The Philippines has voiced its protests against what it considers increasingly dangerous actions by China’s coast guard and navy in recent months. On October 22, two Chinese ships blocked and separately collided with two Philippine vessels near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

In response to the collisions, the United States reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines, a longstanding treaty ally, if Filipino forces came under attack in the contested waters. The Philippine government also summoned a Chinese diplomat in Manila to protest.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) diplomats expressed their concerns during the Beijing talks, part of ongoing negotiations between China and ASEAN to establish a “code of conduct” to prevent a larger armed conflict in the South China Sea.

The South China Sea has been a source of territorial disputes, with China and four ASEAN member states—Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—along with Taiwan, locked in a long-standing standoff. The region holds significant strategic importance, with potential vast undersea deposits of oil and gas.

Recent incidents in the South China Sea, such as a close encounter between a Chinese fighter jet and an American B-52 bomber, have intensified tensions between the United States and China in the region.

While the U.S. has no territorial claims, it emphasizes the importance of freedom of navigation and peaceful dispute resolution, challenging China’s expansive territorial claims in the area. China insists that the South China Sea issue is an exclusively Asian matter and has urged the U.S. not to meddle in regional affairs.

The post China and Southeast Asian Diplomats Commit to South China Sea Nonaggression Pact Amid Escalating Tensions first appeared on The Postcolonial.

A Burmese hip-hop artist, aged 38, has been found guilty of criticizing Myanmar’s military-controlled government and has been handed a 20-year prison sentence, as confirmed by a family member on Thursday, reports the AP.

The sentence, issued on Wednesday, was given to Byu Har, also known as Min Oat Myanmar, and stands out as one of the most stringent penalties assigned to any detained celebrities who’ve spoken out against the military rulers that assumed power from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.

Byu Har was apprehended on May 24 at his residence in Yangon, shortly after criticizing Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military government, and the electric power minister. In a livestream broadcast on his Facebook page, he accused them of inadequate electricity supply to Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar.

During the livestream, he labeled Min Aung Hlaing as “incompetent”. He referred to the electricity minister as a “fool,” noting that the electricity supply had been more reliable during Suu Kyi’s administration.

Five days following his arrest, state-run media declared that he had been taken into custody due to incitement and propaganda that could disrupt state stability.

In Myanmar, also recognized as Burma, prolonged power cuts have significantly burdened the populace. Between March and early June, daily power outages were escalated to eight hours a day in Yangon to conserve energy, a measure that has since been scaled back to four hours daily.

A family member of Byu Har, speaking on condition of anonymity due to apprehensions of personal arrest, confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that she received news about his verdict from Insein Prison, a notorious detention facility in the country.

The charges against him included incitement, allegedly inducing fear, disseminating false information, or provoking against a government employee. Additionally, he faced charges under the state’s treason statute, although the specific conviction details remained unclear.

Local media also reported on the verdict.

As per the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an advocacy organization monitoring arrests in Myanmar, approximately 4,000 individuals have been killed and 24,410 arrested since the military coup.

Celebrities have been particularly singled out for supporting protest movements or expressing solidarity with civilians who lost their lives due to the military’s actions.

The post Criticizing Military Leaders Cost Burmese Rapper 20-years Prison first appeared on The Postcolonial.

Abdoulaye Bathily addressed the U.N. Security Council, underscoring that the prevailing political divisions in Libya “are fraught with risks of violence and disintegration for countries.” He appealed to the rival factions within the country to resolve all issues related to upcoming elections, a critical step that has been delayed for a significant duration, reports the AP.

“It is fundamental to restore Libya’s stability, to preserve regional security,” he emphasized. “Without an inclusive political agreement that paves the way for peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections across Libya, the situation will worsen and cause further suffering to the Libyan people.”

Libya’s descent into chaos stemmed from the NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed long-standing dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. This turmoil led to a division of the nation, with competing administrations in the east and west supported by rogue militias and foreign entities.

The current political crisis revolves around the failure to conduct elections as planned on December 24, 2021, and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s refusal to step down from his position leading the transitional government in Tripoli. In response, the parliament based in Libya’s eastern region appointed a rival prime minister, Fathy Bashagha, though he was suspended in May. The influential commander Khalifa Hifter maintains control in the eastern part of the country.

