Keeping Up With The Chaos
Stay updated on the latest events in Somalia, Colombia, USA, China, and Afghanistan. Learn about the upcoming presidential election in Somalia, anti-government protests in Colombia, the controversial release of Bill Cosby in the USA, China’s 100th anniversary celebration, and the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan.
SOMALIA
Somalia’s Presidential Election and Its Impact on East-African Stability
Somalia will elect a new president in the upcoming weeks. President Mohamed Abdullahi, whose term of office expired in February but remained in office which triggered a constitutional crisis in the state. Hopes are rising that a new leader will be able to stabilize the East-African country, since Somalia’s state of safety and functionality is crucial for the whole East-African region. Only with a strong Somalia in its centre it would possible to defy the terror militia al-Shabaab that operates not only in Somalia, but also in neighbouring countries like Yemen, Uganda, and Kenya.
COLOMBIA
Anti-Government Protests in Colombia: Toppling of Christopher Columbus
Anti-government protesters in Colombia have toppled a statue of the European explorer Christopher Columbus in the coastal city of Barranquilla. The demonstration marked two months of nationwide protests calling for social reform. Especially with the rising number of Indigenous activists, Columbus is a symbol of colonialism and oppression. Back in spring we mentioned in our KUWTC the reasons for the heated situation. The demonstrations started as a reaction to a proposed tax reform in April. President Iván Dunque stopped the bill after only four days of demonstrations but couldn’t stop the wave of escalating riots that followed.
USA
Controversial Release of Bill Cosby Raises Concerns about #MeToo Movement
His conviction was widely seen as a landmark moment in the #MeToo movement back in 2018. Back then, nearly three years ago, Ex-TV star Bill Cosby was found guilty of drugging and molesting ex-basketball player Andrea Constand. Now, a US court decided that the verdict against him is invalid and that he will be released from prison immediately due to “process violation” by the prosecution. Concerns are rising that the decision will have an unpleasant effect and will lead women to not come forward with those kind of allegations in the future. Cosby had been accused of sexual abuse by more than 60 women.
CHINA
China’s Ruling Communist Party Marks 100th Anniversary Amidst Debates on Authoritarianism
China’s ruling Communist Party celebrates its 100th anniversary. Xi Jinping, leader of the party, used his speech to state how much the Chinese population want its party to stay the leading force in China. But it seems like many didn’t buy his propaganda of the convinced and subservient population. Inside as well as outside of Asian, the debate is intensifying over how to deal with the renewed prominence of authoritarian and communistic values. While some western countries are trying to build stable economic relations with China hoping to be able to control the country on that matter, Chinese professor Cai Xia is convinced that “China opened up to the world, […] to use the global system to strengthen its own power […] the party’s Cold War mentality has never changed”.
AFGHANISTAN
Withdrawal of US and NATO Forces from Afghanistan Raises Concerns of Civil War
The last US and NATO forces have left Bagram airbase in Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The withdrawal comes as Taliban insurgents continue to advance in many parts of Afghanistan only waiting for an opportunity to gain more power. It is feared that a new civil war could erupt after the departure of all foreign forces since the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and Islamic State groups seem to grow stronger by the day.
