Human Rights Foundation’s Post

Syrians vote for their next parliament, which may pave the way for Assad to extend his rule - from The Associated Press: Syrians were voting for members of a new parliament in an election Monday that was expected to hold few surprises but could pave the way for a constitutional amendment to extend the term of President Bashar Assad. The vote is the fourth in Syria since mass anti-government protests in 2011 and a brutal crackdown by security forces spiraled into an ongoing civil war. It comes as an economic crisis grips the country, fueling demonstrations in the south. Syria’s 2024 parliamentary election excludes rebel-held northwest Syria and the country’s northeast under U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The number of eligible voters hasn’t been announced either, and unlike presidential elections, the millions of diaspora Syrians — whose numbers have ballooned since the civil war — are not qualified to vote for the legislators. Western countries and Assad’s critics say the polling in government-held areas in Syria is neither free nor fair. This year, 1,516 government-approved candidates are running for the 250-seat People’s Assembly. Some 8,151 polling stations were set up in 15 voting districts in government-held areas, with results expected to be announced Monday night or the following day. In the last round of elections in 2020, the outcome was delayed for days due to technical issues, according to officials. Assad’s Baath Party won 166 seats, in addition to 17 others from allied parties, while 67 seats went to independent candidates. The poll is taking place as Syria’s economy continues to deteriorate after years of conflict, Western-led sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling aid due to donor fatigue. Meanwhile, the value of the country’s national currency against the dollar has reached new lows, sparking food and fuel inflation. The government also partially rolled back its subsidy program almost a year ago while at the same time doubling public sector and pension wages. https://lnkd.in/e5frzq4z

The dissolution of the Kuwaiti Parliament and the suspension of many of its articles for up to four years reflect his remarks in a historic speech that some are using democracy to destroy Kuwait. It indicates a recognition that “certain radical groups” are exploiting the freedoms granted by democracy to destabilize the country and create chaos. Once they achieve their ultimate goals, they intend to alter the laws to conform to their ideology. This is already happening in the West! Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups misuse the laws and democratic freedoms—systems in which they do not believe—to advance their political agendas, which ultimately aim to dismantle democracy itself and destabilize the very countries they once fled to for asylum. Now, this influence extends to the second, third, and fourth generations.

Autocoup in #Puntland Said Abdullahi Deni has been re-elected as president of Puntland on 22 January 2024, with 45 out of 66 lawmakers voting in his favour at the 3rd round. The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), loyal to Deni and backed by the #UnitedArabEmirates (#UAE), had occupied the parliament on 18 December 2023 and during the elections, probably intimidating lawmakers into a re-election of their preferred candidate. The PMPF was also involved in stifling popular dissent throughout 2023. Situated in the northeast of #Somalia, the region of Puntland has been relatively spared by Al #Shabaab (AS). The Galgala hills are however a small #ISIS stronghold. It is adjacent to the new region of #SSC-#Khatumo, which the PMPF helped secede from #Somaliland. Despite Puntland laying a claim on the region since 1998, SSC-Khatumo has made known its will to remain a separate state within federal Somalia. Despite enjoying stronger stability than the center and south of Somalia for decades, thus obtaining a great share of autonomy, Puntland's position weakened as Deni tried unsuccessfully to switch to universal suffrage, triggering a political crisis that saw the constitution, parliament and presidency challenged. This in turn empowered Mogadiscio to an extent, while the UAE still retained influence in #Jubaland (south), in Somaliland and in the federal government. The operation of the airport and port of Berbera (Somaliland) by UAE-controlled DP World (2017) has been sanctioned by Mogadiscio (2022), while the UAE opened a military base near Kismayo (Jubaland). A bilateral security deal has been signed in January 2023, then allowing to bypass UN sanctions. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds will remain a major issue in fighting ISIS and AS, while fueling discontent among non-PMPF forces. Deni is expected to keep pushing for universal suffrage during his second term, so as to remain in power constitutionally.

