Category Archives: Socio-economic Collapse

Here Are the Top Ten Stock Market Crash of 1929 Facts 1. It Could Happen Again

The first fact to know about the stock market crash of 1929 is that a similar crash could happen again in 2017.

The second fact is that a similar crash today could cause aneconomic collapse worldwide. The 1929 crash happened when the world was less interconnected. It affected mostly the United States and Europe. The next one will be more inclusive.

The Great Depression of the 1930s is the name given to the great economic downturn in the heart of Western capitalist economies following the 1929 crisis. Before breaking down this key historical event in a series of facts, a stock market crash of 1929 summary is necessary.

The 1929 crisis happened so quickly that panic was societys first response. Some historians have gone asfar as describing it as a psychological crisis, even more than an economic one. No doubt, the fact that so few had expected the Crash of 1929 showed that American capitalism suffered from the disease of excessive optimism and even self-reference.

The latter point, the self-reference, refers to the tendency of many American investors in the 1920s to ignore what was happening in Europe. That failure to readclear signals accounted for the shock. Nevertheless, the stock market crash of 1929 was a process that lasted a week and three disastrous sessions that began on October 24, culminating on Tuesday, October 29.

The third fact to know about the 1929 crash is that it was not a single-day event. The crash began on Thursday, October 24so-called Black Thursday. There was a collapse of the market as stocks lost some 13% of their value. The shock factor was considerable, given that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hit a record high barely a month earlier on September 3.

Following five years of bullish excess, during which the DJIA increased fivefold and reached a peak of 381.17 on September 3, 1929,the value started to fall. The DJIA started losing its gains during an initial and gradual drop. Stocks entered a yo-yo phase, recovering over half their loss, only to drop again.

The decline went into a full tailspin on Black Thursday. Some 12.9 million shares were sold that day. The banks were bamboozled. They reacted just like a hurried driver who ignores the water temperature gauge as it moves toward the red end. Instead of stopping to check if a fan belt has broken, she/he drives on, hoping the problem fixes itself.

Similarly, the banks were relying on the market to fix itself. Thus, they bought more, achieving a recovery. Black Thursday ended with a 2.1% losswhich seemed positively bullish compared to the 13% lost in the first part of the day. On October 25, the markets were quiet. It was that deceitful kind of calm that precedes the worst storms.

That storm would cause the Big Crash on Monday, October 28, and completed its path of destruction on Tuesday, October 29the famous Black Tuesday. On that day, over 16 million shares were sold. The market lost $14.0 billion worth of value. But, during the week that started on Black Thursday, the total loss was $30.0 billion.

That was over ten times the annual budget of the U.S. federal government, far more than the same spent during World War 1. (Burns, Ric, James Sanders, Lisa Ades, Steve Rivo, Marilyn Ness, David Ogden Stiers, Buddy Squires, Allen Moore, Brian Keane, and Charlie Rose. 2010. New York: A Documentary Film. [United States]: PBS Home Video.)

As we start to examine what caused the Crash of 1929, World War 1is one of the main causes. This is not to suggest the war itself, which left devastation and millions dead. Rather, how the Great War set up the markets for the euphoria of the 1920s, the Crash of 1929, and the wake-up call of the Depression in the 1930s.

World War 1 is the most important of the stock market crash of 1929 causes. The crash occurred as a result of the lopsided development between the U.S. and European economies, and other countries of the world in the decade 1919-1928. Europe was busy reconstructing amid massive social and political changes, marked by instability and the collapse of empires and monarchies.

While the First World War had destroyed the European industrial powers, it created a unique opportunity for the United States not only to intervene in the conflict militarily and politically,but more than anything else, it allowed the U.S. to exploit its huge economic and financial power, already established between the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

As Europe was strugglingwhile Russia became the Soviet Union, essentially dropping out of the market altogethergrowth was stagnant. America was growing rapidly but there was no corresponding expansion of the world market. Thus, the 1920s, the roaring twenties, were marked by the dominance of the Republican Party at its peak free market moment.

The government kept public spending at a minimum while favoring the emergence of large corporations and the accumulation of private wealth. There was no social assistance in the sense that we understand it today. It was as free a market as there ever was in the 20thcentury.

To get an idea of the spirit of the age and the colossal inequality that existed between the poor and the rich, watch any Charlie Chaplin movie from that period. Moviessuch as The Kidor Gold Rushdepict the socio-economic context that produced the Great Crash. Or read The Great Gatsbyby F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was in the 1920s, even more than in the post-Crash years of the Great Depression, that the wage gap widened.

Corporate profits increased but wages stagnated. The rich became richer and the upper middle classes were blinded by optimism in the markets and the prospect of unlimited wealth. This was fueled by the idea that wealth did not have to come from work. It could be achieved at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Thus, the ruling market sentiment of the 1920s was nothing short of euphoria. The NYSE set successive records fueled by speculative transactions and the prospect of easy money. The most fashionable financial practice of the age was investing on creditand buying goods on installments. Euphoria proved costly.

This should sound familiar. Does the 2007-2008 crisis sound familiar? Does the 2016-2017 rally come to mind? The result was that the real economy became ever more detached from Wall Street and the speculation that ruled it. The Dow Jones rallies of most of the 1920s decade represented the spread of a wafer economy, increasingly disconnected from the real one.

Stock values rose without any logic, driving up companies capitalizations, independently from their industrial or business reality. Simply put, the economy had a weak foundation. Meanwhile, reflecting the financial euphoria, mass production produced too many goods for the American market.

The assembly line. Innovations in the system of production led the U.S. economy to grow at a very brisk pace throughout the 1920s. In 1913, just before the start of World War 1, Henry Ford invented the assembly line. That was one of the most disruptive economic developments in history. It allowed for unprecedented increases in productivity.

The assembly line meant a sharp reduction in the number of employees in factories. Technological innovations, then as now, forced companies to rationalize. Meanwhile, those who could, rose to the middle class. The number of service sector, advertising, or marketing jobs emerged, fueling the rise of a new middle-classsusceptible to the market euphoria of the age.

