. Tunisian news site Nawaat reports that days after the President announced the suspension, thousands of Tunisians protested in downtown Tunis, calling his actions a coup and unconstitutional.

Africa International News

Guinean Military Forces Stage Coup D’etat

September 14, 2021September 29, 2021 Sergei C. Valenzuela 0 Comments Africa, Guinea, military coup, Political Instability, Protests

Guinean soldiers have seized control of the West African country in an apparent coup d’etat. Special forces led by Mamaday Boumdouya arrived in Conakry, the country’s capital, on September 5, to overthrow and arrest now-deposed President Alpha Conde.

Africa International News

Humanitarian Aid Blockades in Tigray Worsen Fragile Conditions

September 13, 2021September 12, 2021 nokranez 0 Comments Africa, Conflict, Ethiopia, Humanitarian Crisis, Tigray

Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis has wreaked havoc on the nation, and new reports suggest that the conflict will only continue to get worse in the coming months. BBC News says that fighting between government and Tigray forces has led to roadblocks on key transport routes, resulting in a humanitarian aid blockade and rendering aid distribution to the region nearly impossible.

2021 Africa International News May 2021

Chad President Idriss Déby Killed by Rebel Group

May 3, 2021January 27, 2022 Joseph MacKenna 0 Comments Africa, AU, Chad, Death, President, Protests

The newly re-elected president of Chad, Idriss Déby, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, April 20, after being attacked by Front for Change and Concord rebels (otherwise known as FACT). Déby, who was 68 years old, was visiting the front lines when he was shot. The details of the events leading up to Déby’s death are uncertain, with the Chadian Military and FACT stating different timelines leading up to the incident. CNN reports that FACT troops had overrun a military garrison, and Déby was shot while fleeing. The Chadian government has denied these claims.

2021 Africa Americas April 2021 Campus Spotlight School of Diplomacy News

National Security Fellows from the School of Diplomacy Brief the National Security Council

April 27, 2021April 26, 2021 Lylian Pagan 0 Comments fellowship, graduate, Interview, National Security, U.S.

A group of 11 graduate students recently presented their research findings to the National Security Council under the guidance and advisement of Professor Mohamad Mirghahari, a Tom and Ruth Sharkey Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the School of Diplomacy. Professor Mirghahari is a former Presidential Appointee under the Obama Administration who served as a senior advisor to the chief of staff for the Transportation Security Administration. Prior to that, he spent 14 years working at the Department of Defense and is a recipient of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Award for Excellence.

2021 Africa April 2021 Focus Separatist Movements

FOCUS on Separatist Movements: Western Sahara

April 27, 2021November 11, 2021 Chimdi Chukwukere 0 Comments Polisario, saharawis, self-determination, separatism, Spain

Following its establishment in 1945, the United Nations adopted a central commitment to the right to self-determination and decolonization of all non-self-governing territories. General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), adopted in 1960, called for the “respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of all peoples” and declared that “all people have the right to self-determination by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” It is on this basis that Western Saharans continue to push for their right to self-determination and independence from Morocco.

2021 Africa April 2021 International News

1800 Inmates Escape Nigerian Prison Break

April 27, 2021November 11, 2021 Kristen McGuire 0 Comments Africa, Nigeria, Prison Escape, Terrorism

In the early hours of April 5, gunmen attacked the Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo State, a region in Southeast Nigeria, freeing over 1800 inmates, according to BBC News. The New York Times explains that the attack on the prison was just one of a series of attacks against several police and military facilities that have taken place since late February.

2021 Africa Americas April 2021 Asia Opinion World

Vaccinating Low-Income States is About More than Public Health

April 27, 2021September 21, 2021 Collin Duran 0 Comments COVAX, COVID-19, low-income, vaccinations

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted nearly every aspect of global society, making the emergence of several vaccines a welcome development. The United States, along with the European Union, has prioritized the purchasing and distribution of vaccines since early December 2020.

2021 Africa International News March 2021

Tanzania President John Magufuli Dead at 61; Samia Suluhu Hassan Becomes Country’s First Female President

March 30, 2021March 29, 2021 Chimdi Chukwukere 0 Comments Africa, COVID-10, Death, presidency, Tanzania

Tanzania’s former Vice President was sworn in as the East African country’s first female President after the death of John Magufuli, reports Al Jazeera. This comes days after the then-former Vice President announced on state television that President John Magufuli, aged 61, died of heart failure at Mzena hospital in Dar es Salaam.