UN cannot be missing in action

The agreement reached between the two presidential candidates is key for the stability and security of Afghanistan. Ashraf Ghani, the future president, and Abdullah Abdullah,  who will have his nominees in key positions within the new Cabinet and as governors of some provinces, are both top politicians and very reasonable, experienced individuals. They are among the best in the country´s political class. But they represent different domestic interests as their tribal links are based on geography and ethnic politics. The agreement between them should therefore be seen as a balancing act between the tribes from the North, closer to Abdullah, and the South that basically supports Ghani.

The balance was struck thanks to the continued efforts of John Kerry and the US ambassador in Kabul. The US made the agreement possible.

This has shown, as it is nowadays happening quite often, that the UN mission in the country has not been able to play the mediation role they should have. This is no good news. Particularly because the same weak role is now the trademark of the UN in some other conflicts around the world.

It might be the moment to raise one or two questions about the current state of affairs of the UN´s peace-making efforts.

Fortunately, on the same day the deal was announced in Kabul, the UN envoy in Yemen was in a position to convince the warring parties in that collapsing country to sign a ceasefire accord. That´s a bit of good news about the UN. But it is not enough. 

Sierra Leone´s Ebola keeps everyone at home

Sierra Leone is locked down for three days. The last day will be tomorrow. During this period no-one can be on the streets, anywhere in the country, unless it has a valid official reason. People have to stay in-doors and wait for the Ebola sensitization teams to visit the home and do the talk about the disease.

It is a major dramatic decision to lock everyone in at home for three days. I saw the President on TV, when he explained the reasons. Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, a man I know very well, we had many private lunches together and also many official meetings, looked old and tired. This tragedy has taken a very heavy toll on him and on his countrymen and women.

But his words were very wise. I really hope people will follow the health guidance that is provided. And that the international community will be up to the challenge and willing to augment the assistance. The disease is controllable but the country calls for additional support. And the population has to get rid of the political divisions, the ethnic fears and believe the President. 

Scotland

Very encouraged by the results of the Scottish referendum. It is a good cold shower on all the blind nationalisms and opportunistic politics across the EU. It sends the message that when it matters people come to the polls and express their will with wisdom.

Indeed, this is no time for further divisions in Europe. Just the opposite. The peoples of Europe have to stick together and be strong.

But the UK has not yet won the key battle: the battle against the anti-EU rhetoric that is gaining ground in different corners of the kingdom. That´s the true challenge ahead. 

President Obama´s Ebola call is vital

The decision taken by President Obama regarding the deployment of about 3,000 military personnel to Liberia to help the country to fight Ebola is a game changer. It has placed the epidemic in its true context as a grave menace to the political stability of the country and the neighbouring states, as well as a major human security threat. It is the survival of the entire region that is at stake, its peace and unity.

Ebola, as I have said in these pages in the recent past and also in my Portuguese language columns, is much more than a public health challenge. It has, of course, health dimensions that none can ignore. It is destroying very fragile national health systems, as it is already the case in Liberia. But it is above all a national and regional security threat for West Africa.

The countries concerned need all the help they can get.

Unfortunately, very few countries outside the region are taking the issue with the attention it requires. Maybe that will change a bit now that the US President has given Ebola the prominence it requires.

Cooperation in Europe is the only way to do business

The last thing Europe needs is war. That´s the message we have to send around. But we should also send an additional message: European countries should respect international law and the existing treaties. There is no way we can accept any exception to that. Those leaders who think they can ignore internationally accepted norms and agreements that have been signed by the European nations, including their own countries, are on the wrong side of history. They should be clearly told that. And if they persist, then there are sanctions of all types and sizes that can be applied. But always with the invitation for them to change course and accept that the only acceptable approach to relations among our States is the one based on full respect for the sovereignty and the domestic affairs of each country. The political and economic instruments are quite powerful in international relations. They should however be complemented by a build-up of national security and a strong public information campaign. 

The UN General Assembly is now around the corner

The annual session of the UN General Assembly is about to start. The agenda is diversified and it includes the new global approach to the development goals, environment and climate change matters, population growth issues as well as the usual high rhetoric but politically important speeches by some key world leaders.

Unfortunately, the UN is not in a position to come up with a road map for some very critical on-going conflicts, like the one in Ukraine or the situation in the Middle East, including an accepted agenda to fight extremism and human rights violations. Critics would say it shows the irrelevance of the UN as a mechanism for conflict resolution when the scale of the conflict is too big and related to the contradictory interests of powerful countries.

It is however too much to talk about irrelevance. The UN does what it can, what the member states allow it to do. And in some areas of intervention, like the ones I mention at the beginning of this post, it has done quite a bit. And it is still the only hope that remains for many in very poor and ill governed countries. 

Cuba sends 165 health personnel to Sierra Leone

Cuba has decided to deploy 165 medical and health services personnel to Sierra Leone to help in the fight against the Ebola pandemics. They will serve for a six-month period.

This is great news. It should be reported on the big media. It is important to show that West Africa is facing a major crisis and that the countries of the region need a much stronger response from the international community. 

In Riga with hope

When in Riga, as it is again the case at present, I am amazed by the elegance and good manners of its people. I can only wish they will be able to keep the society together, notwithstanding the linguistic and social divisions, and keep the economy growing.

The region might feel nervous because of the events in Ukraine. But the Baltic States are not in the same predicament as Ukraine. They are now part of the EU and NATO. They belong to a greater political space. And their geo-economic situation can be an advantage, a major trump card. They can be a strong link between the rest of the EU and Russia, once the situation goes back to normal. And I hope that will be the case one day in the coming future. 

11 September

This is a special day because of what happened thirteen years ago. But it is a bit worrying that the news of this day is about an escalation of the tensions between the EU and Russia. On the European side, today was decided to go ahead with the new round of sanctions against the other side. In Russia, the announcement was about military state of alertness and readiness and other conflict-related statements. This is indeed bad news. And this time the markets are getting very nervous about these developments. If you add to it the fact that the latest opinion poll in China and Japan shows that the public opinion of both countries is getting more and more antagonist, more convinced that conflict between them will erupt, then we can say we have a strange feeling about the state of peace in some parts of the world that are not far from our own yard. 

Juncker´s Commission

Jean-Claude Juncker came out as a strong leader, when he announced the Commisssion of the EU that he wants to put together. The choice of the first Vice-President, Frans Timmermans of the Netherlands, is a very courageous one. Juncker still recognises the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini of Italy, as a Vice-President, but places the former Dutch Foreign Minister as his right hand. Furthermore, Mogherini has agreed to move out of the EEAS building and joining Juncker at the Berlaymont building. The proximity brings greater coherence, enhances team work and sends the signal that Juncker is the boss.

In addition, the letter sent to each Commissioner by the incoming President states clearly what he expects from each one of them. It also indicates the clusters they belong to and who will be leading each one of those thematic areas. This is modern way of going governance. It is also a message about coherence, cohesiveness and lines of responsibility.

Now, the next step is in the European Parliament. Juncker might face some opposition from the Socialist group. They consider their candidates were not given enough authority in the line-up presented today. It is true. But it is also true that most of the strongest candidates were nominated by Conservative governments that are in power throughout Europe.