Enhancing global and regional mechanisms for conflict management and resolution

In this paper I provide an overview of the global perspectives on conflict management and conflict resolution and the international and regional efforts to address them. In this regard, I begin with some general and theoretical observations followed by a synopsis of three case studies (Cyprus, Darfur/Sudan and Myanmar), each one chosen from three regions (Europe, Africa and Asia) and based on my direct involvement in helping to resolve them. I then make some concluding remarks and recommendations on enhancing the mechanisms for conflict management and resolution

Beyond its mineral/natural resource : why Africa matters to the world

After independence, many African states assumed self-governance would produce good governance, but the experience proved otherwise with military coups, civil wars, poor trade relations, external debt and famines. These problems resulted in a sense of “Afro-pessimism.” However, after the end of the Cold War, a new phase of political maturity led to high growth in Africa and improving development indicators, resulting in a period of “Afro-enthusiasm” with African contributions to the global system increasing. However multiple challenges remain that could threaten the progress already achieved. This paper examines several of these challenges but also opportunities that arise in tackling them, particularly on-going conflicts, economic inequality and poverty, new centres of gravity of world religions, climate change, demographic changes, the youth and unemployment, gender disparities, food insecurity, and weak governance systems. African leaders are cognisant of these challenges and have created important structures aimed at addressing these challenges. As this paper argues, the crux is the need for further progress in improving political and economic governance in Africa. The most important of these are regional initiatives: The Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) aims to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty. The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) is aimed at tackling governance issues in development and includes the voluntary African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) that allows countries to undergo review of their reforms by other participating states. The African Union (AU) Constitutive Act prohibits the takeover of power by unconstitutional means, and has real powers to punish members that undergo military coups. These initiatives are markers of progress that will allow Africa to enter a new period where opportunities are recognised albeit with a realistic view of the difficulties Africa still faces as it grows. The importance of building peace, sustaining economic growth and providing conducive environments for investment are recognised, and will make Africa a significant region in global affairs

The State of Peacebuilding in Africa: Lessons Learned for Policymakers and Practitioners

The birth year of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), 1963, is often considered Africa's year of independence. But political freedom did not mean freedom from the repression and violence which had characterized the colonial period. Wars and conflicts have scarred the continent since independence. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, they became more complex and widespread. And so, too, did the international efforts to restore and (re) build peace in Africa. Countries worst affected by violence and conflict included Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan/South Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali, and Libya. In recent years, the quest for sustainable peace in Africa has taken on a new urgency, as instability and insecurity continue to negatively impact the lives of millions of Africans and hinder the continent's economic growth and development. This book joins the quest for peace by examining 30 years of peacebuilding in Africa, highlighting key lessons learned and offering some recommendations for making peace stick

A molecular signature associated with prolonged survival in glioblastoma patients treated with regorafenib

BACKGROUND: Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) have a dramatically poor prognosis. The recent REGOMA trial suggested an overall survival (OS) benefit of regorafenib in recurrent GBM patients. Considering the extreme genetic heterogeneity of GBMs, we aimed to identify molecular biomarkers predictive of differential response to the drug. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from tumor samples of patients enrolled in the REGOMA trial. Genome-wide transcriptome and micro (mi)RNA profiles were associated with patients' OS and progression-free survival. RESULTS: In the first step, a set of 11 gene transcripts (HIF1A, CTSK, SLC2A1, KLHL12, CDKN1A, CA12, WDR1, CD53, CBR4, NIFK-AS1, RAB30-DT) and 10 miRNAs (miR-93-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-17-5p, let-7c-3p, miR-101-3p, miR-3607-3p, miR-6516-3p, miR-301a-3p, miR-23b-3p, miR-222-3p) was filtered by comparing survival between regorafenib and lomustine arms. In the second step, a mini-signature of 2 gene transcripts (HIF1A, CDKN1A) and 3 miRNAs (miR-3607-3p, miR-301a-3p, miR-93-5p) identified a subgroup of patients showing prolonged survival after regorafenib administration (median OS range, 10.6-20.8 mo). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence that a signature based on the expression of 5 biomarkers could help identify a subgroup of GBM patients exhibiting a striking survival advantage when treated with regorafenib. Although the presented results must be confirmed in larger replication cohorts, the study highlights potential biomarker options to help guide the clinical decision among regorafenib and other treatments in patients with relapsing GBM