...paraphrase the famous quip during the 1992 US Presidential debates, when an unknown William Jefferson Clinton told then-President George Herbert Walker Bush, “It’s the economy, stupid,” the present concern of the current Washington Administration over Darfur in southern Sudan is not, if we were to look closely, genuine concern over genocide against the peoples in that poorest of poor part of a forsaken section of Africa.No. “It’s the oil, stupid.” Hereby hangs a tale of cynical dimension appropriate to a Washington Administration that has shown no regard for its own genocide in Iraq, when its control over major oil reserves is involved. What’s at stake in the battle for Darfur? Control over oil, lots and lots of oil. The case of Darfur, a forbidding piece of sun-parched real estate in the southern part of Sudan, illustrates the new Cold War over oil, where the dramatic rise in China’s oil demand to fuel its booming growth has led Beijing to embark on an aggressive policy of—ironically-- dollar diplomacy. With its more than $1.3 trillion in mainly US dollar reserves at the Peoples’ National Bank of China, Beijing is engaging in active petroleum geopolitics. Africa is a major focus, and in Africa, the central region between Sudan and Chad is priority. This is defining a major new front in what, since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, is a new Cold War between Washington and Beijing over control of major oil sources. So far Beijing has played its cards a bit more cleverly than Washington....
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...Conflict in South Sudan. South Sudan which is officially known as the ‘Republic of South Sudan’ is a landlocked country in eastern Africa with plains in the north and centre and highlands in the south, along the border with Uganda and Kenya. The White Nile, which flows north through the country is its major geographic feature and it supports agriculture as well as large wild animal populations. South Sudan is bordered by Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. The recent conflict in South Sudan after its independence has sparked up a lot of interest recently in the media. South Sudan came into being because of the struggle of its people and the commitment of international community to the peace agreement with Sudan. Already, the world’s newest country seems to be a failed state before it was born on July 9, 2011, despite its enormous natural resources and the determination of its people. This research therefore seeks to bring to the fore: the formation of South Sudan (history), reasons for its current conflict, as well as UN and AU interventions in the region. History As indicated above, it was actually part of Sudan until its independence. The Egyptians conquered it (Sudan) in 1874 and established the province of Equatoria. In 1885 however, the Islamic Mahdist revolutionaries entered the territory. Fortunately, the British troops who happened to be there helped defeat the invaders and thus took over Sudan in 1898. Britain...
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...Sudan and South Sudan’s Merging Conflicts Africa Report N°223 | 29 January 2015 International Crisis Group Headquarters Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 brussels@crisisgroup.org Table of Contents Executive Summary................................................................................................................... i Recommendations..................................................................................................................... iii I. II. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... South Kordofan – the Epicentre of Sudan’s Conflicts ..................................................... A. The Government’s “Hot Dry Season” Campaign ....................................................... B. The Sudan Revolutionary Front ................................................................................ III. Internal Nuer Conflict in Unity State ............................................................................... A. Historic Disunity ........................................................................................................ B. Bul Nuer Rising .......................................................................................................... 1 2 2 4 7 7 8 IV. Merging Conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan ......................................................
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...Introduction China’s insatiable appetite for natural resources, oils deposits and other raw materials to power its economic engine questing her to emerge as the new superpower, has catalyzed her desire to engage Africa in her Foreign Policy. This has heightened the Chinese desire to geo- strategic reach into Africa as a going global strategy this has been the plan as far back in the 1978 eras of Mao Zedong. China’s objective in the new phase of assertiveness is to maintain strong economic ties in Africa, unlike the previous objective of building a coalition of sharing common goals with Africa as ‘Third World’. This geo-economic factor is influenced by the desire for resources to fuel its economic growth and gain energy security. China in strengthening her diplomatic and political ties sees Africa not just as ally to bid for influence and power, but as a source for natural resources . China has established Confucius Institutes (state-funded Chinese Cultural Centers) that have sprung up throughout Africa, teaching local people the culture and traditions. One wonders if China is positioning itself for taking over supremacy and advancing her Soft Policy in Africa. It is perhaps important to see our languages and cultures going out there too. The China- Africa Cooperation which was aimed at strengthening China’s diplomatic and political ties stared in post colonial Africa. The African plight of political freedom from their colonies, referred to as aggressors according to...
