Liberals: Democracy aid must be a priority

The Liberals want Sweden to set aside at least one percent of GNI for development assistance. In addition, the party believes that sometimes the additions require assistance - for example, to Ukraine right now. It writes the Liberals' foreign policy spokesman Joar Forssell. Photo: manhhai. Source: Flickr.

Of: Joar Forssell

For the Liberals, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are the most important goals of aid. Swedish development assistance money should never go to finance those who oppress or counteract a democratic development. Free people in free societies build prosperity. In all contexts, it must be clear which side Sweden is on, namely those who are free. It writes Joar Forssell, foreign policy spokesman for the Liberals. 

June 3, 2022, Debate

Will the war in Ukraine be the spark that will ignite a new revolution in Tunisia?

Tunisia has been in a serious political crisis since President Kaïs Saïed dissolved the country's parliament, and civil society organizations in Tunisia are following developments in the country with concern, says Carin Norberg, former head of the Nordic Africa Institute and board member of Civil Rights Defenders. Photo: Houcemmzoughi. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Carin Norberg

After a visit to Tunisia at the end of April, the image of a country in limbo emerges. The country is partly in a political crisis, partly in an economic crisis and the crises reinforce each other. Rising food prices and declining supply of wheat, which is a staple food in Tunisia, are therefore creating a very unstable situation ahead of the referendum on a new constitution announced by the president. It writes Carin Norberg, former head of the Nordic Africa Institute and board member of Civil Rights Defenders.

May 23, 2022, Guest analysis

Art gallery creates community for genocide survivors in Rwanda

One of Inema Arts Center's many initiatives is Art with a Mission, where orphans are trained as Rwanda's next generation of artists. When their art is sold, they can pay school fees and other living expenses. Photo: Inema Arts Center. Source: Inema Arts Center, Rwanda.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

Enema Arts Center is an art gallery in Rwanda with many outstretched hands to Rwandan society. It is primarily a platform for promising artists, but creative workshops are also organized for orphans, schoolchildren and women from vulnerable areas. In a country where a terrible genocide was committed almost 30 years ago, community is both a fragile and a strong concept. 

May 12, 2022, FUF-correspondents, Chronicle

El Salvador's president is criticized for cyber espionage and currency change

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has been controversial during his tenure, and the introduction of Bitcoin as the official currency in the country has diluted this. Photo: PresidenciaSV. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Hanne Karlsson

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele is facing massive criticism and is increasingly mentioned as a dictator. This after the development during the past year that has been fraught with the removal of judges from the Supreme Court, changes to the country's constitution and the introduction of Bitcoin as the official currency.

May 5, 2022, Analysis

Week 7: EU can stop subsidizing undemocratic member states

Victor Orbán's Hungary is one of the countries that has opposed the EU imposing stricter democratic and legal conditions for the disbursement of EU funds. Photo: European Parliament. Source: Flickr. Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/european_parliament/6720478185

Of: Elise Olsson and Idun Eklind

Last week's debate has, among other things, discussed the EU's decision to withdraw subsidies for countries that do not comply with the rule of law - and what this could mean for regimes such as Poland and Hungary. Furthermore, several debaters have criticized the Green Party's statement that investments in nuclear power can cause uranium dependence on Russia.

February 21, 2022, Current debate

The decline of democracy in the world disadvantages the protests in Kazakhstan

Democracy is currently facing several setbacks in the world - something that may have hampered the success of the protests in Kazakhstan, according to Ashok Swain, professor of peace and conflict at Uppsala University. Pictured: Presidential Palace in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan. Photo: Francisco Anzola. Source: Flickr.

Of: Elise Olsson

Poverty, corruption and large economic income gaps - it is not just the shock rise in petrol prices in Kazakhstan that has triggered a violent riot in the country. And even though this type of uprising can be a starting shot for democratization, the weakened democracy in the world can also be an obstacle to the starting shot, says Ashok Swain, professor of peace and conflict at Uppsala University.

January 18, 2022, Interview

The Libyan people are thirsty for democratic change

After 42 years of dictatorship and ten years of civil war, the popular will for democracy is strong in Libya. Pictured: Election of the Transitional Government Presidential Council at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Geneva, February 5, 2021. Photo: Violaine Martin / UN Geneva. Source: Flickr.

Of: Andreas Klawitter

With the forthcoming presidential election on December 24, Libya, since Gaddafi's fall 10 years ago, is facing a crucial transition phase. Despite successes in holding municipal elections and the fact that the implementation of removing foreign mercenaries has begun, it is still uncertain whether decisive election laws will have time to enter into force on election day.

December 9, 2021, Interview

The presidential election in Zambia - a victory for democracy

Zambia's peaceful transfer of power in this year's political elections gives hope to other countries on the continent. Photo: Canva.

Of: Linnea Boström

At the end of the summer, presidential elections were held in Zambia. Against expectations, the opposition candidate Hichilema took home the victory and the country became overnight a prime example of a well-functioning, political transition in Africa. - The peaceful transfer of power made me feel very proud to be a Zambian, says Pezo Mateo-Phiri, who works at the Swedish embassy in the capital Lusaka.

December 1, 2021, Interview

The cornerstone of democracy remains threatened in Tanzania

Experts believe that an authoritarian regime will continue in Tanzania so that Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country's first female president, can gain respect within her own party ahead of the next election. Photo: AFP / Lehtikuva. Source: Flickr.

Of: Ulrika Granlund

In March this year, Samia Suluhu Hassan took office as President of Tanzania. A hope for democracy where freedom of expression would once again be given space was born, but an authoritarian government seems to be advancing - and the expectations of the population are being shattered.

October 22, 2021, News