U.S. private banks financed the post-war recovery in Europe, while in turn, the old continent, with imports of goods, financed industrial development and the flourishing of the U.S. market. The same went for agricultural production. There was too much of it and not enough markets. Europe, for its part, was too poor to absorb the excess production.

Even almost a century ago, the economies of Europe and the United States were financially interdependent. But just as in 2007-2008, in 1928, the system started to show the first cracks. In addition to the increasingly unequal distribution of income, inflation increased and the emerging new middle class lost its purchasing power.

That meant all that over-abundance of goods was left occupying space on warehouses and factories, unsold. At the same time, the major investment banks were using up their funds to bankroll European consumption, in hopes of fueling the economy.

The stock market crash in New York and the subsequent Depression was the first crisis of the capitalist globalization of goods and capital, that Karl Marx predicted a few decades earlier. But the crisis offered the United States an opportunity to rethink its model of society. The country was forced to rebuild an economic, political, and financial base that was more inclusive of social rights.

It left the United States in a better position to face future crashes. Indeed, the 2008 financial crash has had deeper effects than the 1929 crash. But the latters levels of abject poverty were not repeated.

Its effects went deep. They should be included as one of the causes of the Second World War. It also helped generate a certain sympathy from prominent European and U.S. intellectuals to Soviet Russia, which remained largely immune from the crisis.

Certainly, the Crash and the Depression helped bring Hitler to power. Germany was one of the countries that suffered most from U.S. economic events during the Depression. Politically, the 1929 Crash had deep effects. After years of Republican dominance under presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover, the Democratic Franklin Delano Roosevelt entered the White House in 1933.

The Republicans lost credibility, unable as they were to lead the U.S., causinga climate of deep uncertainty. The situation remained very serious at least until 1932, when some 75% of Americans were said to be suffering from hunger. The real turning point, in terms of trust and hope was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who ushered a new economic and social policy which was called the New Deal.

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10 Facts to Know About the Stock Market Crash of 1929 - Lombardi Letter

ARE you angry that you dont have a job and access to services? Are you angry that poverty and suffering have become the order of the day? Are you angry that you seek your governments audience and none is coming?

This communique my fellow youths, recommends the serious interrogation and critical rethinking of structures, processes and mechanics of engagement regardless of our gender, religion, political persuasions in the Zimbabwean policy formulation and implementation landscape. Zimbabwe is ONE and we are ONE, so admittedly, the 2018 election is a watershed election for Zimbabwe.

Whatever the outcome, a major question that needs serious interrogation is what is there in the election for the young people of Zimbabwe? There is a bigger picture that needs looking at. What does victory or defeat for the contesting political parties imply for the development or underdevelopment of Zimbabwe?

Our serious interrogation that is not closeted by partisan politics, narrow-mindedness, bankruptcy, acidity, aridity and rigidity is sought in addressing these pertinent questions. Whether we like it or not, politics is an integral part of our lives. Politics is an essential feature of human organisation and permeates through all levels of society. We might not see the maths politics creates in our everyday life for our future.

Why the Youth?

We are the future of this country and are worthy in terms of our strength in numbers.

WHO IS A YOUTH?

I wish to say that the concept of Youth is a well-known concept but its definition still remains very ambiguous given our political, intellectual and social attachments. It is often perceived, according to generations, cultures, interests and geopolitical locations. According to ZIMSTAT figures for 2013, Zimbabwe has a young age structure, with 76.5% of the countrys citizens less than 34 years of age and 35% of the population falling between ages 15-34.

The demographics of our nation show that the age group 18-35 years far surpasses the other age groups in Zimbabwe but young people are so bad at voting, yet it is our future at stake. The cohort though live under constant fear in a highly polarised environment compounded by shackles of patronage from a repressive system that shows no remorse or concern for the suffering masses at the lowest level of the strata.

However, the Zimbabwean youth represents a demographic challenge instead of a demographic dividend. The bulge is a serious issue with negative socio-economic consequences. The table below illustrates the low participation of Zimbabwean youth in the 2013 general election.

Registered Voters in 2013

A deliberate decision by the Zimbabwean youth to shape the political landscape in Zimbabwe is the answer to all our prevailing political and socio-economic problems. By the mere fact of our numbers and deliberate peer group influence, a conscious and deliberate effort by the youth of today to say no to anarchy and theft by those in power will sort out the inherent mischief in all politicians to play fair and uphold their constitutional mandate and obligation.

It is very evident that investing in the young generation of today is a way to harvest tomorrows peace, democracy, stability, security and sustainable development. We are a potential tool for change, the pillars and drivers of sustainable development. But the question is - do we know what we are worth? Do we know our rights and responsibilities? As a youth reading this, do you know what is expected of you as a citizen?

My heart crashes when I see potential put to waste and faith being misplaced. The most disgusting feeling I get is when I encounter young people who are under the impression that things are bad and we just have to get by, there is nothing we can do to alleviate our plight/situation. We cannot afford to look disenfranchised, dejected, disinterested about our future, unbeknown to some if not most of us, a lot lies at stake. Whether we blame it on the broken system - we do not seem to understand we are also a part of that very system.

The youth have been overrepresented as a nuisance, outgoing, violent, pleasure seekers, energetic and agents of change. Many narratives of the youth have painted them as a category that has no direction and in some literature they are depicted as harbingers of social disruption and anarchy. For long, youths voices have been silenced through state sanctioned political vigilantism and state sponsored terror raids. The youth are analysed in relation to HIV/AIDS and political violence and all forms of negativity.

I hereby present four sad realities to help unpack wherein lie the curse of the Zimbabwean youth to provoke and elicit a reaction among young people to register as voters, especially targeting first-time voters.

Lost Decades of Despotism (1980 2018)

Unprecedented economic performance decline for the past 37 years; Mugabe and his ZANUPF thieving crooks have ransomed this country for their personal gain, plunging the countrys economy into comatose repose. A disempowering greedy regime, the slovenly type that lives off public property and is rather preoccupied by political survival and the maximisation of gains from political office while embarking on a genocidal proclivity to silence the dissenting voices.

