The Pirates of West Africa

Piracy has become a problem in West Africa.  It now has more piracy incidents than the coast of Somalia. About 960 sailors were attacked in West Africa in 2012, compared to 851 off the Somali coast, according tothe International Maritime Bureau (IMB).  In  2012, there were 32 reported incidents, where as there was 25 in 2011.  Piracy cost West Africa up to $950 million last year.

While West African pirates mostly steal fuel cargo and the crews' possessions, often resorting to extreme violence, Somali pirates usually seize a ship and its crew and hold them until a ransom is paid.  Most of the piracy is thought to have been fueled by Nigerian criminals who loot the oil off of the Nigerian delta.    In 2012, the Guardian reported:

There are concerns that piracy in and around Nigeria could engulf the entire west African coastal region – known as the Gulf of Guinea – an increasingly busy maritime region and a major thoroughfare for valuable commodities such as oil, gold, bauxite and iron ore, and agricultural products.

Indeed, this week, fears of just that have led Western African leaders to convene on the issue.  They have called for the deployment of an international naval force to curb the growing threat of piracy off the Gulf of Guinea.

The success against Somali pirates offer some hope for West Africa. In November 2008, Somali pirates began hijacking ships well outside the Gulf of Aden. The frequency and sophistication of the attacks also increased around this time, as did the size of vessels being targeted.   Between 2005 and 2012, more than 3,740 crew members from 125 countries fell prey to Somali pirates, and as many as 97 died,  but piracy in Somalia is at a six year low.  Attempted hijackings fell from 237 in 2011 to 75 in 2012, with successful attacks plummeting from 28 in 2011 to 14 in 2012.  

How did the international community address the piracy issue in Somalia? 

• Established an international naval force:  Combined Task Force 150, a multinational coalition task force, subsequently took on the role of fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia by establishing a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) within the Gulf of Aden. 
• However, many foreign naval vessels chasing pirates were forced to break off when the pirates entered Somali territorial waters.  As a result, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a declaration authorizing nations that have the consent of the Transitional Federal Government to enter Somali territorial waters to deal with pirates
• Merchant ships drastically increased their armed security 
• The development of special anti-piracy courts around the world 
• The World Bank recommends rebuilding the country. 

Renewed conflict in Mozambique?

Since independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique has been battered by civil war.  After 16 years of civil war, the two main forces (RENAMO supported by Rhodesia and South Africa and FRELIMO) forged a peace deal in 1992.  About a million people died in the civil war and millions more fled abroad or to other parts of the country.

The initial Nkomati Accord of 1984 fell apart.  But, Christian groups started a peace process.  Frelimo inaugurated a new constitution in 1990 that enshrined free elections, and both sides signed the resulting Rome Peace Accords of 1992.

Frelimo has won all subsequent elections. Nevertheless, the situation has been stable with Renamo working within the constitutional system.  That is, until now.

In October last year of 2012, Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama set up camp in Sathundjira, in the remote  Gorongosa mountains, sparking fears of a return to military tactics he was supposed to have abandoned 20 years ago. A force of about 300 Renamo men have remained armed since the 1992 peace deal, despite efforts to integrate them into the army or police force.  Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama says he needs his own personal bodyguards, and the men usually stay in his bush camp in the Gorongosa mountains in central Mozambique.

In November 2012, he vowed to divide the country in two unless the government gave in to a long list of demands. Chief among his complaints was that Renamo had lost out on the spoils of peace, as the country's leaders begin to cash in on a natural resource boom.
  
In April 2013, Renamo attacked a police post, and five people died. The incidents was followed by two police raids on Renamo.  Renamo said it will boycott elections in November and cause disruption, because the political process is flawed. 

In June 2013, Renamo information chief Jeronimo Malagueta said the party would "paralyse" roads and a railway link vital to coal exports.  He said Renamo guerrillas would start blocking the economically crucial Sena railway line used by foreign companies to transport coal to the coast.  He also warned people not to use the country’s national road.  On June 17, six soldiers were killed when gunmen attacked an armoury in the central region of Dondo; a large number of weapons were stolen.
 He was detained by the government.  A few days later, a number of highway attacks killed two people. 

