CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: UN attack helicopter halts militia

On Sunday, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) used an attack helicopter to prevent approximately 40 heavily armed militiamen of the Popular Front for the Central African Renaissance (FPRC) from carrying out an attack on the remote town of Bambari. MINUSCA spokesperson Vladimir Monteiro said the action upheld the peacekeeping force’s mandate to protect civilians from violence between FPRC and the rival Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), and warned FPRC against bringing “war to Bambari.” Comment: FPRC and UPC were formerly allied as part of the Séléka rebel coalition which ousted former president François Bozizé in March 2013, but the groups later split over disagreements.  In April 2014, the Security Council authorized MINUSCA, initially comprising of 10,000 military personnel to the country. In December 2016, Human Rights Watch reported that UPC rebels killed at least 32 people in clashes with FPRC. (News24, AP, Reuters)

REGIONAL: Woman appointed UN Deputy Secretary-General

COLOMBIA: FARC begins disarmament process

On Wednesday, despite a series of setbacks, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) began its disarmament process. The United Nations Mission in Colombia, the Colombian government, and  FARC leadership will be monitoring the process. Observers will identify and register all weapons within the 26 zones where FARC members are currently located and where they will transition to civilian life. Weapons will then be placed into special containers installed by the UN Mission in FARC camps. Comment: The process is expected to conclude on May 29th, 180 days after the final peace agreement came into force. Due to a lack of reliable record of the number of weapons owned by FARC, it will be difficult to quantify the percentage of disarmament. (El Universo, La Voz, CNN Español, Telesur, BBC, UN)

UNITED STATES: Trump called for a “merit-based” immigration system

On Tuesday, President Trump spoke before Congress to lay out his agenda and, in a different tone from his first weeks in office, offered a far broader plan calling for a “merit-based” immigration system and prioritizing skills and employability over family ties. Trump said, “It’s a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially, yet in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon.” Comment: The president’s immigration system is similar to an immigration compromise proposed in 2007 by President George W. Bush, the system included an eventual grant of legal status to an estimate of 11 million illegal immigrants in addition to more strict border regulations. (CNN, Economic Times, New York Times 1, 2, Politico, Washington Post)

CHINA: UN sanctions on Syria vetoed by China and Russia

On Wednesday, China and Russia vetoed a UN resolution to impose sanctions on Syria over alleged use of chemical weapons for the seventh time since the civil war began in 2011. Investigations by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have found that the Syrian government carried out three chemical weapons attacks in 2014 and 2015. China’s ambassador to the UN said Beijing opposes the use of chemical weapons but that it was too soon to impose sanctions as investigations were still ongoing. Comment: The resolution, drafted by France, Britain, and the U.S., would have banned the sale of helicopters and led to sanctions against 11 Syrian commanders or officials, as well as 10 groups linked to the chemical attacks. Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under an agreement negotiated between Russia and the U.S. (China Daily, BBC, The Guardian)

PHILIPPINES: Militants kill German hostage

On Monday, Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded German citizen Jurgen Kantner after a deadline for his ransom passed. A video of the beheading was circulated on Monday shortly after which the Philippine government confirmed Kantner’s death. Abu Sayyaf, a military group with ties to the self-proclaimed Islamic State, demanded a ransom of USD 600,000 be paid by Sunday. President Duterte apologized for failing to save the German hostage while German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the killing as an “abominable act.” According to Philippine authorities Abu Sayyaf are currently holding at least 19 foreigners and seven Filipinos hostage. Comment: Abu Sayyaf formed in the 1990s and has been kidnapping foreigners for decades, holding them for ransom in the jungles of southern Philippines. Last year Abu Sayyaf murdered two Canadians after their demands were not met. Abu Sayyaf also carried out the deadliest bombing in Philippines in 2004 claiming 116 lives. (The Inquirer, The Philippine Star, The Guardian, Al Jazeera)

