Coffee in the Desert’s Post

China and India, two ancient civilizations and rising global powers, must prioritize unity and cooperation over conflict. It is imperative that both nations manage their political and ideological divergences with pragmatism, fostering relations that are stable and conducive to long-term, sustainable development. Moreover, we aspire for the peaceful resolution of historical border disputes through constructive dialogue, ensuring that diplomacy prevails in addressing these enduring challenges. A.C.Prabhakar Director of Global South Social Networks (GSSN)

Why should the African Union (AU) facilitate dialogue between Somalia-Ethiopia to address recent tensions? The presence of the Somali delegation in Addis Ababa holds significance for diplomacy. An agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, signed at the start of the year, has caused division, and sparked a diplomatic crisis in the Horn of Africa. This development has heightened tension in the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden region. Key international partners of Somalia, including the U.S., EU, and UK, along with various international and regional bodies, have supported Somalia's stance and raised concerns about regional instability. Despite its limited mandate in interstate conflicts, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has struggled to prevent or manage conflicts effectively. Consequently, the recent extraordinary IGAD summit in Uganda failed to bring Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopian leaders to the discussion table. Peace initiatives in the region often rely more on lead nations than on the IGAD secretariat because of operational constraints and interstate rivalries. However, in the current conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia, the AU, as a continental body, may have more opportunities to intervene. The AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC) has deployed former Nigerian President Obasanjo for negotiation efforts and called on both sides to adhere to the AU and international law principles. In the past, AU has established mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflicts. The fact that President Mahmoud's delegation from Somalia has been present in Addis-Ababa, demonstrates Mogadishu's new diplomatic approach. This occurs amidst Somalia's condemnation of Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland as a violation of its unity and territorial integrity. The AU should seize the opportunity presented by the Somali delegation to initiate dialogue between Somalia and Ethiopia.

In our latest article by Dr Cchavi Vasisht, we explore Troika diplomacy and its impact on Myanmar. At the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat in Laos, discussions centred on the escalating violence in Myanmar and China's actions in the South China Sea. Laos is pursuing a nuanced approach, prioritizing national interests and regional cooperation. While this may ease tensions, core issues like political dialogue remain unaddressed. The situation presents a complex challenge for ASEAN, with concerns mounting about Myanmar's military administration. External factors such as China's interests also significantly influence Myanmar's dynamics. 🔗 Read the Full Article Here: https://lnkd.in/gjVRVyYD Stay informed about the evolving developments in Myanmar and beyond. We will continue to provide expert insights as we navigate this ever-evolving global landscape. #china #myanmar #laos #indonesia #asean #military #retreat #foreignaffairs #internationalaffairs #happeningnow #geopolitical #news #asia #singapore #discussions #peace #dialogue #thailand #epidemic #politics #conflict

Cambodia and the United States held a high-level meeting on June 8, 2024, to strengthen their strategic partnership and dialogue. The meeting was held at the margins of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) in Vientiane. The representatives of Cambodia and the United States discussed cooperation within the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. As the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations from 2024 to 2027, Cambodia's role is to facilitate and promote dialogues and engagements between ASEAN and U.S. entities. The meeting exemplified the commitment of both countries to bolster their strategic partnership, highlighting a shared dedication to the pursuit of stability, peace, and prosperity in the wider East Asian and Pacific regions through open and constructive dialogue. Both countries recognize the importance of solidarity and shared strategies in navigating the complexities of international diplomacy and regional dynamics. To read more, visit- https://lnkd.in/gz7SfFza #CambodiaUS #StrategicPartnership #ASEANSOM #PeaceProsperity #DiplomaticDialogue #TheBetterCambodia #Cambodia

🌍💥 Tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali have worsened the security situation in the Great Lakes region in Africa. But diplomatic initiatives are underway to find a peaceful solution. The United Nations and regional actors play a key role in this process. 🤝💪 The Luanda road map is a concrete plan to emerge from this crisis, but more political will and regional cooperation are needed for a lasting solution. 🏞️🕊️ Peace and security in the Great Lakes region are our ultimate goal. Let us continue to support diplomatic efforts and promote dialogue between relevant parties. 🌟✨ #Diplomacy #GreatLakes #PeaceAndSecurity #RegionalCooperation #Dialogue

