Chivers offers first-hand account of Libyan Rebel "forces"

Please click on this post's title to go to CJ  Chivers' superb New York Times  article: Libyan Rebels Don’t Really Add Up to an Army

          In it, he offers an inside look at what actually constitutes the rebel forces whom we are aiding.  I have provided a teaser of his opening paragraphs below.   CJ Chivers ( @CJChivers ) is another argument for why you should be on TWITTER.  As I have said before, Twitter doesn't have to be a childish-let-me-tell-you-what-I-just-ate thing.  Instead, it is a way for you to get near-real time updates on crises and news stories across the globe.  In Chivers' case, he is on the ground in Libya and when you follow him on Twitter, you get a 'stream' of his updates BEFORE they hit the mainstream news.  This is the case with many other hotspots.  You build own stream of information as you see fit.  It's awesome. 
      Speaking of awesome, also check out Chivers blog:  http://cjchivers.com/  He's got some beautiful close-up pictures of the rebels' "Toyota Tanks."  While you are there you may as well go throw his Pulitizer Prize winning book on your Amazon wish-list: The Gun.
(DISCLOSURE:  I don't know Chivers personally so my adulation is sincere)

BENGHAZI, Libya — Late Monday afternoon, as Libyan rebels prepared another desperate attack on the eastern oil town of Brega, a young rebel raised his rocket-propelled grenade as if to fire. The town’s university, shimmering in the distance, was far beyond his weapon’s maximum range. An older rebel urged him to hold fire, telling him the weapon’s back-blast could do little more than reveal their position and draw a mortar attack.

 

 

The younger rebel almost spat with disgust. “I have been fighting for 37 days!” he shouted. “Nobody can tell me what to do!”

Africa Weekly Update- Your Weekly Dose of Awesome

Are you interested in things that are awesome?  If so you will love this!  Check out this weekly news conglomeration that I receive each week.  If you'd like to get added to the list let me know and I will forward your information on.  This is one distro I will stay on long after I leave the PGON.

Africa Rising Conference by Patuxent Defense Forum (19-20 APR)

Great resource for fortnightly news: Consultancy Africa Intelligence

Have you been sitting around lately feeling a certain emptiness inside, a void that you just can't fill, a persisting and pervasive hole?  If so it's probably because you don't have a good fortnightly news source! 

(Now go back and re-read my first two sentences with a British accent; I guarantee you won't be able to do it without smiling!  There's something about the word 'fortnightly' that makes me want to speak with a British accent.)

Nonetheless, CAI fills that void.  I enjoy perusing their articles every two weeks.  They usually include a good variety of subjects about which I wouldn't otherwise read.  I have cut and pasted their latest email below:

CAI Fortnightly Newsletter

5 April 2011

Africa Watch

A case of electoral fraud: The 2011 Uganda elections

By Anton M. Pillay

This paper examines the February 2011 Ugandan Presidential elections, where like the previous elections in 2006, vote rigging, bribing of electoral officials and intimidation of political opponents were rife. The paper assesses why the world community has remained silent on this issue, especially in a time where authoritarian regimes throughout North Africa and the Middle East are being toppled. 

Guns for hire: Examining the use of mercenaries in Libya

By David Rosenblum

This paper briefly examines the concept of conflict as an industry throughout Africa, using the present example of Libya and exploring the reports of/use of mercenaries. It begins by examining Gadaffi’s historical ties and involvement with mercenaries, and then explores how Gadaffi is able to fund and arm mercenaries. Finally, it seeks to explain why regional societal and economic conditions make it easy for Gadaffi to attract foreign fighters to Libya.

Asia Dimension

China: Seeking middle ground on the Middle East?

Sarah M. Brooks

This paper explores how the Chinese Government has reacted to the fall of authoritarian Governments in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, and questions whether there is any possibility for a “Jasmine Revolution” to take root in China. Optimists may see intellectuals’ calls for protests as the expression of popular demand for political reforms, encouraged by Premier Wen Jiabao’s comments during his August 2010 “southern tour.”

Eritrea: From pariah to participant?

By Edoardo Collevecchio

This paper analyses whether the arms embargo and targeted sanctions imposed on Eritrea by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in December 2009 succeeded in inducing the cooperation of a notoriously intransigent regime. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, recent events suggest that targeted sanctions have shifted the incentives of Eritrea’s leadership, and have created an unexpected opportunity for constructive dialogue.