https://lnkd.in/en22BbHb Jordan’s King Abdullah II has dissolved the Middle East nation’s lower house of parliament ahead of new legislative elections scheduled for September at a time of growing concerns that neighboring Israel’s war against Hamas will turn into a broader regional armed conflict. Under the Jordanian Constitution, parliamentary elections must be held within four months before the current parliament’s term ends, which concludes in November. The new elections are set for September 10 and will be conducted under a revised election law which allocates 41 of the 138 seats in the assembly to political parties, officials said. Jordan’s bicameral parliament consists of the Senate, whose members are appointed by the king, and an elected lower chamber known as the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives was dissolved on Thursday by royal decree, the Royal Hashemite Court announced. According to official figures, turnout in the last parliamentary election in 2020 was 30 percent, compared with 36 percent in 2016. The 130-member parliament consisted mainly of deputies who belonged to tribes in what became the British Protectorate of Transjordan in 1921. The population of Jordan has since been increased by the arrival of refugees and migrants, mainly from Palestine but also from Iraq, Syria, and other countries. For decades, the central role of the Hashemite monarchy has been maintaining the balance between the various ethnic and tribal groups in the country of some 11 million people. SENSITIVE TIME Yet the September elections come at a sensitive time for Jordan’s king. Most of Jordan’s people are of Palestinian origin after the nation took in millions of what it called “Palestinian refugees fleeing their homeland” following the founding of Israel. The Gaza crisis has put King Abdullah II in a challenging position as he struggles to reconcile support for an independent Palestinian state with a long-standing U.S. alliance and decades-old recognition of Israel. The war has sparked widespread public anger, with calls by protesters to cut ties with Israel. With the growing influence of parties expected after the elections, the issue of future relations with Israel was due to be high on the political agenda. Jordan also faces pressure from Iran, which seeks Israel’s destruction. In May, Jordan foiled a suspected Iranian-led plot to smuggle weapons into the U.S.-allied kingdom to help opponents of the ruling monarchy carry out acts of sabotage, sources said. The weapons were reportedly sent by Iranian-backed militias in Syria to a cell of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan that has links to the military wing of the Palestinian group Hamas. The cache was seized when members of the cell, Jordanians of Palestinian descent, were arrested in late March, officials said.

Following weeks of tension in Mali, the ruling junta has banned political party activity. On Wednesday 10 April, a junta spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga, said the ban was to maintain public order. The moves comes as calls for elections have grown significantly. It is likely this ban on political activity will remain in place for the foreseeable future whilst Mali struggles with internal dissent against the ruling junta and allow those in power to keep hold of it. It is highly likely that the junta will attempt to frame the ban as a way to deal with the increasingly fraught security situation it faces in the North and much of the country from terrorist groups like IS and JNIM. #security #politics #terrorism

Mali’s Fragmented Political Situation: Political parties in Mali have once again requested elections following the ruling military junta once again shunned the possibility of elections. The current junta has been in power since 2021 when they seized power in the second coup in that year. They had promised to hold elections within 24 months. However, in September 2023, it was said that elections would not be possible for “technical” reasons. In a joint statement on Sunday 31 March 2024, 20 opposition parties and civil society groups called for the legal framework for elections to be set up without delay. The junta has all but ignored this request. It is highly likely that the ruling junta in Mali will use the deteriorating security situation in Mali to postpone elections over the next 12 months. This will likely lead to growing frustration among political and civil groups. The Malian junta is likely buoyed by the growing ties with Moscow, who have seized on the vacuum left by Wagner since the death of Prigozhin. In February 2024, Russian foreign minister Lavrov offered a broader military and economic partnership to those in power in Bamako. It is also highly likely that the growing number of juntas that have come to power in the Sahel over the last 24 months has given confidence to the Malian junta that it has “allies” with the same goals as it on its doorstep in Burkina Faso and Niger. Therefore, their willingness to return power to the country's political parties is far less than it would have been. #security #politics #mali #junta

