President-elect Alassane Ouattara has called for a West African intervention force to remove Laurent Gbagbo from power in Ivory Coast. Women face an increased risk of sexual violence in post-quake Haiti, says new Amnesty report. Police kill two protestors and detain opposition leaders in Arusha, T
The Haitian government’s handling of the situation has been spectacularly poor. But the international aid sector's record has also been dismal.
The hope that out of the tragedy of the January 12th earthquake might emerge a chance for better government seems set to be dashed at this Sunday's election. Few Haitians expect change to come from the political class and the public sphere anymore
Calls for calm after riots target UN over cholera. State of emergency declared over post-election violence in Guinea. Attempted 'coup' as Madagascar votes on constitutional referendum. All this and more in today's briefing...
Rights groups call for international probe into violence in Western Sahara. Cholera reaches Port-au-Prince, confirming health workers’ worst fears. Iraqi politicians finally negotiate government after months of deadlock. Former Navy admirals slam decision to scrap Harriers, claiming the move will
UK terrorism strategy fails to take comprehensive approach to threat from Yemen and Somalia. Spike in Haiti cholera cases. New constitution approved by electorate in Niger heralds return to civilian rule. Kenya denies entry to Somali refugees. All this and more in today’s security briefing...
Six months after the catastrophe in Haiti’s capital, the realities of insecurity, displacement and poverty co-exist with opportunities and agents of reconstruction. Johanna Mendelson Forman offers a view from the ground.
Earthquake in Chile causes mass destruction and displacement. Islamist opposition orders the World Food Programme out of Somalia. Colombia’s election race begins as President Uribe denied third term. Northern Liberia under curfew following the outbreak of religious violence. Malaysian peace monito
Military officers take power in Niger. NATO suffers casualties in Afghanistan. The IAEA launches warns of Iranian warhead development. The head of the UN’s humanitarian office criticises relief efforts in Haiti. All this and more in today’s security update.
Israeli government disciplines soldiers responsible for the white phosphorous attack on a UN compound in Gaza. Gaddafi’s bid for AU leadership rejected. Russian police disperse demonstrators. British couple claim ill treatment at hands of Somali captors. Haiti withholds Americans accused of smuggl
The daunting task of post-earthquake reconstruction in Haiti amounts to a long-term challenge in state-building, say Mariano Aguirre & Tone Faret of the Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre.
The existing levels of human insecurity in Haiti make the country’s post-disaster recovery even more difficult. All the more important that the world gets the response right and makes a sustained commitment, says Johanna Mendelson Forman.
