29.1.14
Egipto: O novo faraó encontra-se nas graças de Washington
Egypt's Army Chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is the most powerful man in the country.
Although his title is defence minister in a government formed after the army-led ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi, Sisi has the upper hand in Egypt's political scene.
By presenting himself and the army as "guardians of the people's will" and using colloquial, sometimes sentimental speeches to address the nation, Sisi has retained the admiration of many, despite daily bloodshed sparked by last year's eviction of pro-Morsi sit-ins, carried out by security forces.
'Obligation, not a choice'
In his first comments to the public since the dispersals, General Sisi said the army's intervention was an obligation, not a choice, because the people's demands had gone unheeded by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood-backed government. "I swear to God, we were told by an official that they came to rule for 500 years. But how could they?" he said.
Morsi's appointment of General Sisi one year ago to replace Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi was praised by revolutionaries, who later pitted the young army leader against his president.
Morsi critics accused the former president of neglecting voices not affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood - allegations that Sisi relayed in his Sunday speech. "We warned that if the demands of the millions who took to the streets went unheard, they will resort to violence. We said all that, but were ignored.”
When Sisi was named the new general commander of the army and chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, some speculated a possible alliance may have formed between the military and the new Islamist leaders, to which the army had previously been hostile.
Known to be religious, Sisi was accused of being too close to the Muslim Brotherhood. But like many Egyptian army officers, Sisi was also a fervent admirer of Egypt's nationalist President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Supporters compare Sisi's challenge to mounting international pressure on Egypt to the actions of the much-idolised Nasser.
Born in Cairo in November 1954, Sisi graduated from an Egyptian military academy in 1977 with a diploma in military sciences. He continued to train in the UK Joint Services Command and Staff College in 1992, and received a master’s degree at the US Army War College in Pennsylvania in 2006.
Sisi, who does not have combat experience, served as a military attache in Saudi Arabia during Mubarak’s regime. He then became chief of staff to the commander of the northern military zone. When the military council took power after the revolution, he was appointed as the head of military intelligence in February 2011.
Criticised over 'virginity tests'
Sisi has come under criticism for defending "virginity tests" applied to female protesters during the revolution, which he said were conducted to "protect girls from rape as well as the army from possible allegations". However, he later pledged to ban virginity tests.
He has said in the past he is keen on "increasing the efficiency of the armed forces", seen to be outdated and currently struggling to restore order in the troubled Sinai Peninsula area.
Politicians and journalists who have met Sisi believe his main preoccupation is rebuilding the army's reputation, tarnished by its time in control of the country with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
The army chief is also known for his close relationship with the US military.
The US has not cut the $1.3bn in annual aid it supplies to the Egyptian military in the wake of last July's coup and the violent dispersals of the pro-Morsi sit-ins, though it cancelled joint military training exercises in September.
AlJazeera
Egipto: A tomada do poder pelo marechal de campo Al-Sisi
The prospect of Abdul Fattah al-Sisi becoming Egypt’s President offers, at the minimum, the virtue of clarity. The Egyptian military, which on Monday “mandated” its Chief of Staff to stand for President, has never actually been out of power in the Land of the Pharaohs. Al-Sisi became its public face only on July 3 last year, the day the career soldier stepped before a microphone and announced the removal of the only freely elected government in the nation’s thousands-year-old history.
The ecstatic cheers that greeted the announcement spoke volumes about Egypt’s disenchantment with the clannish and tin-eared Muslim Brotherhood administration that al-Sisi sent packing. The adulation also demonstrated the comfort level of many ordinary Egyptians for being ruled by men in uniform. In many countries where a military coup has taken place, the etiquette calls for a firm suggestion that the top brass, having performed a distasteful but necessary duty, leave the field of politics and “go back to their barracks.” In Egypt, the cry being heard after al-Sisi’s nomination was: “The military and the people are one hand.”
It was heard in Tahrir Square almost three years ago to the day. The Supreme Council of Armed Forces, soon to be widely known by the scabrous-sounding acronym SCAF, issued Communique No. 1, a statement supporting the “legitimate demands” of protesters demanding the removal then of Hosni Mubarak as President. Like Anwar Sadat before him, and Gamal Abdel Nasser before Sadat, Mubarak was a military man. “You know, we’ve always had the military running things,” a liberal activist told me on the banks of the Nile, shortly after Morsi had been removed. “It’s as much a part of Egypt as the Nile.”
