Asia

Saudi Arabia Pledges $6bn to Pakistan Amid Economic Crisis

Saudi Arabia has agreed to sanction monetary support for Pakistan’s economy struggling to save itself from running for a bailout. PM Imran Khan has received much backlash from various circles in the country and abroad on running over his word to abstain from adding to the legacy of borrowing money from other countries.

‘Perhaps Khan forgets that he too has only appointed his cronies and people who sing his praises to the key slots in the public institutions and in the government. In any case, this is another U-turn from Khan, as during his election campaign he said he would never beg for loans. The Saudis after providing this bailout will definitely ask for favors in return from Pakistan, such as unofficial military support in the Yemen war, and a share in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It is the same old short-term solution of begging from friendly countries in order to thwart political and public pressure. But borrowing from friendly countries or from the International Monetary Fund is not a permanent solution, nor can it solve Pakistan’s economic woes.’ Imad Zafar writes for Asia Times.

‘Imran Khan is heading for a trip to the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh – the business forum being widely boycotted by international attendees following the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the nation’s consulate in Istanbul. Pakistan’s prime minister, however, is in no position to follow such gestures of disapproval. His country is in deep economic crisis, and there is an urgent need for Saudi largesse. Failure to get funds from the kingdom and China, Islamabad’s long-term ally, will mean turning to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Pakistan’s 13th bailout – with inevitably harsh conditions – since the country’s birth 70 years ago.’ Kim Sengupta writes for The Independent.

‘Saudi Arabia has in the past also helped rescue Pakistan’s economy from dire situations on a number of occasions. The Kingdom had last time in 2014 gifted Pakistan $1.5bn to beef up its foreign exchange reserves. The Saudi package may provide breathing space to the government for dealing with economic challenges, but would not be enough to avoid the IMF facility. It is believed that improved foreign exchange reserves would strengthen Pakistan’s negotiating position in talks with the Fund. The situation could further improve if China also makes some commitments to rescue its ‘all-weather friend’. PM Khan is scheduled to travel to China on November 3^rd, 2018.’ Baqir Sajjad Sayed writes for DAWN.

Sri Lankan President Sacks Prime Minister, Appoints Mahinda Rajapaksa

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been following the sacking of the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Prime Minister, in a surprise move that fuelled political turmoil in Sri Lanka.

‘Relations between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe have soured since their parties suffered humiliating losses to Rajapaksa’s party in February’s local council elections. The two have disagreed over economic policy and day-to-day administration of government. Last week, they reportedly clashed during a cabinet session over plans to lease a container terminal to neighbouring India. Rajapaksa, who served as president from 2005 to 2015, put down the decades-old Tamil Tiger separatist struggle in May 2009 through a military assault that killed up to 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians, according to rights groups’ Reported the Al Jazeera.

‘Rajapaksa’s return to power ended a more than three-year-old coalition government that was formed by Sirisena and Wickremesinghe on a promise to combat corruption and financial irregularities. Sirisena’s broader political front United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) quit the unity government with Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP).  Highlighting the alleged misgovernance of Wickremesinghe, Rajapaksa said, “The value of the rupee has fallen alarmingly. Our country has been downgraded by the rating agencies. The people are oppressed by the ever rising cost of living.” He said he was invited by Sirisena to accept the post of the prime minister after the president’s party left the unity government with Wickremesinghe.’ Reported the News18.

‘On October 26, Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and replaced him with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This sudden challenge to Sri Lanka’s regime blindsided some political observers and members of the international community. To those for whom the political upheaval matters the most, however, it came as no surprise. Mahinda Rajapaksa was feared by political opponents, his critics and the Tamil-speaking people on the island during his ten-year reign between 2005-2015. Under his rule, activists, journalists and politicians with opposing views were harassed, intimidated, abducted and even murdered. Now that he is back, activists fear they will once again become open targets for their country’s government.’ Mario Arulthas writes for Al Jazeera.

Middle East & North Africa

Syria Summit: Calls for a Lasting Ceasefire

The leaders of Turkey, Russia, France and Germany called in for a ceasefire around the last major rebel-held bastion of Idlib in Syria to be preserved. Idlib has stood as the last rebel-held area in Syria. Asad regime had been engaged for quite some time in planning an offensive for Idlib. The call for cease-fire triggered by major world powers might help in diffusing tensions within the region.

‘The four nations “stressed the importance of a lasting ceasefire” according to a statement read by Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the end of a major summit in Istanbul. Erdoğan, along with Russian president Vladimir Putin, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel met to try to find a lasting solution to the Syrian conflict, in which more than 360,000 people have been killed since 2011. After a joint press conference, Macron urged Russia, which supports the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, to exercise “very clear pressure” on Damascus for a “stable and lasting ceasefire in Idlib”.’ Reported The Guardian.

‘The summit came after a week of escalating violence in Idlib, culminating in Syrian regime artillery fire killing seven civilians on Friday, the highest death toll there since the fragile ceasefire began. Following the joint news conference in Istanbul, the leaders spoke separately, with Macron urging Russia to pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to bring about a “stable and lasting ceasefire in Idlib”. “We rely on Russia to exercise very clear pressure on the regime, which depends on it for survival,” he said. However, Putin warned that if “radicals” were to “launch armed provocations from the Idlib zone, Russia reserves the right to give active assistance to the Syrian government in liquidating this source of terrorist threat”.’ Reported the Middle East Eye.

