Ecuador: prosecutor investigating TV station attack shot dead
Cesar Suarez, the prosecutor investigating the recent attack on a local TV station, was shot dead on 18 January. The attack occurred on 10 January: a group of individuals stormed the building, setting fires and causing extensive damage. Suarez, who was actively investigating this attack, was killed in what appears to be a targeted assassination. The TV station attack has raised concerns about press freedom and safety in Ecuador, as it comes amidst a backdrop of political tensions and unrest in the country. The prosecutor's murder further underscores these concerns and raises questions about the safety of those investigating such incidents. The authorities in Ecuador have condemned the attack on the TV station and the killing of the prosecutor, and have promised to bring those responsible to justice. However, the incident highlights the challenges and risks faced by those working to uphold the rule of law and protect press freedom in the country.
Pakistan / Iran: retaliatory airstrikes
On 18 January Pakistan launched retaliatory airstrikes against alleged ‘terrorist hideouts’ in Iran, killing seven. This followed Iran's strikes on Pakistani soil on the 16th, resulting in the deaths of two children, which targeted Jaish al-Adl, an ethnic Baloch Sunni group which has previously launched attacks inside Iran. Pakistan stated that its actions were based on credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities and emphasised its respect for Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The airstrikes have heightened tensions in the region, adding to the broader Middle East crisis. Earlier in the week, Iran also conducted strikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting the alleged perpetrators of the bomb attack in Kerman which claimed 84 lives. China, a key ally of both countries, called for restraint and de-escalation in the situation. Pakistan's action is seen as an attempt to restore deterrence amid the volatile dynamics in the region.
USA: Trump goes straight from primary win to court
Republican candidate-presumptive Donald Trump, fresh from an overwhelming victory on 15 January in the Iowa presidential primary, appeared in a Manhattan federal court the following morning. Despite extremely cold temperatures and low overall voter turnout due perhaps to the perception that his win was inevitable, Trump secured more votes in Iowa than all his rivals combined. The trial in Manhattan, in connection with his allegedly defamatory comments about E Jean Carroll in 2019, aims to determine compensation costs, if any, for his remarks. This transition from the campaign trail to the courtroom underscores the challenges Trump faces in his quest to reclaim the White House while dealing with various criminal charges and indictments. President Joe Biden recognised the electoral battle ahead, characterising it as a showdown between his administration and ‘extreme Maga Republicans’. Meanwhile, other potential Republican contenders like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley expressed their views. DeSantis focused on campaigning in South Carolina, while Haley emphasised addressing key issues such as the economy, border security, education, and national stability, irrespective of ongoing investigations.
Comoros: violence follows disputed election result
The announcement on 17 January that Azali Assoumani had been re-elected president of the Comoros resulted in numerous protests and clashes. Demonstrators in the capital, Moroni, vandalised a former minister's house and blocked roads during the day, leading to confrontations with police who used tear gas and made arrests. In the evening, the government imposed a night curfew, citing ‘public necessity’. Officials announced that Assoumani had won 62.97% of the vote, but opposition leaders alleged fraud, including ballot-stuffing and inconsistent results, and jointly demanded the annulment of the result. The UN called for restraint amid mounting post-election tensions and urged the authorities to ensure a safe environment for peaceful assembly and expression of views. The Comoros, a politically volatile three-island chain with a history of coups, experienced a surprisingly low voter turnout of 16%, and discrepancies in vote counts raised concerns about the election's regularity.