The water is full of typhoid and cholera, roads have more holes than Swiss cheese, graduates are selling airtime, and all the industries are gone. Heck, we don't even have any currency of our own. They have sacrificed democratic principles for personal interests and show no concern for the suffering masses at the lowest level of the strata.

Zimbabwean youths remain trapped in a cycle of political violence and economic crises that is polarising communities and rupturing relationships. To that effect, it is ever more imperative to identify the vulnerabilities upon which our plight as the youth lies and act to rectify that.

Dangerous Drug Problem

Zimbabwe is under siege from a drug culture that is spiralling out of control, destroying countless lives in its wake. By and large, the effects of poverty and unemployment caused by this ghastly pandemic threatens to give rise to a generation of violent, disinterested, languid, perpetually high and unsavoury young people concurrently unemployed and unemployable.

The delinquent practice of youths drugging themselves numb to ever deteriorating circumstances has become more of an aid to survival as if using drugs is a legitimate response to their hopeless prospects in a situation that just doesn't care. Asked about it, most young users will reply "saka manga muchida kuti tiswere tichiitei?" meaning "What do you expect us to spend the whole day doing?"

Drug addiction is the worst pitfall one can succumb to, especially in Zimbabwe where rehabilitation centres where people can get help are non-existent. Luckily, for the out of touch shefs, they can afford to keep their children out of these destructive exigencies by shipping them abroad meanwhile oblivious that thousands of the poor are silently being ravaged by the drug abuse pandemic.

Patronage and Corruption

As the Mozambican president, Jacinto Nyusi once pointed out, African Heads of State have, by and large, institutionalized states with at least two classes of citizens; the first class being those citizens who also happen to be members of the ruling party and the rest who chose other associations different from the ruling party having a de facto status of second-class citizens.

Zimbabwe is a classic example where decisions concerning young people are derivative of the attitudes and wishes of the older generation. Patronage and corruption are at the highest point now and fast becoming the norm rather than the exception. They have become the albatross slung around our necks while our government officials are busy enriching themselves, forming parasitical networks of economic cartels and protgs corruptly feeding off the nations resources.

For how long can we afford ourselves the sad luxury of relegating ourselves to second class citizens who survive on the crumbs thrown at us by a greedy, unscrupulous, deceitful, and ruthless political leadership?

Our plight is not helped either by the rampant nepotism manifesting in every sector of the country. Zimbabwe has become a harbinger of escalating human insecurity due to its indulgence in gross impunity and marginalization of its own citizens. Herein lies the critical nexus between human development and human security that has mostly affected the youth population both from rural peripheries and urban metropolis who are the window of hope for the continent.

The sad reality is that the youth have no control over that; we are powerless, have been dis-empowered by the aggregation of national politics that have relegated us to the murky waters of isolation and disillusionment as the system continues its roller-coaster endeavours and machinations to defend its otherwise questioned legitimacy and authority. This is just about the right time that we wake up and smell the coffee and figure out how to reject unorthodox means of participation that supports the elite and negate a significant constituency to the dustbin.

95% unemployment coupled with 75% Youth Dependency ratio

Thousands of tertiary graduates are currently glorified educated loafers and beggars while the government is busy shutting out any meaningful and gainful employment opportunities. When we compromise and start vending, restrictive policies are put in place. It is a clear sign this government has a deliberate agenda to impoverish and pauperize us.

While our learning institutions are good and produce a learned society, they dont produce a balanced educated community to project their future in a world of diverse cultures. Normally a sound education is a passport to a better life. The current system is out of touch with the needs of young people, as evidenced by an unemployment rate that has plummeted to above 95%, placing youth, especially women at a major disadvantage at all levels of society.

Should we sit down and let them turn us into poor, naked, hungry, sick mongrels in our own country? Millions of young Zimbabweans have no hope for the future and nothing specific to do today and tomorrow when they wake up. Faced with the paradoxical situation of educated but jobless youth population, we need to look ourselves in the mirror and seriously interrogate the non-availability or hence the disappearance of the promised 2.2 million jobs.

The mantra of hunger and unemployment is posing one of the most turbulent distractions to mainstream global issues. This is a common yet under reported occurrence mostly because it only involves poor young people whose voices are easy to ignore and whose lives are at risk anyway to the incessant exigencies of being poor.

There are various reasons - our upbringing. Since kindergarten we are taught to focus on our schooling right, pass our exams, find a job, get married, have children, and work until we drop dead with fatigue. Our brains are trained to follow this path and thus we are conditioned into process driven creatures.

HIV Prevalence

As if unemployment is not enough, the demographic dividend realisation is further hampered by a rise in numerous sexual and reproductive health challenges that young people are facing. It is understandable that a healthy transition to adulthood lays the groundwork for a healthy adult population, a factor that is so critical to realising the demographic dividend. Healthy people are more productive, bringing greater resources and income to families and higher levels of economic growth for nations.

Although Zimbabwe has really succeeded in making sure that young people and everyone else who is HIV positive lives positively and indeed many are now leading productive lives, the prevalence of HIV among young people is still worrisome. Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicentre of HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world 24million.

In 2016, roughly 31 million people were living with HIV, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the global total. In the same year, the region recorded an estimated 1.6 million new HIV infections and 1.2 million AIDS-related deaths. Zimbabwe currently accounts for 1,4 million people living with HIV and 744,000 are on Antiretroviral treatment. Young people are the worst affected.

Is there hope for this country?

With the above-mentioned scenarios, its suffice for the Zimbabwean youth to put the foregone into a more localised and personalised context and evaluate your personal situations as we approach the 2018 elections. Since the unpacked scenarios show a youth population under siege, it is high time we do some serious soul-searching and ask ourselves what we can do as young people to rise above this and establish our own values, values that are in line with a future we want to see?

