Issues when presidents don’t want to resign

I'm back after all the christmas celebrations and I hope everyone has had a peaceful christmas filled with joy:)

Anyways, this weeks post will be about something that caught my attention today when I watched the news.
So I decided to get some more information about it.
It’s about the current president Laurent Gdagbo of Ivory Coast who still is on the president post even though it was clear that he lost the election of November. He lost the election to his political opponent Alasanne Ouatarra who has support from the UN, former rebels, some political leaders in Africa and other Western countries.
It is of great importance that the election results are respected, because if they aren’t, the country might face a new period of conflict. That’s also what a great number of the Ivoirians fear and refugees are now fleeing to Liberia in fear of a new civil war.
A number of people also stated that when they went to vote on the day of election, there where groups of supporters from both Gdagbo’s and Ouatarra’s party that tried to make them vote for them and that was another reason why people fled in fear. The hostile situation in general is also another reason why the Ivoirians so desperately flee.
Liberia itself is not a very stabile country. They themselves suffered a 9 year civil war that ended in 2003 and are still fighting to create a somehow stabile environment in the country.
The UNHCR notes that about 4500 people have fled and that the numbers seem to increase.
An increasing number of refugees in Liberia can create a big challenge or even create a conflict. The current refugees in Liberia aren’t even in refugee camps, but are living with Liberian families. The Liberians themselves have the experience of conflict and know how it is to live like a refugee. Therefore out of compassion, they’ve opened their homes to the Ivoirians.
Rising problems are the lack of clean water and medical help. Many refugees are suffering from different diseases and need immediate help.

If the hostile situation in Ivory Coast develops it might be threatening to countries around them as well. Today’s situation makes the future of the West African countries uncertain. Everything lies in how the situation in Ivory Coast develops.

Stay tuned for next post:)

First post :)

This is officially my first post on this blog, even though I started it this summer. Exciting! Since I'm a human rights student this blog will address questions about human rights and global issues, fields I'm interested in.

Anyway, I'll start off with something fun.
Last week toghether with millions of other youths around the world I was given the oppurtunity to send a submission to the USUN. The project was called "The voices of our generation". People between the ages of 13 and 21 could send a submission of 250 words that would be addressed by ambassador Susan Rice today at the meeting taking place at the UNSC.
The question was, what we think is the most vital challenge to international peace and security facing our genreration. Interesting and really fun participating!
I got to know about this a little bit late but I managed to participate anyway. Such chances SHOULD be taken by everyone, that is if you have the interest :)

I'll copy my submission that I made. Here it is:)

The negative effects of globalization

Globalization is a positive phenomenon. It opens up borders, supports us with information and better communication. Better relationships between states are also parts of it. These are positive effects of globalization.
But the issues with globalization are if it is used for the wrong purposes. As much as globalization can decrease differences between people it also increases the differences and leads us to situations of conflict. Informal violence has become an issue that has grown with globalization.
International criminal organizations such as terrorist groups get the opportunity to organize. That may be difficult to stop immediately. Such groups take advantage of the positive effects of globalization. They can easier contact each other and mobilize for new and more effective crimes.
September 11 is a date that signifies that informal violence has become globalized. It also is evidence that a big threat is facing our coming generation.
Groups that occupy themselves with informal violence are colossal future issues, because they are non-state actors who operate across state borders with a seat that is unknown. It is a threat to international peace and security. Controlling them and keeping a stabile situation worldwide is a future challenge to peace and security.
The most vital challenge to international peace and security facing my generation is how we can reduce the negative effects of globalization and keep a stabile situation that does not threaten peace and security.