The Red Folder

Archived from January 22, 2024

Key stories for the week, brought to you by the distinguished newsman Sasha Morel.

Reading for the sake of reading sucks. Telling yourself to read to win a round is nice but ineffective. This condensed news brief helps you understand current domestic and international issues, analyze the news, and gives you opportunities to read more.

International Stories

3 key international stories for the week:

1) West African Military Juntas Unshackle from ECOWAS: A Symphony of Sovereignty and Geopolitical Shifts Sasha Morel

In a surprising move, the military juntas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger collectively declared their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday. The juntas accused the regional economic bloc of imposing sanctions they deemed inhumane, aimed at reversing recent coups in their respective nations.

The joint statement, broadcast on state television in all three countries, emphasized that the decision to withdraw was taken in complete sovereignty. The juntas asserted that ECOWAS had strayed from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism after nearly 50 years of existence, alleging influence from foreign powers that had turned the organization into a threat to its member states and their populations.

Established in 1975 to foster economic integration among member states, ECOWAS holds a prominent position as West Africa's leading political and regional authority. However, the bloc has faced challenges in recent years, particularly in addressing coup incidents in the region and ensuring the fair distribution of natural resources.

The juntas did not provide specifics on the withdrawal process, and ECOWAS has not issued a response at this time. The regional bloc, which recognizes only democratic governments, has encountered previous challenges to its authority. Its regional court ruled last year that juntas lack the authority to act on behalf of their nations in place of elected governments.

This announcement follows a series of events that have heightened political tensions in West Africa, including a coup in Niger last year. The three nations—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—have recently formed a security alliance and severed military ties with France and other European nations, turning to Russia for support.

The joint statement criticized ECOWAS for its alleged failure to assist the countries in addressing "existential" threats like terrorism—a common justification cited by their militaries for the coups. The juntas argued that ECOWAS sanctions, instead of improving their situations, have further weakened populations already affected by years of violence. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the evolving political landscape in West Africa.

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2)ANC Splits as Zuma Suspended Sasha Morel

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa has officially suspended former President Jacob Zuma, who recently threw his support behind another political party leading up to this year's general election.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula announced on Monday, "Individuals, including Zuma, whose behavior conflicts with our core values and principles, will be excluded from the African National Congress."

This anticipated decision is likely to be perceived as a manifestation of internal discord within the ANC as the party heads into the upcoming general election, where it is expected to experience a decline in support.

Zuma, the fourth president of democratic South Africa, served from 2009 to 2018 but was compelled to step down amid corruption allegations, subsequently becoming estranged from the party he once led.

In December, Zuma revealed his intention to campaign for a new party named Mkhonto We Sizwe (MK), derived from the ANC's former armed wing during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Mbalula hinted at potential further actions, stating that aside from suspending Zuma, the ANC might file a complaint with the electoral court to deregister the new party and initiate a trademark challenge to reclaim the name.

"The formation of the MK party is not accidental," asserted Mbalula after a meeting with the party's National Executive Committee, which included President Cyril Ramaphosa. "It is a deliberate attempt to leverage the proud history of the armed struggle against the apartheid regime to lend credibility to what is a blatantly counterrevolutionary agenda."

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3) UNRWA Crisis: Funding Woes and Hamas Allegations Rock Gaza Aid Agency Sasha Morel

Leadership of the primary United Nations agency in Gaza raised concerns on Monday about potential financial insolvency as fresh allegations surfaced regarding Hamas's influence on the organization.

As UN officials discussed the uncertain future of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Israeli authorities debated whether it was prudent to publicly accuse a group of the agency's employees of involvement in the October 7 terror attack. Some Israeli military leaders believed that such accusations could backfire, as the collapse of UNRWA would leave a significant administrative and logistical void in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.

UNRWA is instrumental in Gaza, distributing essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine. The potential collapse of the agency raises questions about who would fill this void, considering that a large portion of Gaza's population relies on UNRWA for shelter and aid distribution.

Israel has alleged that at least 12 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attack, with up to 1,300 employees being members of Hamas. The Israeli military provided the United States with a dossier, asserting that approximately 10% of UNRWA's 13,000 Gaza employees are Hamas members. The allegations include instances of UNRWA workers being involved in kidnapping and massacres.

As these allegations surfaced, Austria joined 13 other countries in temporarily suspending donations to UNRWA, prompting the agency to warn that its operations could cease due to a lack of funds by the end of February.

Israeli military leaders are reportedly questioning the timing of the accusations against UNRWA, fearing that the withdrawal of donors could force Israel to take a more direct role in aid distribution, a responsibility they wish to avoid.

While there has been a longstanding desire among some Israeli officials to disband UNRWA, accusing it of collaborating with Hamas, the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza has complicated the situation. The Israeli response to the October 7 attack has led to a deepening crisis, with widespread casualties, a collapsed health system, and warnings of a looming famine.

The accusations against UNRWA workers were made public after the agency fired most of the accused individuals. The United Nations is investigating the charges, and nine of the accused have been terminated.

As UNRWA faces the prospect of financial collapse, discussions on a deal are in early stages, and the United Nations Secretary-General plans to meet with major donors to urge them to continue supporting the agency. However, the agency's dire financial situation, exacerbated by a previous funding freeze, puts its ability to sustain operations at risk. If donors do not restore funding by the end of February, UNRWA may struggle to pay salaries for its 30,000 employees across the Middle East.