ED’s picks for the week “Pulse”, is harvested from all over, and deals with news and commentary on the Horn of Africa.
Human Rights in Eritrea: On March 12, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea presented her report to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council. Arbitrary arrests and death in custody go on. Freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, religion and belief remain severely curtailed. The economic rights of citizens are violated. The country remains closed to all but fawning fans. The report concludes with the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Sheila B. Keetharuth, asking those who have been calling for engagement with the Government of Eritrea: “what tangible progress has been achieved on the ground regarding the fundamental human rights I have dealt with in my update? What concrete steps have been taken for necessary transformation?” Source: OHCHR
Government of Eritrea replies to OHCHR:
During #HRC37 discussion on human rights situation in #Eritrea, delegation fails to even show up. No willingness to end rights abuses, or even engage. SR mandate crucial to ensure rights violations not ignored. pic.twitter.com/3hbgYzQlnC
— John Fisher (@JohnFisher_hrw) March 12, 2018
The Garden Among The Flames: A writer for awate.com, Burhan Ali, has a long and beautiful narration on Akhria of his youth which maintained its rebellious nature: “One morning, only weeks after planting the provocation, the small wild thorny trees (Cactus) where knocked down during the night and uprooted all left lying on the side along the road where they were challengingly standing and affronting the residents of Akria for few days. The police and the city went crazy, sniffing everywhere to trace those who have done the deed. It was to no avail, but every man, woman, and child in the neighborhood knew who has done it, and by the names too.” Source: Awate.com
The Arsonist Around The Flames: Meanwhile, to the surprise of nobody at all, “South Sudan President Salva Kiir has openly admitted his country has run out of cash and there was nothing that could be done to fix the economy unless war stops for peace and stability to return to the country in order for investors and other money-generating activities to resume.” – Sudan Tribune
The Prime Minister Has Resigned; Long Live The Prime Minister: A month after Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn submitted his resignation, Ethiopia has not named a new one. The ruling party, EPRDF, had reported that its executive committee was going to meet on March 11 and a new Prime Minister was widely expected to be named. But now, the word is that “we are not going to be rushed” which means we are not close to reaching a compromise candidate. So, more punishment for the Prime Minister.
The DP Is In The Details: In 2000, the Djibouti Government gave DP World a 20 year concession to operate the Port of Djibouti and its Doraleh Container Terminal. Last month, Djibouti kicked out DP World (majority owned by the government of United Arab Emirates) alleging that it won the contract by making “illegal payments” (bribes.) This month, Somalia’s government announced that the 30-year concession DP World signed with the breakaway (but unrecognized) Republic of Somaliland in the Port of Berbera is “null and void.” This means that DP World’s two locations in the Horn of Africa are now challenged which will have null impact on the company’s financial position (revenues of 4.2 billion and profits of 2.1 billion.)
