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Tag: elections

  • Enigma of Kenyan Politics Leaves Odinga’s Future Uncertain

    May 29, 2018by Charles Wachira

    After 20 years of trying and failing to become president, there is a fair amount of uncertainty as to the direction of Odinga’s political future.

    Analysiselections, kenya
  • With Municipal Elections, Tunisia Moves Beyond “Transition”

    April 30, 2018by Ala Oueslati

    For Tunisian municipalities, these elections are an important step for the implementation of new institutions that can ensure people’s rights to choose the representatives who will serve them best.

    Analysiselections, middle-east
  • A Democratic Transition and the Return of an Ex-Military Leader in Sierra Leone

    April 12, 2018by John L. Hirsch and Lidia Cano

    In Julius Maada Bio’s favor is the pragmatism that he has thus far demonstrated, though there should still be no doubt about the magnitude of the challenges ahead.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • Sierra Leone’s Election: New Opportunities, New Challenges

    March 20, 2018by John L. Hirsch and Lidia Cano

    The winner of the presidential election’s second round on March 27 will have much to do to move the country ahead.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • Costa Rica’s “Religious Shock”: The Political Price of Same-Sex Marriage in Latin America?

    February 8, 2018by Albert Trithart

    February 4th was no typical election-night party for Costa Rica, a country known for political stability and moderation. For the first time in decades, neither of the two long-time dominant parties will make it to the second round on April 1st.

    Analysisamericas, elections
  • Russia’s Election: Assured Victory, Protests, and Apathy

    February 2, 2018by Yana Gorokhovskaia

    While the opposition decides how best to express their dissent, the Kremlin faces a different problem. The Kremlin must ensure that the level of voter turnout is relatively high while the opposition must decide whether or not to boycott the vote.

    Analysiselections, russia
  • Japan’s Snap Election Highlights a Leadership Dilemma

    November 9, 2017by Ayumi Teraoka

    Abe called for a snap election on September 25—14 months before it was due—describing its purpose as to “achieve a breakthrough regarding our national crises.” While mentioning Japan’s aging society and rising tensions with North Korea as national crises, he did not explain the timing.

    Analysisasia, elections
  • Kenyatta’s Second Victory and the Future of Democracy in Kenya

    Kenya Elections
    November 8, 2017by Sheila Kinya Gitonga

    Beyond the Uhuru Kenyatta versus Raila Odinga framing of the presidential election, this period has ultimately been one of intense and varied debate on the kind of democracy and peace Kenyans want.

    Analysiselections, kenya
  • As October Election Approaches, Kenyans Ask: Will it Be Fair, Verifiable?

    October 6, 2017by Sheila Kinya Gitonga and John Hirsch

    Given its central position in IGAD and the EAC as well as at the African Union Kenya’s electoral approach will have a significant bearing on ongoing efforts by the African Union and the United Nations to strengthen peace and security in the East African region.

    Analysiselections, kenya
  • Protecting Kenya’s Democratic Gains

    August 24, 2017by Ngala Chome

    The ongoing electoral challenges come as a majority of Kenyan voters maintain a distinct belief in the vote as the ultimate mechanism of constituting government.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • ← Previous
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This week

  • How to Design an Effective Plastics Treaty in the Face of Uncertainty

    July 14, 2025by Ian Johnstone and Joshua Lincoln

    These are fraught times for global treaty-making. Geopolitical tensions, populist impulses, powerful economic forces, and scientific and technological uncertainty vastly complicate negotiations. In 2022, the UN secretary-general complained that multilateralism was under attack, and things have…

    Analysisenvironment, multilateralism
  • As the UN Charter Turns 80, America’s Commitment to It Is Withering

    June 26, 2025by Jan Eliasson and Jordan Ryan

    When the United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco 80 years ago, the United States was not just the host—it was the architect. American leadership helped craft a vision of peace secured not through domination but through cooperation. “We the peoples,” the Charter begins—a…

