May 01 – 15, 2017
West Asia
Pentagon Authorises Arming of Kurdish Elements to regain Raqqa
On 9 May 2017, Pentagon announced that President Donald Trump has authorised to arm the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to fight and ouster Daesh in Raqqa, the organisation’s self-declared capital. According to the US Defence forces, this is the quickest way to retake lost territories in Northern Iraqi region.
This move has not only worried Turkey but it will also have long term implications on the relationship between the two countries. The Turkish Prime Minister has called this move as a “mistake”. According to the Turkish news agency, Anadolu Agency, the U.S. support for the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) in the past has already strained the relationship between Washington and Ankara since the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK)/ PYD (Democratic Unity Party) forms the back bone of the SDF forces. Even before this news was announced, Erdogan has mentioned in an interview given to the state news agency, Anadolu Agency, that Turkey is extremely concerned about the U.S. flags being hoisted on conveys with YPG rags. He also said that he will raise these concerns with the U.S. President during his visit to the U.S. on 16 May 2017. However, whether or not the Turkish Prime Minister will be able to convince the U.S. President to roll back the news is yet to be seen.
Turkey believes that the YPG and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are one in the same, and the group uses the mountainous border region to launch attacks into Turkey.
Saudi Arabia Announces Sacking 70,000 Foreign Workers by 2020
The deputy minister for civil service, Abdullah al-Melfi, has recently instructed ministry officials during a meeting that “there will be no expatriate workers in the government after 2020”. He added that “the complete nationalisation of government jobs is an important objective of the national transformation programme 2020 and the kingdom's Vision 2030”. This implies that ministries will be forced to sack 70,000 foreign workers over the next three years and make room for Saudi nationals. This, it believes, will cut down capital outflow and create new positions for 7,00,000 Saudi nationals. The objective of the kingdom to achieve its Vision 2030 is encapsulated in its National Transformation Programme which it aims to realise by 2020.
The Two Rival Factions from Libya met in Abu Dhabi for Direct Talks
The Prime Minister of Libya’s UN-backed government, Fayez al-Serraj, and the Libyan National Army’s head, General Khalifa Haftar, met in Abu Dhabi on 2 May 2017 for direct talks on ending Libya’s conflict. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. This was the first face to face meeting between the two sides after January 2016. A previous attempt made by Egypt to get the two warring sides did not lead to a positive outcome. The UAE has been backing General Haftar with financial, military and media support since the last three years. However, none of the previous efforts resulted in a break through either by the two sides or with the support of foreign backers.
According to a local Libyan TV channel, the Abu Dhabi meeting reached an initial agreement to form a unified presidential council where of the commander of the army and the heads of both the Libyan government and the House of Representatives would be members. The two sides also agreed to form a unified Libyan army and dissolve all militant groups. They have also agreed in principle to hold parliamentary elections in 2018 and to the power sharing arrangement. No official statement was issued after the talks, but reports suggest fresh elections will be held within six months and the UN-backed government’s presidency council reduced to three from nine members. The three would be formed of General Hiftar as the army commander, Mr Serraj and Aguila Saleh, the head of parliament.
Central Asian Republics (CAR)
Central Asian Leaders Participate in the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing
Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) sought attention of the international community in the last fortnight. The BRF was organized by China in Beijing on 14-15 May 2017 with the purpose of promoting its ambitious infrastructure and trade initiative called One Belt One Road (OBOR). No fewer than 30 Heads of State/ Government from world over took part in this event. Several multilateral and bilateral documents were signed on this occasion, including the Joint Communique of the Leaders Roundtable.
Out of the five Central Asian Republics (CARs), three sent high-level delegations to participate in the event. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, President Almazbek Atambayev of the Kyrgyz Republic and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan marked their presence in BRF. All three leaders participated in the Leaders Roundtable, and signed the Joint Communique.
The Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in his address during the BRF, stated that the idea to restore the ancient Silk Road in Eurasia in a modern format is a timely response to the increased political, economic and humanitarian crises in the world. Interesting is the fact that President Xi Jinping of China had announced the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative in the presence of President Nazarbayev in Astana in 2013. Since its announcement, Kazakhstan and other CARs have endorsed the project. During BRF, Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also reiterated Nazarbayev’s stance.
Pertaining to the OBOR initiative, Central Asia has regained its strategic importance, as has become the main bridge between Asia and Europe, and between various regions of Asia. Being small, land-locked and developing countries, the CARs are looking at OBOR as an opportunity to enhance connectivity, infrastructure, trade and people to people contacts. They also hope to integrate into the global financial markets through this project. Keeping these potential benefits in mind, all CARs have enthusiastically endorsed the OBOR initiative. However, whether they get to enjoy real benefits of this project is left for time to decide.
Uzbek President Visits China
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to China from 11-15 May 2017, on the invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was Mirziyoyev’s first visit to China after taking charge as the President in December 2016. During visit, he held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The two leaders discussed cooperation in political, trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres. They also exchanged views on topical issues of international and bilateral significance. Following the negotiations, Mirziyoyev and Jinping signed a joint declaration between Uzbekistan and China.
During Mirziyoyev’s visit to China, number of important agreements were signed between the two countries, covering political, economic and humanitarian cooperation. These included agreement on technical cooperation, international road communication, exchange of intergovernmental notes on financing of projects for increasing the quality of education, memorandum of understanding on stimulating the cooperation between small businesses and private entrepreneurs. The two leaders also signed a plan for cooperation in the field of agriculture for 2018-2020.