Bathily expressed optimism that ongoing discussions aimed at amending election laws to address gaps, inconsistencies, and technical hurdles can be concluded in the coming weeks. The U.N. is actively collaborating with all parties to secure a comprehensive political agreement concerning matters related to a new government, ensuring security, and creating a level playing field for all election candidates.

Although unable to pinpoint an exact date, Bathily conveyed optimism that the envisioned 2023 elections could become a reality.

Regarding recent events, Bathily informed the council about the fragile state of stability in Tripoli, disrupted by intense armed clashes between rival militias on August 14-15. These clashes reportedly resulted in at least 55 deaths and over 100 injuries, including an unspecified number of civilians.

Furthermore, Bathily highlighted clashes this month between “armed elements” based in southern Libya and government forces in Chad’s neighboring Tibesti region, further empathizing the potential ramifications of Libya’s political divisions.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned the militia clashes in Tripoli, expressing concern that the instability in Sudan and Niger could potentially escalate into broader violence. She noted the readiness of the Libyan people to seek compromise and stability.

Thomas-Greenfield also stated that the United States would persist in exposing the adverse impact of the Wagner Group in Libya and across Africa. She highlighted the Russian mercenary group’s activities in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Sudan, stressing their ambition to expand influence in Africa, disregarding Libya’s territorial integrity.

While acknowledging the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Libya, Bathily confirmed that the U.N. lacks precise information regarding their numbers and equipment.

Bathily conveyed his earlier optimism about Sudan, Chad, and Niger withdrawing their fighters and mercenaries from Libya after his visits in late March. However, he noted that fighting resumed between rival military leaders in Sudan and the ousting of Niger’s president by the head of the presidential guard last month.

Bathily underscored that Libya’s border with Sudan has opened the movement of armed groups, mercenaries, and criminal elements involved in illegal migration, mining, drug trafficking, and other unlawful activities. Despite this, there hasn’t been a significant influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya.

Concerning Niger, Bathily stated that the country, like other nations in the Sahel region, has been impacted by the Libyan crisis. Some Nigeriens have joined Libyan mercenaries, while armed elements within Niger remain active along the border. He cautioned that any disintegration of the Niger army would have profound repercussions for both Niger and Libya.

The post Libya’s stability threatened after deadly clashes says UN first appeared on The Postcolonial.

Parliament is set to ratify the nation’s 30th prime minister on Tuesday, following a three-month stalemate since the May elections. Chonlanan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai, revealed that the coalition partners had agreed to propose real estate magnate Srettha Thavisin as the forthcoming leader, writes the AP.

Despite placing second in the national election, Pheu Thai was handed an opportunity to create a government after the conservative unelected Senate repeatedly obstructed the surprise victor, the progressive Move Forward Party. Both chambers of Parliament collectively cast votes for the prime minister, under the constitution established during military rule, designed to safeguard the conservative military-backed governance.

Numerous Senate members, appointed by the Prayuth-led military administration, opposed Move Forward’s Pita Limjaroenrat as a prime ministerial candidate due to his party’s advocacy for reform of a law that criminalizes criticism of Thailand’s royal family. Critics contend that this law, which carries a maximum imprisonment term of 15 years, has been misused for political gain. Aligned with the military, Senators view themselves as protectors of traditional royalist values.

Consequently, Pheu Thai excluded Move Forward from its coalition, asserting that the party’s call for reforming the royal defamation law rendered it unfeasible to gather sufficient backing from other parties and the Senate for the approval of a new prime minister.

With 314 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, the Pheu Thai-led coalition requires some support from the Senate to secure a majority in the combined parliamentary vote.

The Move Forward Party has asserted its refusal to back any prime ministerial nominee from a coalition that includes factions from the outgoing military-backed government.

On Monday, Pheu Thai unveiled its coalition, encompassing two military-affiliated parties — Palang Pracharath with 40 seats and United Thai Nation with 36 seats. Both maintain connections to Prayuth, who has maintained his grip on power since leading a military coup in 2014.