‘After a joint press conference, Macron urged Russia, which supports the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to exercise “very clear pressure” on Damascus for a “stable and lasting ceasefire in Idlib”. Last month rebel-backer Turkey agreed with Russia to create a buffer zone around Idlib amid fears of a impending assault on the northwestern province that many feared would lead to a humanitarian disaster.’ Reported Dawn.

Sub Saharan Africa

Ethiopian Parliament Elects the First Female President

Sahle Work Zewde was elected as Ethiopia’s first female president during the elections that the country just had. The Ethiopian public has generally welcomed the Zwede’s success. A greater symbolism of a progressive African nation prevails within the region.

‘The election of Sahle-Work Zewde as Ethiopia’s first female president has been enthusiastically greeted in Ethiopia and beyond, raising hopes among advocates for gender equality in the conservative country. The 68-year-old was unanimously approved by the Ethiopian parliament on Thursday to replace Mulatu Teshome, who resigned unexpectedly a day earlier. While the position of president is largely ceremonial, it carries important symbolic weight and social influence. Following Zewde’s appointment, congratulatory messages arrived from the African Union (AU), the United Nations and the European Union, as well as other international organisations and leaders around the world.’  Elias Gebreselassie writes for Al Jazeera.

‘On Thursday, the Ethiopian parliament elected its first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde. Though the role is largely ceremonial, it holds symbolic importance for women across the country and the continent, as Zewde will be the only female head of state in Africa. (Saara Kuugongelwa-Ahmadhila, prime minister of Namibia, is the only female head of government in Africa.) In her opening speech, she emphasized the importance of equality, telling MPs that if they thought she was talking too much about women, that she had only just begun. Her election comes on the heels of another important step forward for Ethiopia, and neighboring Rwanda, who joined the meager ranks of countries with ministerial gender parity. In a cabinet reshuffle last week, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed ten female ministers, comprising half of the all cabinet posts. Days later, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame announced that Rwanda’s new cabinet would also be gender-balanced.’ John Campbell writes for Council on Foreign Relations.

Europe

Angela Merkel Announces not to Contest Elections for German Chancellorship in 2021

Chancellor Angela Merkel has declared that she will not contest for another term of chancellorship once her current term comes to an end in 2021. The politicians within the German political circle and beyond have ever since the declaration, voiced up Merkel’s domination of the European politics and her services as a committed people’s servant.

‘Ms Merkel has been leader of her party since 2000 and was elected as chancellor in 2005. If she makes it to the end of her term in 2021 as planned she will be the second longest serving Chancellor in the history of the German federal republic, surpassed by only Helmut Kohl. The Chancellor, who has developed a reputation for being a canny political survivor, has had a tempestuous year – struggling with coalition negotiations to return to office, and under pressure from both left and right – particularly on the issue of migration.’ Jon Stone and Harriet Agerholm write for The Independent.

‘After news of Merkel’s decision not to stand for re-election as leader of the CDU, the euro fell to session lows. Merkel’s weakness at home may limit her capacity to lead in the EU at a time when the bloc is dealing with Brexit, a budget crisis in Italy and the prospect of populist parties making gains at European parliament elections next May. The trouncing for the German coalition parties came shortly after a disastrous result in Bavaria, widely seen as a protest against the failings of the Berlin government.’ Josie le Blond writes for The Guardian.

Americas

Migrant Caravan From El Salvador Advances Towards US

A new group of migrants bound for the US has set off from El Salvador, following thousands of other Central Americans who are moving toward the US in their quest to flee poverty and violence. President Trump has been rather rash with his rhetoric to confront the influx as has been the case in the pat.

‘The group of more than 300 Salvadorans left the capital San Salvador on Sunday. A larger group of mostly Hondurans, estimated to number at least 3,500, left that country in mid-October and is now in southern Mexico. That group has become a key issue in US midterm elections. A third group has been moving through Guatemala, at one point numbering more than 1,000 before beginning to fragment. Hundreds broke through a Guatemala border gate in Tecun Umanand on Sunday afternoon were on the bridge into Mexico. Migrants say joining a large group offers a measure of protection against police officers and bandits. Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make immigration a major issue ahead of the 6 November elections, in which the party is battling to keep control of Congress.’ Reported The Guardian.

‘American military equipment has already begun arriving at the southern border ahead of an imminent troop deployment to block the migrant caravan, while in Mexico tensions have broken out with migrants attacking a local man who was distributing food. Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the military has already begun delivering jersey barriers to the southern border in conjunction with plans to deploy active duty troops. Mattis told reporters traveling with him in Prague that details of the deployment are still being worked out but should be available by Sunday night. They will include exactly how many forces are needed. The additional troops will provide logistical and other support to the Border Patrol, and will bolster the efforts of the approximately 2,000 National Guard forces already there. The new forces are expected to provide logistical assistance such as air support and equipment, including vehicles and tents.’ Keith Griffith writes for Daily Mail.

‘The decision about 160 Honduran migrants made to travel as a group in the open to the US — and the decision thousands have made to join them en route — is the result of a situation that predates Trump. The United States and Mexico have worked to make the journey to the US less appealing to Central Americans, but many residents of the Northern Triangle find the prospect of eventual asylum in the US — however difficult it is to get there — more appealing than the insecurity they’re facing at home.

The current wave of Northern Triangle migration raises hard questions about the distinction between economic and humanitarian migration, the US’s ability to process asylum seekers, and the role Mexico plays in the region. Those are emphatically not the questions that are coming up in the Trump-driven conversation about the caravan — which is using the sheer fact of a mass of people traveling northward to activate fears of an invasion by unknowable foreigners. Dara Lind writes for Vox News.