    Analysisun-reform, un80, united-states

Trending

  • Online Gender-Based Violence and a Path to Justice: Interview with Deqa Yasin

    July 8, 2024by Phoebe Donnelly and Mahathi Ayyagari

    In this interview, Deqa Yasin recounts her experiences as a Somali Minister and a survivor of online attacks, and talks about the role of the international community in combating online gender-based violence, how women in leadership roles can be supported, and what the future holds for women’s…

    Interviewssomalia, women-peace-and-security, womens-rights
  • “There is No Safe Place for Civilians in Conflict.” Q&A With Hichem Khadhraoui

    July 1, 2024by the Global Observatory

    It is an especially dangerous time for civilians in conflict. Hichem Khadhraoui, Executive Director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), details a frank assessment of the topic.

    Interviewsprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • Independent Engagement on Counterterrorism with the United Nations: Is the Risk Worth the Reward for Civil Society?

    June 24, 2024by Matt Schwartz and Franziska Praxl-Tabuchi

    Around the world, states are using UN resolutions, policy guidance, and technical assistance to justify mounting human rights violations, frequently targeting activists and civil society groups. While there is a common desire to see the UN correct its course, for many in civil society, the risks…

    Analysiscivil-society, ctat20
  • Why UN Financing Matters For Effective Multilateralism

    June 18, 2024by Max-Otto Baumann and Sebastian Haug

    While it may seem paradoxical for the UN to simultaneously have a record budget and face a liquidity crisis, this speaks to the long-standing complexities of UN funding dynamics. A closer look at UN financing provides insights into how UN multilateralism works, or fails to work.

    Analysismultilateralism, un-financing
  • Reflections on “Protection of Civilians” Week: Interview with Dirk Druet

    June 7, 2024by Dirk Druet and Jill Stoddard

    In this interview around this year’s PoC week, Dirk Druet, a researcher, policy adviser and former official in international peace and security pillar of the United Nations, and a non-resident fellow at the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations at the International Peace Institute,…

    Interviewsprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • An Opportunity for Renewal? Lessons Learned on Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan  

    May 28, 2024by Farkhondeh Akbari and Jacqui True

    There is an urgent need to pursue coherent policies to support women and girls in Afghanistan through diplomacy and practical measures. However, to do this, it is important to understand how to navigate the patriarchal practices that inhibit the protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

    Analysisafghanistan, women-peace-and-security
  • Northwest Nigeria Has a Banditry Problem. What’s Driving It?

    May 22, 2024by Oluwole Ojewale

    Banditry now joins Nigeria’s list of problematic non-state armed groups which includes Boko Haram factions, Niger Delta militants in Nigeria’s south, and separatist groups in the country’s southeast. This article’s glimpse into the bandits’ world ties in with theoretical explanations on…

    Analysisbandits, nigeria
  • The UN’s New Agenda for Protection: Can It Make a Difference?

    May 13, 2024by Damian Lilly and Jennifer Welsh

    This is not the first time the UN has tried to reinvigorate its commitment to improve its performance in preventing and responding to protection crises. The question today is whether the current agenda can learn lessons from HRuF and make a tangible difference where previous efforts have fallen…

    Analysisprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25, united-nations
  • Bridging Gaps in UN Tools that Address Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

    May 8, 2024by Jenna Russo and Lauren McGowan

    Over the past two decades, the UN Security Council and Secretariat have attempted to increase the links between the CRSV agenda and sanctions regimes. The Secretary-General has also consistently recommended increasing the links between the annual reports and sanctions. Based on our research, we…

    Analysissexual-violence
  • As Kenyan Deployment Sits in Limbo, Revisiting the History of International Intervention Against Gangs in Haiti

    May 2, 2024by Lou Pingeot

    Even if the proposed intervention stops violence momentarily—and many Haitians are clamoring for any form of security—this can only be a temporary fix as long as the social contract between the Haitian state and the Haitian population remains broken.

