MS Risk Blog

Death of Boris Nemtsov

Boris Nemtsov was a charismatic Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of Russian President, Vladimir Putin. He was deputy Prime Minister in the 1990s in the government of Boris Yeltsin where he gained a reputation as a leading liberal economic reformer, but at the same time that made him a tainted figure in the eyes of some Russians. He was one of the leaders of the rallies in the winter of 2011-2012 that became the biggest protests against Putin since he first rose into power. In the past, he had written multiple reports accusing Putin and his inner circle of alleged corruption, a move that made him one of the most high-profile enemies of Putin’s regime. His murder, on February 27, caused massive waves of internal and international criticism against the government and its alleged role in his death. Putin has been accused by the opposition of authoritarian methods that create an atmosphere of intolerance against any dissent, criticism or indication of free speech. There had been many instances where Nemtsov had criticized the Russian government’s inefficiency, rampant corruption and the Kremlin’s Ukraine policy, which has strained and complicated the relationship between Russia and the West in one of the most serious crises since the Cold War. Speaking on radio just a few hours before his death, he severely criticized Putin’s decisions regarding Ukraine and the subsequent crisis for Russia calling his actions in eastern Ukraine as ‘’mad, aggressive and deadly policy of war against Ukraine’’. At the same time, his killing came two days before he was due to lead an opposition rally in Moscow, a rally which was made clear by governmental sources that it was not welcome. Many sources, the Ukrainian President being among them, claim that Nemtsov was working on a report that would present evidence that he believed proved Russia’s direct involvement in the separatist rebellion that took place in eastern Ukraine and which has since created the conflict that has claimed more than 6,000 human lives. The Ukrainian government and the West have accused Russia in multiple instances of supporting the pro-Russian militants and providing them with troops and sophisticated weapons. Moscow has consistently denied these allegations.

After Nemtsov’s killing and the waves created in the political scene about a possible involvement of the current government, Putin addressed the people and stated that he will personally oversee the search for the perpetrators. On March 7, the Russian investigators in charge of the murder announced that, after arresting five suspects, they formally charged two men. They were identified as Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev, both from the North Caucasus. The authorities stated that one of them had ties to the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. Ramzan Kadyrov, the controversial and authoritarian head of Chechnya, defended one of the Chechens charged for the shooting. A day after he defended the alleged suspect, he was given the Order of Honour award for ‘’work achievements, strenuous social activities and long conscientious service’’ by Vladimir Putin, the same man that promised that he will see Nemtsov’s killers punished. Mr Kadyrov has also openly sided with the pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine and for Russia’s annexation of Crimea. He is known to have a powerful private militia under his payroll, called ‘’Kadyrovtsy’’. His army has been previously accused of torture, kidnappings and assassinations in Chechnya. Kadyrov gradually became a trusted ally of Putin, mainly due to the ruthless methods that he employed against armed Islamists in his region that helped the Russian government in its effort to stabilise the North Caucasus region in a period where Putin was trying to consolidate his presidency in Moscow. Kadyrov’s Sufi Muslim brotherhood, the Qadiriya, has been a traditional enemy of Russia, so it has raised suspicion that all of the sudden it has been turned into an ally for Putin against Islamists in the region. It is not the first time that Mr Kadyrov’s name has been linked with an assassination. His name started appearing on links with the Russian Federal Security Service in 2000, when Vladimir Putin became President. Since then, he has been accused by his critics for several assassinations, but his involvement has never been proved. Journalists and human rights campaigners, such as Anna Politkovskaya and Natalia Estemirova, after they went public with their accusations against Mr Kadyrov they were murdered and it has yet to be determined who ordered their assassination.

