Somalia

As the international community continues to grapple with October’s brutal terror attack in Mogadishu, the United States has steadily increased its provision of military aid to the region, increasing personnel more than twofold. The revamping of America’s military presence in the Horn of Africa has manifested in two new military headquarters in Mogadishu, as well as an escalation of airstrikes. This was perhaps prompted by AMISOM’s seemingly abrupt decision to begin withdrawing troops from Somalia last month. As AMISOM transitions out of the region, it is sure to leave a security vacuum, which the United States appears amenable to fill. Indeed, the United States’ military initiative in the region comes at a time when mounting conflict has prevented the government from establishing proper aid infrastructure to reach the millions of people currently at risk of food insecurity. As the United States escalates its military presence in Somalia, it remains to be seen whether the increasingly protected Somali government will commit itself to a more effective approach to transport and agricultural infrastructure.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has continued to be ravaged by mounting ethnic conflict in Oromia, a region of the country where over 200,000 people have been displaced by violence. Conflict between the Oromo and Somali regions of Ethiopia has led to sporadic violence perpetrated by the regional governments of both provinces, with the Oromo criticizing the federal government for not doing more to quell the fighting. The Oromo contend that the federal government has refused to provide sufficient aid to the region, following a year and a half of anti-government protests held there. As a result of a poorly coordinated federal initiative to quell the violence, thousands of Oromo have been forced into refugee camps and hundreds more have lost their lives.

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

In continuation of August arms control policies, which has a stated aim to decrease weapons smuggling in Darfur, Sudanese Vice President Abdel Rahman made moves to aid the disarmament process by registering unregulated vehicles. This process has intensified as a widespread belief has emerged that it could ignite a series of armed conflicts between tribal leaders, local militias, and the government, putting civilians at risk. The Vice President is also cracking down on smuggling in Sudan’s porous border.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s favorable treatment of Sudan is becoming a trend. After sanctions were lifted in October, supposedly to improve economic development and to decrease their trade with North Korea, the U.S. is now open to removing Sudan as a state sponsor of terror. If the government in Khartoum continues to distance themselves from North Korea, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan says Sudan will be removed from the list. Sudan’s ties to North Korea aren’t the only relations that Sudan has to groups unfriendly to the U.S. Reminiscent of Sudan’s ties to Al Qaeda, Sudan apparently has ties to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas. Nevertheless, Sudan’s human rights record continues to be appalling, especially when it comes to freedom of speech and religion. Church demolitions are common and the country is dangerous for journalists as the National Intelligence and Security Services censor any news unfavorable to the government.

South Sudan

On November 15, UN ambassador Nikki Haley, shocked by her October visit, spoke at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, criticizing South Sudanese government forces for exacerbating and perpetuating ethnically-based conflict, while also saying the fault was on both sides. She brought to light issues of women’s rights by exposing terrible living conditions and rampant rape committed by government forces. In contrast to the unconditional support Kiir has received from other U.S. leaders, Haley has taken a hard stance concerning Kiir’s human rights record with hopes that he will go beyond denial and conciliatory rhetoric. Kiir has allowed humanitarian groups complete access to the country in hopes it will alleviate the current famine. In a country where policy implementation is so decentralized and perverted by ethnic conflict, cohesion on the part of the state is necessary to signify a true change in policy.

On Monday, the two factions within the South Sudan’s People Liberation Army (the SPLM and the SPLM-In Opposition) were united, which may help end conflict in South Sudan. These factions represent the rift between President Salva Kiir and exiled former Vice President Riek Machar, as well as the wider ethno-political conflict. Despite this move, Lt. Gen. Wesley Welebe Samson says that “The Cairo Declaration that was signed by fragmented factions of South Sudan’s SPLM party will not bring peace without the release, return and full participation of SPLA/M-IO Chairman and Commander in Chief Dr. Riek Machar Teny.” Riek Machar, the former Vice President of South Sudan, denounced the entire negotiation process. This is not unexpected as he rejected negotiations in Kampala this June, which hinged on his release and the unification of the two factions.

Middle East and North Africa

Yemen

The UN has urged Saudi Arabia to allow humanitarian aid into Yemen. Early in November, as a response to a missile attack fired by Houthi rebels on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia imposed a blockade on all ports in Yemen after the bombing of the Sana’a airport. Justifying their decision by claiming humanitarian aid shipments are used to smuggle arms, the Saudi government has put millions of civilians at risk.  

Immediately after the blockade’s implementation, there was a global outcry. Human rights organizations expressed alarm about the threatening situation. Some of the aid that was impeded includes at least three UN airplanes full of emergency supplies; support from the World Food Program, which has been feeding seven million people a month in Yemen; and medicine for a widespread cholera outbreak.

While the block on southern ports was lifted, the situation in Yemen continues to be indisputably grave. The Guardian reports that while this was a step in the right direction, noting that the embargo remains “on all Houthi-controlled ports in northern Yemen, including Hodeidah, through which 70% of aid has been transported.”