    Analysishaiti, multilateralism, peace-operations
  • When Protectors Become Perpetrators: The Complexity of State Destruction of Cultural Heritage

    April 24, 2024by Michaela Millender and Nicolette Lyubarsky

    While Israel wages war against Hamas in Gaza and Russia pursues its war in Ukraine, an egregious yet potentially overlooked assault may be under way in both contexts.

    Analysiscultural-heritage
  • A Review of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women: Small Wins in a Polarized Landscape

    April 19, 2024by Phoebe Donnelly and Mahathi Ayyagari

    Increasingly, CSW negotiations have come to reflect the global debate on gender rights between gender rights activists advocating for progressive gender language and right-wing coalitions pushing for conservative, anti-gender language. Despite polarized views on gender, at this year’s CSW,…

    Uncategorizedcsw, gender-rights
  • One Year Ago, War Broke Out in Sudan. What Can Be Done to Prioritize Protection of Civilians?

    April 15, 2024by Julie Gregory

    For the first time in nearly 20 years, Sudan is without a UN peace operation that enables or supports the protection of civilians, increasing the likelihood that the already severe protection gaps in country will worsen.

    Analysisprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • When It Comes to Responsible and Safe AI, a Global Divide Is Emerging

    April 11, 2024by Robert Muggah

    The latest global push to regulate AI comes at a time of growing concern and awareness over its potential to do harm.

    Analysisai
  • As Ethiopia Moves Forward With Its Transitional Justice Initiative, Challenges Abound

    April 2, 2024by Zekarias Beshah Abebe

    While the guns have fallen silent in Tigray after the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, escalating violence in various parts of the country—notably Amhara and Oromia—are putting into question the feasibility of the country’s new transitional justice draft policy, and the…

    Analysisethiopia, transitional-justice
  • More Than an Invitation: NGOs’ New Vision to Deepen Civil Society Engagement in UN Peacebuilding Review

    March 19, 2024by Lesley Connolly and Aaron Stanley

    The upcoming UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review provides a unique opportunity for the UN to shape the future of peacebuilding at a moment when sentiment toward multilateral institutions and the liberal framework guiding peacebuilding as a whole is changing. The way in which the review is…

    Analysiscivil-society, peacebuilding, un-reform
  • The UN Approach to Global Conflict is Flawed. Can the Human Rights Council Do More to Strengthen It?

    March 18, 2024by Erica Harper

    Whether through its investigative capabilities, its special rapporteur system, or the forum itself, the Human Rights Council could evolve to become a more central and effective actor in addressing peace and security risks.

    Analysishuman-rights-council, security-council, un-reform
  • Can the AU’s “Common African Defence and Security Policy” Provide a Pan-African Solution to the Continent’s Security Challenges?

    February 27, 2024by Bitania Tadesse

    The AU possesses several norms and policies which, if implemented, could lead to meaningful transformation in the peace and security landscape of the continent. The CADSP is one such instrument. The 20-year anniversary of the policy presents an opportunity to reaffirm the principles that are the…

    Analysisafrican-security, african-union
  • UN “Summit of the Future” Must Deliver for the Planet

    February 7, 2024by Adam Day

    It is not too late for UN member states to generate a planetary narrative and outcome for the Summit of the Future in September 2024. Here are some steps that can be taken so the Summit will resonate with the majority who see the environment as a top priority.

    Analysisclimate-change, environment, summit-of-the-future
  • Misinformation Isn’t Organized by Topic: Why Communicators on Climate Change and Health Need to Work Together

    February 5, 2024by Albert Trithart

    Considering that the climate crisis predated the COVID-19 pandemic, why has attention on climate misinformation lagged? And how can efforts to tackle climate misinformation learn from and build off of similar efforts in the field of health?

    Analysisclimate-change, misinformation, pandemics

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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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