If one takes into account the multiple similar incidents that took place in Russia in the past then a pattern starts to arise. It creates a bad precedent, highlighting that political terror in Russia, in multiple instances it does not even require direction from the top. There is an evolving culture that commands that whoever does not conform with the existing ideas enforced by the government, needs to be silenced. Boris Nemtsov’s murder is another incident that if left unsolved it is going to be translated into a strong signal that terror is something to abide to, especially when it is so brazenly promoted by targeting a prominent opposition activist a block from the Kremlin. It is possible that Nemtsov’s murder points to three vulnerabilities of the Russian regime that Putin tries to obscure from becoming apparent. Firstly, the threat of popular protests against his leadership. Secondly, the civic opposition to military engagement of the conscription-based Russian army. Lastly, the failure of mass propaganda employed internally in Russia, aimed at convincing Russians there is no alternative to Putin’s regime. Being aware of these vulnerabilities, the question now is to what extent the Kremlin will employ political violence as a major tool of its dominance inside Russia.

Nigeria Closes Borders Ahead of Elections

Days before presidential elections are due to take place, Nigeria has ramped up security nationwide, shutting land and sea borders and vowing to crack down on any political unrest.

On 25 March, the Nigerian Ministry of Interior confirmed that all land and maritime borders, with the exclusion of airports, will be closed between 0000 LT 25 March 2015 until 0000 LT 28 March 2015. In a statement released Wednesday, the ministry disclosed that the move, which was ordered by President Goodluck Jonathan, was designed “to allow for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming national elections,” which will take place on 28 March. In past elections in Nigeria, security has been a major issue, with politically linked violence often occurring between supporters of rival parties. The move comes just a day after Nigeria’s federal police chief ordered the “total restriction” of vehicles between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on election day, which excludes emergency services and others on “essential duties.”

Fears that these elections could spark unrest have resulted in the president on Wednesday warning that the government will “not tolerate any form of violence during or after the polls.” He further disclosed that he is “…giving my total commitment to peaceful elections in the country, not because I am persuaded to do so but because I believe in it.” During the last presidential elections, which were held in 2011, some 1,000 people were killed after clashes erupted when opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari lost to Goodluck Jonathan. The two men are again contesting this year’s elections, with many predicting that the elections will be tightly contested.

In a bid to prevent any violence in the wake of Saturday’s election, the two main presidential candidates have signed a peace accord. Sources have disclosed that ex-military ruler Abdussalami Abubaker brokered the deal in talks that were held between Jonathan and Buhari. The peace agreement comes days after Nigeria’s Peace Committee raised concerns that campaigning had been marred by hate speech. However doubts remain as to whether or not such an agreement will last as Nigeria’s human rights commission has reported that nearly sixty people have been killed already in election-linked violence despite all the candidates agreeing for a peaceful poll.

Security has been the major concern ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections, which were postponed from the initial February 14 date because of military operations targeting Boko Haram. While over the past several weeks, a coalition, composed of Nigerian, Chadian, Cameroonian and Nigerien forces have claimed a series of success, forcing the militants out of captured territory in the northeastern region of the country, fears that the insurgents may carry out a bombing campaign against voters and polling stations remain high as over the past few weeks, Boko Haram fighters have returned back to carrying out suicide attacks targeting what the military has called “soft” targets, mainly markets and bus stations in the north. On Wednesday, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), called for vigilance in crowded places before, during and after Saturday’s election, noting that the threat remains high. Marily Ogar, spokeswoman for the DSS, told reporters, “voters are advised to be wary of persons in loose or bulky midriff clothing, which are inappropriate for the weather… Look out for unattended bags, luggage, dustbins, strange containers and other suspicious items,” adding that any “suspicious persons, activities and movements should be promptly reported to security agents.” The DSS has also urged that cars, motorbikes and three-wheel motorised taxis should be parked away from polling stations and that shops and markets remain closed.

The heightened security measures will remain in place until after gubernatorial and state assembly polls, which will take place on 11 April.