Given the foregone, yes if the youth are involved in the democratic processes for the country. The above scenarios can only change for the better if the youth can define a template for leaders to come; leaders who respect the electorate such that when elected they become servants of the people who elected them into office leaders who endeavour to deliver the political, social and economic goods for the present and future generations.

It is true that some of the damage done is irrevocable but still the system is fixable. Yes, together we can weather the storm as powerful and diabolic as the current system that has left a trail of death and destruction. The crisis in Zimbabwe has virtually affected all the sectors in the country that is the economic, social and political sectors. We the youth of today are perfectly capable of addressing these challenges, but lack enthusiasm. History is going to judge us harshly if we continue to turn a blind eye to this very precarious situation.

All that is necessary for evil to prevail is that we stand aside and do nothing about it. We always cry not for what we would have done but more for what we would not have done. Oftentimes, we might feel frustrated and hopeless but this is not the time. Nobody liberates themselves by their own efforts alone, and neither are they liberated by others. If we want to challenge the current unequal power structures, we need to be conscious about our own role as youth and doubly as citizens, we need to be able to analyse political realities and articulate our collective vision for the future we want.

It is our patriotic and democratic duty to take measures that limit democratic erosion/breakdown and whimsical arbitrary manipulation of power from tyrannical and coercive domination that promotes individual interests at the expense of broader societal economic and socio-political goods.

What we need is a unity of purpose be it students, preachers, vendors, vendors, touts/mahwindi whether Ndebele, Shona, Tonga, Venda, black or white we are in this together. I hereby make a call to bridge gaps between all forms of classes and discrimination existing among young Zimbabweans across the breath and length of the country so that no one is left out of the democratic revolution to reclaim our nation.

The power to positively promote, express or influence the course of the election as individuals and as a collective engagement of people lies within our grasp. There are some things that are not for sale, because they are priceless; one of them is exercising your democratic right. YES, we are in this together to make Zimbabwe a better place for you and me. A Zimbabwe founded on the principles of the supremacy of the Constitution, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and recognition of the inherent dignity and worthy of each human being.

Let us rescue our dreams and Zimbabwe from total collapse come 2018 watershed election. Rigging is only possible where people stay away from polling stations. In other words, to decide not to vote constitutes RIGGING. The power of change is in our hands, THE TIME IS NOW: YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE: GO AND REGISTER TO VOTE.

The time for the Zimbabwean youth has come to stand tall and be counted for mother Zimbabwe expects us to rescue her. Who am I and who are you to abscond when democratic duty calls? That twinkle in your eye or that passion you once had about your potential and your future must come back as we reclaim and exercise our democratic space as the Zimbabwean youth in our country.

You and I are responsible for that. I reiterate that it is impossible for Zimbabwe to create a modern democracy side by side with a thriving economy without your participation as a Zimbabwean. I have the faith because far beyond my imagination lie my dreams. There is so much to be done and I truly believe that the good young men and women amongst us with honourable intentions will prevail and that our beautiful Zimbabwe will recover.

We have come a long way and our prospects are in disarray but we must remember that in any country, youth represent the future. The youth of Zimbabwe, united in the name of developing our country and the safeguarding of a brighter tomorrow can revolutionise Zimbabwe. It does not matter who you are or which political opinion you hold in as long as you are Zimbabwean, we are in this together, to make this country a better place for us to be, together we can do it.

This might seem an insurmountable task of rather unconquerable Goliath proportions but my message is simple: Take responsibility: Register to Vote, Go out to Vote on Ballot day and DEFEND YOUR VOTE after Voting. There is a proverb that says you cant clap with one hand. To clap, you have to bring both of your hands together. In essence, what it therefore means is that together we can be the change we want to see in Zimbabwe.

One cannot ask others to sacrifice if he/she is not ready to do so themselves. Let us use our past and present challenges as an inspiration, rather than a handicap. We are all foot soldiers, one struggle-many fronts. Let us save our country, save ourselves and build our future starting today. The onus is on me, the onus is on you, the onus is on us. What can unite us as Zimbabweans more than anything is our love for this country and non-violent direct confrontation. We are all foot soldiers: one struggle many fronts.

I call on Zimbabwes young people who are so bright, sharp with magnificent analytical minds to show that despite the limitations and shrinkage of democratic space, it is high time that we, as young people, captured the moment to be much more responsible and accountable. The social media is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding. We need to start reconnecting in different spheres and platforms both online and offline to share information around us and seriously begin organising ourselves towards our commonalities as a cohort.

We cannot rely on the benevolence of those in power; we need to take power through the constitutional and legal framework. And it is about time! The Zimbabwean youth is angry and hurting. Their socio-political, economic and moral standing is weak because of injustices and exclusion done to us. My voice is in, for far beyond imagination lie my dreams.

Be your brothers/sisters keeper and spread the message to Register to Vote, Go out to Vote on Ballot day and DEFEND YOUR VOTE after Voting. The democratic process is a cause which we must all commit to because the cost of indifference is just too much. I am Proudly Zimbabwean. I am angry and hurting too, I am young and I want to live! Zimbabwe deserves better.

Lastly, if you are not enraged then you haven't been paying attention!!!

Alfred Towo writes in his personal capacity. He is a freelance journalist and Zimbabwean youth. Can be contacted at the following email address aliphytowo@gmail.com or 0775265509

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2018 election: The last chance or lost chance - New Zimbabwe.com

A Consultative Meeting of IGAD Council of Ministers was held on 17 March 20017 at the African Union Headquarters. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers.