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...Adam Yankelevits Robert Purviance ! ! ! ! ! Table of Contents South Sudan Topic Background Past International Involvement and Attempted Solutions Case Studies 1 | Sudan 2 | China Questions to Consider Works Cited Palestinian Refugees Topic Background Past International Involvement and Attempted Solutions Case Studies 1 | United States 2 | Jordan Questions to Consider Works Cited ! ! 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 ! ! 1 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! South Sudan Topic Background It has been slightly over three years since this fledgling nation seceded from Sudan in July 2011. Now the country is fraught with a major political upheaval, a debilitating famine, a declining economy, and an impending civil war ripe with ethnic tension. The South Sudanese political and social schism erupted after President Salva Kiir began to crackdown on the supporters of his rival, former Vice President Riek Machard. Mr. Machard attempted a coup to overthrow the President shortly after Mr. Kiir dismissed the entirety of his government due to suspicion that they were plotting to overthrow his regime. The conflict boiled over and turned violent between the feuding army factions on December 15th 2013. The political struggle between these two factions quickly escalated into a full-scale ethnic conflict and has created a violent schism within the country. Mr. Kiir identifies with the Dinka ethnic group, South Sudan’s majority, whereas Mr. Machard is a member of the less populous Nuer...
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...major cause and effect of global environmental problems. It is therefore futile to attempt to deal with environmental problems without a broader perspective that encompasses the factors underlying world poverty and international equality” ( United Nations 2009) But, just what exactly is poverty and what is the impact it has on business. For most, the definition of poverty centres on the economic notion of income poverty which is defined by, where there is the non- existence of food, money, housing and clothing. Simplified, poverty is often understood as having insufficient money to provide the basics of everyday life. However poverty is much broader than that and is a concept with “many faces that mirror dimensions of human welfare” (Sudan Institutional Capacity program Food Security Information for Action 2011) At the UN’s World Summit on Social Development, the ‘Copenhagen Declaration’ described poverty as “…a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but on access to social services. When people are unable to eat, go to school, or have any access to health care, then they can be considered to be in poverty, regardless of their income..” (United Nations 2009) Oxfam state that “poverty is not just an economic issue. It is about powerlessness, discrimination, lack of representation and lack of freedom” (Oxfam 2009)...
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...Topic: Establishing a Construction equipment sales and distribution business into the new Republic of south Sudan Commodities : Caterpillar construction and mining equipment Country background Republic of South Sudan is a newly independent state which has been at war for over 30 years until it won independence last year. The country is vast rich in minerals barely has any infrastructure, no roads, electricity but has a big population. The state has been offered a lot if aid to help infrastructure development and I am sure the need for construction and mining equipment is highly needed. Internal environment Planning, Caterpillar will introduce a variety of products by starting with the most needed equipment as per the market assessment report. Earth movers like Bulldozers, Graders and excavators will open the market along drum rollers, loaders and electrical generating appliances. By introducing the earth moving and electrical generating equipment we will focus on road building, construction powering the growing manufacturing sector all primary needs in infrastructure development. Leading, Caterpillar equipment is widely used in the neighboring states but scanty in Sudan because the construction industry is just starting. However we expect that once Caterpillar through its dealership in Juba establishes itself, we will be in position to make a large impact on the market. Our dealership will manage the field marketing implementation while our corporate marketing division...
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...Crisis in Darfur: An Educational Simulation July 10, 2009 U.S. Diplomacy Center Department of State PARTICIPANT BACKGROUND GUIDE INTRODUCTION: “CRISIS IN DARFUR” Whether the murder, rape, pillage, and displacement of tens of thousands in the Darfur region of Sudan is labeled a tragedy, or civil war, or ethnic cleansing, or genocide “in slow motion” 1, the world can’t ignore what is going on in western Sudan. According to the UN, over 2.1 million people are believed to have left their homes, and up to 70,000 have been killed. Other estimates put the death toll higher, up to 400,000. International media has only limited access due to the remoteness and instability in this vast region the size of France. So we don’t see all the day to day details of suffering as we did, for example, in late 1998 in Kosovo. Those images and reports helped trigger UN ultimatums and eventual NATO intervention in 1999. After the Holocaust, the world said “never again” should we stand by and watch while millions are slaughtered. After the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s, after the Rwandan genocide of 1994, and after the mass killings in Srebrenica in Bosnia in 1995, the world also stood by, and then said “never again.” And now we have Darfur. Thus Darfur can be seen as a profound test of the credibility of the international community: the United Nations, the international NGO community, the African Union, and citizens and governments around the world. Is there the will to act in Darfur or will we stand...