THAILAND: Government drops law criminalizing torture

On Tuesday, Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly, the military appointed parliament, dropped legislation to criminalize torture and disappearances, leaving state employees and security forces unaccountable for serious crimes. Following the decision, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ravina Shamdasani, said the decision was “a devastating blow” to the families of those who have disappeared. Ms. Shamdasani also said that torture is not a criminal offense in Thailand, and while victims have won compensation in the past, perpetrators cannot be prosecuted. Comment: A UN working group on enforced disappearances recorded 82 cases in Thailand since 1980. Last year, Amnesty International released a report stating that Thailand’s military government has allowed a “culture of torture” to flourish since the army seized power in a 2014 coup. (The Bangkok Post, Reuters, UN News)

Researched/Written by Kanstantsin Ivanou

RUSSIA: Russia bombs U.S. backed Syrian forces

On Wednesday, according to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, a Russian airstrike hit U.S. backed Syrian forces fighting the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Townsend claims that initially Russian officials acknowledged the mistake and immediately suspended the airstrike. The Russian Ministry of Defense has since denied allegations that they targeted any areas designated by the U.S. military as controlled by Syrian forces. Comment: Communications between U.S. and Russian forces are a result of a ground communications link established in 2015 to avoid airspace clashes. The incident occurred southeast of the liberated city of al-Bab, and about 4-5 kilometers away from U.S. forces. (RT, Sputnik, Reuters, AP)

EGYPT: Coptic Christian populations flee Sinai after attacks by armed groups

LIBYA: Travel ban imposed on citizens age 18-45

On Friday, Libya’s eastern military governor Abdul Razzaq Al-Nazhuri imposed a travel ban on all citizens aged 18-45. Al-Nazhuri says the ban is to “protect national security and Libyans of this age group from being lured by terrorist organizations.” Those who want to travel will need to seek clearance from the government and provide “criteria” to the intelligence department. The ban will only be imposed on those traveling out from Labraq Airport, the only international airport under Al-Nazhuri’s jurisdiction. Those under his authority can still take a flight out of Tobruk’s airport or fly from Labraq to a connecting international flight in Tripoli. Comment: This ban comes after Al-Nazhuri banned women under the age of 60 from traveling without a male chaperone. Libyans have criticized the ban as an attempt to deflect from criticism of the ban on traveling women and claim that the action is rooted in Salafist pressure on security forces in the east.(Libya Herald, Middle East Confidential, Middle East Monitor)

SYRIA: Government forces push ISIS out of historic Palmyra

On Wednesday, Syrian government forces and their Russian allies pushed the self-proclaimed Islamic State out of historic Palmyra, which has been held by the group twice since 2015. The army says it captured the area known as the Palmyra triangle after advances in recent days, which were backed by Russian airstrikes. Ancient monuments and structures, including a 1,800 year-old monumental arc have been destroyed. Comment: The self-proclaimed Islamic State first captured the area in 2015; with the government forces regaining control in March 2016, the group recaptured the area in December 2016. The destruction of Historical sites is condemned as a war crime by the United Nations.  (Al Masdar News, Middle East Monitor,Reuters)

Researched/Written by Raghda Karajah

MALDIVES: Defense minister says soldiers must lose right to vote

On Tuesday, while speaking at the opening ceremony of a drill competition, Defense Minister Adam Shareef Umar announced the government’s plans to abolish article 20 of the Armed Forces Act, which gives those who serve in the Maldives National Defense Force the right to vote. He argued that soldiers must remain “free of political influences.” Shareef said a bill would be submitted this year to parliament, which is majority-ruled by the Progressive Party of Maldives. Comment: Members of the armed forces gained the right to vote in 2008 with the passing of the Armed Forces Act and the Maldives’ newest Constitution. The chairman of the main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party, said the party will not support the proposed changes to repeal this right. (Avas Online, Maldives Independent, Mihaaru)

SRI LANKA: First stop on U.S. Navy-led humanitarian mission

Researched/Written by Kaleigh Thomas