April 28, 2020

Daily News Brief

April 28, 2020

Top of the Agenda

Economic Woes Ignite Protests Across Lebanon

Lebanese protesters clashed with security forces and set fire to banks in Tripoli during one of more than two dozen demonstrations (Al Jazeera) in the country since Sunday. Demonstrators aired fresh grievances about Lebanon’s plummeting currency after the government began easing coronavirus-related movement restrictions (AP).

The Lebanese pound has lost half its value in the past six months, while food prices have recently surged. The coronavirus lockdown halted a protest movement (FP) that began in October to denounce the country’s corruption and economic crisis. Authorities said fifty-four security force members were wounded in recent protests and one protester was shot dead.

Analysis

“Human Rights Watch has warned millions could go hungry unless the government puts forward a robust social-safety net. But when the cabinet sought to get approval for a large spending bill at a parliament session earlier this month, quorum was lost and the decision postponed,” Timour Azhari writes for Al Jazeera.

“How long the pandemic lasts, and how governments and activists respond, will dictate whether the interruption represents a fleeting pause, a moment of metamorphosis, or an unceremonious end for some of the most widespread mass mobilizations in recent history,” Vivian Wang, Maria Abi-Habib, and Vivian Yee write for the New York Times.

CFR’s Brad W. Setser looks at potential pathways out of Lebanon’s economic crisis.

Pacific Rim

New Zealand Announces Victory Over Virus Transmission, Eases Lockdown

New Zealand lifted some restrictions on movement (New Zealand Herald) after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country had won its battle (Guardian) against undetected community transmission of the coronavirus.

North Korea: State media published a letter (CNN) from leader Kim Jong-un dated April 27. A South Korean presidential advisor said reports that Kim’s health is in danger are false.

South and Central Asia

Afghanistan Announces Release of Twelve Thousand Prisoners

Afghanistan said it will release twelve thousand prisoners (NYT) to reduce crowding during the coronavirus pandemic. The move would bring the newly freed portion of its prison population up to 60 percent.

Bangladesh: UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet urged Bangladesh to allow two boats carrying hundreds of Rohingya refugees to land (AFP) so they may receive humanitarian assistance. Bangladesh’s foreign minister said last week that the country would not accept the boats.

Middle East and North Africa

Libya’s Haftar Announces Parallel Government, Spurns Reconciliation

Libyan rebel commander Khalifa Haftar, who commands forces fighting the country’s internationally recognized government, said he would create new governance structures (Reuters) in areas under his control in eastern Libya. Haftar said a 2015 UN-brokered deal to unite the country was a “thing of the past” (Al Jazeera).

Sub-Saharan Africa

U.S. Military Acknowledges Civilian Deaths in Somalia Strike

The U.S. military said two civilians were killed (NYT) and three were wounded in a February 2019 air strike it conducted in Somalia. Amnesty International says that since 2017, U.S. air strikes have killed fourteen civilians in the country, where the United States targets al-Shabab militants.

This CFR In Brief looks at the controversy over U.S. strikes in Somalia.

Rwanda: A police commander’s alleged sexual assault of a child refugee at an EU-funded transit center near Kigali prompted protest. A spokesperson for the UN refugee agency said the office is “deeply concerned” (Guardian) about the allegations.

Europe

Fires at Greek Migrant Camp Leave Hundreds Homeless

Two fires at a migrant camp (AP) on the Greek island of Samos left at least two hundred migrants and refugees homeless (Al Jazeera). Nearly seven thousand people were crowded into a camp built for fewer than seven hundred.

Germany: The country said the rollout of a coronavirus-tracking app will be delayed for weeks after privacy concerns prompted the government to end a partnership (FT) with a pan-European group of developers in favor of a Swiss group that relies on Apple and Google technology. 

Americas

Argentina Bans Flights Through September 1

Argentina banned ticket sales (BBC) for domestic and international flights through September 1, the farthest-reaching coronavirus-related travel ban in South America. Argentina’s borders have been closed to nonresidents since March.

On this CFR conference call, Shannon K. O’Neil and Paul J. Angelo discuss Latin America’s coronavirus response.

El Salvador: Several prisons were put on twenty-four-hour lockdowns and President Nayib Bukele authorized police to use “lethal force” (WaPo) against gang members after sixty people were killed over the weekend. 

United States

White House Pledges Expansion of Virus Testing

Federal officials pledged that new public-private partnerships to increase coronavirus testing would bring capacity up to as many as two million tests per week (STAT) by the end of May. Some researchers estimate that three to four million tests should be conducted each week to safely reopen the American economy.

For Think Global Health, a CFR initiative, Ali H. Mokdad discusses how states can chart paths out of lockdown.

Editor’s note: CFR is fully operational. Due to the pandemic, all in-person events are suspended. Find all of CFR’s coronavirus-related resources here. 

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