It’s Sunday, June 30th, 2024. This week, we're covering fallout from Kenya’s tax bill protests, the removal of a U.S. aid pier in Gaza, runoff elections in Iran, and more.
Top Stories
Fires and Deaths Seen as Protestors March Through Kenya’s Capital
Thousands of protestors stormed Kenya’s parliament to object to a controversial tax bill passed on Tuesday. Demonstrators set fire to the parliament, burning part of the building while police opened fire with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds, killing three and injuring hundreds. The legislation raised costs of goods in Kenya significantly in order to pay off foreign debts totaling $80 billion, primarily from China, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. In recent years, prices have been steadily rising in Kenya, and the new bill is expected to make surviving even more difficult. As a result, the law enraged citizens in the East African nation in which the average Kenyan makes roughly $100 per month. Protests were also held in Mombasa and Malindi, while demonstrators set ablaze the City Hall in the capital city of Nairobi.
Bolivian General Orchestrates Failed Coup
Bolivian General Juan Jose Zúñiga has been arrested after allegedly orchestrating an attempted coup against the government on Wednesday. During the coup, armored vehicles rammed against the palace in the capital, La Paz while soldiers made their way into government offices. However, Bolivian President Luis Arce’s army was able to shut down the coup within hours, with defense minister Edmundo Novillo claiming that the government had “total and absolute control” over the military. Bolivia has experienced an estimated 40 attempted and successful coups since 1946, the most of any country. While being arrested, Zúñiga claimed that he was following Arce’s orders, alleging that Arce orchestrated the coup to gain popularity. The South American country has experienced a deteriorating economic crisis that has resulted in protests in recent months.
Africa
Fighting Rages in Central Sudan as Conflict Escalates
Fighting raged in a central province of Sudan earlier this morning, opening up a new front in the devastating fourteen month-long war which has devastated the country and its resources. The paramilitary Rapid Supply Forces group, fighting against the military, began its attack on the central Sennar province earlier this week, advancing through the village of Jebal Moya and to its provincial capital of Singa later on. The fighting, which has resulted in over 327 households being forced to flee the region, is part of a larger struggle that has ripped Sudan apart. Starting in last April after simmering tensions between a prominent military general and the paramilitary leader of the RSF boiled over into open fighting, the conflict has claimed over 14,000 casualties and injured 33,000, according to the United Nations. As of now, the RSF has claimed to have taken over the existing military base in the city, while military forces asserted that control was never breached. Neither source has been independently verified.
Middle East
U.S. Pier Delivering Aid to Gaza Set to Be Removed
The United States military removed its pier aiming to transport aid into Gaza due to weather concerns, as reported on Friday. The pier has been a part of President Biden’s plan to bolster humanitarian operations in the area, but has faced complications due to weather and aid pauses. While never intended to be a permanent solution, the $230 million project first faced setbacks in mid-May, when rough seas damaged it just days into initial operations, forcing the military to remove portions of it for repair. Though the decision to remove the pier has been made, the decision to reinstall it has not been officially confirmed. The development comes as international aid groups such as the United Nations maneuver to deliver aid onshore. After weeks of pause due to safety and security concerns, the UN resumed operations of distributing food earlier this week.
Asia
Philippine Troops Kill 10 Communist Rebels in Clash
Philippine troops killed at least 10 guerilla communist rebels on Friday in the northern part of the country. The attack was the latest progression in a decades-long insurgency, which began around 1968, following Mao Zedong’s birthday. However, recent years have shown guerilla fighter numbers wane to just around a thousand. While they continue to protest the country’s military and police forces, along with the Philippines’ involvement with the United States, a casualty toll from what has become Asia’s longest insurgency has surpassed fifteen thousand. Last November, peace talks were resumed between the government and the communist rebels, though no comprehensive deal has yet to be passed.
