Ivory Coast to Investiages Gbagbo

After months of intense violence between factions supporting sitting-president Gbagbo and internationally recognized election winner Alassane Ouattara, president Gbagbo was arrested in early April.  Mr. Ouattara announced this week that his administration, which has officially taken power, is beginning to open formal investigations against Mr. Gbagbo for crimes and abuses of power.

Some fighting still continues as forces loyal to President Ouattara mop up pockets of resistance formed by militias still loyal to Mr. Gbagbo.

Nearly 500 Detainees Escape From Afghanni Prison

Four hundred seventy Taliban insurgents who had been captured in Afghanistan escaped from a prison in Kandahar province.  They made their escape via a tunnel dug out of a prison cell.  Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, said that the tunnel was 1,180ft (360m) long and took over five months to dig.  The escape took place over night and friendly  vehicles awaited the escapees at the tunnel's exit.

According to the BBC, this is the second major prison break in  Kandahar in three years.  "In June 2008 a suicide bomber blew open the Kandahar prison gates and destroyed a nearby checkpoint, freeing about 900 prisoners, many of them suspected insurgents."
-BBC World News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13184920

 

Several Hunderd Dead in Nigerian Post-Election Violence

A human-rights group has announced that over five hundred have been left dead in the fighting that has broken out over election results in Nigeria.  Nigeria is split between a predominately Christian south and predominately Muslim north.  When sitting president Goodluck Johnathon, from a southern Christian tribe, defeated the northern Muslim candidate Muhammadu Buhari, many in the north refuted the election with cries of fraud and corruption.  Intense riots broke out throughout the north and there were reprisals from southern Christians as well.

Doctors Tortured in Bahrain; Violence Continues in Syria

 Syrian security forces have continued use live fire on protesters.  Demonstrations have escalated over the following days despite President Assad ending the state of emergency that the country had been operating under for the past several decades.  This act was expected to have dampened the protests, but it seemed to have not been enough of a concession on the government's part.

A civil rights group is alleging that the government of Bahrain is torturing doctors and nurses to get information about protesters who received medical treatment.

Escalating Foreign Involvement in Libya; Seige of Misrata Continues

NATO has begun a new round of air strikes on the Libyan capitol of Tripoli.  The latest strikes are targeting buildings supporting the government's military operations: ammo supply dumps and command and control centers.

United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has announced that the United States will begin to use predator drones, a type of unmanned aerial strike vehicle, in Libya.  They will add more versatility to the NATO peacekeeping mission.

Meanwhile, the battle for Misrata grinds on.  The BBC reports that seven died today , putting the death toll above 1,000 in that city alone.  The opposition forces claim that the Libyan government is using internationally-banned clusterbombs to target both military and civilian targets.  Snipers target opposition members and city residents indiscriminately.

Says the BBC:
"Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim has said that if foreign troops enter Misrata the government would "unleash hell".

"We will be a ball of fire. We will make it 10 times as bad as Iraq," he said, saying the government was arming people in preparation.

Hundreds of foreign workers, Libyans and injured people are being evacuated from Misrata by sea to the rebel-held city of Benghazi in the east."

source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13166441

United States Hopes to Provide Aid to Libyan Opposition

The United States hopes to send $25 million in non-lethal commodities and services in efforts to protect civilians in Libya, said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  The US press secretary said that this aid would primarily consist of radios, body armor, and other devices that would help facilitate communication between the opposition and NATO.

Funding for this plan is pending Congressional approval.

State of Emergency Lifted in Syria

Syria has lifted the state of emergency that the country has been operating under since 1963.  This was one of the demands of the demonstrators.

There have been an estimated 200 dead since the beginning of the protests weeks ago.  Security forces in the third largest city Homs used live ammunition and tear gas to disprse 5,000 demonstrators who were occupying Clock Square yesterday.   

Britain, France to Send Military Advisers to Misrata

The UK announced that is deploying 10 elite military advisers to Libya and that they would be joined by a similar number from France.  These advisers would help train opposition fighters and try to shape the rebels into a coherent fighting force.  This comes after the Arab nation Qatar delivers some preliminary arms shipments to the opposition.  Britain was partially prompted to make this move after aid ships in the port area of Misrata came under threat from Libyan government artillery

This could mark the beginning of an increase in foreign involvement in the Libyan civil war.