Al-Sisi is the latest, if least known, in the line. Born in Cairo in 1955, he was raised in a modest home in the Gamaleya neighborhood. His father made furniture; his mother was described in rare published profiles as devout. Al-Sisi joined the military as a career soldier. Though he never saw combat — Egypt’s last war was in 1973, against Israel, and he graduated from the Egyptian Military Academy four years later — he rose steadily through the ranks, going abroad to study in Britain and, more important, the U.S.
Washington’s intimate involvement with the Egyptian military dates back more than a century, to the 18 veterans of the American Civil War who arrived to train its armed forces in 1869. It was the Americans who first urged the establishment of the staff and naval colleges that dominate any map of Cairo today; the military also dominates a large portion of the Egyptian economy. The relationship with the U.S. remained strong, both through exchanges like the one that brought al-Sisi to the U.S. War College to study for a master’s degree in 2006, and the $3 billion in direct military aid that flowed from Sadat’s decision to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
A portion of the money was withheld after the July 3 coup, a vacillation that al-Sisi denounced bitterly. But the vital relationship persists. Al-Sisi and U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speak on the phone regularly.
(MORE: Egypt’s Military-Backed Rulers Brand Muslim Brotherhood ‘Terrorist’ and Extend Crackdown)
Al-Sisi’s popularity on the Egyptian street was like his sudden emergence in the top ranks of its military — elevated in 2012 to the post of Defense Minister by President Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist whose scant year in office was defined by a majoritarian impulse and rising distrust of the Brotherhood that too long remained his point of reference. Al-Sisi had replaced Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a septuagenarian shunted aside by Morsi in what was then seen as a deft and felicitous political move. In time it was understood as a changing of the guard supported by a younger generation of officers. When al-Sisi joined the general staff, he was among the youngest at the table, and held the intelligence portfolio.
That Morsi selected him in his Cabinet suggested a level of comfort with al-Sisi’s Muslim faith. In a detail that was widely repeated as evidence of his family’s piety, one of the general’s daughters was reported to wear the niqab, which covers the entire face. But the general made clear in public statements that his priority was Egyptian unity and that the military would be its guarantor. First privately — and finally, publicly and angrily — al-Sisi was dismayed at Morsi’s rejection of his overtures to bring the Brotherhood and other stakeholders in Egypt’s future together to hash out their differences. By late June of 2013, the overtures had turned to ultimatums — calling for people to take to the streets to signal their appetite for a military intervention.
“We understand also that the military’s intervention to support the Egyptians was not a surprise,” al-Sisi told the Washington Post’s Lally Weymouth a few weeks after the coup. “We can go back [through] my statements, starting with my invitation to the political powers in Egypt to come to a negotiating table for reconciliation in November of last year until the last 48-hour deadline I gave the President and the political powers to come to a compromise.”
The military wrapped its takeover not only in the flag, but also the original 2011 uprising — in the days after July 3, Egyptian flags were draped from helicopters, painted in the sky by fighter jets and dropped by the thousands over Tahrir Square. And the armaments were not just for show: hundreds of Brotherhood supporters have been shot in the streets, and the organization declared a terrorist group. With a shooting war with religious extremists under way in the Sinai Peninsula, the lines between political Islam and extremism have disappeared, at least in the public space that the Egyptian military has taken over. A new constitution passed a referendum with the kind of support — 98% — associated with the sham presidential elections under Mubarak. Activists who dared post a sign urging a no vote were taken into custody.
Through it all, al-Sisi — all but unknown two years earlier — appeared to grow more comfortable with the role of the Indispensable Man, left vacant since Mubarak. He was promoted to field marshal just a few hours before being nominated by his fellow officers as the nation’s President.
“I have a long history with visions,” al-Sisi is heard to say in an interview session with a friendly journalist, on a tape that was later leaked. “For example, I once saw myself carrying a sword with ‘No God but Allah’ engraved on it in red … In another, I saw President Sadat, and he told me that he knew he would be President of Egypt, so I responded that I know I will be President too.”
It hasn’t happened yet. But after Monday’s events, the field marshal’s election has taken on a certain foreordained quality.
Read more: Egypt: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi Wins Army Support for Presidential Run | TIME.com
28.1.14
RCA: Necessários pelo menos 10.000 capacetes azuis
The UN believes at least 10,000 troops will be required in any force sent to end unrest in Central African Republic, the French UN envoy says.
Ambassador Gerard Araud described the situation in CAR as "very, very dire".
His comment comes after the UN Security Council approved a resolution allowing European troops to use force in CAR.
