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Author: Hilary Matfess

  • Cameroon’s Worsening Anglophone Crisis Highlights Need for Dialogue and Inclusion

    July 5, 2018by Hilary Matfess

    The events of the past few years highlight the importance of inclusive governance measures and the ramifications of heavy-handed security responses.

    Analysisafrica
  • Bringing Back Chibok Girls Only Start of Nigeria’s Challenge

    April 25, 2016by Hilary Matfess

    The crisis has placed a clear strain on the limited resources of the Nigerian government and international humanitarian system.

    Analysisafrica, refugees
  • Amid Oil Crash, Could Farming Offer Nigeria a Lifeline?

    February 11, 2016by Hilary Matfess

    Historically low oil prices present a challenge to a country that derives more than 70% of revenue from oil, but there could also be an opportunity for Nigeria to achieve its long-sought and much-needed economic diversification.

    Analysisafrica, resources
  • Refugees and Regional Tensions: Notes from Northeast Nigeria’s Crisis

    January 19, 2016by Hilary Matfess

    Forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon is a major violation of international law. Yet the practice appears to be growing, and threatens to reignite tensions between the two countries.

    Analysis
  • Is Burundi Inching Toward War?

    October 21, 2015by Hilary Matfess

    The normalization of brutal tactics by the state’s security forces suggests the possibility for systemic violence by state actors against perceived threats to Nkurunziza’s regime.

    Analysisafrica, conflict, rebel groups
  • Tanzania’s Election Run-Up Suggests Backsliding Away From Democracy

    September 30, 2015by Hilary Matfess

    While much of the CCM is now mobilizing behind Magufuli, Lowassa has decamped to the opposition. The four main opposition parties in the country, Chadema, the NCCR-Mageuzi Party, the united Democratic Party, and the Tanzania Labour Party, have formed a coalition and have agreed to support him.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • As Nigeria Seeks Security, Are More Weapons Really the Answer?

    August 27, 2015by Hilary Matfess

    Compared to neighboring Chad, whose military is regarded to be the most effective in the region at present, the Nigerian military looks flush with equipment.

    Analysisafrica, peace and security
  • Nigeria’s Justice System Needs Reform, Not Expansion

    July 22, 2015by Hilary Matfess

    Buhari must implement the domestic reforms necessary to reduce the appeal of anti-government movements and prevent the development of additional insurgencies in Boko Haram’s mold.

    Analysisafrica, terrorism
  • After Peace Agreement, Development Remains Key to Mali Progress

    June 30, 2015by Hilary Matfess

    A 2013 review by RAND Corporation of the Malian government’s development initiatives in the north found that much of the aid earmarked for the region had never reached its destination because of “corruption or plain bad faith.”

    Analysisdevelopment, mali
  • Responses Fall Short as Violence Displaces More Nigerians

    June 11, 2015by Hilary Matfess

    The Minawao camp is not far from the border with Nigeria and has swollen in recent weeks. Officially, there are 42,000 refugees living there, but residents estimate there are likely an additional 10,000 in the camp who are undocumented.

    Analysisafrica, humanitarian affairs
  • Next →

This week

  • A Decade of Developments in Peace Operations

    April 14, 2021by Paul D. Williams

    A closer look at the last decade of peace operations highlights ten macro-level trends.

    Analysis
  • Human or Machine? Lessons from the Use of Technology in the Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

    April 12, 2021by Andreas Wittkowsky

    Peace operations, as well as humanitarian and development actors, are increasingly using technological means, which raises the question of how much of a “human touch” is still essential.

    Analysiseurope, technology

Trending

  • Impunity and Police Brutality Characterize Rise in Femicides in Mexico

    April 7, 2021by Gema Kloppe-Santamaría

    The recent murder of a woman refugee in Mexico sheds light on the violence experienced by women, undocumented migrants, and the economically disenfranchised.

    Analysisamericas, police
  • Key Global Events to Watch in April

    April 1, 2021by the Global Observatory

    A list of key upcoming meetings and events that have implications for global affairs compiled by the Global Observatory.

    Key Events
  • The Exclusion of Women’s Voices from Afghan Peace Talks Remains the Norm

    March 30, 2021by Masooma Rahmaty

    As the peace talks gain momentum again, ensuring that women’s voices are sufficiently represented in peace efforts should be a top priority.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia, peace processes
  • Growing Insurgency in Mozambique Poses Danger to Southern Africa

    March 26, 2021by Philip Obaji Jr.

