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132. Egypt's Moment of Reform: A Reality or Illusion?
- Author:
- Emad El-Din Shahin
- Publication Date:
- 07-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Centre for European Policy Studies
- Abstract:
- The movement for democratic reform in Egypt seems to be gathering strength. Some of the factors that would make a good case for democratic transformation are rapidly converging: the formation of a wide spectrum of discontented segments in society; the mushrooming of pro-reform grass-roots movements that agree on a clear list of short-term demands; and a sympathetic pro-reform international context. With presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in September and November respectively, will Egypt finally experience its democratic spring? The answer to this question still seems uncertain. The reform movement faces numerous challenges: the possibility of being sidelined by an agreement between the regime and external actors for the sake of stability and containing change; regime repression of the reform movement; and the radicalisation of the movement itself and the possible eruption of sporadic violence or chaos. For reform to become a reality and not another missed opportunity, certain structural changes and institutional safeguards must be introduced.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Government, and Human Rights
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Egypt
133. Ethiopia: Implications of the May 2005 Elections for Future Democratization Programs
- Author:
- Terrence Lyons
- Publication Date:
- 08-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Academy of Political Science
- Abstract:
- May 15, 2005 elections presented the Ethiopian people a remarkable opportunity to express their political views by participating in a poll that offered them a meaningful choice. In contrast to earlier elections in 1995 and 2000, opposition parties did not boycott but rather competed vigorously across the country. Opposition party mistrust of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), reports of intimidation and violence, and highly polarizing rhetoric raised concerns during the pre-election period but did not deter opposition parties from campaigning in nearly every constituency. Live, televised debates on matters of public policy, opposition party access to state-owned media, and huge, peaceful rallies in the final week of campaigning made it clear that these elections would represent a critical moment in Ethiopia's political development. The Ethiopian people recognized this opportunity and turned out in overwhelming numbers to vote, forcing some polling stations in Addis Ababa to stay open 24 hours to accommodate those in line.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Democratization, and Human Rights
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Ethiopia
134. The Carter Center News Fall 2005
- Publication Date:
- 09-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- Increased competition and opposition participation in elections observed by The Carter Center in Liberia and Ethiopia marked progress for democracy in Africa in recent months. Ethiopia's May 2005 elections for national parliament, which gave citizens ademocratic choice for the first time, were sharply contested by opposition groups. In the Oct. 11 Liberian presidential and legislative elections, the country's first truly competitive elections in 25 years, 22 candidates vied for the presidency.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Democratization, Human Rights, and Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Liberia, and Ethiopia
135. The Carter Center News, Spring 2005
- Publication Date:
- 03-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- Imagine a nation almost half the size of the United States where large portions of the population are sick—not with just one disease but several at once. Such is the daily reality for those living in Nigeria, a nation with one of the highest burdens of disease in Africa.
- Topic:
- Government, Human Rights, Human Welfare, and Peace Studies
- Political Geography:
- Africa, United States, and Nigeria
136. Zimbabwe's Operation Murambatsvina: The Tipping Point?
- Publication Date:
- 08-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- Operation Murambatsvina (Restore Order) cost some 700,000 Zimbabweans their homes or livelihoods or both and otherwise affected nearly a fifth of the troubled country's population. Its impact, as documented in a scathing UN report, has produced a political shock that has returned Zimbabwe to the international spotlight and made the quality of its governance almost impossible for its regional neighbours to ignore, however difficult they find it to be overtly critical. While an immediate requirement is to reverse as thoroughly as possible the disastrous humanitarian effect s of the operation, action is urgently needed to address Zimbabwe's larger governance problem. This will require effort s on three parallel tracks -- the maintenance of overt international pressure, support for building internal political capacity and, above all, active regional diplomacy to facilitate political transition.
- Topic:
- Government, Human Rights, and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Zimbabwe
137. Swaziland: The Clock Is Ticking
- Publication Date:
- 07-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- Swaziland has been an absolute monarchy for more than 30 years, with a royal leadership that ignores worsening social ills and a small elite that is often openly corrupt. A new constitution that further codifies broad royal powers and privileges is in the final stages of preparation. Political violence is still more talked about than actual but frustration is building. Multilateral African institutions, the EU and key countries like South Africa and the U.S. have been too willing to accept the royalists' line that any change must come very slowly. More pressure from the outside is needed to help pro-reform elements inside the country bring back a constitutional monarchy and genuine democracy that are the best guarantees Swazi instability will not eventually infect the region.
- Topic:
- Government, Human Rights, and Human Welfare
- Political Geography:
- Africa, United States, South Africa, and Swaziland
138. Africa's Debt Iraq's Debt - Washington's Double Standard
- Publication Date:
- 04-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Africa Policy Information Center
- Abstract:
- This week when the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) hold their annual spring meetings in Washington, DC, Africa's debt crisis will hardly appear on their agenda.
- Topic:
- Foreign Policy, Economics, Human Rights, Human Welfare, and Poverty
- Political Geography:
- Africa, United States, Iraq, Washington, Middle East, and Arabia
139. Africa Policy Outlook 2004
- Author:
- Salih Booker and Ann-Louise Colgan
- Publication Date:
- 01-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Africa Policy Information Center
- Abstract:
- The U.S.' Africa policy will continue to be characterized by a duplicity that has emerged as the principal hallmark of the Bush Administration approach to the continent. On the one hand, Africa's priorities are being marginalized and undermined by a U.S. foreign policy preoccupied with other parts of the world. On the other hand, the Bush White House is callously manipulating Africa, claiming to champion the continent's needs with its compassionate conservative agenda.
- Topic:
- Foreign Policy, Economics, Human Rights, Human Welfare, Poverty, and War
- Political Geography:
- Africa and United States
140. Women, Muslim Laws and Human Rights in Nigeria
- Author:
- Ayesha Imam
- Publication Date:
- 02-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- An Introduction from Directors Howard Wolpe and Haleh Esfandiari: This past September, the Woodrow Wilson International Center's Africa and Middle East Programs co-sponsored a forum on Women, Islam and Human Rights in Africa.At the forum, a notable keynote address was presented by the distinguished feminist scholar, Ayesha Imam, coordinator of the Nigerian women's rights organization, BAOBOB.We believe that Dr. Imam's remarks, presented in the form of responses to queries posed by Woodrow Wilson Fellow and forum organizer, Mary Osirim, deserve a wider audience. Dr. Imam's address becomes the second in a series of WWICS Africa Program Occasional Papers. A report on the September 17, 2003 forum can be found on the WWICS website, www.wilsoncenter.org.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Human Rights, and Religion
- Political Geography:
- Africa