About a million people - 20% of the population - have fled their homes during months of religious violence, after rebels seized power last March.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Araud said the African Union force in the country, intending to reach 6,000 troops, "is considered now too low because frankly the situation is very, very dire and the country is huge".
Threat of sanctions
The UN Security Council resolution, which was passed unanimously, allows reinforcements to use "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in the country, which has been in near anarchy since its president was overthrown 10 months ago.
Seleka Muslim militias evacuate the Camp de Roux downtown Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday Jan. 27, 2014, to relocate and join other Selekas at the PK11 camp. Former rebels, mostly Muslims, are being evacuated from military camps
In addition to the use of force, the resolution allows for sanctions against the ringleaders of groups blamed for massacres and human rights abuses.
Security Council members have been alarmed by the vicious cycle of vengeance between Muslim and Christian militias in the Central African Republic, says the BBC's Nada Tawfik in New York.
There is concern that without a stronger international response - the situation will degenerate into a countrywide religious divide and spiral out of control, she adds.
The EU has agreed to send up to 600 troops to help African and French troops already deployed in the country to prevent further bloodshed.
France, the former colonial power, has 1,600 troops in CAR, working with some 4,000 from African countries.
On Monday, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said the situation was getting even worse despite the inauguration of a new leader last week.
She called for more international help, saying Muslim civilians were being targeted.
Many Christian communities set up vigilante groups, accusing the mainly Muslim rebels of attacking them.
Also on Monday, Christian and Muslims leaders asked UK Prime Minister David Cameron for more assistance.
CAR is rich in gold and diamonds but years of unrest and poor governance have left most of its 4.6 million people in poverty.
BBC
Bissau: Uma carta de Carlos Gomes Júnior
«Sua Excelência Senhor Ban Ki-Moon
Secretário-Geral das Nações Unidas
Lisboa, 27 de Janeiro de 2014
Assunto: Guiné-Bissau – eleições gerais marcadas para dia 16 Março 2014
Apresentamos a V. Exa. os nossos melhores cumprimentos, com votos de um Feliz Ano de 2014.
Aproximando-se a data de prevista realização das eleições gerais no meu País, a República da Guiné-Bissau, é em espírito de sentido cívico e patriótico que endereçamos esta missiva a V. Exa para dar conta da nossa crescente inquietação quanto ao degradado ambiente político e socioeconómico hoje vivido pela Guiné-Bissau e pelo seu Povo, por demais evidenciado pelas reiteradas violações dos direitos humanos, de intimidação psicológica, de violência física contra opositores ou simples vozes dissonantes, por uma notória repressão e opressão dos fundamentais direitos e liberdades de expressão e de manifestação.
Uma vez mais manifesto, reitero e sublinho a minha firme intenção e vontade de defender e servir os interesses do Povo guineense, na minha qualidade de cidadão guineense que deu provas reconhecidas enquanto líder governamental, e ainda como candidato mais votado nas eleições presidenciais de 12 de Abril de 2012, brutalmente interrompidas por um golpe de estado militar.
Para tal asiste-me plenamente o direito, como V. Exa certamente reconhecerá, de regressar à minha Pátria, para junto do meu Povo. Contudo, e também como certamente é do conhecimento de V. Exa, uma sucessão de factos ocorridos desde há largos meses e também recentemente, clara e frontalmente em violação dos princípios básicos do Estado de Direito Democrático provam à saciedade que as ditas autoridades de transição, em conluio com as autoridades militares golpistas, constituem e constituirão sérios e recorrentes obstáculos a um processo eleitoral verdadeiramente livre, justo e inclusivo.
Em abono de tal, apenas exemplifico com os últimos acontecimentos inaceitáveis de prepotência e arbitrariedade ocorridos no passado dia 17 de Janeiro, com a invasão de várias instalações e bens das Nações Unidas por elementos das Forças Armados e de segurança alegando conhecimento da minha presença nessas instalações e com o intuito de me deterem. Estas acções patenteiam, uma vez mais, a arbitrariedade da conduta das autoridades de transição e os muitos sérios riscos de segurança para a defesa da minha candidatura no terreno, bem como para a perspectiva de umas eleições gerais verdadeiramente livres, justas e inclusivas.
