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29 April 2016
Burma
- According to The Irrawaddy, Karen freedom fighters from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) have joined forces with the Arakan Army (AA) to fight against the Burma Army.
- It is rumoured that a new bill which aims to revive Burma’s 1975 State Protection Law might be submitted to Parliament. This bill has been characterised as an ‘‘oppressive security law”, which is understandable as the 1975 law states, “In order to be able to protect in advance against threats to the sovereignty and security of the State and the peace of the people, the State Council, (a) may declare a State of Emergency for any territory in the country; (b) may, if necessary, restrict any citizen’s fundamental rights in any territory in the Union of Burma”.
- The Irrawaddy reported that, “Burma has banned lucrative logging operations as the newly elected government of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi steps up a battle on deforestation”.
- Human Rights Watch’s despatch conducted an investigation which revealed that the Burmese government’s travel restrictions on the Rohingya were the root cause of last week’s terrible boat accident, where over 20 Rohingya drowned trying to access basic supplies.
- The Huffington Post, in their analysis of Burma’s democratisation, has stated that, “Myanmar remains a land aflame” and that, “the state remains authoritarian”.
India
- The Indian government has said that all mobile phones sold in India from January 2017 must have a panic button enabling the user to call for help as a result of concerns for women’s safety after a series of violent crimes in recent years.
- A searing heat wave, coupled with a drought in parts of India is resulting in death for hundreds of people, as temperatures soar above 113 degrees Fahrenheit and reservoirs decrease to 22% of their full capacity.
All mobile phones in India to have panic buttons to improve women’s safety | via @telegraphtech https://t.co/yJosWrUEDZ
— HART-UK (@HARTnews) April 29, 2016
Nagorno-Karabakh
- According to Euractiv, “the level of diplomatic activity on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue will continue to be higher than usual”.
Nigeria
- An estimated two million Nigerians displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency are living in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPS) camps in six NorthEast States, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced this week.
- Boko Haram, swore allegiance to the so-called Islamic State last year and co-operation between the two organisations is increasing.
- It has been reported that soldiers of the Nigerian Army have killed 27 terrorists during anti-Boko Haram operations in Borno State.
- Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria have reportedly killed scores of people after invading several towns in the southern Enugu state. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the security forces to crack down on cattle raiders who have been accused of killing hundreds of people this year.
South Sudan
- On Tuesday, after considerable delays, Riek Machar, rebel leader, finally returned to Juba. This has enabled the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), which will administer the country for the next two and a half years, pending elections.
- The US has promised almost $90m (£60m) of extra aid to South Sudan but warned its newly reconciled leaders that failure to engage properly with the peace process could result in sanctions or an arms embargo.
- Clashes between government and opposition forces near Wau have continued this week. Yunis Filberto, Director of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Wau, said they have registered 96,000 people who were forced to flee their homes. Displaced people are suffering severe food shortages.
#SouthSudan forms transitional government of national unity https://t.co/yTKTV9qaZf pic.twitter.com/42WGVqPQqr — HART-UK (@HARTnews) April 29, 2016
Sudan
- The government forces and allied militias have reportedly killed 541 civilians, including 13 children, and burned 25 villages in the Nuba Mountains during March and April this year. The Nuba Mountains Observatory for Human Rights announced that the Sudanese Air Force Antonovs dropped 563 bombs between 25th March and 12th April, along with indiscriminate shelling on Heiban and Um Dorein, and missiles from fighter jets.
- Rebel groups, The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) announced another six-month ceasefire, active from 24th April.