Yemen Update: 25 March 2014

Early this morning, five officials stated that Yemen’s embattled President Had had fled his Aden home for an undisclosed location as Shiite Houthi rebels near his last refuge. The officials spoke just hours after the Houthi controlled station announced that they seized near the city where Hadi had relocated administrative operations.

The Houthi rebels have issued a bounty of 20 million Yemeni rial ($100,000) for the capture of President Hadi as they near his last refuge. It has been reported that Hadi left Aden by helicopter, accompanied by diplomats from Saudi Arabia, from the Maasheeq presidential palace. Other sources, however, denied that Hadi fled Aden, and claim that he is still leading the armed resistance against the Shia militants.

Both the rebels and officials close to President Hadi both have also said that Yemen’s Defence Minister, Major General Mahmoud al-Subaihi, and his top aide, had been arrested by the Houthis. The Minister was reportedly captured while fighting the Houthis in Lahj province.

The Houthis captured al-Anad base, where U.S. troops and Europeans advised the country in its fight against al-Qaida. The rebels were reportedly advancing toward Hawttah, the capital of Yemen’s southern Lahj province. Hawttah is less than 19 miles, from Aden. President Hadi fled after escaping weeks of house arrest under Houthi guard in Sana’a. One source who lives near the air base said the Houthis were backed by “army soldiers.”

A day earlier, Hadi called on United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution allowing “all willing countries” to take any necessary measures to stop the Houthis’ aggression. He did not rule out military action. The violence in Yemen is threatening to escalate into civil war. Yemen’s northern neighbour, Saudi Arabia fears that the kingdom will be drawn into the fighting.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said this week that Gulf Cooperation Council countries will take “necessary measures to protect the region” from the Houthis. The six-nation GCC includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

As a measure of defence, Saudi Arabia is moving heavy military equipment including artillery to areas near its border with Yemen. The Sunni kingdom and its Saudis and their allies say Iran’s Shiite dominated government is behind the rise of the Houthis. The Houthis are also reportedly loyal to Yemen’s ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was removed from office in 2012. The conflict risks spiralling into a proxy war with Shi’ite Iran backing the Houthis, and Saudi Arabia and the other regional Sunni Muslim monarchies backing Hadi. The Houthis have denied taking material or financial support from Tehran, but last year Yemeni, Western and Iranian sources provided details of Iranian military and financial support to the Houthis before and after their takeover of Sanaa. US officials have said that Iranian has been largely limited to funding.

The weaponry and artillery being moved by Saudi Arabia could be used for offensive or defensive purposes, however two U.S. government sources said the build-up appeared to be defensive. Once source described the size of the Saudi build-up on Yemen’s border as “significant,” and said the Saudis could be preparing air strikes to defend Hadi.

U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew said, “The Saudis are just really deeply concerned about what they see as an Iranian stronghold in a failed state along their border,” But a former senior U.S. official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the prospects for successful external intervention in Yemen appeared slim. He said Hadi’s prospects appeared to be worsening and that for now he was “pretty well pinned down.”

Riyadh hosted top-level talks with Gulf Arab neighbours on Saturday and offered “all efforts” to preserve the Yemen’s stability and Hadi’s authority. Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said on Monday Arab countries would take necessary measures to protect the region against “aggression” by the Houthi movement if a peaceful solution could not be found.

The United States and United Kingdom have had evacuated all its remaining personnel in Yemen, including about 100 special operations forces, because of the security situation. The end of a U.S. security presence inside the country has dealt a blow to Washington’s ability to monitor and fight al Qaeda’s Yemen affiliate.

Liberia Reports New Ebola Case

Liberia has confirmed its first new Ebola case in more than a month, resulting in a major setback as the country had hoped to be soon declared free of the deadly disease.