Disease and famine resulting from destitute conditions have only been exacerbated by the blockade. A drastic increase in fuel prices and cooking gas has resulted in less pumping stations. Less pumping stations, in turn, have caused the elimination of clean water from five major cities. With seven million people on the brink of man-made famine, the gross violation of rights is evident.

Egypt

Egypt recently issued a warning to Ethiopia for its ongoing construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egyptians fear will cut into their water supply. Negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and neighboring Sudan have broken down, and President El-Sisi of Egypt has threatened that “no one can touch Egypt’s share of water.”

On November 24, militants bombed a Sufi Mosque located in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 305 people and wounding 128. Most of the victims were Sufi Muslims. Soon after, the Egyptian government administered airstrikes targeting the militants who were responsible for the attack.

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Soham Mehta is STAND’s Sudan and South Sudan Coordinator. He is currently a sophomore in high school at BASIS Chandler. Soham hopes to help educate people about of the scale and prevalence of genocides in order to raise awareness for legislation to counter current atrocities and to dissuade future ones. In his free time, Soham enjoys volunteering, drawing, and playing the guitar.

Sael Soni is STAND’s Horn of Africa Coordinator. Sael is a freshman at Vanderbilt University. His interests lay mostly in understanding the dynamics of post-Colonial Latin America and the intersection of human rights and economic policy.

Ana Delgado is STAND’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Coordinator. Ana Delgado is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is studying Political Science and Peace, War, & Defense while minoring in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. After graduation, Ana hopes to pursue a law degree with an emphasis on human rights.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” –Anne Frank

The busyness of life often prevents reflection. As I began my drive back to Christopher Newport University this busyness stilled and perspective filled my rear view mirror. The past five years of my life I had met thousands of people, became strongly involved with a student activism group through STAND, joined the non-profit Liberty in North Korea, traveled across the country, and formed lifelong friendships. One lesson however, seemed to form the epicenter of all my experiences; the power of student activism, of the ability of a concerned group of individuals to make a real impact in the world. I have been blessed to witness students across the country who not only refuse to be labeled as uncaring or selfish but who actively campaign to create a new label. To create a generation that does not stand by but stands together.

Student activism is contagious and passion speaks. This Friday, I was blessed to see this power firsthand and to relearn this lesson. I was able to return to the home I had created at CNU and to meet some extended family. The current STAND club at CNU was able to contact my former employer, the non-profit Liberty in North Korea, to bring out the southeast nomad team for a presentation. The southeast nomads are a team of three concerned and dedicated individuals from different backgrounds brought together by their common concern for the North Korean people. The nomads spend over 10 weeks driving by van across the country engaging students in creative ways. As the two activism teams met it was non-profit love at first sight, and I had the joy of being the bridesmaid.

I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I arrived on campus and made my way to the student union to meet both groups during a tabling session. Two kind faces greeted me at the table, David; the STAND@CNU research officer with a goliath sized heart, and Ashton; who has a contagious giddiness about her. The two sophomores had just joined STAND and showed no lack of enthusiasm. They had brought their own dry erase boards with them and asked students to share what they were thankful for in order to bring awareness to the plight of the North Korea people. It was my involvement with STAND that lit the fire in me to get involved and I got to see that same passion in both of them. They were joined by the southeast nomad team, Brian; a man who both looks like, and has all the energy and enthusiasm of, a high schooler, Yoona; a Maryland native with the kind of warm spirit that draws people together, and Bernadette; a gentle soul who is the heart of the team.

The two teams became fast friends as we got lunch and decided to drive to a local nature trail. All six of us packed our way into the LiNK van and headed to the trail. While walking with Brian and David, we were stopped by two older ladies who were taking in some of the trail’s fresh air before their trip to the synagogue. This is a common occurrence when you drive a van with the words “Liberty in North Korea” on it. When we described the non-profit to them, surprise surfaced on their faces. One of them stated, “I had no idea students still did this kind of thing.” As we passed the time, she described her past as a leftover from the Vietnam protests. It was eye-opening to think of how her actions served as a foundation for the current wave of student activists. As we made our way back to campus we had a new source of inspiration.

The presentation took place in a medium-sized theatre in one of the newer buildings on campus. Around 40 concerned students showed up to the event to learn about the North Korean people and the change they are driving within the country. The STAND team was super enthusiastic afterwards and couldn’t wait to plan more events on campus. As the nomads packed back into their vans and said their goodbyes we all took a couple final photos to save the strong friendship we were able to form in only a day.I began my interest with international human rights during my time as vice president of STAND@CNU during college. It was during that time that I learned of the power of student activism. After graduating I spent a semester traveling the country talking about the grassroots driven changes happening in North Korea. I spent time as a programs intern for STAND and am now currently awaiting to hear back from graduate school.