President Mirziyoyev also participated in the meeting with Chinese businessmen. He highlighted that in recent years, industries from Uzbekistan and China have set up ‘mutually beneficial relationships’, and stressed that joint projects are already operating in fields like energy, transport, telecommunications, textiles and tourism. China is Uzbekistan’s second largest trading partner and largest source of its investments for three years in a row. Ever-expanding economic engagements between the two countries have attracted the attention of all powers in the region.
During the visit, the Uzbek president also participated in the Belt and Road forum, held on 14-15 May.
Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Takes Place in Ashgabat
Sixth meeting of the foreign ministers of Japan and the five Central Asian Republics (CARs) took place in Ashgabat on 1 May 2017, under the framework of ‘Central Asia + Japan’. The parties deliberated on cooperation in trade, investment, security, culture, humanitarian assistance and infrastructure. They signed a joint statement and adopted a roadmap in transport and logistics. The document proposes assistance in training personnel in road control, urban transport, prevention of road traffic disasters, and air traffic control. Cooperation also covers the issues of sustainable development, climate change, environmental protection and interaction in cultural and humanitarian fields.
Relationship between Japan and the CARs is likely to boost in this year, which marks 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. While Japan is eyeing the natural resources potential of the region, it is also willing to provide aid, support and cooperation in fields like transport, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and capacity building. At the backdrop of China’s expanding inroads in the CARs, Japan’s increasing engagements with the region are vital.
Africa
China Becomes Single Largest Contributor of Africa's FDI
China has becomes the single largest contributor of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) capital and jobs in Africa, according to the recent Ernst & Young latest Africa Attractiveness report which was released early this month. According to the report, China has invested in 293 FDI projects in Africa since 2005, totaling an investment outlay of $66.4 billion and creating 130,750 jobs. Chinese FDI into Africa is well diversified across sectors, covering resource-oriented ones as well as services and manufacturing. The data released by EY, also reveals diversification of Chinese investment across more countries, covering both resource-rich nations, such as South Africa, Nigeria and Angola, and agricultural exporters such as Kenya.
The report highlighted that besides trade and FDI, Chinese companies and state-related entities have financed and built many infrastructure projects across the continent, including ports, roads, railways, dams, telecom networks, power stations and airports. One notable example is the launch of a Chinese-built railway linking Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti on October 2016, involving an investment of $4 billion. Lastly, the report noted that since the late 1990s, Sino-African trade has grown rapidly, with China now Africa's largest trade partner. In 2016, China's exports to Africa stood at 82.9 billion dollars while imports from the continent were valued at 54.3 billion dollars.
82 Freed, 113 More Chibok Girls in Boko Haram Captivity
On 7th May, 82 Chibok schoolgirls were released by the Islamist militants of the Boko Haram group in Nigeria. Three years ago 276 schoolgirls were abducted from north-eastern Chibok region of Nigeria. The abduction triggered a global outcry and sparked a huge social media campaign. The government has been negotiating the release of the girls since April 2014, when 276 girls were abducted after their school was raided. Out of 276, fifty girls managed to escape. Last it was in October 2016, that around twenty two girls were released after negotiations facilitated by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. These girls are now in the custody of the Nigerian army and were brought to a military base in Banki near Cameroon. The girls who were released were handed over in exchange for Boko Haram suspects after negotiations. The number of Boko Haram suspects released by authorities still remains undisclosed. Until the release 195 girls were estimated to be in the hands of the terrorist group which is led by Abubakar Shekau. There are 113 girls still left with the militants.
Five Bilateral Agreements Signed between Rwanda and Djibouti
Rwanda and Djibouti have signed five bilateral agreements during the state visit by the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and the First Lady Jeannette Kagame to Djibouti. The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral ties in key areas including; air services, visa exemption for diplomatic and service passport holders, reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, establishment of joint commission and a protocol agreement on information and communications technology (ICT) cooperation. The two countries are keen to advance partnership in the areas of investment in economic zones, air transportation and ICT. Among the key areas they ought to develop logistics between the two countries to allow free movement of goods and people to promote trade. Since transportation remains a key sector, both have also suggested for having regular cargo and passenger flights between Rwanda and Djibouti.
Drought and Famine - Driving Piracy in the Horn of Africa
The American General in Command of Africa during a visit to Djibouti mentioned that drought and famine are contributing to a rise in piracy in the Horn of Africa. In the last four to five months there have been six piracy attacks in the region. The reasons for the attack is definitely linked with the drought and the famine, because some of the vessels that have been taken under hijacking have had some food and oil on them. Moreover, these particular ships have been very small in stature, thus being a lucrative target for the pirates. The United States Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis during his tour of Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti met with the President Ismail Omar Guelleh to discuss the security and counterterrorism efforts, as well as the partnership between nations that facilitates the long-term United States military presence. The defense secretary stressed the multinational commitment to security in the region, noting that the Japanese have their only overseas military base in Djibouti. An officer from Djibouti currently heads the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mission in Somalia, and the country has two battalions serving with AMISOM. The U.S. continues to support counterterrorism efforts in Libya but there has been no appeal for troops there. The expanded American presence in Somalia is focused on developing intelligence and strategic targets.
