Feb 10, 2015 | Africa, Defense, Diplomacy, Human rights, Passage au crible (English), Security, Terrorism
By Philippe Hugon Translation: Lawrence Myers Passage au crible n° 124 Source: Wikimedia The 24th Summit of the AU (African Union) was held in Addis Ababa from January 21-28, 2015. The major issues were related to the “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”. The question of the Ebola epidemic was addressed with a request for cancellation of debt up to 3 billion US dollars for the three countries concerned: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Peace and Security Council was held on January 29 with 15 heads of state in attendance, but without the Nigerian President, Good Luck Jonathan. On the authority’s agenda was the fight against terrorism, particularly targeting Boko Haram. Appealing to UN financing, a multinational force of 7,500 was proposed. However, the highlight was the designation of the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, as the new president of the African Union. At 90 years old, this autocrat in power for 35 years, hero of the fight against Apartheid, increased criticism of the West. His election symbolizes the contradiction of African countries expressing an anti-western Pan-Africanism, despite member states’ inability to deal autonomously with questions related to peace and security or to solve the problem of epidemics. It also testifies to the constancy of gerontocrats, presidents for life, in the face of the African youth seeking their place in the political game and which, in so doing, opposes constitutional manipulations. > Historical background > Theoretical framework > Analysis > References Historical background The African Union reinforced the political integration of Africa by implementing the NEPAD (The New Partnership for the Development of Africa) and the transformation in...
Nov 15, 2014 | Africa, Diplomacy, Passage au crible (English), Security
By Philippe Hugon
Translation: Lawrence Myers
Passage au crible n°117
At the end of October 2014, in Burkina Faso, youth movements led to the departure of the president for life Blaise Compaoré, in power since 1987…
Dec 20, 2011 | Diplomacy, Passage au crible (English), Security
By Josepha Laroche
Translation: Davina Durgana
Passage au crible n°51
On December 16th, 2011 American soldier Bradley Manning appeared before the military court in Fort Meade, Maryland. He was suspected of having provided Wikileaks between November 2009 and May 2010 American army…
Apr 26, 2011 | Diplomacy, International migrations, North-South, Passage au crible (English)
By Catherine Wihtol de Wenden
Translation: Davina Durgana
Passage n°38
The meeting on Tuesday, April 26th 2011 between Nicolas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi was held on the control of consecutive migrations of Arab revolutions; France has announced…
Apr 1, 2011 | China, Diplomacy, Passage au crible (English)
By Jenna Rimasson
Translation: Melissa Okabe
Passage au crible n°36
On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale, the epicenter of which was located in the Pacific Ocean. These tremors…