Members of the IGAD Council of Ministers in attendance were H.E. Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Abdisalam Hadji Omar Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Somalia, H.E. Prof. Ibrahim, Ghandour Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan and Hon. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and Dr. Amb. Monica Juma, Principal Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. The meeting was also attended by the IGAD Executive Secretary Amb(Eng.) Mahboub Maalim. The key items on the meetings agenda were: the dire humanitarian situation in the IGAD region due to drought emergencies and cases of famine as well as regional peace and security issues particularly developments in Somalia and South Sudan. On humanitarian issues, the meeting expressed serious concerns about drought emergencies and cases of famine currently affecting well over 20 million people. It also acknowledged the likelihood of further deterioration of the situation due to low rainfall forecasts for the coming months that will lead to further collapse of agricultural production. In this regard, the Council called for enhanced support by the international community to complement efforts at national and regional level. On South Sudan, the Council noted with serious concern the lack of progress in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) of August 2015 as well as the continued violence across the country. The Council further noted with serious concern the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the country resulting from high-levels of insecurity coupled with serious limitations of access by humanitarian agencies to the affected population. The Council was unanimous in its support to the national dialogue process that was initiated by the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU). The Council called upon the TGoNU to ensure that the national dialogue is allinclusive. The Council further called upon the parties to the conflict to agree on cessation of hostilities to pave way for a speedy implementation of ARCSS. The Council underlined the importance of expeditious deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) and requested the TGoNU to complete the facilitation required for deployment. The Council also emphasized the need for strong international support to the deployment. The Council further reaffirmed that it pursues a common and unified position on regional matters related to peace, security and humanitarian affairs particularly on the current situation in South Sudan and accords highest priority to address all outstanding issues in unison. On Somalia, the Council lauded the successful conduct of general elections as a milestone achievement. The Council underlined the critical need for continued support to AMISOM and advised against any decrease in support from the international community, which will have a direct bearing on the security situation in the country. The Council also emphasized the need to strengthen the Somali security apparatus as a sustainable solution to the security of Somalia. The Council recalled the pledges made in Brussels and Istanbul conferences on Somalia and appealed to those concerned to honor their pledges. The Council further called for support from the international community to invest in infrastructural development towards socio-economic recovery. The Council agreed to adopt a common position in anticipation of the London Somalia Conference in May 2017. The Council reiterated the leading role that IGAD has played and continued to play in bringing about peace and security in South Sudan in collaboration with partners particularly with the AU and the UN. The Council also reflected on regional issues of migration and refugees as well as security and humanitarian issues in South Sudan and Somalia in anticipation of the 23 March 2017 briefing to the United Nations Security Council on South Sudan as well as the 25 March 2017 IGAD Summit on Somali Refugees. The IGAD Executive Secretary suggested to the Council to convene a Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government on the IGAD resilience agenda in June 2017 to showcase what the region has been able to achieve particularly through sustained investments in building resilience in the borderlands.

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Statement of IGAD Council of Ministers' consultation on the current situation in the region - Reliefweb

Food security in Yemen has deteriorated further since the last IPC analysis conducted in June 2016. An estimated 17 million people, which is equivalent to 60% of the total Yemeni population, are food insecure and require urgent humanitarian assistance to save lives and protect livelihoods. Among those, approximately 10.2 million people are in IPC Phase 3 crisis and 6.8 million people are in IPC Phase 4 emergency. Nationally, the population under Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) has increased by 20% compared to the results of the June 2016 IPC analysis.

Conflict and civil insecurity are the main drivers of food insecurity with devastating effects on livelihoods and the nutrition situation.

Displacement: As of January 2017, over 2 million individuals were displaced across 21 governorates mainly due to the conflict. 85% of the conflict related IDPs come from Taiz, Hajjah, Sanaa City, Saada and Sanaa Governorates. In February 2017, the Task Force on Population Movements reported an additional 44,226 IDPs, with the majority (31,860 individuals) from Taiz Governorate (Al Mokha and Dhubab districts), followed by Al Hodaidah Governorate with 9,162 people.

Livelihoods and market disruptions: The widespread civil insecurity has affected both urban and rural livelihoods resulting in protracted and continuous worsening of the food security situation. Restrictions and disruptions of commercial and humanitarian imports, mass displacements, loss of income, fuel scarcity and high prices, disrupted market systems, high food prices and the collapse of public services are aggravating the already fragile socio-economic context. Port infrastructure, essential for ensuring food imports and humanitarian assistance, are seriously threatened by the worsening conflict. Cultivated area and production in 2016 decreased by 38% compared to the pre-crisis period, affecting food availability and household stocks. Similarly, the majority of fishermen lost their fishing assets such as boats, nets and fishing gear and essential fishing infrastructure has been damaged.

Economic crisis: The economic status of 78% households in Yemen is currently worse than in the pre-crisis period. This is mainly due to public budget deficit, which has led to a reduction in government expenditures, delayed or total unavailability of salaries for government employees since September 2016, collapse of the social protection system, liquidity crunch of the local currency, depreciation of the Yemeni Riyal against the US Dollar and depletion of central bank reserves. The economic meltdown aggravated and affected all dimensions of food security, especially food availability and access.

Acute malnutrition is a major outcome of the severe food insecurity and is at alarming levels. Malnutrition has been a serious problem in Yemen for a long time, especially chronic malnutrition (stunting). However, the prevalence of acute malnutrition (wasting) has been rising in recent years, peaking in the last three years. Out of 22 governorates of Yemen, four governorates (Abyan, Taiz, Al Hodaidah, and Hadramout) have Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence above the WHO emergency threshold (15%). Seven and eight governorates have GAM prevalence at critical levels (10-14.9%) and serious levels (5-9.9%), respectively.

Humanitarian assistance to most affected governorates did not fully cover the targeted beneficiaries in 2016. Main challenges faced are; lack of funding, the ongoing conflict, restricted movements of humanitarian aid workers and procurement and transportation of lifesaving supplies. Going forward, unconditional humanitarian access must be facilitated by all parties for all humanitarian actors to reach the most affected populations and scaled up to reach the demands of the growing population in need.

Worst affected Governorates: Out of 22 governorates, Seven Governorates are in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) Lahej, Taiz, Abyan, Saada, Hajjah, Al Hodaidah, and Shabwah. Ten Governorates are in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) Aden, Amran, Dhamar, Sanaa Governorate, Sanaa City, Ibb, Marib, Raymah, Al Mahwit, and Hadramout, and three Governorates are in IPC Phase 3! - Al Jawf, Al-Dalee, and Al Bayda.