Pheu Thai, linked to ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire populist ousted by a 2006 military coup, joins a series of parties associated with him. The coup triggered years of upheaval, polarizing a predominantly impoverished rural majority in the north supporting Thaksin against royalists, the military, and urban supporters.

Critics have lambasted Pheu Thai for deviating from its pre-election commitment to avoid collaboration with pro-military factions.

Thaksin and his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced his plan to return to Thailand on Tuesday, ahead of Parliament’s vote, marking an end to his self-imposed exile to evade politically charged prison sentences.

Paetongtarn, a pivotal Pheu Thai figure, extended apologies on Sunday to those dismayed by the party’s decision to align with pro-military parties. She attributed the move to the necessity of lacking an overwhelming victory in the May polls.

Chonlanan, Pheu Thai’s leader, affirmed on Monday that the decision was reached due to the party and its coalition partners recognizing the urgent need to address the country’s challenges, including economic improvement and ending political divisions.

“Although there are parties from the outgoing government in the coalition, all parties will work with Pheu Thai with efficiency and serve the best interests of the public,” he said according to the AP. “The coalition parties will use this chance as a beginning to build love, harmony and reconciliation of the people in the country, and will work together to create prosperity for the country and the people into the future.”

He disclosed that the coalition had agreed to back Pheu Thai’s objectives of bolstering the economy, raising the minimum wage, discontinuing mandatory conscription, supporting the ongoing legalization of medical marijuana, and pursuing constitutional amendments for a “more democratic” nation while leaving the royal defamation law untouched.

The post Thailand’s new government to include pro-military parties first appeared on The Postcolonial.

The streets of Myanmar are drenched in blood, as the military junta continues its extreme crackdown on protestors. Since the coup d’état against the democratically elected government on February 1^st this year, protesters have roamed the streets to show their discontent with the military junta.

The Burmese human rights organization Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has confirmed the deaths of at least 500 people in relation to the military coup since February 1^st.

The conflict had its’ deadliest day on Saturday, when more than 100 people were killed. A rising tally that was feared by diplomats, commentators and scholars who follows the situation in Myanmar, when armed forces switched water cannons with rubber bullets and live ammunition.

Just two weeks prior, what was described as ‘the bloodiest day of the military crackdown on protestors’ occurred in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon where security forces killed 38 protesters, activists told the BBC.

The military declared martial law in Myanmar, as some protesters allegedly uses sticks and knives, and has attacked Chinese businesses. It is unclear who is actually behind these specific attacks, but protesters believe that China is giving support to the military.

‘This is the darkest moment of the nation and the moment that the dawn is close. The uprising must win,’ parliament leader Mahn Win Khaing Than said in his first public address after gone into hiding, urging protesters to defend themselves against the military crackdown, the BBC reports.

Staging the nation

Myanmar were going through a transition to democracy starting in 2011 after being a military rule for nearly 50 years. The National League for Democracy (NLD) is far the largest political party in the country featuring Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi as their leader.

In November 2020, Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD won a landslide victory securing 396 out of 476 seats ahead of the military party, reaffirming the countries development into full democracy.

But the military led by general Min Aung Hlaing claimed the vote fraudulent and staged a coup d’état on February 1^st this year, taking full control over Myanmar and have jailed Aung San Suu Kyi and former acting president Win Myint.

The military action has been condemned by various countries and civil unrest has since sparked violence on the streets of Myanmar, where military and police personal are cracking down protesters demonstrating against the junta.

According to Danish ambassador in Myanmar John Nielsen, members of the NLD have created a ‘shadow government’ in hiding and established contact with several national ambassadors in the country.

‘They reach out for the international community and put pressure on international businesses working with the military, discouraging the companies to pay their taxes right now,’ Mr Nielsen told Danish broadcaster DR. ‘The shadow government tries to undermine the military junta by mobilizing joint political pressure from many of Myanmar’s ethnic groups,’ he says.

And the countries ethnic groups could trigger the next stage of what is going to happen in Myanmar.

Christine Schraner Burgener serving as the UN special envoy for Myanmar stated that the Southeast Asian country ‘is on the verge of spiraling into a failed state,’ AP reports.

Armed ethnic groups on Myanmar’s borders are staring to speak out against ‘the brutality of the military’ and this ‘(is) increasing the possibility of civil war at an unprecedented scale,’ Ms Burgener warns.

