The Refugees International blog site has two recent postings concerning ongoing conflict in Jonglei State of South Sudan precipitated by fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the rebel group led by David Yau Yau. The first commentary by Caelin Briggs on 14 May 2013 is titled "South Sudan Army Commits Atrocities in Jonglei as Aid Workers Flee." The second one is by Dara McLeod dated 20 May 2013 and titled "S.Sudan Army Causing Atrocities, Humanitarian Emergency in Pibor."

[view whole blog post ]

Former Somali diplomat Abukar Arman offered on 19 May 2013 a highly cautionary view on Jubaland titled "Somalia and the Slippery Slope of Jubbaland." Writing for Eurasia Review, he said that all options currently on the table are considered zero sum by one group or another and argued that something must change before things fall apart beyond repair.

For other positions by Somali commentators on the formation of Jubaland, see postings below on 19 May by Abdighani Hirad and on 16 May by Mohamud M. Uluso.

[view whole blog post ]

The creation of the State of Jubaland within the Federal Republic of Somalia has resulted in Somali analysis, sometimes heated, pro and con. See the negative posting below for 16 May by Muhamud M. Uluso on the subject. Abdighani Hirad offered his positive views on 17 May 2013 in a piece titled "Jubaland State of Somalia: A Model State to Somalia."

So long as this debate remains civil and peaceful and is undertaken by Somalis, who must live with the results, it is a good thing.

[view whole blog post ]

LSI Solutions published on 18 May 2013 an analysis of the oil and gas situation in East Africa and the Horn titled "The Rise of East African Hydrocarbons." Written by Eray Basar, it notes that oil and gas discoveries in East Africa have made the region a top priority for exploration and development. Mozambique could potentially surpass Algeria as the world's six largest natural gas exporter. Other countries covered in the analysis include Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

[view whole blog post ]

Adam Clayton Powell III, director of Washington Policy Initiatives for the University of Southern California, reviewed our book, China and Africa: A Century of Engagement, in the April 2013 edition of American Diplomacy.

[view whole blog post ]

The Ethiopian Global Initiative is hosting in Washington on 1 June 2013 an Ethiopia Public Health Forum. This free event will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Kenney Auditorium of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies at 1740 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. The keynote speaker is Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu.

[view whole blog post ]

The District of Columbia Office on African Affairs is hosting a African Wellness Fete on 1 June 2013 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Brightwood Education Campus (1300 Nichloson St., N.W.). The goals of the event are to motivate positive health behavior within the African community and increase awareness of local health services and resources. The event is free.

[view whole blog post ]

The Inter Press Service News Agency published on 17 May 2013 a good update on the status of Ethiopian relations with neighboring Somalia. Titled "Ethiopia Playing at Being Good Neighbors," the author is William Lloyd-George.

[view whole blog post ]

The Sudan Studies Association will hold its annual conference at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on 24-26 May 2013. The complete program for the event is now a available.

[view whole blog post ]

The issue of federalism versus central control as a future governing structure for Somalia has resulted in heated debate among Somalis since the collapse of the Siad Barre government. Writing for Pampazuka News on 16 May 2013, Mohamud M. Uluso addresses this subject in a piece titled "Somalia: IHS Jane's Spin on Jubbaland Trap."

[view whole blog post ]