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Yemen: IPC Analysis - Summary of Findings, Acute Food Insecurity Current Situation Overview | March - July 2017 [EN ... - Reliefweb

Kaj Leers is the election campaign analyst for Dutch daily de Volkskrant. Follow him on Twitter @kajleers. The views expressed here are the author's own.

After the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the Brexit referendum in Great Britain, eyes now turn to a slew of elections taking place in Europe. The Dutch voted on March 15. This is the fifth and final installment in a series on the Dutch election.

The Dutch election of 2017 was one of fragmentation. For the first time in history, a Green party may enter government. Yet the left is altogether decimated, while the populist anti-European Union, anti-internationalist vote remained a small minority.

A swing to the right, Labor crushed, Wilders underperforms

Leftist parties in the Netherlands were dealt a significant blow on Wednesday night as voters gave center-right parties the nod. Of the leftist parties, Groenlinks, the Green-Left, was the only one to make significant gains. The ruling Labor Party, or PvdA, which had been the junior member of the previous ruling coalition, was crushed as voters opted instead for Groenlinks and the social-liberals of D66.

The ruling free market-conservative VVD also lost seats but remained the biggest party.

Meanwhile, while the Freedom Party of Geert Wilders added five seats, it underperformed its polling. VVD leader Mark Rutte called the elections "a victory over the wrong kind of populism, referring to Wilders. A few days before the election, Rutte revealed that he saw the Dutch elections as one in a series of battles against populists such as Geert Wilders, Marie Le Pen in France, and the Alternative for Germany. He used a soccer metaphor to compare the Dutch elections to "the quarter-finals, with the half-finals being the upcoming French presidential election and the final the German general election later this year."

Green-Left blowout, traditional left decimated

Challenger Groenlinks (Green-Left) was the only leftist party to make strong gains, rocketing to 14 seats from the four it won in 2012 in the 150-seat Tweede Kamer.

With the implosion of Labor, and with little apparent enthusiasm for the hard-left Socialist Party, leftist voters clearly opted to give the party of 30-year-old Jesse Klaver their vote. In polls leading up to Election Day voter volatility was highest in the leftist camp, with voters undecided between Socialists, Labor, and Groenlinks, and with some moving over to the centrist D66.

The hard-left Socialist Party disappointed with its 14-seat showing, a seat down from 2012. It was the second time the party underperformed in a general election and the future of its leader, Emile Roemer, is in doubt.

The PvdA was crushed. The traditional stronghold of the Dutch center-left netted a paltry nine seats, losing 29 from the number of seats it won in 2012. Leftist voters clearly decided to punish the party for its unpopular policies in the government coalition with the right-wing VVD.

In 2012 many a leftist voter voted PvdA to ensure a left-wing majority coalition that would keep the VVD out of power. Instead, the PvdA and VVD formed a government, infuriating thevoters of both parties.

Geert Wilders disappoints -- again

As polls in the weeks leading up to the election indicated would happen, the Freedom Party of Geert Wilders failed to capitalize on high expectations. It came in at 20 seats, from 15 in 2012. Just a year ago Wilders seemed destined to double his party's size in Parliament.

This result came in a year when the election themes -- national and cultural identity, worries about Islam, and health care -- played directly to Wilders strengths. The only conclusion can be that Dutch voters have once again simply rejected his policies on the issues.

Christian-democrats, liberals win

The VVD shed seats, dropping from from 41 to 33, and its two most natural adversaries on the right, the Christian democrats of the CDA (from 13 to 19) and the liberals of D66 (from 12 to 19) made the biggest gains. Up to Election Day, both parties were vying to top the VVD as the biggest party in Parliament.

The better-than-expected results for Groenlinks, D66, and VVD come on the back of a high turnout.Turnout stood at82 percent, amplifying existing trends in the polls ahead of election day and benefiting the frontrunners.

Immigrant party to enter Parliament for the first time

Meanwhile, the election brought a new first in Dutch politics: DENK, a party led by politicians of Turkish and Moroccan descent, will enter Parliament with three seats, giving a voice to ethnic minorities.

DENK was set up by two members of Parliament who were pushed out of the PvdA after an internal fight over the course of the party in regard to integration and immigration. The party's election manifesto closely resembled that of the PvdA on socio-economic issues; it is very likely that some of the seats the PvdA lost went to DENK. In cities like Rotterdam and the Hague, DENK drew more votes than the PvdA.

The next challenge: Forming a new government coalition

With all left-wing parties but Groenlinks imploding, a center-left governing coalition seems all but impossible. Leading Groenlinks members present at the party's election-night gathering in Amsterdam were ambivalent about their win. Although they celebrated their party's victory, the overall loss of the left and the prospect of having to negotiate a deal with center-right parties to enter government threw a shadow over the festivities.

The reshuffled Tweede Kamer will appoint a pathfinder, or informateur, by a majority vote. This pathfinder is usually a formerly active politician for the party that gained the most seats. He or she will then start talks with other parties to inventorize which would be willing to start official negotiations to form a new coalition.

Lengthy and difficult negotiations

It is very likely this pathfinder will come from the VVD, and that the Christian-democrats of the CDA and the liberals of D66 will quickly iron out any differences they may have.

Then it is up to the pathfinder to investigate whether those parties would be willing to cooperate with a fourth party so as to ensure a majority in Parliament and the Senate, where the VVD, CDA, and D66 are currently one seat shy of a majority.

Groenlinks seems the most obvious candidate to add to the coalition, if only to ensure a broad electoral mandate for the new government. Groenlinks knows this, which is why it will surely ask a high price for its support. The problem for Groenlinks is that it's not the only party Rutte can turn to for a majority government. The Christian-orthodox ChristenUnie party won five seats, which would bring the coalition right to the mark.

This could result in a lengthy and difficult negotiations process and possibly even collapse of such talks, forcing the VVD, CDA, and D66 back to the drawing board.

However, VVD leader Mark Rutte, the incumbent prime minister, knows that Groenlinks has been trying to enter government ever since it was formed in 1990. Other parties will also be vying for power, allowing Rutte to play Groenlinks and those other parties against each other.

