Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Daily Verdict: November, 9th, 2008

SADC gives its verdict
The SADC has produced a final resolution on the Zimbabwe power sharing deal forcing the two political parties to split the leadership of a key ministry. However, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is not happy with the resolution even though it was supported by all 15 member states of the SADC. The resolution is left up to the parties to implement and it still remains a question whether the two opposing political parties will actually abide by the resolution.

Regional group extends peacekeeping help
The SADC, on the same day as it gave its verdict on the Zimbabwe ordeal, announced that it is ready to deploy peacekeeping forces in Congo. Angolan forces are the most likely candidates for the grueling task of restoring peace to the violence-ridden country. The SADC is waiting on reports from “military experts” before it makes a final decision. There has been a lot of talk about helping in Congo but so far no nation or international body has responded nearly to the degree necessary to salvage the situation and ensure that the bloodshed ends.

Canada won’t extend Afghan mission
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon announced today that Canada will not extend its mission to Afghanistan beyond its deadline in 2011. This does not come as good news to the incoming administration south of the Canadian border as Obama was planning on asking his country’s allies to get more involved. This puts Canada in a directly opposite position as its neighbour and is bound to cause tension during future talks between the two leaders. The Foreign Minister did state though that the two countries would likely have similar environmental policies once the new administration is sworn in. However, Canada’s stance on Afghanistan is not set in stone as many predict another election will take place before 2011, thus not guaranteeing the promise that all Canadian troops will be out of Afghanistan by that deadline.

Bin Laden’s son rejected by many countries
Omar Bin Laden has now been rejected by Spain, Britain, and now Egypt. After Spanish authorities refused his request for Asylum, Omar and his British wife were rejected entry into the UK as well. After flying to Egypt, where they had previously lived, he was rejected entry into the country and directed towards Qatar where as a Saudi national he has a right to reside. Omar, one of many of Bin Laden’s sons has claimed he has not seen his father in many years and stopped living with him way before he planned the Sept. 11 attacks. I imagine it must be a difficult life for anyone with the last name of Bin Laden.

Clergy fight in Church
In an absolutely ridiculous story that has received international attention, members of the Armenian and Greek Orthodox clergy came to blows in Jerusalem. In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, it has been reported that worshippers were the first to begin throwing punches but the clergy soon followed suit and even grabbed candle sticks and used them as weapons. Local police had to break up the incident. Are you kidding me?