South Africa, Mozambique to Undertake Joint Anti-Piracy Patrols
Background The South African and Mozambican Defence Ministers have agreed to conduct joint anti-piracy patrols along the Mozambique coast. Under the agreement, the two countries will also conduct joint training and intelligence sharing. Somali pirates have begun operating in the northern reaches of the Mozambique Channel, in response to international anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf...
Instability Continues in Yemen
Background Clashes between forces supporting Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and tribesmen loyal to Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahman continue as Saleh refuses for the third time to accept a GCC-sponsored request to step down. Comment A decisive outcome appears unlikely in the short term. Neither side has the military means nor the authority to defeat the...
Saudi Arabia Proposes anti-Iran Alliance
Background Saudi Arabia has asked Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Central Asian republics to join it and its Gulf allies in an alliance, aimed at containing the influence of Iran and supporting the Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain. While these countries are yet to openly come out in favour of such a grouping, the United States...
China Refutes Gwadar Naval Base Conjecture
Background The Pakistani Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has affirmed that Pakistan is appreciative of China’s willingness to operate Gwadar port, and is also keen to see that ‘a naval base is constructed at the site of Gwadar for Pakistan.’ Predictably, the remarks attracted international attention. They reinforced existing views among foreign commentators, who believe that...
Sudan Violence Returns; Energy Interests Threatened
Background Northern Sudanese armed forces recently took over the disputed region of Abyei, which lies on the border between northern and, soon-to-be-independent, southern Sudan. While the recent clashes have so far mainly been confined to Abyei, the potential for an escalation of violence still exists. Should that occur, it would not only negatively affect a...
Democratic Alliance Consolidates Position as South African Opposition
Background In South African local government elections held on 18 May, the Democratic Alliance (DA) consolidated its support in Cape Town, Western Cape Province and the Midvaal municipality, to cement its place as the country’s chief opposition party. DA officials see it as confirmation that the tide is very slowly but surely beginning to turn...