Leaders of US, France, and UK Officially Call For Gadhafi's Removal From Power

In a statement authored by American President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozi, and British Prime Minister David Cameron,  the three western leaders outlined a course of action regarding Libya.  Most notable was a line stating that Col. Moammar Gadhafi must be removed from power.

Syrian Pres. Meets With Demonstrators; Possible Iran Connection to Syrian Gov.

The US State Department believes that Iran has been helping the Syrian government put down protests.  This claim was denied by both Iranian and Syrian governments.  The State Department says that Iran may have been helping Syria control crowds of demonstrators and using Facebook to track down the organizers of the demonstrations.

The President Bashar al-Assad of Syria met with protestors today.  There are reports saying that the meetings were positive, but these reports have not been confirmed.  The real test will come tomorrow.  Friday has traditionally been a day of increased protest activity.

Aid Ships Bound for Misrata, Libya Threatened

Aid ships bound for beseiged city of Misrata are feeling threatened by Libyan army's bombardment of the city's port.  The ships are carrying medical supplies and food.

Misrata has been the scene of constant fighting between Gadhafi loyalists and opposition forces.

President Obama Meets with the Emir of Qatar; Qatar to Arm the Opposition in Libya

American President Obama met today with the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar in the White House Oval Office.  Qatar is an important regional ally for the United States and was the first Arab nation to pledge support for the UN sponsored No-Fly Zone over Libya, contributing fighter planes.

 The Emir told CNN that his country will arm the rebels if they ask for it.  Qatar has already provided them with French-made anti-tank weaponry.  The opposition has already asked Qatar for weapons and military training.

Qatar has also recognized the opposition government as the legitimate government of Libya.  He also urged Gadhafi to think of his country first and find a solution that is best for his people.  He cited the examples of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who stepped down from Tunisia's presidency earlier this year and left the country and of President Hosnai Mubarak of Egypt who also stepped down from power but remained in his country.

Opposition Rejects African Union Proposed Cease-Fire

Gadhafi did indeed accept the terms of a cease-fire yesterday, but that plan was rejected by the opposition.  The opposition told the African Union that they were willing to consider any other plans, but only if they lead to Gadhafi leaving power.

There is a military stalemate in Libya currently.  Rebels control Ajdabiya, but the government forces control the important oil center of Brega.  Neither side can advance much further.

Each side has its advantages and disadvantages.  While the government has superior arms, training, commanders, and numbers, their supply lines are extremely vulnerable to NATO air-strikes.  US commanders are wary that outside extremist forces could take advantage of a stalemate situation to sew even greater chaos.

Possible Cease Fire in Libya Looking Likely

A delegation from the African Union met with Moammar Gadhafi today.  The president of South Africa reports that Gadhafi has accepted the terms of a cease fire.  Further negotiation is to follow between the two sides with oversight by a third party.

The opposition remains skeptical of the agreement, however, as Gadhafi has broken multiple "cease-fires" in the past.

Meanwhile, fighting continues.
Pro-Gadhafi forces have shelled Misrata.  Opposition forces maintain that they control the city after fourteen days of fighting, a claim that is countered by the Libyan government.  The city is largely abandoned.  It is the country's third largest city at 300,000 people.

Rebels have retaken Ajdabiya in a the back and forth struggle over the city near the opposition stronghold of Benghazi.

Syria Grants Kurdish Minority Citizenship

 Yesterday, Syria's President Assad granted Syrian nationality to the Kurdish population living in the country.  Until then, the Kurdish minority, who make up roughly 10% of the total population, were denied citizenship.  They are heavily discriminated against by the Arab majority.

This move was prompted when Kurdish joined the protest movement sweeping the nation.  Before last week, they had not been taking part in the demonstrations.  Since taking part, the Kurdish have been very careful to not to appear to be a separate protest movement, but that they are part of one all-encompassing Syrian movement.

Talks of Ivory Coast's Incumbant Pres. Surrendering to Int. Recognized Pres.

