A new study shows oil-rich countries are a hundred times more likely to face foreign intervention and conflicts. The research by academics from the universities of Warwick, Portsmouth and Essex in the UK indicates that foreign governments are 100 times more likely to intervene in internal conflicts of other states, if the troubled countries are home to hydrocarbon reserves. The study examined 69 civil wars between 1945 and 1999. It said civil wars amount to 90% of all militarized conflicts since the close of World War II, and almost 67% of these have been characterized by foreign intervention.

It depicts oil as a dominant motivating factor in conflicts, and argues that hydrocarbons heavily influenced the West’s military intervention in Libya in North Africa. It also suggests oil plays a noteworthy factor in the so-called US-led coalition against the ISIL in the Middle East. Factors which played a part in influencing a foreign government’s decision to intervene included the military might and strength of insurgents on the ground, and the extent to which they sought to control valuable resources such as oil, RT reported Wednesday.

The report said foreign governments’ decision to intervene was largely dominated by their desire to control oil supplies in conflict-ridden states, while historical, geographic and cultural or ethnic ties were far less important. The researchers further noted that the United States maintains military presence in countries that produce oil, and have a long history of backing despotic regimes despite America’s supposed agenda of democratization. The study suggests the world can expect a cycle of low intervention in years to come because plunging oil prices make it a less valuable resource to protect.

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Ngwa Bertrand

29.Jan.2015

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Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition

Three months after Blaise Compaoré’s departure, Burkina Faso’s transition is moving forward in an uncertain context. The provisional government, with the help of its international partners, should initiate urgent reforms and ensure the October 2015 elections allow for peaceful, democratic change.

When President Blaise Compaoré was ousted in October 2014, he left the country with weak institutions and under economic strain. The provisional government, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida, has nine months left to organise presidential and parliamentary polls. Three major contradictions threaten the country’s stability: the tension between the desire for stability and the hope for radical change; the short time available in the transition to achieve vital but enormous tasks; and the need to organise polls as well as implement reforms while lacking the necessary funds. In its latest report, Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition, the International Crisis Group argues that to overcome these hurdles and to ensure that the army recedes from power at the end of the transition, Burkina Faso’s main actors should continue to manage the transition in an inclusive manner and receive the support of their international partners.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities must clearly define their priorities for the next nine months along four lines: rebuilding trust between the authorities and the population; improving the electoral law; elaborating a new draft constitution; and reforming the army.

• Dissolving the former presidential guard, the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), must be done with great care and in constant consultation with its members. Unless RSP members are offered continued salary payment, pension rights and career progression, they could resort to violence and threaten the transition.

• To prepare for the October 2015 elections, the electoral law should be amended to allow independent candidates to contest local and legislative elections and to set a limit for financial contributions to election campaigns. In addition, the electoral commission should encourage the involvement of Burkina’s youthful voting population.

• Burkina Faso’s partners – the Economic Community of West African States, France, the U.S., the EU and Taiwan – should provide the funds needed to revise voter rolls and organise the elections. They should help in setting up the program to tackle youth unemployment promised by President Michel Kafando, and engage in dialogue with the army and military officers to make sure they relinquish power at the end of the transition.

“The transitional government will need to find the right balance between satisfying popular demands to prevent massive street protests and avoiding populist tendencies that could threaten state authority”, says Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director. “Blaise Compaoré’s departure does not mean that Burkina Faso is out of the woods”.

“Burkina Faso’s international partners must not repeat the mistake of turning a blind eye to poor governance to safeguard their strategic interests”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “Now that the people have risen against autocracy, international partners should provide crucial financial and political support to accompany the country on its democratic path”.

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Ngwa Bertrand

29.Jan.2015

Hits: 1905

Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition

Three months after Blaise Compaoré’s departure, Burkina Faso’s transition is moving forward in an uncertain context. The provisional government, with the help of its international partners, should initiate urgent reforms and ensure the October 2015 elections allow for peaceful, democratic change.

