Hey Mark !
None in civilian clothes. Strange how military can just sense things like this.
I've said this at least 1,000 times.... we suck at Africa and we are not interested in some investment like training people to understand and appreciate what and who they are dealing with.
How goes it ?
Regards, Stan
If you want to blend in, take the bus
As you were close to the people on the ground you would learn... even if you arrived with preconceived ideas - which happens all the time in Africa - you will leave with an understanding of the truth on the ground.
But here is the rub for the civilians - especially the liberals... most can't return and tell their liberal friends that they had it wrong and this is the truth as they now understand it... they would be shunned.
It is this lack of understanding of how Africa 'works' that leads to aid and interventions being misguided and misdirected. Its a continuing sad story.
In the case of the CAR how is it possible that the French having been there for 120 years continue to display a near total misunderstanding of the dynamics in that country? Quite pathetic.
Just spent a year in West Africa. Listened to what the locals said and only asked expats their opinion to see how way off the mark they were... which is sadly pathetic.
Last edited by JMA; 03-02-2014 at 11:22 AM.
The AU / UN intervention in CAR remains in trouble trying to stop bloodshed, although with little reporting of late. So the decision of Chad to withdraw will reduce the mission, even if the Chadian soldiers being Muslim are not seen as neutral:Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26873572Chad has contributed roughly 850 soldiers to a 6,000-strong contingent.....The statement said the forces would remain in CAR while the details of the withdrawal were being worked out.
davidbfpo
A rare BBC report from outside Bangui, CAR's capital:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26817382
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday in CAR:The cauldron of hatred has been stirred by failed politicians who want to stage a comeback, and by the country's northern neighbour, Chad, covetous of Central Africa's resources.
But it is partly about jealousy between those who had political power but were poor - the Christian majority - and those excluded from politics who seemed slightly richer - the Muslims, Central Africa's main traders and herders.A larger UN mission is planned, although who will provide troops is unknown and only expected to arrive in September. An EU battalion group is due to arrive soon.French and African soldiers serving in Central African Republic are "overwhelmed" by the "state of anarchy" in the country
Do I sense a photo-opportunity is coming?Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...n-Ki-moon.htmlThe US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, plans to visit Central African Republic next week.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-06-2014 at 12:16 PM.
davidbfpo
A first-hand report from Bangui, which includes:Link:http://mg.co.za/article/2014-06-05-d...eeth-in-banguiThe CAR’s interim president, Catherine Samba-Panza, has few of the tools most heads of state rely on to restore order – the army is not allowed to carry guns and her administration has almost no political skills.
(Later) The latest internal peacekeeping crisis shines an unwelcome light on soldiers from Congo-Brazzaville. Human Rights Watch has documented a number of cases of torture, murder and abduction of locals by the Congolese in areas under their watch. In September the AU forces will change the colour of their helmets and become United Nations peacekeepers.
davidbfpo
With the MSM focus being elsewhere I doubt few outside Africa noted diplomacy has ended with a multi-faction ceasefire agreement in Brazzaville:http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/artic.../#.U9JQFKORcdV
Needless to say some are sceptical that it can be effective:I see the ceasefire as a non-event,” said David Smith, director of South Africa-based media firm Okapi Consulting and an expert on the region. “Disarmament is not part of the deal, and that's what Central Africans want most.
davidbfpo
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