The Escalation of Armenia and Azerbaijan Conflict

 

The world is in many ways still dealing with the effects of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Armenia and Azerbaijan when the Soviet Union collapsed became independent nations. No longer under Russian control, old ethnic tensions reemerged. The source of contention is the region known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Both nations claim certain areas of what was at one time an autonomous region as their own. A ceasefire was agreed upon in 1994. Conflagrations once more erupted in 2016. However, the difference in the 2020 clashes reveal that this could escalate into a much larger war. The issue is that a Portion of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh wants to merge with Armenia. Azerbaijan does not want to lose any territory to its enemy. The Soviet Union created this space to act as a buffer zone against possible ethnic conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The biggest fear was that any ethnic revolt would would cause the U.S.S.R to fall. Armenian forces occupy territories surrounding the disputed region. Azerbaijan starting in July of 2020 made attempts to gain more territory in   Nagorno-Karabakh. The fighting has intensified with other nations calling on a ceasefire to be made. A large long term war will gain the attention of  Iran, Russia, and Turkey. Armenia and Azerbaijan need to have a permanent peace settlement rather than just temporary ceasefires. A conflict between two nations can easily spread to its neighbors.  Being between both the Caspian and Black Sea makes an Armenia- Azerbaijan war   too geopolitically significant to ignore. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta Calls For An End To Sanctions on Zimbabwe

 

President Kenyatta demanded that sanctions placed on Zimbabwe be lifted. Kenya has shown a level of solidarity with another African state, that could be setting a change in foreign policy. Zimbabwe has been under sanctions since 2002 and it has contributed to harming its economy. The reason the UK and US imposed sanctions was based on the elections of 2002, which they claimed were fraudulent. The real motive was about land distribution and the fact that the UK in particular did not honor the Lancaster House Agreement. At the time, President Robert Mugabe took the land that was suppose to be given to those who were victim of the 1960s land theft from white settlers. President Emmerson Mnangagwa  wants to see sanctions lifted, but not at the expense of Zimbabwe's sovereignty. African leaders are growing tired of sanctions imposed by the West arbitrarily. Besides mentioning Zimbabwe, President Uhuru Kenyatta also stated he would like to see sanctions lifted on Sudan and Cuba. Imposing sanctions for  political disagreement or regime change should be considered a violation of international law. Making the people suffer by denying an economic lifeline or basic supplies is a human rights violation. Nations that seek investment in a sanctioned nation could find themselves facing penalties.  Other leaders may join President Kenyatta to put an end to sanctions that clearly have an ulterior motive in mind. Overtime diplomatic relations between Kenya and Zimbabwe may become stronger.   

Alpha Conde Will Seek A Third Term As President of Guinea

 

Alpha Conde has been president of Guinea since 2010. Now, the longtime leader is seeking a third term in what could be the country's most contentious  election. Before the 2013 election there were clashes.   There are fears that such events could repeat in 2020. ECOWAS may respond in a similar manner like it did with Gambia. The African Union and ECOWAS have been known to intervene in states, which suffer from extreme political instability and factionalism. The challenge for African states is keeping free and fair elections and imposing term limits on presidents. Leaders of certain African nations extend their rule through referendums or electoral fraud. Guinea has a total of 12 candidates running for the presidency. The opposition remains fractured, indicating that Conde will most likely get a third term. Voters have until the October 18th to cast their ballots. Post-election violence is common in various countries that do not have a long history of democratic government. Conde compared  to the more authoritarian presidents of the African continent is more of a reformer. Many times he was the opposition to previous administrations.  When elected to his first term, he promised to confront corruption and strengthen  democratic institutions. So far, these has progressed slowly and the public grows more restless. A third Conde term may not bring the change that Guinea desires. 

COVID-19 Has Taken 1.4 Million Lives

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed up to 1.4 million people globally. The United States, Italy, India, and China have been hit the hardest from the pandemic. African nations have seen lower infection and death rates compared to Europe.   Infections continue to rise around the world and it appears that the public health crisis is far from over. Countries such as Russia and the US are rushing to develop a vaccine. It is not definitely know  if it will be effective. Fears of a second wave also are on the minds of the public and world governments. Public health protection has been shown to be very weak in the face of a pandemic. Private insurance has failed to provide for American citizens. Governments with state funded healthcare have managed the pandemic better in comparison. Countries like Vietnam and Uganda have avoided the worst of the pandemic, even though they are not developed nations. Quarantines, lockdowns, social distancing , and wearing masks have been done to stop the spread of the virus. However, it has to brought an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have resisted these measures, which only makes the public health crisis last longer. Health science has not figured out the best method of defeating the virus. Misinformation and conspiracy theory has created an anti-mask and anti-lockdown movement. More deaths could occur, unless there is drastic action from the UN and WHO. World powers such as US, China, Russia, UK, Germany, and France must cooperate to confront the global health crisis. If this does not happen, the COVID-19 pandemic could last for years.