At least 11 soldiers and police and three civilians have been killed in attacks since April, when Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama threatened to initiate a campaign of violence if Frelimo did not loosen its grip on politics and the economy.  

Though full-on renewed conflict is unlikely, this potential insurgency may have negative consequences on Mozambique's economic success.  Especially given the recent discovery in gas and coal. 

Nevertheless, the military is on standby.  

Some good analysis.  

Liberia and the supply side effects of peacekeeping

Liberia will be joining the international community once again as an official troop contributing country to the The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).  Today, it sent 50 troops to Mali.

This marks the second time that Liberia will participate in a peacekeeping mission.  In 1961, Liberia provided troops to the United Nations Organization in the Congo, a UN peacekeeping force established under UN Security Council Resolution 143 of July 14, 1960, to respond to the Congo crisis.

Sending peacekeepers to another country is a big step for Liberia, perhaps suggesting that the peace there will endure. However, the question is are the Liberian troops ready, given that they have only come out of a civil war themselves ten years ago?

They have been training since February 4 for the mission.  And, they will not be a contingent by themselves.  They will be embedded into the Nigerian battalion, with First Lieutenant Nathaniel Waka serving as Commander of the platoon unit.  The United States Government has provided logistics, personal gear and other equipment to the AFL platoon for the mission.

Perhaps we can look to the example of Sierra Leone, which has sent peacekeepers to Sudan and Somalia to get an idea of how Liberia may perform.   Sierra Leone experienced conflict at about the same time as Liberia and their histories are related. 

The Sierra Leonean peacekeepers are drawn from the same army that carried out two coups during Sierra Leone's civil war. Nicknamed “sobels”—soldiers by day, rebels by night—many of them were found by the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to have tortured, raped and even forced their victims to eat each other during the conflict.

They have also sent police, some of whom have been successful in Darfur.   What did Sierra Leone do right?

• They reduced the military and trained them well

A British-led training team arrived in 1999 and remains there today, five years after the UN peacekeepers withdrew. The British have spent more than $30m to revamp the army, reducing it from 20,000 men to 8,500, including the former rebels. 

• They had international support when they deployed 

Britain, Canada, the Netherlands and America have coughed up $6.5m to equip and pay for the batch of peacekeepers.   

Yet, the mission did not go smoothly for Sierra Leone.  It was marred by scandal and there were a number of deaths. 

The contributions by Sierra Leone and Liberia have made me that that there may be two possible contradicting effects when newly peaceful countries join missions. A potential demand side effect and a potential supply side effect.

Supply side effect

All this begs the question about the supply side of peacekeeping.  Peacekeeping not only supposedly benefits the host country maintain peace, but it serves a purpose to train and internationalize other country's military and police.  Countries not only gain monetarily from contributing, but also through the extra training gained by those on the ground, who then may bring this new-found expertise to their home country.  However, there is no empirical evidence that looks at the effects of peacekeeping missions on sending countries.  What are the benefit and harms (if any) of former war torn countries contributing as peacekeepers?  Do they benefit and do their home country military and police forces become better as a result?

Demand side effect 

Moreover, what is the quality of peacekeeping that missions get when newly peaceful countries join the mission?  Should these new contingents that have minimal training be training and providing security to the host country?  To my knowledge, there is no study that looks at the success of peacekeeping missions based on the capacity of the troop and police sending countries.  Are some missions less successful because they have large quantities of minimally trained officers? 

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)

The international relations literature finds that when there is a third party present to enforce a peace deal, the peace is more durable.  Mali is the newest data point to test this theory.  Starting July 1, Mali will receive an influx of UN peacekeepers.