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...BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION NAME EUNICE MAKUVIRE REG B1337262 (BLOCK RELEASE) YEAR 1:1 PROGRAM MSc INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FACULTY SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES COURSE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS LECTURER Mr. CHIPAIKE DUE DATE 03 MARCH 2014 QUESTION CHINESE RESOURCE DIPLOMACY IS DETRIMENTAL TO LONG TERM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA.DISCUSS COMMENTS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......................................................................................................................................... Since the Tang Dynasty, Chinese activity in Africa has been seen and has grown exponentially in the past decade. China’s enhanced role within the global economy has profound political implications across the world, but takes a particular form in Africa. Recently, there has been an ongoing move by the Chinese to tap in and secure natural resources in Africa through the Chinese-African trade and diplomatic relations. Though its growing interest in Africa has resulted in huge capital flows into the continent and increased exports of natural resources from Africa, it is the purpose of this paper to determine if this relationship is creating shared prosperity for both countries. It is also vital to outline the contexts of African crisis and Chinese expansionisms. The paper also...
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...South Korea is one of the best cases of foreign aid, which was assisted by the other countries’ foreign aid like the U.S. Owing to foreign aid; South Korea has been able to become a developed country. Recently, South Korea wants to help undeveloped countries which such as Vietnam, Philippine and Myanmar. So, there is constant controversy concerning the foreign aid. Some of critic claims that South Korea gives little foreign aid to other countries. However, they say that South Korea wants to make profit use of foreign aid. Even though many experts support disadvantages of foreign aid, it also has many good ways to help undeveloped countries because it purpose is not profits but relief. Foreign aid can help support to poor countries’ economic system, education system, and medical services and provide food. According to Shah (2004), “Foreign aid, which can be defined as the transfer of money, goods, and services from one country to another, is an important part of the foreign policy” (para.1). The first foreign aid began in the immerse war. In “A Brief History of U. S. Foreign Aid” the author writes that “Foreign aid began in World War II and evolved through reconstruction after that war, through the Cold War, after September 11, and to the present day” (para. 1). Foreign aid has been around since just after the end of the Second World War. Today foreign aid can be given in a number of areas, including developmental, humanitarian, military, disaster relief, and security. Also,...
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...Wesley Davis Whitten English 102 7 March 2012 Global Domination or Justified Accommodation From the end of World War I in 1918 to present day, the United States of America has not proceeded one decade without being involved in some sort of foreign affair. In today’s society, the thoughts of an ongoing war and the immense outreach of the United States government linger in far distance of the American public’s minds. Why is this possible? Is it because Americans do not care for foreign policy and the rest of the world or is it maybe the absence of information provided by the mainstream media? Whether the deficit of media involvement or the lack of interest of many citizens, the United States’ foreign policy is of relevant importance when handling the world and its issue’s. These issues and the toll of repairing them are strenuous on America’s economy. How can we help others when we cannot help ourselves? The United States foreign policy is outreached, overextended and needs to be revised. Since the end of the “Great War” in 1918, the United States has accumulated a great number of military bases around the globe. It seems that the U.S. military posts and maintains military presence in every country it has ever had affiliations with. This occupancy is outdated, unnecessary, and is draining billions of dollars from American taxpayers. “As of 2010, the United States government has spent $700 billion yearly for national defense” (Lutz p. 9). The United States needs to stop...