    A lack of concrete action could turn southeast Africa into an unstable region akin to parts of West Africa.

    Analysisafrica, terrorism
  • To End Violence Against Women, We Need to Imagine New Futures

    March 25, 2021Marie Berry and Milli Lake

    Any conversation about eliminating violence against women needs to look clearly at the police as a source of insecurity and violence in women’s lives.

    Analysispolice, women peace and…
  • Looking Beyond Conflict to Address Climate Change Impacts in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

    March 19, 2021by Evyn Papworth

    An understanding of the gendered insecurities entrenched by natural disasters points to the need to expand the scope of the WPS agenda in order to address the structural violence of the climate crisis.

    Analysisclimate change, women peace and…
  • Rising Politicization Risks Splitting Somali National Army

    March 17, 2021by Colin Robinson

    The developing electoral crisis over the past few months has led to greater misuse of forces.

    Analysis
  • Securing a Plan for Ending the War in Afghanistan

    March 16, 2021David Cortright and Madhav Joshi

    The alternative to a negotiated peace agreement and new security arrangements is a continuation of the present war with its devastating human consequences.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia
  • Climate Change Must Be Tackled as a Global Security Risk

    March 10, 2021Joshua Busby, Morgan Bazilian, and Florian Krampe

    We live in an age where challenges to peace and security come not only from agents intentionally trying to do us harm, but also from climate change and pandemics.

    Analysisclimate change, security counci…
  • Where is UN Counterterrorism Headed 20 Years After 9/11? 

    February 26, 2021Eric Rosand and Alistair Millar

    Our knowledge of the threat of violent extremism and how to address it will continue to increase. The size of the UN’s bureaucracy should not have to grow with it.

    Analysisterrorism, united nations
  • The Tigray Conflict in Ethiopia: Post-War Ramifications and International Response

    January 25, 2021by Jon Abbink

    Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his government are wary of the interference, complaints, and demands made by the international community.

    Analysisafrica, conflict
  • The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Peace and Conflict

    October 23, 2020by Katariina Mustasilta

    What happened to the pandemic being a catalyst for peaceful processes?

    Analysiscoronavirus, peace and secur…
  • Is This the Last Chance for Peace in South Sudan? Q&A with Daisaku Higashi

    June 25, 2020by Samir Ashraf

    Daisuku Higashi, a professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, on the state of the peace process in South Sudan and the impact that the political transition in Sudan is having on its neighbor.

    Interviews
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on the Protection of Cultural Heritage

    June 17, 2020by Nadia Al-Said

    While there is a pressing need to invest in the future given the pandemic’s impact, this is not fully possible without incorporating cultural heritage.

    Analysiscoronavirus, cultural herita…
  • UN Security Council Walks Tightrope with Creation of New Mission in Sudan

    June 10, 2020by Daniel Forti

    Despite many inherent compromises, UNITAMS has a genuine opportunity to offer valuable support to Sudan.

    Analysisafrica, peacekeeping
  • Examining the Longer-Term Effects of COVID-19 on UN Peacekeeping Operations

    May 13, 2020by Cedric de Coning

    Some new practices are specific to the pandemic and will change over time, while others are likely to be more lasting.

    Analysiscoronavirus, peacekeeping
  • Will Lessons from Cholera in Haiti Be Applied to COVID-19?

    May 6, 2020Adam R. Houston and Beatrice Lindstrom

    While the UN is making efforts to apply lessons from the cholera epidemic, there are reasons to question whether the reforms are adequate.

    Analysispeacekeeping
  • How Has the WHO Responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

    April 30, 2020by Lucia Mullen

    What is clear from the range of interventions and steps taken is that the WHO has been involved in almost all aspects of the response.

    Analysis
  • How Can African States Become More Influential in the UN Security Council?

    March 12, 2020by Gustavo de Carvalho and Daniel Forti

    If African states want to ensure relevance and influence in 2020 and beyond, they will need to ensure that unified positions are at the core of approaches.

    Analysisafrican union, security counci…
  • How Has the UN Mission in Kosovo Delivered on Action for Peacekeeping?

    January 22, 2020by Pushkar M. Sharma

    UNMIK has made remarkable progress in realizing the A4P agenda as it works to consolidate peace in Kosovo and offers valuable lessons for peacekeeping globally.

    Analysispeacekeeping

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The Global Observatory provides timely analysis on peace and security issues by experts, journalists, and policymakers. It is published by the International Peace Institute. The views expressed here represent those of the contributors and not IPI.

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