PUBLICATIONS

On February 8, Somalia’s divided political leaders failed to agree on how to proceed with elections in emergency talks, just days before the end of the president’s current term. Somalia is now in a protracted constitutional crisis, with opposition leaders claiming that President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed—commonly known by his nickname “Farmajo”—has overstayed his mandate. Tensions spiked last Friday, leading to exchanges of gunfire on the streets of the capital, Mogadishu, and heightening fears that the election dispute could spiral into civil conflict.

Sahel, a region in Africa composed of 10 countries, has seen increased security issues in recent history. These perpetual problems were addressed in 2016 at a G-5 Sahel Summit, where French President Macron promised a continued development of counterterrorism efforts in the area. As the Sahel region experiences a constant compromise of security by jihadist groups, the promises of the Sahel Summit need a modern evaluation.

The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 2016. Along with Executive Order 13818, it allows the U.S. government to sanction individuals and/or entities involved in serious human rights abuses and/or corruption around the world. Sanctions are in the form of blocking or revoking U.S. visas and freezing of assets and property in the U.S.

As of January 25, 2021, 246 individuals and entities ranging across 29 countries have been sanctioned under Executive Order 13818, either for human rights abuses and/or corruption. Of the 246 sanctions, there are 84 Global Magnitsky designations in Africa (34 %) across eight countries.

The government of South Korea has a vested interest in attempting to sway U.S. foreign policy in its favor, and spends tens-of-millions every year on Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) registered lobbying and public relations firms. The FARA filings examined in this report reveal what these firms are doing for a South Korea that seeks to strengthen all of its economic, cultural, political, and military ties with the U.S.

An overview of U.S. arms sales and security assistance to Egypt amidst a deteriorating human rights landscape.

This edition, in reflection of Black History Month, analyzes the historic U.S. exploitation of the mineral rich nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Realizing the hand America has had in the shaping of the Congo's government and history.

Despite years of negotiations, the United States, North Korea, and South Korea remain locked in a dangerous standoff. This stalemate perpetuates the worsening security crisis on the Korean Peninsula, which poses an existential threat to millions of people. To assess how a peace-first approach can help resolve the security crisis on the Korean Peninsula, the Korea Peace Now! campaign has produced the present report to examine the political and legal ramifications of a peace agreement.

This fact sheet corresponds with Arms and Security Program's newest report by the same name and provides several of the report's major findings.

In November 2020, the Trump administration notified Congress of offers of F-35 combat air- craft, MQ-9 armed drones, and bombs and missiles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) worth a total of over $23 billion — the largest U.S. arms package ever offered to the Emirates. These deals threaten to increase violence and fuel conflict at a time when the Biden administration should prioritize ending conflicts in the greater Middle East.

The Biden administration can and should reverse the deal. Arms sales to the UAE should be cut off as part of a review of the entire U.S.-UAE alliance in light of the urgent need to revise U.S. strategic objectives in the Middle East as a whole.

The latest arms sales come in the context of a longstanding U.S. military relationship with the UAE which will be detailed in this report.

This edition focuses on COVID-19 vaccination as it translates to economic inequality, specifically where the continent of Africa is being neglected. In times of great global panic, there should be some unanimity among nations in order to provide a lifeline for all people, regardless of a country's economic ability.