           

Election Reflection

Post-Election Reflection: Benin’s 2011 Presidential election

By Madie Schutte

This paper discusses the Beninese 2011 presidential election which took place on 13 March, and where incumbent President Yayi Boni received a 53.13% of the votes. Benin is often considered one of the more political stable states in West Africa, yet the delay to the election and the problems with voter registration have lead opposition leaders to contest the results. There are also fears that the situation and associated complaints may lead to violence.

Conflict and drought – A bad marriage in Somalia

By Louise de Bruin

This paper aims to highlight two key areas of concern in Somalia; namely conflict and drought. It aims to show what the prolonged implications of these problems has had, and will continue to have on the country. Continuous conflict and persistent droughts in Somalia have led to the degradation of living standards for its people, forcing many to flee their country. With the increased migration of Somalis across their borders, Kenya is suffering as well.

           

Gender Issues

Medical tourism: Global inequalities and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs)

By Hanlie Myburgh

This paper examines the effect that the growing phenomenon of medical tourism has on women, and illustrates the evolving conceptions and positions of women in the global economy. Wealthy developed countries ‘shop around’ in poorer developing countries for organs, oocytes, and wombs for rent. Although these transactions (between buyer and seller) often seem to be a win-win situation, women who sell or rent out parts of their bodies have little if any freedom of choice in the matter. 

The ‘new’ PEPFAR: From emergency fund to a health systems approach

By Katherine Austin-Evelyn

This paper provides a brief overview of key changes in the PEPFAR programme that have occurred under the Obama administration. The paper also explores some of the alleged effects the programme is having on HIV & AIDS programming in Africa; specifically, the shift from US-driven to bilateral country relationships as well as the move to multilateral cooperation. In addition, the implications of these reallocations are discussed.

Optimistic Africa

Moonhwa Broadcasting Corporation & Arirang TV in sub-Saharan Africa: Providing an alternative narrative

By Casper Hendrik Claassen

This paper highlights the positive role public broadcasters might play in spreading social awareness and raising public interest insub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by exploring the contributions of two South Korean public broadcasters. It argues that there are alternative ways of supporting SSA, beyond the orthodox ‘Western’ way or the direct Chinese way. Specifically, the philosophy of the Moonhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the work of Arirang TV are discussed.

Will the revolution be tweeted? The potential for democratisation through social media

By Carrie Byrne

This paper explores the democratic potential and constraints of social media. The role of social media as a facilitator of protest, with a specific focus on recent events in North Africa and the Middle East, are discussed. Social media may have become the most powerful tool for the realisation of democracy and it has been suggested that the social networking site Twitter be nominated for the next Nobel Peace Prize.

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Senator Isakson's Speech at SAIS from 31 MAR 11

Following are my notes (my comments are in italic maroon) on SEN ISAKSON’s speech last week at SAIS.  
My overall take would be to caution his staffers to ‘tone’ the Senator’s ‘quotable’ lines.  I could see them rubbing some people the wrong way needlessly.  It also grated me a little that he didn’t mention Africa Partnership Station, ACOTA, AMLEP or any of the other Navy/State success stories on the continent.  However, if he's not informed on these issues I can't really blame him. 

            In the end, SEN Isakson appeared sincere in his concern for issues in Africa; he may not be an ‘African-ist’ or seasoned State Department Official, but does hold a position in which he can command a large audience.  Most importantly, he has spent time on the continent, a fact which places him far ahead of many other congressmen and government officials.  I look forward to his continued use of this ‘pulpit’ for Africa and hope he expands his interest into the maritime security arena of Africa--aside from clean water the most pressing issue for Africa over the next 50 years.   

SEN Isakson Speech at SAIS

“Most important continent in the 21^st century is Africa.” 

“Middle East happenings are potentially historic.”

#1 American Foreign Assistance in Africa

- President’s Emergency Initiative to eradicate AIDS, PEPFAR has had

tremendous paybacks, reducing death from AIDS drastically

- NGOs CARE USA and an Atlanta-based microloan NGO (didn’t catch the name).  Loans are only given to the women in the various African villages.  Stated that on the whole, the men aren’t as trustworthy as the women when it comes to money.  This may be a cultural ‘truth-ism’ but I still winced when he said it.  However, he didn’t skip a beat and went on to comment that “it’s probably a lot like here in the US. 

If I were the Senator, I would use Nelson Mandela’s quote instead as it comes off as much more credible:

"Money on the hands of a woman is spent better and goes further, leading to the development not only of the family unit, but society as a whole."
- NELSON MANDELA, Global Summit of Women 2000

- African Millennium Foundation “Africa is the most corrupt place on the face of the earth.”  This may or not be true, but it irks me, and I am sure a lot of others from various African nations to be lumped together like that.  This isn’t a statement I would want to repeat often were I “Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on African Affairs. Some may view this as semantics, but I would instead say: “Africa has some of the most corrupt nations of any continent.” Or something to that effect.

