Dimanche 7 octobre, le président vénézuélien Hugo Chávez a été réélu pour la troisième fois,avec 55,14% des suffrages, contre 44,24% en faveur de son principal adversaire, M. Henrique Capriles Radonski. Le camp «chaviste» progresse d’environ 700 000 voix par rapport à 2006 mais, le nombre d’inscrits ayant augmenté de plus de 3 millions de personnes (pour atteindre 18 903 937 votants), en pourcentage, il régresse de sept points. Il n’en s’agit pas moins d’une nouvelle victoire — large — pour M. Chávez, dans un scrutin (le quinzième depuis son arrivée au pouvoir) décrit comme transparent par tous les observateurs et ayant bénéficié d’une participation de plus de 80%. Si la population marque ainsi son refus d’un retour de la droite au pouvoir, elle espère sans doute également que la bataille électorale aura aiguillonné le camp du président en l’incitant à s’attaquer plus efficacement aux problèmes, réels, que rencontre la «révolution bolivarienne» : personnalisation du pouvoir, corruption, faiblesse de l’appareil productif, insécurité…
Author Archives: cosv
Implementing Peace and Security Architecture (II): Southern Africa
To preserve Southern Africa’s relative peace in the face of rising challenges and threats, Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states must collectively reinforce its peace and security architecture. The International Crisis Group report, examines the weaknesses that hinder SADC from effectively dealing with rising threats to regional peace and security, including maritime security and piracy and socio-economic unrest. The reluctance of its member states to cede greater authority to a centralised structure and the lack of capacity of its Secretariat compromise the potential success of its endeavours
Assessing Turkey’s Role in Somalia
Turkey is the newest country to intervene in Somalia and its involvement has produced some positive results. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s courageous visit to Mogadishu in August 2011 at the height of the famine and his decision to open an embassy gave fresh impetus to efforts to establish lasting peace. Widespread Somali gratitude for Turkish humanitarian endeavours and the country’s status as a Muslim and democratic state established Turkey as a welcome partner. Ankara has signalled it is in for the long haul. However, it must tread prudently, eschew unilateralism and learn lessons to avoid another failed international intervention. Over twenty years, many states and entities have tried to bring relief and secure peace in Somalia, often leaving behind a situation messier than that which they found. Ankara must appreciate it alone cannot solve the country’s many challenges, but must secure the support and cooperation of both the Somali people and international community. Trying to go solo could backfire, hamper ongoing efforts and lose the immense good-will it has accumulated.