On Friday, government spokesman Lewis Brown disclosed, “a woman has been confirmed as an Ebola patient… This is a new case after we have gone more than 27 days without a single case. It is a setback.” The woman has been transferred to the ELWA Ebola treatment unit in the capital Monrovia. Dr Francis Kateh, acting head of the Liberia Ebola Case Management team, has disclosed that the patient does not seem to be linked to any of the people on an Ebola contact list and that she has stated that she did not travel recently to any of the neighbouring infected countries. Authorities are now considering the possibility that she had a visitor from outside Liberia who infected her or that “…she may have contracted the virus through sexual intercourse with a survivor.” Officials are now compiling a list of people who came into contact with the patient who will be monitored for symptoms. While Liberia had not reported any new cases for several weeks, health officials warned that even after areas are declared free of the deadly disease, new cases were still possible due to sexual transmission.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) had announced that Liberia had registered no new case of the deadly virus since 19 February. On 5 March, Liberia discharged its last confirmed Ebola patient, Beatrice Yordoldo. In the week leading up to 15 March, surveillance and early warning systems had detected 125 suspected cases of Ebola however none of them tested positive for the deadly virus. Liberia had started its 42-day countdown towards being considered Ebola-free on 4 March and would have been cleared by 15 April.

At the height of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, Liberia was the hardest hit country and has seen more than 4,000 deaths. According to the latest figures released by the WHO, since the outbreak began in December 2013, 24,753 people in nine countries have been infected with the virus, and 10,236 have died. All but fifteen of those deaths occurred in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Yemen Calls for Gulf Military Intervention

23 March– Yemen’s foreign minister Riyadh Yaseen has called on Gulf Arab military intervention in Yemen to stop territorial advances by Houthi fighters opposed to President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. In a televised interview, Yaseen said, “They’re expanding in territory, occupying airports and cities, attacking Aden with planes, detaining whom they please, threatening and gathering their forces.” Yasseen added, “We have expressed to the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Nations as well as the international community that there should be a no-fly zone, and the use of military aircraft should be prevented at the airports controlled by the Houthis.”

The call for assistance comes as Yemen’s rebel Houthis escalated attacks against President Hadi, who fled to Aden last month after escaping house arrest at the hands of Houthis in Sanaa. Over the weekend, he made a defiant speech challenging the Houthis in his first public address since leaving Sanaa.

Rebel leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, who is reportedly backed by supporters of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, vowed to send fighters into the southern part of the country where Hadi has taken refuge against the rebels. In one of his customary long and heated speeches over the weekend, al-Houthi said the move is meant to target al-Qaeda and other militant groups, as well as forces loyal to Hadi in the south. He referred to President Hadi as “puppet” to international and regional powers, and called the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar conspirators against Yemen.

Al-Houthi’s speech came a day after the Houthis called for a general mobilization against forces loyal to Hadi, and shortly after Houthi rebels seized the country’s third largest city of Taiz, an important station in its advance. The militia had also seized Taiz’s airport. Thousands of protestors swelled into the streets to oppose the capture of the city; the rebels dispersed them by firing into the air and beating them back with batons. The Houthis have taken control of the capital and six provinces.

Amid the unrest, terrorist groups are also gaining greater ground. Over the weekend, al-Qaeda seized the town of al-Houta amid growing violence. And on Friday, ISIS affiliates claimed responsibility for two bombs at mosques in Sana’a, killing up to 150 people. If their responsibility is verified, this marks the first large-scale actions in Yemen, and could drive Yemen further into instability.

In light of the escalating unrest, US troops evacuated al Anad air base on Sunday About 100 American troops and Special Forces units were stationed at the air base. UK Special Forces have pulled out of Yemen as well. The troops were reportedly airlifted from the capital Sana’a over the weekend. Jeff Rathke, US State Department spokesman, said in a statement: “Due to the deteriorating security situation in Yemen, the US government has temporarily relocated its remaining personnel out of Yemen.” The UK Government has not commented on the withdrawal of British troops.

The CIA and US military have carried out drone strikes against insurgents in Yemen for many years. Diplomats from the United States and several European nations fled Yemen in February amid embassy closures resulting from deteriorating security conditions.