He went on to talk about the 11 investments on the continent so far that seek to fight corruption and promote transparency. 

#2 US Private Investment

- Equatorial Guinea=> 20 years ago is one of the poorest nations on earth, and today it is one of the most quickly developing due to natural gas discoveries and the investment by Marathon Oil.

- Coca-cola’s #1 project right now is to become a water neutral company with a $30 million seed investment in Africa to do so.  To tell you the truth, it never occurred to me that Coca Cola is using local water sources to manufacture and make their products—now that I have read about it, this is obvious of course. 

As to how well Coke is doing, a quick google search show mixed results:

http://business-ethics.com/2010/03/22/0938-businesses-confront-water-quality-challenge/

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/dynamic/press_center/2009/03/the-coca-cola-company-commits-us30-million-to-clean-water-projects-across-africa-1.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/04/coca-cola-coke-water-neutral

“The biggest problem in Africa is clean water.”  Second biggest: Fish:

http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2010/07/point-1-why-fish-is-new-cocaine.html

http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2010/07/cno-dishes-on-fishor-fish-is-new.html

http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2010/06/one-video-that-shows-why-illegal.html

#3 China’s involvement

- they have flooded Africa with workers to extract resources, whereas the US employs Africans

            “If we extract, we must also develop human capital”

#4 DARFUR

            > 1 million live in most dire circumstances.  There are 11 wells for 55K people. 

#5 HOA

Important as intel and development outreach

Questions and Answers Session:

- On Rwanda, Senator is friends with their President Kagame.

*There they have forced the Tutsis and Hutu to work side by side (in pairs) at the National Basket Company

*Umuganda Sundays: he said these are certain Sundays where people can’t drive cards and from 8 to noon everyone does a community service project to help the community.  During these  Sundays, the genocide perpetrators’ sentence is to wear a blue shirt with a yellow stripe and to take care of the survivors. 

All of these things are a nice sentiment but I sense that it isn’t quite this ideal.  Those wishing to learn more should check out the following links. Personally, I learned a lot by reading them.  I didn’t know many details concerning the genocide or how the country has dealt with it since.  The Harvard article below  offers particularly astute insight into post-genocide Rwanda.  The author gives great details on the gacaca (meaning “small grass”)courts.

Of note, I couldn’t find a single article to support the “scarlet letter” yellow striped shirt anecdote.  However, I could just be typing the wrong thing into google.  Perhaps his staff could provide reference material for this? 

http://globalbenefit.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/rwanda-day-3-umuganda/

http://in2eastafrica.net/first-lady-joins-ndera-residents-in-umuganda/

http://www.saverwanda.org/index.php?id=74&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=324&cHash=a4e75d0e63

http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v8/v8i1a4.htm

If I were one of Senator’s Isakson’s staffers I would read the following paper and provide him with an executive summary before he spoke on Rwanda’s handling of the genocide perpetrators in the future. 

http://hir.harvard.edu/law-of-the-land/trying-times-for-rwanda

Why is the US so slow to react in the Cote D’Ivoire? 

“Good question.  Rwanda’s another good example of past missed opportunities.  The government of the US must make decisions based on our vital and national security interests.”  He went on to defend our involvement as altruistic in Libya because we get less than 1% of our oil from there.  What he failed to mention was the large amount of oil OUR ALLIES get from Libya. 

*Secretary of State is going to be making an announcement soon on a special envoy to this west African region.  Senator intends to travel to Benin and Ghana soon. 

Regarding a question on China: “We can deal and trade with China or we can become enemies with them.”  He would like us to deal and trade. 

On Libya again, he does subscribe to the statement by McCain and Kerry from a few weeks ago, “I think we did the right thing 3 weeks too late”

“Equatorial Guinea’s leader [Mbasogo] is not ready for primetime yet, but he’s the best we’ve got to deal with right now.” 

“Last thing Ahmedinajad wants is the democratization of the Middle East.”  He went on to tout the world coalition of support for intervention in Libya BUT he didn’t mention the AU’s failure to support.

Articles to read today: Counter Piracy and a great Weekly Update

I haven't had time today to read through these documents in their entirety but rest assured they are important ones!

Weekly Africa Update  This is a 73 page document that has AWESOME articles that you most likely won’t find anywhere else!  A gentlemen here in the PGON puts it together every week and sends it out.  If you contact me directly I can put you in touch with him to get on his distro.  Even after I leave here, I plan on remaining on it because it’s such an incredible source. 

