[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Comoros Islands and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the On the Margins Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.]
Somalia
Can President Hassan Fix the World's Most Failed State? Alex Perry met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at his presidential palace where they discussed his plan to revive Somalia.
Al-Shabaab Retakes Hudur The author reports that after Somali and Ethiopian troops retreated, Al-Shabaab militants regained control of Hudur, regional capital of Somalia's Bakol region.
Obama Authorizes Provision of Arms to Somalia After a UN resolution lifted the arm embargo, U.S. President Barack Obama authorized military aid to help fight Al-Shabaab militants.
Police On High Alert Over Possible Terror Attack A report by British intelligence warning that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks in Mogadishu put security forces on high alert.
Somali journalist jailed after interviewing rape victim is freed Following intense international pressure, Abdiaziz Abdinur, jailed for a year after he interviewed a woman who said she was raped by state security forces, has been freed by Somalia’s High Court.
Somalia president admits rapes by security forces Abdi Guled reports on Somalia's government acknowledgement that its security forces were involved in rape cases that drew an international outcry by human rights groups.
Somalia Famine Partially Blamed On Climate Change In New Study A research by British climate scientists suggests that Global warming may have contributed to low rain levels in Somalia in 2011 where tens of thousands died in a famine.
Mauritania
Mauritanian Politicians on Security and Mali Alex Thurston’s reports that as President Abd al Aziz negotiates his position on Mali, he faces a vocal opposition and complex intersections of domestic and foreign policy.
Mauritanians React to New AQIM Leader Bakari Gueye describes the different views held in Mauritania regarding the new Al Qaida field commander.
Sahel Army Chiefs Convene in Nouakchott Jemal Oumar reports that army chiefs from Algeria, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania met for the Joint Military Staff Committee of the Sahel Region.
Mauritania slavery reporting honored An online-led Freedom Project special report on modern-day slavery in Mauritania has landed CNN an award at the 2012 Investigative Reporters and Editors Awards.
Djibouti
At The President's Pleasure: Post-Election Repression in Djibouti Luke Lythgoe reports on the government’s forceful repression of the opposition, which have been protesting against the government over what they claim were fraudulent elections.
IOM Trains Djibouti Officials in Counter Trafficking The author reports that the International Office of Migration trained a group of 75 officers from Djibouti’s national police, gendarmerie and coast guard in combating human trafficking.
Comoros Islands
UNCTAD launches Trade and Development Strategy for Comoros The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s strategy focuses on achieving food self-sufficiency, improving the country's access to international markets, and finding the Comoros' place in regional markets.
EXIM Bank extends $41.60 mn LOC to Union of Comoros The Export-Import Bank of India has extended a Line of Credit (LOC) of $41.60 million for installation of an 18 MW power project in Moroni, the capital city of Comoros.
Other Countries
Mali
Old Wine in New Bottles? Justifying France’s Military Intervention in Mali George Deffner examines the underlying motivations behind France’s intervention in Mali.
Mali's War, Unseen Thomas R. Lansner shows how media restrictions and news coverage without context help maintain the narrative of France's 'triumphant' Malian intervention.
Corruption Pieces in the Mali Puzzle: Context, Military, Crime, and Peacekeepers James Cohen’s analysis shows the need to address the corruption in the military and its links with organized crime as one essential root causes of the conflict.
Mali’s Bad Trip Andrew Lebovich analyses the impact of the West African drug trade on governance, and on the erosion of state institutions in Mali as a result of corruption.
Welcome to Cocainebougou Yochi Dreasen offers a vivid description of the drug palaces in northern Mali, and how militant groups profited from the drug trade.
The Jihadi from the Block Peter Tinti’s analysis shows that the real fear in the Malian conflict is not Al Qaeda, rather it is an enemy lurking just around the corner, Mujao, which may prove to be the most durable and destructive group going forward.
Jihadi Strike in Timbuktu Reflects Altered Terrorism Threat in Mali Bruce Crumley argues that the recent attack demonstrates that the extremists are determined to continue waging jihad, and that they are using the vast, ungovernable Sahel region to avoid enemy forces as they orchestrate regular strikes.
French Intervention In Mali To Continue Through End Of 2013, Hollande Says 1,000 Troops Will Remain The author reports that France has proposed keeping a permanent force of 1,000 French troops in Mali to fight armed Islamist militants.
Mali's Fragile Elephant Population at Risk Stefan Simanowitz shows how the recent occupation of the north by Islamic fighters followed by the intensive military operation to oust them, has led to increasing concerns for the Gourma elephant herds whose number is estimated at just 550.
South Sudan
Rapprochement Between Sudan And South Sudan Daniel Pelz reports on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir historic visit to South Sudan.
Oil Deal Could Rescue Sudans' Economies Hannah McNeish, reporting from the Tar Jath Oilfield in South Sudan's Unity State, talked to Voice of America's Gabe Joselow about the benefits of resuming oil production for both nations after a 15 month shutdown.
South Sudan Military Says 163 Killed in Clashes Report of a battle between South Sudan soldiers and rebels allegedly backed by neighboring Sudan killed 163 people, most of them rebels.