Latin America
Panama Set to Create Deal with U.S. Surrounding Darien Gap Migrant Crossing
Panama’s newly-elected President José Raúl Mulino announced his intention to create a deal with the US which would deport migrants attempting to cross the perilous Darien Gap on their way to neighboring Colombia. The Darien Gap is a strip of land running from southern Panama to northern Colombia. Along with being filled with lush rainforest and uneven terrain, the Darien Gap is largely unpoliced, resulting from hundreds of recorded migrant deaths in the region as a result of criminal and gang activity. Around half a million people, many hailing from countries such as Venezuela and Ecuador, crossed the strip of land last year; an affordable option aided by illegal smugglers. Now, President Mulino calls the situation “the worst [he] has seen," calling on a delegation headed by US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Majorkas to come up with a comprehensive plan to deter the travelers.
Europe
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán Set to Take Over EU Presidency
Officials in the European Union have been scrambling to pass important initiatives this week, ahead of the bloc’s presidency being handed over to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán tomorrow. The EU presidency is a position that shifts throughout its twenty-seven members on a six-month basis, and imbues the selected country with a symbolic power which helps bring its projected goals to light. Prime Minister Orbán has historically been known to oppose mainstream EU decisions, including efforts to preserve rule of law, and provide aid to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. While his six-month term will be filled with a reorganization of the bloc’s parliament and an extended summer break, officials still wonder what steps will be taken with Hungary at the helm. As a way of subverting a potentially disastrous transition of power, the EU began initiation talks with the neighboring countries of Ukraine and Moldova; a pivotal step beyond the incoming president’s reach.
Election Watch
Snap Iranian Elections Result in New Run-off Date Set
Friday’s Iranian presidential elections, where sole moderate reformist candidate Massoud Pezeshkian and conservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili rose to popularity, are set to go to a runoff. The votes counted so far show Pezeshkian winning approximately 5.9 million and Jalili winning approximately 5.5 million out of the 14 million votes past, neither satisfying the 50% plus one majority requirement set by the country’s clerical law. Insider information has revealed that turnout for the election was historically law, around 40%. The snap election sets the stage for a tumultuous period for the country, following the helicopter crash of the late President Ebrahim Raisi and rising tensions from the ongoing Israel-Gaza War. Run-offs are set to be held on July 5th.
Mongolia’s Ruling Party Wins Slim Majority
Mongolia’s People’s Party won a slim majority in the country’s parliamentary elections following a vote tallied Friday, winning 68 seats out of the available 126. The result comes as a drastic change from the last elections in 2020, where the party, headed by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamasrai, won 62 seats out of the then 76-seat parliament. Major issues headed voters ballots this year, such as the economic fallout from the COVID pandemic, and the devastating impact of a “dzud” (combination of severe weather and drought) that killed 7.1 million animals. Opposition parties such as the Democratic Party and the Hun Party saw a surge in popularity, chronicling what officials say is the people wanting a change in officials, but not necessarily a change in policy.
Mauritania Elections Favor Incumbent
Incumbent President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is favored to win re-election after leading polls at close Saturday. Ghazouani has worked closely with the West, positioning Mauritania as a key ally in a region filled with instability and violence. The 67-year old president became the first president in Mauritania’s history to come to power as a result of a democratic transition of power in 2019. Mauritanian voters turned out at a rate of 40% out of 2 million eligible voters, a relatively low number compared to the 2019 turnout of 63% despite generally high support for Ghazouani. The incumbent president has promised to accept the results of the election, setting a strong precedent for the future of the West African country.
Extra, Extra
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Researchers Inject Rhino Horns With Radioactive Material, Deny Existence of Super Rhino
Quiz Yourself
How many coups have been attempted in Bolivia’s history?
10
20
30
40
In Mongolia, what is a “dzud”?
A political event categorized by low voter turnout and mobilization
A weather event categorized by extreme temperatures and drought
An economic event categorized by high unemployment and inflation
A sport event categorized by poor finishes and low fan numbers
True or False: Orban’s EU presidency allows him to directly influence legislation passed by the bloc.
Answers: (D, B, False)
Dzud definitely a weather phenomenon that I hadn’t heard about previously