A full-blown civil war will hurt minority groups even further, as civilians already faces consequences from ongoing conflicts between several local militias and the military in Myanmar.

‘Already vulnerable groups requiring humanitarian assistance including ethnic minorities and the Rohingya people will suffer most,’ she says.

Children in crossfire

Armed forces have killed more than 500 people so far since the coup in Myanmar. Rights organization Save the Children states that at least 43 children have been killed by armed forces.

The youngest recorded victim is a six-year-old girl who was shot by police when she ran towards her father.

The killing happened during a search where police inspected houses for weapons in Mandalay, the victim’s older sister May Thu Sumaya told the BBC.

‘They kicked the door to open it. When the door was open, they asked my father whether there were any other people in the house,’ she said.

When the father said no, they accused him of lying and searched the house. The girl then ran to her father to sit on his lap and got shot by the police, Ms Sumaya said.

‘I can’t Father, it’s too painful,’ the father described his daughter’s last words.

As the Myanmar authorities continues their crackdown on civilians, there is no guarantee that children will be spared during the unrest.

‘Children have witnessed violence and horror. It is clear that Myanmar is no longer a safe place for children,’ Save the Children writes.

The post Bloody streets of Myanmar first appeared on The Postcolonial.

A UN court has ruled the Chagos Islands unlawfully occupied by the United Kingdom, BBC reported in late January 2021.

The Chagos Islands, formerly named the British Indian Ocean Territory, is an area consisting of around seven atolls and 1000 islands located in the Indian Ocean between Africa and Indonesia. The island of Diego Garcia is the only spot with present habitants and houses an American military base.

The maritime law tribunal of the United Nations has criticized London for failing to hand the territory back to Mauritius.

It confirms an earlier ruling by the International Court of Justice in 2019 and a vote in the UN General Assembly reaching the same conclusion.

‘The UK has no doubt as to our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the BIOT and the UK does not recognise its claim,’ Christopher Pincher spokesperson for the British foreign Office responded to the ruling.

The Chagos Islands are located in a strategic area that gives the US an opportunity to counter the potential expansion of Chinese military power in the Indian Ocean. During the 1960s the US landed a secret deal with the UK to implement and American military airbase in Diego Garcia.

‘The UK has no doubt as to our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the BIOT and the UK does not recognise its claim’

Christopher Pincher

Spokesperson for the British foreign Office

The UK removed thousands of Chagossians from their homes in Diego Garcia and sent them to Mauritius between 1968 and 1974, writes the BBC. Once included in same colonial administration with Mauritius under British rule, the Chagos Islands were separated and bought exclusively to the UK in 1965 in a deal that secured Mauritius’ independence in 1968.

International dispute

Amidst growing pressure from the international society, the UK does not seem willing to hand control over the Chagos Archipelago anytime soon, despite repeatedly promising to let Mauritius take charge once the territory is no longer needed for defence purposes.

‘They are hypocrites. Shame on them when they talk about human rights and respect’

Pravind Jugnauth

Prime Minister of Mauritius

But keeping the defence would not be a problem for Mauritius, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said in January.

‘The end of UK administration has no implications for the US military base at Diego Garcia, which Mauritius is committed to maintaining.’

The verdict is without questioning. Mr. Jugnauth urges the UK to submit under the UN ruling.

‘The judgement… is clear and unequivocal. Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago,’ he told the BBC.

Already back in 2019 when the UN court first ruled the UK to end its control over the Chagos Islands, Mr. Jugnauth shot fire, when he called out the UK and US for lecturing countries to ‘respect human rights’ without doing much effort in Mauritius’ case.

‘They are hypocrites. Shame on them when they talk about human rights and respect,’ he said in front of a crowd consisting of Chagossians and their descendants in the Mauritian capital, Port Louis.

In February 2019 The International Court of Justice advised that the Chagos Islands should be handed to Mauritius to complete the country’s decolonisation.

The British government has already admitted their fault in the treatment towards Chagossians who were forcibly evicted from Diego Garcia in the 1960s.

The post Archipelago ownership first appeared on The Postcolonial.