Maritime Security: Updating U.S. Counterpiracy Action Plan Gains Urgency as Piracy Escalates off the Horn of Africa

From the link you can download the 25 page report.  Of note, the last time our CP plan was updated was in 2008. 

U.S. Approaches to Counter-Piracy

remarks by Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs,

Remarks to International Institute for Strategic Studies/March 30, 2011

I wasn’t too impressed with his knowledge of our military in past meetings/talks but an important read nonetheless. 

TZB Chronicles continue- Learning about Somali Civil War

Key passage from today's notes on the US involvement in Somalia's civil war:

Instead of detaining or killing the warlords the US invited them to peace conferences etc…”encouraging the militias to form a government was like appointing the Mafia to run Manhattan.”  John Fox commented: “At least I get to do what they taught me in the foreign service and have drinks with a room full of mass murderers.” 

p. 235 The divide between farmers and nomad is illustrated.  Somali nomadic clans kept camels and the famers raised sorghum and cattle.

p. 237  Regarding the famine and the challenge of overcoming US and European “donor fatigue” , the media sought out kids who were ‘thin enough’  (1992)

p. 238 1992 Famine named “Time of Swollen Feet” because peasants had to trek so far to reach feeding centers.

p. 238  DBT- Dead by Tomorrow, phrase coined by nurses working the feeding centers

p. 239  Vitamin A deficiency in the children caused night blindness initially …forming ulcers bursting with pus.  If they survived, ‘their sight was scarred for life with blemishes like opals or moonstones on the pupils.’

p. 239  kwashiorkor- swollen belly effect produced by protein deficiency

p. 240 Heart-breaking details of children dying in the camps: the healthy children would run after you…”Among them were other children, who did not follow you except silently.  Some stayed behind sitting and took no notice at all.  It was to these last children that the cameramen were drawn.”

p. 241 “The only way to successfully convey the tragedy of famine was to depict the death of an individual.” 

p. 242 the people of Baidoa treated every famine victim who died as an individual

p. 244  Western intervention and aid comes too late to the region.  “Whoever was going to die is already gone.”  300, 000 peasants, mostly small children died. 

p. 245 UN Envoy Sahnoun : “If only we had intervened before November 1991, because of that delay we now pay the price.”  He was sacked from his post after this. 

p. 247  “The Somalis have more camels than any other nation on earth”  They, along with war and love are the three subjects of poetry there. 

p.  247 A Somali joke:  What is the part of a camel that looks like a man?  Answer: the part that pisses backwards. 

p. 247 Nomads lived by age-old rules of hospitality to strangers

p. 248 General Imtiaz Shaheen appears on the scene in July 1992 to monitor cease-fire in Mogadishu…the opposite of what Aydiid and his Habre Gedir clansmen wanted.

p. 250  Then US arrives with UN Task Force OPERATION RESTORE HOPE.  UN SECGEN’s “Battalions for peace.”   Most people at the time in Somalia thought this was the beginning of seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

p. 252 Marines coin a term for the warlords usurping of all aid they delivered A-W-A: Africa Wins Again.  As soon as they give peasants aid and leave, the militias come and steal it. 

p. 253 Instead of detaining or killing the warlords the US invited them to peace conferences etc…”encouraging the militias to form a government was like appointing the Mafia to run Manhattan.”  John Fox commented: “At least I get to do what they taught me in the foreign service and have drinks with a room full of mass murderers.” 

p. 254  Dan sells T-shirts to the marines that say: I restored hope in Somalia…his side business expands rapidly. 

p. 255 Hartley’s departure is hastened after a death threat from Somali warlord Omar Jess. 

p.  256 Outside of the Marine controlled area around Mogadishu airfield was another world, the marines called “Skinnyland”

p. 257 Early 1993, marines used to swim on the beach but this stopped after a Russian pilot was killed by a shark. 

p. 257  May 1993 UNOSOM takes command from the Marine Corps.  Security Council Resolution 814 PKO troops must use Chapter 7 ROE.    While General Cevik Bir was in charge he was only a figurehead.  ADM Howe (retired, as a special envoy) and MAJGEN Montgomery.   Montgomery was tactical commander of 1000 strong quick reaction force of 10^th mountain division.  He reported directly to GEN Hoar at US CENCOM in Tampa.  He described Mogadishu as “Temple of Doom”

Check out the following link for a decade later discussion of the Somali civil war by these key players:

http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_Somalia_0104,00.html