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Fragmentation in the Netherlands | RealClearWorld - RealClearWorld

An overweight totalitarian with a bad haircut who rules over masses of the disenfranchised through careful and systematic deprivation as well as rewarding loyalty with elite status is again in the news. No, I'm not talking about Donald Trump. I'm talking about Kim Jong-un, supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) or as its commonly known as: North Korea.

Pyongyang City, the capital of North Korea. (Photo: Matei Hudovernik via Getty Images)

The half-brother of Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-nam, was assassinated in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Airport in what seems to have been an elaborate fake game show. Malaysia took a hard stance and ensured that the autopsy was conducted by them, revealing that the eldest son of the former leader Kim Jong-il was killed using the extremely toxic nerve agent VX. They have since also expelled the North Korean ambassador.

Naturally, the first thought is that the assassination must have been ordered by Kim Jong-un. Jong-nam was hardly a major public figure, nor was he particularly outspoken against North Korea. By and large he was a mostly private figure who offered little threat to his younger half-brother. So, why kill him? Because even the slightest and smallest threat must be eliminated, that is how the North Korean regime continues to hold power.

This assassination does achieve something though, it draws attention to North Korea and how brutal its regime is. If this is the regard with which the leader's own family is treated, how must its regular citizens be treated?

The answer is heartbreaking albeit unsurprising. In February 2014 the UN Human Rights Council presented the report on its investigation on human rights in North Korea. The findings are not for the fainthearted or weak stomached. Conclusions include that the North Korean regime has systematically violated human rights including freedom of thought, expression and religion; freedom from discrimination; freedom of movement and residence; and the right to food. The State was also found to have committed crimes against humanity including "extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation."

There is no system of law or legal recourse, individuals have no right to the basic freedoms which we take for granted, there are no protections for women, children, or minorities. The DPRK uses the control of food and the threat of violence, indefinite imprisonment (including three generations of families for "crimes" committed by one individual), and death (often in the form of public executions) as a means of control. Children are brainwashed from an early age to never question the regime. Defectors from North Korea tell of how they would try to suppress questions or thoughts about their conditions as they believed that the Supreme Leader would be able to tell what was in their minds.

The UN report also describes the hell that is their political prisons. Sketches submitted by former political prisoner Kim Kwang-il to the inquiry show what life, or rather the semblance of life, was like in these prisons. Even with the layers of abstraction that a sketched picture provides they are still horrifying to view. Another former prisoner Kim Hye-Sook, who spent 28 years in Camp 18 and also has drawn a series of sketches, narrates how due to the severe malnutrition in the camps the young children would be horribly stunted or malformed with extremely thin limbs and small bodies with heads appearing almost too big for their body to support. In her own words "They didn't look like human beings."

Now it is not so easy of a fix that the damage can be reversed overnight. Any collapse of the DPRK or the overthrow of its regime is not likely to be bloodless. Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea or South Korea as it is commonly known, is located about 35 miles to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which despite the name is a highly militarized strip of land that is the border between the two Korean states. Seoul also contains approximately half of the entire population of South Korea. Any military action places these people in danger. As the reunification of Germany showed, there are a lot of socio-economic barriers that need to be overcome in order reintegrate a large population into life in a reunified state, and even then the reunification of East and West Germany was after a comparatively much shorter period with a much smaller gap in technological and socioeconomic conditions.

But these must not be obstacles to freeing the Korean people from one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Through inaction we are implicated. Through apathy we are condemned. History will not judge the DPRK regime kindly, but what of us who allowed it to stay in power for so long? When Nazi Germany fell in 1945 at the end of the Second World War the world was shocked by the magnitude of the inhumanity committed by that regime.

What Pandora's Box awaits us with the fall of North Korea?

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North Korea: A Humanitarian Crisis Decades In The Making - Huffington Post Canada

Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday charged President Muhammadu Buhari to expose treasury looters and prosecute the culprits. He also counselled the citizens to mount pressure on the leaders to provide good governance.

The octogenarian, who spoke yesterday at the third Biennial International Conference of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan on Polity debacle and the burden of being in Africa, enjoined other African leaders to do the same for the continent to overcome the socio-economic and political challenges retarding its progress.

Obasanjo, who spoke through the Deputy Coordinator, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale said: There should be no respite, there should be no hiding place for treasury looters. And good people with ideas must come forward to be counted, get elected or supported by good people to grow the economy and provide solid infrastructure.

The keynote speaker, Akanmu Adebayo, a Professor of History and Conflict Management, Kennesaw State University, United States of America, noted that the cost of governance in Nigeria and other African countries was too high and unsustainable.

He said Nigeria and other African countries must fight corruption and review the strategies for anti graft campaign.Prof Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School and Prof Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose of the University of Ibadan and representative of Senator Binta Garba, also highlighted reasons for the underdevelopment of Nigeria and Africa and proffered solutions.

Utomi attributed the bane of Africa to collapse of culture, weak institutions, wrong policy choices that deplete progress and unfavourable disposition of leadership to human capital development.

He explained the collapse of culture has changed the orientation of people from delayed gratification to immediate gains and greed. Effective leadership, according to him, is all about shaping culture and the way things are done, adding that culture is about values, which must be upheld for the betterment of the society.

6 hours ago Nigeria

6 hours ago Nigeria

7 hours ago Nigeria

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Obasanjo urges Buhari to expose treasury looters News The ... - Guardian

Presidency gets damning feedback on first tranche

Another London-Paris Club loan refund (about N500billion) is on the way for states with fresh hurdles for governors.

The Presidency has made it mandatory for all the states to account for the first tranche of the loan refunds in line with the agreement it reached with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

States implicated in the mismanagement of the first tranche may not get the fresh funds.

Some of the 36 governors are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) for allegedly diverting the first tranche of the refund.

The governors (seven are involved in the scandal) engaged some curious consultants, who got part of their states share of the refund.

