Friday, 30 March 2012 00:00

Written by Navid Iqbal

In recent days, tension’s growing between Sudan & South Sudan due to the conflict taking place in the border areas. The air in South Sudan is getting heavy with bombing by the North side.

The international powers are startled and want a quick and peaceful solution.

White House has expressed deep concerns and urged both sides to reach a peaceful resolution.

Putting the blame on Sudan Hilary Clinton said that the Khartoum government is taking violent measures and heavy weaponry is in use.

The U.S also insisted on having South Sudan stop arming and aiding rebel groups. Victoria Nuland, representative of ‘U.S State Department’ is anxious, as this escalation of aggression could lead to another war. She hoped that both sides will put this agenda to an end by the shortest period possible.

The same words came out again as ‘European Union foreign policy’ official Catherine Ashton referred these attacks as an intensification of the apprehensive situation.

The ‘United Nations Security Council’ has demanded an immediate end to this cycle of violence. The council predicted a sheer possibility of recommencement of the war that came to an end last year.

On Friday, Activist and actor, George Clooney got arrested in Washington while protesting in front of the embassy of Sudan.

Clooney then, went on to testify before the ‘Senate Foreign Relations Committee’ about the continued violence occurring in south Kordofan. Later on, he met President Barack Obama to discuss his anxiety.

Recent talks over oil failed to reach out to a satisfactory decision. South Sudan is accusing Sudan of stealing its oil which carries a high price tag of almost $815 million. On the other hand, Sudan’s complain is that South Sudan took away the crude to fill up dew fees for using the pipelines other facilities in their possession.

Last year South Sudan earned its independence from Sudan and this is the first time the two sides are in conflict since then. South Sudan’s independence came as the result of a long dispute on oil territory. For years thousands of people has faced death over this issue.

‘U.N Refugee Agency’ reports say that several thousand people have fled the affected areas.

These recent developments have put a shadow of doubt on plans for next month visit by Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan to talk with Salva Kiir, President of South Sudan.

Friday, 30 March 2012 00:00

Written by Navid Iqbal

An alliance of West African nations has set the coup leaders an ultimatum of 3 days to reinstate democracy and order or, face isolation both diplomatically and economically.

Last week the junta military overthrew President Amadou Toumani Toure, accusing him for showing ineptitude to handle the revolt lead by the Tuareg desert rebels up in the north part of the country.

The coup army says that the government completely failed to take down the Tuareg army on the north and another Islamist group named Ansar Dine operating from the south.

They also say, due to the failure to condemn the rebels with ill equipped military, almost 200,000 people had to flee and leave their homes behind. It is also to be noted that the Tuareg warriors have taken control over the key weapons and drug traffic hubs.

A coup military man says this revolution is meant for the betterment of their homeland and they’re fighting to save it from the rebels and terrorists.

The mutiny has turned the nation’s capital Bamako in complete mayhem and disorder. The Tuareg warriors have made the most out of this commotion as they gained the power over some key territories.

A delegation group consisting 5 African nation presidents were supposed to meet the officials leading the coup to talk out a way leading to peace and democracy. But the delegation was forced to turn back home when the coup rebels closed the runway of the airport in capital Bamako.

The grouping then returned to Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

An emergency meet up of ECOWAS members reached the decision to issue a travel prohibition for coup leaders and also a ‘diplomatic and financial embargo’ on Mali, unless order is reinstated within the period the 3 days.

The landlocked was suspended and the delegation group put troops on standby.

Financial helps worth millions of dollars has been cut off due to all the turmoil and commotion. But the western nations have promised to keep the money flowing for the drought hit regions.

The ‘U.S State Department’ expressed tone of disappointment as the leaders were prevented to try solving the situation.

Meanwhile, the Mali leaders have introduced their own constitution, a step to consolidate their grasp.

On the other hand, tension is rising in Bamako as the coup army and a group of coup protestors came to blows on Thursday.

According to Bamako hospital reports, 3 were injured.