Africa Union Talks Go No Where

A summit regarding the establishment of a single African state ended this week with little accomplished. Few expected any meaningful agreement to arise from the talks and they were not disappointed. The group agreed to set a time table to discuss a future continent-wide agreement. Disagreements exist over whether the pan-African organization should be limited to economic integration or seek a larger political arrangement.

Stores Empty as Zimbabwe Implements Price Controls

Mugabe’s government began to crack down this week on stores and merchants that failed to implement the price controls announced last week. Stores have begun to run out of supplies as people have taken advantage of the artificially low prices. Over twenty shop keepers have been arrested for not complying with the orders. These orders are unsustainable in the long-run and shortages may lead to increased unrest.

Elections in Conflict Areas Are Invalid

Jarrett Blanc of the Council on Foreign Relations and the US Institute of Peace gave an interesting interview to Radio Free Europe about the validity of elections in conflict situations. An important feature that Blanc returns to is the absence of the rule of law in the electoral environment. Furthermore, consideration of the broader context of the conflict and that elections may destabilize or alter the balance in a dangerous manner, especially when the legal institutions necessary for a rule of law are nonexistent. This is a very interesting read.