Part of the funds was allocated to some National Assembly leaders who had no business with the refund, it was learnt.

The Nation gathered that the Presidency was set to release fresh refund to states in line with President Muhammadu Buharis determination to rescue the 36 states from economic collapse.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: The government is about to release another tranche of London-Paris Club loan refunds to states. It is about the same amount like the first tranche. Let us say about N500billion.

The refund is entirely the initiative of the Federal Government to improve the socio-economic situation in the 36 states. President Buhari was disturbed that many states were finding it difficult to pay workers salaries and pensions.

But the release of the second batch of refund will be based on some conditions as agreed upon by the Presidency and the Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF). President Buhari has said that he will not accept any excuse from any governor for diverting public funds.

Before the first tranche was released, the NGF had an agreement with President Buhari that about 25 per cent to 50 per cent will be used to offset outstanding salaries and pensions.

This time around, the Presidency has made up its mind that any state which breached the agreement will not be entitled to second tranche.

Asked how the Presidency will know, the source added: We have feedback from the states on how some of these governors have diverted and misused the first set of refunds. Some of them did not spend up to 15 per cent on salaries and pensions. The records are there to prove the breach.

We also got reports from security agencies, labour, pensioners, concerned leaders in various states and many whistle-blowers on how the governors spent the first tranche.

The source described security reports on some of the governors as damning.

Some governors were said to have converted the refund to personal use and the cash expended on wasteful projects.

In some instances, some projects executed have no bearing with the needs of some states. It is quite sad, the source said.

The investigation of the EFCC into the disbursement of the first refunds confirmed that some of the governors were involved in illegal deductions and remittances into NGF account. I think about seven of them were actively involved.

The position of the Presidency is that governors implicated in London-Paris Club fraud may forfeit refunds to their states. We will reveal the outcome of investigation on some of the governors for the people of their states to know why such a punitive measure is necessary.

Another top government source, who confirmed the moves to reimburse states, however, said: The second tranche will be released based on the compliance of states with Fiscal Sustainability Plan(FSP), which was endorsed by all the governors at a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on May 19.

We have a benchmark which we mutually consented to. As a matter of fact, the governors agreed that further disbursements will be based on the states meeting agreed targets and will be subject to monitoring and evaluation by Independent Monitoring Agents. States which fail to meet the targets will be excluded from this refund.

According to the plan by the Federal Ministry of Finance, states will be required to:

The Federal Government has agreed to develop IPSAS compliant software for States to use, and to develop new Bond Issuance guidelines to ease access to the Capital Market for states wishing to fund developmental projects, the source said.

The Presidency has so far released N1, 266.44trillion to the states in the past one year including N713.70billion special intervention fund.

Following protests by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, President Buhari approved the release of N522.74 billion(first tranche) to states as refunds pending reconciliation of records.

Each state was entitled to a cap of N14.5 billion, being 25 per cent of the amounts claimed.

Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said the payment of the claims would enable states to offset outstanding salaries and pension, which had been causing considerable hardship.

The Presidency directed the states to devote a minimum of 50 per cent of any amount disbursed to address challenges associated with salaries and pensions.

Some governors are said to have failed to disclose the actual amount given to their states.

Some of the governors have devoted only 10 to 25 per cent of the funds to the payment of backlog of salaries.

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Terms for states as N500b Paris Club refund is ready - The Nation Newspaper

(Ecofin Agency) - The Government of Sokoto state in partnership with the World Bank is committing N9billion ($28.8 million) to renovate the collapsed Lugu Dam and revive the Wurno Irrigation Scheme in the state. Out of the$28.8 million, the state will be committing$4.2million while the World Bank will provide the remaining$24.6million.

The people here who are mostly farmers have been adversely affected by the collapse of the dam as a result of serious flooding some few years back. We are working with the World Bank under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to fix the collapsed portion of the dam at Gidan Modi Lugu and in general revive the Wurno irrigation scheme, Aminu Tambuwal (photo), the Governor of Sokoto state, revealed.

According to him, the dam holds a key position in the socio-economic development of the area as the States government derives a lot of revenues from cash crops production there. He said the rehabilitation project includes the construction of spillways, rehabilitation of reservoirs and river bank embankment, construction of additional canals as well as the construction of access roads.

The project, once completed, will create jobs, and enhance food security in the state.

Anita Fatunji

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Nigeria: Sokoto Govt and World Bank pledges $28.8million for rehabilitation of collapsed Dam - Ecofin Agency: Economic information from Africa

The World Bank and Sokoto government are committing the sum of N9 billion for the rehabilitation of Lugu Dam and resuscitation of the famed Wurno Irrigation scheme in Wurno LGA of the state.

Of the sum, Sokoto is committing N1.33 billion while the World Bank and other partners will provide the balance.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said this when he led government officials on an inspection visit to the area.

As you can see, the people here who are mostly farmers have been adversely affected by the collapse of the dam as a result of serious flooding some few years back. We are working with the World Bank under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to fix the collapsed potion of the dam at Gidan Modi Lugu and in general revive the Wurno irrigation scheme.

The renovation work comprises construction of spill ways, rehabilitation of reservoirs and river bank embankment, construction of additional canals and desilting of existing ones as well as construction of access roads, the Governor said.

According to him, the importance of the dam to socio-economic development of the area cannot be over-emphasised, adding that the project would be completed so as to provide job opportunity for the people, and enhance food security.

Tambuwal commended the residents of Lugu and surrounding areas for their dedication to farming, saying the state government gets a large chunk of revenue from cash crops cultivated in the axis.

He said the government is encouraged by the success of crops like wheat and sesame in surrounding areas like Illela, and is introducing similar crops to Wurno.

You have made a name for yourselves in the cultivation of onions and garlic. But due to its high economic value and demand, government will encourage you to introduce sesame and wheat. We have the farmlands to mix them with our traditional crops. We are giving necessary incentives to farmers to cultivate these crops in the state, he added.

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World Bank, Sokoto Govt commit N9b for rebuilding of collapsed ... - THISDAY Newspapers