Here is some background to the conflict:

• On June 18, 2013, the Malian Government and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the High Council for the Unity of Azawad signed an agreement in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  However, peace deals are not new between the Mali government and the Tuareg ethnic group.
• Northern Mali was occupied by radical Islamists when fighting broke out in January 2012 between Government forces and Tuareg rebels. The rebels had formed an alliance with al-Qaeda-linked militants to seize the north in 2012.  The conflict displaced hundreds of thousands of people and prompted the Malian Government to request assistance from France to halt the southward march of the extremist groups.
• The MNLA has watered down its demand for independence, saying it will settle, as a first step, for autonomy for the desert region where they live.
• The peace deal includes:  the immediate "phased deployment" of government troops in the troubled Kidal province of northern Mali – the last rebel stronghold in the country.
• Elections are scheduled for July 28.  Here are some reasons why the elections may fail.  

Here is some background on the mission:

• The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013.
• The UN is due to deploy a 12,600-strong peacekeeping force (11,200 military personnel and 1,440 police (including formed units)  More than 6,500 African troops are in the country already.  
• Albert Gerard Koenders of the Netherlands has been appointed to head the mission.  Before this appointment, he was the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) since October 2011.
• Major General Jean Bosco Kazura has been appointed Force Commander for the mission. Before this appointment, he was the Commandant of the Rwandan Defence Forces Combat Training Center.  
• The mandate authorizes the mission “to use all necessary means” to carry out security-related stabilization tasks, protect civilians, UN staff and cultural artifacts, and create the conditions for the provision of humanitarian aid. 
• Troop contributing countries that have announced that they will send troops include:  Nigeria, Liberia, China, Sweden, Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Chad and Burundi, Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal (Note: Rights groups have called for Chad not to be included as a troop contributing country)  
• Police contributing countries that have announced they will sent police include: Nigeria (formed police unit) and  Senegal
• Britain has offered the use of its transport planes to help bring in the soldiers.

Panama: Undiscovered Retirement and Investor Paradise

I recently spent 8 days in Panama.  It was my first time traveling there, and I was very surprised to discover Panamanian quality of life.  Indeed, the New York Times rated it as the number one place to visit in the world.  Upon arrival at the airport, all tourists receive free health insurance.

In Panama, the Atlantic Ocean is north and the Pacific ocean is south.  The Darien Gap is only stretch of the Pan-American highway that is not connected. Some basic facts about Panama:

• Population: 3.571 million (2011)  (Population of Panama City is approximately 700,000)
• GDP: 26.78 billion USD (2011)
• In 2011, Panama had an unemployment rate of 2.7% (lowest in the region)
• Life Expectancy: 76.15 years (2011)
• Female Literacy: 91.2%
• Seats held by women in parliament: 8.5%

• In recent years, Panama's economy has experienced an economic boom, with growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) averaging over 10.4% from 2006–2008.
• The homicide rate fell in 2010 and 2011, which ended with a reported 704 homicides for the year – a rate of 19.3 per 100,000 inhabitants

One of the main novelties about Panama is its bold attempt to attract retirees and investors.  Panama has a number of incentives for potential retirees and investors including: being able to bring our possessions (up to $10,000) duty free, enormous discounts for retirees at restaurants, for entertainment, airfare, transportation and other activities, being able to live at very cheaply, access to very good healthcare, use of the American dollar as currency, and few worries about economic/political stability and crime, and last but not least a very accessible visa system. In 2013, it was listed as the second best place to retire according to International Living.

Here are some reasons why you might want to retire in Panama

• A 2012 poll found that Panama has the happiest people in the world.
• Panama City is the 5th cheapest city in the world for foreigners to live (Monthly total for a First-World lifestyle in the big city: approx. $1,700 to $2,500) 
• You can own a firearm in Panama legally (important for many Americans) 

If you are planning on visiting Panama, I have some recommendations.