Gostaria também de partilhar com V. Exa a nossa apreensão quanto ao desenrolar do processo de recenseamento eleitoral caracterizado, desde o início, por inúmeras irregularidades que fazem perigar não só todo o processo eleitoral, por princípio já de si descredibilizado, adiado por duas vezes, como ainda todos os esforços e empenho da comunidade internacional tendentes ao retorno da ordem constitucional e ao primado do Estado de direito democrático constitucional na Guiné-Bissau.
Excelentíssimo Senhor,
A convicção que me anima e sustenta a minha legítima aspiração em colocar a minha candidatura à superior consideração do Povo guineense advém dos meus elementares direitos de cidadania guineense e é confortada pela já várias vezes anteriormente manifestada vontade soberana do Povo guineense. E se em democracia reina e deve reinar a vontade do Povo, então esta deverá ser respeitada por todos os meios possíveis contra os interesses sectários, ilegítimos e altamente perniciosos ao interesse público guineense, sob pena também de ferir os respectivos princípios básicos que são património e direito de toda a Humanidade e por certo também do sofrido Povo guineense.
Foi, assim, em coerência com esta firme convicção que me recenseei e que diligencio para a formalização da minha candidatura às eleições presidenciais agendadas para 16 de Março de 2014, direito inalienável que me assiste como a qualquer cidadão guineense, como estou certo V. Exa reconhecerá.
Nesse sentido apelo a V. Exa para que exerça os seus bons ofícios e capacidades mandatadas visando promover todas as medidas necessárias, justas e apropriadas que permitam garantir a segurança e a verdadeira democraticidade dos importantes actos eleitorais que se avizinham na República da Guiné-Bissau, no que se inclui naturalmente a minha própria candidatura e campanha eleitoral no território do meu País. O exercício de tal direito inalienável, deve ser garantido e assegurado por quem de direito, com destaque para a Comunidade internacional.
Esperando que esta minha comunicação mereça de V. Exa a atenção devida, em sentido de urgência e em prol de uma verdadeira democracia na Guiné-Bissau para o qual patenteio a minha inteira disponibilidade para aprofundar o assunto exposto.
Queira aceitar os protestos da minha mais alta estima e consideração.
_________________
Carlos Gomes Júnior
Presidente do PAIGC»
(No blog Ditadura do Consenso)
Conakry: Ajuda da União Europeia
CONAKRY, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The European Union has released 140 million euros ($192 million) in aid to Guinea after resuming full cooperation with the West African nation following a successful return to civilian rule, the bloc's executive said on Monday.
The European Union, Guinea's main donor, suspended ties with the mineral-rich nation following a 2008 military coup. It conditioned the resumption of cooperation on a return to civilian rule.
After the election of President Alpha Conde in 2010, a parliamentary vote needed to complete the process was repeatedly delayed as opposition parties and Conde's ruling coalition argued over the organisation of the poll.
The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, said in a statement that the 140 million euros - left over from a suspended five-year development programme - will be used to finance projects in the transport, justice and security sectors.
"The European Union is committed to supporting the Guinean government's efforts in finding its way back to sustainable and fair growth," EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said in a statement. ($1 = 0.7307 euros)
Egipto: Presidenciais em Abril, ou a vez do marechal Al-Sisi
Egypt's interim government has announced presidential elections have been moved forward.
This means parliamentary polls will happen later, not first as originally envisaged by the military-backed authorities' "roadmap" to democracy.
The move is like to intensify speculation over whether army chief field marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will stand.
Many have urged to him to stand after he led the removal of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last July.
Mr Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was deposed after mass protests against his rule.
Rival rallies
Interim President Adly Mansour announced the decision to bring forward the presidential poll in a televised speech, saying the decision had been taken after dialogue with "national forces and representatives of various orientations and trends".
Supporters of the military held rallies on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
Thousands gathered in high-profile locations including Tahrir Square - the focal point of the 18-day 2011 popular revolt - many waving Egyptian flags and banners showing army chief Gen Sisi.
Anti-government protests also took place, with 49 people killed in clashes and arrests reported in several cities.
Amidst continuing violence and instability, many Egyptians believe Gen Sisi is the strong man the country needs, the BBC's Arab affairs analyst Sebastian Usher reports.
But others are concerned that if he stands and wins - which seems the likeliest outcome - it will make him too strong, giving him all but complete control of the now modified roadmap, our correspondent adds.
---------------Egypt transition dates
14-15 January - Egyptians vote on new constitution, passed by 98% on a turnout of 38.6%
Presidential elections to be held in April
Parliamentary elections now set to be held before end of July
BBC
27.1.14
RCA: A situação está a agravar-se
Assinar:
Postagens (Atom)