On April 5th, reports came in that the Ivory Coast's incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo, who has been using military force to cling to power after November's disputed elections, was ready to begin talks to surrender power.  UN officials said that after days of talks with three generals, they were negotiating the surrender to the internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara.  Abidjan is apparently trying to obtain UN protection for his family and his own person.

The UN has a peace-keeping presence in the nation to protect civilians. 

Hundreds have been killed in a civil war since November, but forces loyal to Mr. Ouattara launched a sudden and overwhelming offensive offensive last week.  Their momentum slowed drastically in Abidjan, the nation's largest city and principal economic center.  In recent days, they were supported from the skies by UN and French helicopter gunships, which targeted Mr. Gbagbo's military.

Later in the day, however, Laurent Gbagbo "speaking by phone from his bunker, he said his military were only negotiating a truce and insisted he had won November's presidential election." (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12981942)

The BBC goes on to report:
"His remarks contrasted with a statement from his spokesman, Ahoua Don Mello, who told Reuters news agency there were "direct negotiations based on African Union recommendations which said Alassane Ouattara is president"."

Source: much of the content of this post was learned from the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk

Ivory Coast links from the BBC:

The announcement of Gbagbo's surrender:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/9448212.stm

Gbagbo's rebuttal:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12981942

Tentative Peace Offer From Gadhaffi to Rebels

A source told CNN today that Saif Gadhafi, son of the Col. Moammar Gadhafi who has ruled Libya for over 40 years, has offered replace his father as leader in a tentative peace offer to the rebels.  The opposition is expected to decline any arrangement that leaves a member of the Gadhafi family in the seat of power.  The regime says that it must be a slow transition, else the country will fall further into chaos.

Moammar Gadhafi refuses to "leave at the point of a gun" and wants to step down on his own terms.  He expressed desire to be remembered "fondly" by history.

Violence on Sunday in Yemen

4/3/11

Violence broke out between Yemeni security forces and anti-government demonstrators.  One person is confirmed dead and there are over 800 wounded.  Security forces used tear gas, but there are unconfirmed reports that they also opened fire on the opposition groups.  Each side blames the other for the outbreak of violence.

4/4/11

The death toll in Yemen is currently at 15 as violence continues into the second day.

New Protests in Egypt; Demonstrations Continue in Southwest Asia

Thousands of protesters have returned to Cairo's Tahrir Square, focal point of the Egyptian revolution.  They are primarily from the youth movement that started the initial revolution.  They are trying to restore energy to the reform movement.  They are demonstrating against a proposed law that would ban protests against the government.  They also want more of a voice in the reform making process, more of the old regime to resign, and for there to be less of an Islamist presence in the legislative committee.

In Jordon, there are efforts being taken to prevent clashes between protesters and police.  As many as 1,000 officer were deployed to the site of demonstrations.

Likewise, tensions between pro and anti-government demonstrators in Yemen are escalating.  Fears of a civil war are growing.  There are hundreds of thousands in each camp.  The military itself is divided, some high ranking elements have defected to the opposition.

Other protests occurred today in Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Bahrain.  There was violence against demonstrators in the latter two nations.

Violence in the Ivory Coast at an All Time High

With all of the action in the north of Africa and in southwestern Asia, I have not mentioned another ongoing violent conflict occurring in the world.  Disputed election results last November caused an outbreak of civil war in African country of the Ivory Coast.  Today this violence reached an all time high with an attack on the opposition leader's home by the internationally recognized president.'

Hundreds have died in the fighting since November.

Failed Cease-Fire Offer in Libya

 The Opposition offered a cease fire to Moammar Gadhafi.  Conditions would include Gadhafi withdrawing his troops and allowing freedom of expression.  The government rejected the cease fire, calling many of its provisions "silly."


Also, Gadhafi's top choice as UN ambassader defected from the regime.

Libyan Aid in Secret Negotiations with British Government

Saif Gadhafi (son of Libya's ruler Colonel Moammar Gadhafi) has sent one of his top aids to London to engage in secret talks with the government there.  The British paper The Guardian reports that this representative was told that Gadhafi would have to leave power and that he and his supporters would be held accountable for the government's actions against the Libyan people.