It is official. Greenland’s parliament voted in favour for a new election, Tuesday night this week. The date of the election is set for 6^th of April, reports Ritzau.

The last election was held in 2018 providing the present government a place in power until 2022. But turmoil within the leading party Siumut and disagreements on mining certificates has weakened the government.

Last week, the party Demokraatit stepped out of coalition in government leaving Siumut and Nunnata Qitornai, who only represents 11 mandates out of 31 in Greenland’s parliament, reports public broadcaster KNR.

This led the opposition consisting of parties Inuit Ataqatigiit, Demokraatit, Partii Naleraq and Atassut to advocate for a new election through a press release send on Monday this week.

The biggest party in Greenland and leader of the coalition Siumut had its own internal struggle back in early December 2020, as the head of Greenland’s government Kim Kielsen lost his chairmanship in the party to Erik Jensen, who called for political change.

This year’s election can prove crucial for Greenland’s future, as the massive island disrupts a clear sea route from Russia to Canada that gets exposed for natural resources due to climate change.

Greenland’s new diplomatic role can potentially fulfill a growing wish from the population on getting independence from Denmark, who still controls Greenland’s international affairs.

Mining for independence

Relying on large economic subsidies from Denmark, Greenland spots their mineral reserves as a huge force to sustain the country’s finances. Greenland gained its self-rule in 2009 from Denmark, which ultimately left the high valued minerals to the country.

But mining some of these resources might put the environment at risk. A proposed mine in Kuannersuit in Greenland’s southern edge sparked concern among environmentalists as the mining could harm the area, which is already impacted by global warming, writes AFP.

Rising temperatures has retreated sea ice, making it difficult for hunters and their dogsleds to maintain traditional ways.

‘Economic development requires a broader base, and mining and tourism are the potential pillars in such a process’

Torben Andersen

Greenland’s Economic Council

With retreating sea ice new possibilities emerge due to better access for mining rare earth minerals. This has attracted international attention, with foreign countries wanting to buy Greenland’s natural resources including 17 metals used for high-tech devices.

Siumut was in favor of the mining project until new chairman Mr. Jensen adopted a more reserved line when put into power back in November.

Frustrated by Siumuts lacking standing on the mining project the right-wing Demokraatit party left the coalition, illustrating the new political landscape in the country.

‘We are at a pivotal moment with a new generation at the head of Siumut and the Kvanefjeld [Kuannersuit] project is creating tension,’ Mikaa Mered, professor of geopolitics at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, says to AFP.

Mining alone would probably not be enough for Greenland to be fully self-sufficient. But it will add a huge chunk of the overall finances, Torben Andersen economics professor at the University of Aarhus told AFP.

‘Economic development requires a broader base, and mining and tourism are the potential pillars in such a process,’ says Mr. Andersen, who also chairs Greenland’s Economic Council.

More Danish military action

Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen and the government has not made any comment or statement on Greenland’s new election. They do not interfere with Greenland’s national affairs, for the most part.

But Denmark does control military activities and foreign affairs on behalf of Greenland.

And more international attention to the arctic has made Denmark act, as Russian and Chinese vessels are exploring the region.

‘We have seen growing foreign activities in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Therefore, we need better surveillance and presence in the area’

Trine Bramsen

Danish minister of defense

A Chinese icebreaker sailed unannounced into Greenland’s territorial waters in October last year, according to Reuters.

The growing importance of the arctic has led Denmark to invest 1,5 billion Danish Kroner on Thursday last week to strengthen defense and add more high-tech based surveillance in the Arctic and North Atlantic region.

‘We have seen growing foreign activities in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Therefore, we need better surveillance and presence in the area. Not to escalate conflict, but because we must take these threats seriously. This initiative will happen in close partnership between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland,’ said Danish minister of defense Trine Bramsen about the investment.

No comment from any Greenlandic party of Faroe Islands officials were featured in the press release published by the Danish ministry of defense.

‘I am looking forward to see Naalakkersuisut [Greenland’s government] continue the dialogue with the danish government on the implementation of the Arctic capacity package. We already agreed that our companies and capacities, like Air Greenland and Asiaq, will be used for the task, said Mr. Kielsen shortly before the new election was called this week.

The post The Arctic battle first appeared on The Postcolonial.