So far, U.S. forces in the East Africa have limited air strikes in Somalia — the alleged home of several high-ranking al-Qaida suspects — to one aerial assault earlier this month that killed dozens, none of which were high-profile targets, a Pentagon spokesman told World Politics Review. “That was the only air strike conducted there,” said the spokesman, refuting reports that U.S. forces have conducted follow-up attacks since the Jan. 8 strafing that left dozens dead. The U.S. military has said all those killed were Islamist fighters, though Somali witnesses on the ground reported some civilians killed. The Pentagon spokesman [...]
World leaders reacted with outrage to a Libyan court’s decision Dec. 19 to again sentence to death six medical workers charged with deliberately infecting of over 400 children with HIV. The continuing saga threatens to derail Moammar Qaddafi’s delicately crafted attempts to re-engage with the international community. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice said the United States was “very disappointed with the outcome” and would like to see the medical workers released and “allowed to go home at the earliest possible date.” Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called the decision “exceedingly cruel.” “I am shocked by this kind of decision. It’s [...]
NAIROBI, Kenya — Three years after the African Union began planning to establish a robust African Standby Force for peacekeeping missions, progress continues despite funding challenges and the reality check of a difficult AU peacekeeping mission in Sudan. The AU peacekeeping mission deployed in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region has failed to prevent violence against civilians, and that conflict has now spread into neighboring Chad and the Central African Republic. The dilemma facing Gen. Luke Afrazi, the Nigerian commander of African peacekeepers in Darfur, highlights the resource demands placed on peacekeeping missions. Afrazi has watched from the sidelines as Sudanese militias, [...]