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...understand why Africa is so important to China. This importance is discussed in more detail against the backdrop of the historical background of these two regions. The following section explains the strategy that China has adapted to trade with Africa and introduces the concept of the “Chinese Model”. This model highlights the driving forces behind China’s strategic decisions and introduces some controversial arguments around some of the methods that China has adopted. An important part of this discussion is the comparison of China’s strategy with that of the West (i.e. regions like the United States of America (USA/US) and the European Union (EU). Some interesting statistics reveal that Africa is attracting significant amounts of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and is most likely to continue doing so. 1. Analyse and Discuss the Extent of Trade between China and Africa since 2000. (Jones S. 2012; Alessi C. 2012; China Daily.Com 2011; African Development Bank 2011; The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 2011) China will overtake the United States of America (USA/US) as the world’s largest trade partner by.2016. (Jones, S. 2012). China is Africa’s...
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...Introduction Nowadays, we live in a world that is converging in a fast-paced as a result of globalization with its active forces—leading to the tremendous rise in global capitalist economy. The demand for energy continue to sky-rocket in this modern world whilst major players in the world today; such as the United States, countries in the European Union and Japan are at alert in the sense that, China, one of the world fastest growing economy has been considered as a new competitor in the competition of securing a long term energy supplies around the globe. As China’s economy is rapidly growing and in other to acquire the needed resources to support its rapid growth, the government have taken a great step in focusing in other part of the world to secure oil which they deemed necessary coupled with other raw materials across the world. The rising economy of China was stated to have grown in an extraordinarily large number of nine (9) per cent per annum in the last twenty five (25) years whereas its consumption of energy has been said to have doubled to the extent that it outstripped the production of domestic energy. (Africa-practice report, 2007, p.2) Significantly, to catch up with the demand of its market, the economic powerhouse has channelled its attention to Africa. A continent widely known for its social and political unrest, though Chinese active involvement in Africa is a necessary mission in other for them to secure new export market for their manufactured goods, there...
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...Ethiopia`s development from famine to economic growth The classic theory of modernization has its origins in the 1950`s, a post-war period which challenged strategists to investigate the problems faced by the underdeveloped countries, in their attempt to provide aid programs and technological assistance and promote long-term economic growth and political stability. Typical traditional societies were analyzed in the processes through which they should develop into modern social structures by following an unidirectional path similar to the ones already tested by the Western societies. Several factors that contribute to the development of a modern society (including technological, economic, social, political, military and cultural innovations) were illustrated in many studies of this theory. The complexity of outcomes was generally overlooked, making necessary more than just the classic theory for a proper analysis of a country`s modernization. Thus, the Harvard Project, the most relevant study on the social and cultural aspects of development, emphasized that an ideal model can`t be defined, as the modern personality corresponds more to a desirable plan of modern society than to the contradictory nature of modern reality. Therefore, I will further seek to determine Ethiopia`s (one of the countries severely affected by famine for the last years) development in its process of modernization. Ethiopia has been plagued by famine going back to the 16th century. While climatic conditions...
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...CQ Researcher Published by CQ Press, a division of Congressional Quarterly Inc. thecqresearcher.com Human Trafficking and Slavery Are the world’s nations doing enough to stamp it out? F rom the villages of Sudan to the factories, sweatshops and brothels of India and South Asia, slavery and human trafficking still flourish. Some 27 million people worldwide are held in some form of slavery, forced prostitution or bonded labor. Some humanitarian groups buy captives’ freedom, but critics say that only encourages slave traders to seize more victims. Meanwhile, nearly a million people Abducted from her village in southern Sudan when she was 6 years old, Akuac Malong was enslaved in northern Sudan until she was freed at age 13. are forcibly trafficked across international borders annually and held in captivity. Even in the United States, thousands of women and children from overseas are forced to become sex workers. Congress recently strengthened the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, but critics say it is still not tough enough, and that certain U.S. allies that harbor traffickers are treated with “kid gloves” for political reasons. I N S I D E THIS ISSUE THE ISSUES ......................275 BACKGROUND ..................282 CHRONOLOGY ..................283 CURRENT SITUATION ..........287 AT ISSUE ..........................289 OUTLOOK ........................291 The CQ Researcher • March 26, 2004 • www.thecqresearcher.com Volume...
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