The President of Myanmar Thein Sein is on an official visit to Norway. He is spearheading an exciting and fragile reform process in the country, and need all the support he can get.
African and Asian countries should manage valuable natural resources in a sustainable manner so that it contributes to economic growth and better living conditions for the whole nation.
Ethiopia is facing a very important election; the election of a new Patriarch which is currently being discussed in the high ranks of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Who it will be and what the implications might be is still unclear, but the outcome could have an effect not only on Ethiopia but the entire horn of Africa.
Line Ramstad has lived in the small village of Noh Bo the last five years and has a unique perspective on the situation in the border area between Thailand and Burma. She tells us that the surge of development aid in Burma the last year is problematic for her organization.
In the early hours Tuesday came reports of a loud explosion by the Somali prime minister’s office. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Said emerged unscathed from the attack, but an operation like this is a powerful reminder of how fragile the security situation in Somalia is.
We were happy to see positive development trends in Burma in 2012. The country took several steps towards democracy and opening up to the international community. Aung San Suu Kyi traveled to foreign countries, including Norway, and is now participating in the political and parliamentary work in the country. But at the beginning of 2013, we see some troubling trends.
Democracy is steadily gaining ground. Democracy is a natural consequence of human dignity: every human being has the right to influence both their own situation and the development of the society they live in. The Oslo Center will contribute to the realization of this right.
Lifting the voice of the youth in politics in South Sudan is most likely the most important contribution we can make.
The tension is rising ahead of the March 4th elections in Kenya. This is the first time Kenyans head to the polls since the adoption of the new Constitution in 2010.
2012 has been a very busy year for The Oslo Center with increased engagement in democracy support to vulnerable and fragile democracies. The main focus has been on Kenya and Somalia, two countries where democracy is facing major challenges.