Global Podd 40. Corona– An African success story
The African continent accounts for 17 percent of the global population, but only 3.5 percent of reported Covid-19 deaths worldwide. What’s more, Africa’s overall infection rate has been dropping steadily over the past two months. What’s behind the continent’s success? What role does music have – and what can Europe and the US learn from …
Press freedom under threat in Ethiopia
The current war in the Ethiopian Tigray province has further highlighted the polarisation in the society with different media taking different sides in the conflict, as well as how media is being used in the propaganda war. A recent report ‘The ethnification of the Ethiopian Media’ by Fojo Media Institute and IMS (International Media Support) documents how …
Covid in Gaza: ”The world is playing with our lives”.
Covid-19 is now spreading at full force on the densely populated Gaza Strip. According to the authorities, it is a catastrophic situation, with a shortage of medical equipment, test opportunities and staff.– The situation is completely out of control, says Gaza resident Lubna Beseisso. Until August this year, the Gaza Strip had surprisingly few cases …
Ethiopia: Can war lead to peace?
An extensive war is currently raging in the Ethiopian Tigray province, with troops from the Ethiopian central government facing troops from the TPLF movement that previously ruled Ethiopia. If Prime Minister Abiy’s federal troops win the war, it could open the way for a more peaceful development in the region, writes Donald Boström. This is …
“Kill her when you see her.” Hind Al-Eryani tells her story
Hind Al-Eryani is a writer and journalist from Yemen. She received the Arab Woman of the Year Award in 2017 in the category of Achievement in Public Awareness and is a member of the Yemenite Women Pact for Peace and Security. She is a well-known peace negotiator, journalist and activist for LGBTQ rights. Because of her …
Landslide victory for CCM in Tanzania – but was it free and fair?
The incumbent President John Magufuli got 84,4 per cent of the valid votes. It is the largest share of the votes a Presidential candidate has got since the multi-party system was introduced in 1994 in Tanzania. The question is how legitimate the election results are, writes Jonas Ewald in this analysis. CCM – Africa’s oldest …
Global Podd #35: Lebanon under pressure
Hezbollah, corruption, devastation. Lebanon is under a lot of pressure – can it rise from the ashes of the explosion that devasted Beirut? Are the present peace talks with Israel just a diversion from the problem with the political elite? How will the next US president impact Lebanon’s future – and what does it take …
Global podd #31. Is International IDEA legitimising hate against Rohingyas?
Global Bar Magazine recently published an interview with Marcus Brand at International IDEA about the controversial election app that is financed by IDEA and the EU in Myanmar. As the article was published in Swedish, we are sharing the original version of the interview in a special episode of Global Podd. Interview with: Marcus Brand, …
China Reshapes the United Nations
Four out of fifteen specialized UN agencies are directed by Chinese nationals. At the same time as China’s influence is growing, the US is gradually withdrawing from the UN system. Is China seeking to metamorphose the United Nations (UN) into an organisation that better suits its hegemonic ambitions? The Diplomat draws attention to the fact …
The UN at 75: Breaking deadlocks in the Security Council
The Security Council is often stuck in its own deadlock, with permanent members putting in their veto. But there is a way forward. The Uniting for Peace mechanism states that in cases where the five permanent members fail to act, the General Assembly can issue appropriate recommendations to UN members for collective measures, including the use of armed forces. This …