Turkey Announces Progress Towards Resolving Somalia-Ethiopia Conflict The Turkish government today announced "significant progress" in the ongoing negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia to resolve the territorial dispute over Ethiopian attempts to access the sea through the Somaliland region. "Significant convergence has been reached between the parties on some basic principles and specific elements. Significant progress has been made in this regard," declared Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who mediated a meeting between the two African countries.   Fidan made these statements alongside his counterparts from Somalia, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, and Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, after the second meeting of its kind in Ankara. The Turkish leader announced that a third round of contacts would be held, again in Ankara, on Saturday. The head of Turkish diplomacy indicated that some concrete solutions were discussed today aimed at "eliminating existing differences and reaching an agreement on a framework acceptable to both sides", reports the Turkish media. The Turkish government has already organized a round of talks on the conflict triggered by Ethiopia's attempt to acquire a port in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Somaliland, in exchange for recognizing the independence of this breakaway region of Somalia. "Our goal is to eliminate the current concerns and resolve the issues in a way that benefits not only Somalia and Ethiopia, but the entire region," said Fidan. https://ift.tt/47kFuyY

The dynamics of #iran 🇮🇷 #afghanistan 🇦🇫 #relations have shifted significantly since the #taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. Although #tehran has refrained from formally recognising the Taliban government, it has engaged pragmatically, establishing cooperative frameworks for #trade, transit, and other bilateral engagements. This #specialeurasia #report examines different aspects of Iran-Afghanistan relations, covering recent diplomatic interactions, economic collaborations, security and border challenges, and resource disputes. Key areas of contention, such as #migration pressures and #water-sharing disagreements, have increasingly influenced both countries’ policies. #geopolitics #persianfiles #eurasia #middleeast #afpak #geopoliticalrisk #foreignaffairs #internationalrelations #diplomacy #geopoliticalintelligence

Historic Milestone for Central Asia After decades of tension and conflict, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have finally reached a landmark agreement to demarcate their shared border. This resolution marks the end of one of the longest-standing disputes in Central Asia, a dispute that has fueled instability and violence for years. From August 11-17, 2024, the topographic-legal working groups of both nations met in Batken, Kyrgyzstan, to finalize the remaining sections of the 980-kilometer border. The productive discussions and exchange of proposals have led to a peaceful resolution that will hopefully usher in a new era of cooperation and stability between these neighboring countries. This significant achievement is a testament to the power of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts. At the Fajristan Regional Integration Movement (FRIM), we celebrate this momentous occasion and believe that it sets a powerful example for all Fajristan countries. Together, we can work towards a future of unity, cooperation, and regional integration. #FRIM #Fajristan #CentralAsia #Diplomacy #Peace #Tajikistan #Kyrgyzstan #RegionalIntegration #Unity

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, affirmed on February 6 in Rabat, that South Africa was and will remain a marginal actor in the Moroccan Sahara issue. “South Africa was and will remain a marginal actor in the issue of the Moroccan Sahara and a dissonant voice, without any influence or weight, in this issue,” said Bourita during a press briefing following the work of the Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Conference on Middle-Income Countries, in response to a question about the visit conducted to South Africa by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. On a similar note, Bourita explained that Morocco relies on three non-negotiable elements in the handling of this issue, namely the identification of the parties concerned by the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, the consecration of round tables as the sole framework of the United Nations (UN) process, and the confirmation of the autonomy initiative within the framework of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as the only solution to this artificial conflict. Tap the link in our bio for more details. (📸: Moroccan Diplomacy) #FMNasserBourita #MoroccanSahara #MoroccoTerritorialIntegrity #MoroccoNews #MoroccoTimesTV

Nice example of #diaspora #diplomacy from Latvia in Ireland. A key part of #diasporaengagement is listening to your diaspora. A really clever, low cost way of doing this is to embed sessions with the diaspora on all official visits of high-level government reps abroad when appropriate (e.g. when they visit key countries of destination for the diaspora). Latvia making important moves in diaspora diplomacy also with an Ambassador-at-Large for their diaspora. Onwards. https://lnkd.in/etHYxnDp