When President Blaise Compaoré was ousted in October 2014, he left the country with weak institutions and under economic strain. The provisional government, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida, has nine months left to organise presidential and parliamentary polls. Three major contradictions threaten the country’s stability: the tension between the desire for stability and the hope for radical change; the short time available in the transition to achieve vital but enormous tasks; and the need to organise polls as well as implement reforms while lacking the necessary funds. In its latest report, Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition, the International Crisis Group argues that to overcome these hurdles and to ensure that the army recedes from power at the end of the transition, Burkina Faso’s main actors should continue to manage the transition in an inclusive manner and receive the support of their international partners.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities must clearly define their priorities for the next nine months along four lines: rebuilding trust between the authorities and the population; improving the electoral law; elaborating a new draft constitution; and reforming the army.

• Dissolving the former presidential guard, the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), must be done with great care and in constant consultation with its members. Unless RSP members are offered continued salary payment, pension rights and career progression, they could resort to violence and threaten the transition.

• To prepare for the October 2015 elections, the electoral law should be amended to allow independent candidates to contest local and legislative elections and to set a limit for financial contributions to election campaigns. In addition, the electoral commission should encourage the involvement of Burkina’s youthful voting population.

• Burkina Faso’s partners – the Economic Community of West African States, France, the U.S., the EU and Taiwan – should provide the funds needed to revise voter rolls and organise the elections. They should help in setting up the program to tackle youth unemployment promised by President Michel Kafando, and engage in dialogue with the army and military officers to make sure they relinquish power at the end of the transition.

“The transitional government will need to find the right balance between satisfying popular demands to prevent massive street protests and avoiding populist tendencies that could threaten state authority”, says Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director. “Blaise Compaoré’s departure does not mean that Burkina Faso is out of the woods”.

“Burkina Faso’s international partners must not repeat the mistake of turning a blind eye to poor governance to safeguard their strategic interests”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “Now that the people have risen against autocracy, international partners should provide crucial financial and political support to accompany the country on its democratic path”.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

29.Jan.2015

Hits: 1545

Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition

Three months after Blaise Compaoré’s departure, Burkina Faso’s transition is moving forward in an uncertain context. The provisional government, with the help of its international partners, should initiate urgent reforms and ensure the October 2015 elections allow for peaceful, democratic change.

When President Blaise Compaoré was ousted in October 2014, he left the country with weak institutions and under economic strain. The provisional government, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida, has nine months left to organise presidential and parliamentary polls. Three major contradictions threaten the country’s stability: the tension between the desire for stability and the hope for radical change; the short time available in the transition to achieve vital but enormous tasks; and the need to organise polls as well as implement reforms while lacking the necessary funds. In its latest report, Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition, the International Crisis Group argues that to overcome these hurdles and to ensure that the army recedes from power at the end of the transition, Burkina Faso’s main actors should continue to manage the transition in an inclusive manner and receive the support of their international partners.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities must clearly define their priorities for the next nine months along four lines: rebuilding trust between the authorities and the population; improving the electoral law; elaborating a new draft constitution; and reforming the army.

• Dissolving the former presidential guard, the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), must be done with great care and in constant consultation with its members. Unless RSP members are offered continued salary payment, pension rights and career progression, they could resort to violence and threaten the transition.

• To prepare for the October 2015 elections, the electoral law should be amended to allow independent candidates to contest local and legislative elections and to set a limit for financial contributions to election campaigns. In addition, the electoral commission should encourage the involvement of Burkina’s youthful voting population.

• Burkina Faso’s partners – the Economic Community of West African States, France, the U.S., the EU and Taiwan – should provide the funds needed to revise voter rolls and organise the elections. They should help in setting up the program to tackle youth unemployment promised by President Michel Kafando, and engage in dialogue with the army and military officers to make sure they relinquish power at the end of the transition.

“The transitional government will need to find the right balance between satisfying popular demands to prevent massive street protests and avoiding populist tendencies that could threaten state authority”, says Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director. “Blaise Compaoré’s departure does not mean that Burkina Faso is out of the woods”.

“Burkina Faso’s international partners must not repeat the mistake of turning a blind eye to poor governance to safeguard their strategic interests”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “Now that the people have risen against autocracy, international partners should provide crucial financial and political support to accompany the country on its democratic path”.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

29.Jan.2015

Hits: 1507

Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition

Three months after Blaise Compaoré’s departure, Burkina Faso’s transition is moving forward in an uncertain context. The provisional government, with the help of its international partners, should initiate urgent reforms and ensure the October 2015 elections allow for peaceful, democratic change.