Political Instability in Pakistan Navigating Uncertainty Amidst 2024 Elections Pakistan, a nation with immense potential, grapples with a persistent reality: political instability. This complex issue, fueled by various factors, casts a shadow over the upcoming 2023 elections, adding another layer of uncertainty to the future. Understanding the Current Landscape: * 2022-23 Unrest: Ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan's ongoing campaign against the establishment and the fragile coalition government paint a picture of deep divides. * Economic Woes: Inflation, currency depreciation, and rising public debt create discontent and limit the government's ability to deliver effectively. * Security Concerns: Resurgent terrorism, particularly along the Afghan border, and internal ethnic tensions pose significant challenges. * Military's Role: The powerful military's perceived influence in politics fuels accusations of manipulation and undermines democratic legitimacy. Elections 2023: A Glimmer of Hope or More Turmoil? * Khan's Potential Return: Khan remains a popular figure, and his party's performance will be crucial in shaping the post-election landscape. * Coalition Challenges: The current government's ability to stay united and deliver on promises might influence voter sentiment. * New Political Entrants: Smaller parties and independent candidates could emerge as game-changers, disrupting traditional power dynamics. Looking Ahead: What's at Stake? * Stability and Development: Political stability is vital for attracting investment, improving infrastructure, and creating jobs. * Security and Regional Peace: A stable Pakistan benefits the region by countering terrorism and promoting dialogue. * Democratic Consolidation: Strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring peaceful transitions of power is crucial for long-term prosperity. The Road Ahead: A Call for Unity and Dialogue Pakistan's path forward requires acknowledging the complex challenges and seeking solutions through: * Inclusive Dialogue: All stakeholders, including political parties, the military, and civil society, must engage in constructive dialogue to build consensus. * Focus on Economy and Security: Policies addressing economic concerns and countering terrorism are critical for creating a stable environment. * Peaceful Elections: Conducting free, fair, and credible elections is crucial for ensuring public trust and legitimacy in the new government. Pakistan's journey towards stability is challenging, but not insurmountable. By prioritizing national interests over individual agendas, embracing democratic values, and working together, the nation can navigate this critical juncture and unlock its true potential Hafiz Mobeen Ahmed #election2024 #pakistaneconomy #pakistanpolitics

Unilateral decision to extend President Kiir and his FVP Dr Riek Machar until 2026: TIME TO ORGANIZE TO REMOVE THIS INSANITY FROM SOUTH SUDAN! That is what ultimately Kiir wanted to do; prolong his stay in power. We all knew this all along; be it via his sham elections or simply unilaterally extending his government: eventually the end result was for him to prolong his stay in power! What we can do and ought to always do are 3 things: (_PS: it is not about order of appearance_): 1. Work toward our unity as a people; we the 64 communities for we must strive toward shifting the power equilibrium back to the people (_very effective toward weakening the status quo and effecting REAL change_). We all work with various communities and constituencies lets reach out to them with the same message of *"unity is power & nationhood"* regardless of who is in power now; _we know those in government are self-serving individuals who do not care about any of our 64 communities_. 2. ⁠All opposition, civil society & the Diaspora ought to find ways to work together; this type of interactions and actions thereof send powerful signals to our communities (who in turn shall be uplifted and react; the REAL power!); and 3. ⁠We must all act as watchdogs on behalf of our nation against President Kiir's government: lets remain vigilant on EVERY act Kiir and co do or say and we MUST REACT; from him borrowing funds, entering into external debts/loans, mortgaging our national resources, his alliances with dubious regional or international war mongers, arbitrary detentions (NSS blue house…), nepotistic political appointments or thievery of humanitarian assistance or illegal levy at border points or lack of any development and infrastructure etc etc. lets call out everything a spade a spade and ensure to build alliances nationally, regionally and internationally to sustain the pressure and up it! We can not stand by and allow Kiir to appoint his 'younger' successor(s) with his family members, South Sudan belongs to all of us We the 64 communities the 12 million citizens! Let’s rise to our people’s suffering and do our part, EACH ONE OF US! It begins with you and I. Suzanne Jambo Friday 13th September 2024 VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE: We take note the hurried timing of Kiir’s decision to extend his government is based on some global unfolding event this past week; precisely after September 10th, 2024. “If you know, you know!” https://lnkd.in/gMnGGQk9

This is an important shift in African geopolitics to note, especially when also noting just how much China has provided support to Somalia in all sorts of infrastructure development including security - counterterrorism at the forefront. This comes on the heels of Somalia and China recently agreeing to pursue stronger defence cooperation, including stronger and closer partnership in all things defence. What that might translate into is anybody’s guess, but it is worth noting that end 2023, Chinese taikonauts took a Somali boy's painting into space and stuck it up on the wall - maybe a space-related element? Possibly like China’s major military installation in Namibia? Potential domino effects notwithstanding.