• When visiting Panama,  Panama City will be your hub.  But, you should plan on spending at least 3 days there.  The best area to stay is Casco Viejo.  And, the best hotel to stay is Hotel Tantalo.  Compared to all the hotels where I have stayed in the world, it is the best.  The Hotel is affordable, at around $120 per night.  It provides free gourmet breakfast, free phone rentals, free bike rentals and much more.  Each room is uniquely designed by a Panamanian artist.  The customer service and staff are excellent.  When you leave early in the morning, they even pack you a to go breakfast.  And, it had one of the hippest rooftop bars in the city (but you can't hear it from your room). 
• In Casco Viejo, you can easily walk around for hours.  There are numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, ice cream bars, cars, historical buildings, and galleries to spend two days.  It is also very safe.  There are police located every block. (Really, I went at interviewed the police.)   I recommend eating ceviche at La Rana Dorada.  Definitely try the ice cream at Grand Clement.
• Off course, visiting the Panama Canal is a must do.  The canal (Miraflores Lock)  is located across from the City of Knowledge and can easily be reached via taxi or bus. You can also take a boat through the entire canal.  You have to book in advance and the trips are available on Thursday-Saturday only.  If you go through the canal, you can see the prison where former  Noriega is being held.  The Miraflores Lock has a museum, short video, and viewing deck.  You can also eat lunch/dinner there and watch the ships go by.  About 30 ships go through each day.  
• Panama Vieja (Old Panama) is also interesting. It is a small walk through the ruins of the old city that Captain Morgan destroyed.  (Yes, the rum is named after a British pirate).  It is a little far and not easy to get to, but any taxi will take you there for about $5. 
• Ancon Hill is a rainforest in the middle of the city.  You can walk to the top or take a taxi. It is better to walk, because you can see the wildlife of the rainforest, including sloths and toucans.
• Surprisingly, the fish market (Mercado de Mariscos) near Casco Viejo is off the tourist radar.  The fish market is open until about 4pm and you can see all the many different types of fish and seafood local to Panama.  It is also very cheap and houses the best ceviche in town. 
• Panama City is also very bike friendly.  You can ride a bike through Casco Viejo and then along the Cinta Costura, which is a very nice and safe 2 mile bike ride.  Along the way, you can stop for fresh popcorn and shaved ice. 

• Outside of Panama City, I only went to the San Blas Islands.  It is home to the Kuna Yala people and is rated the third best tropical paradise in the world.  The area is governed semi-autonomously.  You can either go there by car and camp or fly to one of the islands and stay in Kuna lodges.  I flew and stayed at Yandup Island Lodge.  The flights are on AirPanama (landing in Playon Chico), and they cost around $80 one way.  It is about a 45 minute flight and the plane is very small!  However, it is definitely worth the trip.  You should plan on spending between 2-3 nights here.  The lodge takes you to a private island beach every morning and has an afternoon activity (either a community visit, visit to cemetery, or boat ride through the mangroves).  All three meals and activities are included. The price is around $230 per night for a hut for two people.  The service at Yandup was good, but not as good as in Panama City.  Another way to visit the islands is to show up via airplane and have community members find a island hut for you and serve as guides.  There is plenty of fish to eat, so this option is not so far fetched!

 

A New Beginning for the Blog

As many of you know, I have undergone a number of life changes over the past two years.  As a result, I have not blogged in over two years.  I am now a third year PhD student at Emory University in the Political Science Department.  I specialize in gender and security using quantitative and qualitative methods.  A more comprehensive listing of my work can be found here.

The focus of this new blog is threefold.  First, I will begin to write about travel.  Second, I will write about things that directly speak to my research  in gender and security.  Lastly, I will continue to write about forced migration, immigration, and civic education, but only minimally.

I have chosen to continue blogging at this site as opposed to the my personal website because this blog is more of a recreational space rather than a professional space.  Nevertheless, the material I post will all be professional, with some analysis about the content.  

The Launch of Our Website!

Dear Friends,

I hope you will take a few minute to look at the new webpage of Mujeres Unidas. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thanks!

http://www.mujeresunidasdecandelaria.org/