When President Blaise Compaoré was ousted in October 2014, he left the country with weak institutions and under economic strain. The provisional government, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida, has nine months left to organise presidential and parliamentary polls. Three major contradictions threaten the country’s stability: the tension between the desire for stability and the hope for radical change; the short time available in the transition to achieve vital but enormous tasks; and the need to organise polls as well as implement reforms while lacking the necessary funds. In its latest report, Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition, the International Crisis Group argues that to overcome these hurdles and to ensure that the army recedes from power at the end of the transition, Burkina Faso’s main actors should continue to manage the transition in an inclusive manner and receive the support of their international partners.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities must clearly define their priorities for the next nine months along four lines: rebuilding trust between the authorities and the population; improving the electoral law; elaborating a new draft constitution; and reforming the army.

• Dissolving the former presidential guard, the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), must be done with great care and in constant consultation with its members. Unless RSP members are offered continued salary payment, pension rights and career progression, they could resort to violence and threaten the transition.

• To prepare for the October 2015 elections, the electoral law should be amended to allow independent candidates to contest local and legislative elections and to set a limit for financial contributions to election campaigns. In addition, the electoral commission should encourage the involvement of Burkina’s youthful voting population.

• Burkina Faso’s partners – the Economic Community of West African States, France, the U.S., the EU and Taiwan – should provide the funds needed to revise voter rolls and organise the elections. They should help in setting up the program to tackle youth unemployment promised by President Michel Kafando, and engage in dialogue with the army and military officers to make sure they relinquish power at the end of the transition.

“The transitional government will need to find the right balance between satisfying popular demands to prevent massive street protests and avoiding populist tendencies that could threaten state authority”, says Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director. “Blaise Compaoré’s departure does not mean that Burkina Faso is out of the woods”.

“Burkina Faso’s international partners must not repeat the mistake of turning a blind eye to poor governance to safeguard their strategic interests”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “Now that the people have risen against autocracy, international partners should provide crucial financial and political support to accompany the country on its democratic path”.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

29.Jan.2015

Hits: 1455

Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition

Three months after Blaise Compaoré’s departure, Burkina Faso’s transition is moving forward in an uncertain context. The provisional government, with the help of its international partners, should initiate urgent reforms and ensure the October 2015 elections allow for peaceful, democratic change.

When President Blaise Compaoré was ousted in October 2014, he left the country with weak institutions and under economic strain. The provisional government, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida, has nine months left to organise presidential and parliamentary polls. Three major contradictions threaten the country’s stability: the tension between the desire for stability and the hope for radical change; the short time available in the transition to achieve vital but enormous tasks; and the need to organise polls as well as implement reforms while lacking the necessary funds. In its latest report, Burkina Faso: Nine Months to Complete the Transition, the International Crisis Group argues that to overcome these hurdles and to ensure that the army recedes from power at the end of the transition, Burkina Faso’s main actors should continue to manage the transition in an inclusive manner and receive the support of their international partners.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities must clearly define their priorities for the next nine months along four lines: rebuilding trust between the authorities and the population; improving the electoral law; elaborating a new draft constitution; and reforming the army.

• Dissolving the former presidential guard, the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), must be done with great care and in constant consultation with its members. Unless RSP members are offered continued salary payment, pension rights and career progression, they could resort to violence and threaten the transition.

• To prepare for the October 2015 elections, the electoral law should be amended to allow independent candidates to contest local and legislative elections and to set a limit for financial contributions to election campaigns. In addition, the electoral commission should encourage the involvement of Burkina’s youthful voting population.

• Burkina Faso’s partners – the Economic Community of West African States, France, the U.S., the EU and Taiwan – should provide the funds needed to revise voter rolls and organise the elections. They should help in setting up the program to tackle youth unemployment promised by President Michel Kafando, and engage in dialogue with the army and military officers to make sure they relinquish power at the end of the transition.

“The transitional government will need to find the right balance between satisfying popular demands to prevent massive street protests and avoiding populist tendencies that could threaten state authority”, says Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director. “Blaise Compaoré’s departure does not mean that Burkina Faso is out of the woods”.

“Burkina Faso’s international partners must not repeat the mistake of turning a blind eye to poor governance to safeguard their strategic interests”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “Now that the people have risen against autocracy, international partners should provide crucial financial and political support to accompany the country on its democratic path”.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

29.Jan.2015

Hits: 1422