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Democratic Republic of the Congo
Elections Amid Eastern Conflict
On Monday, the US State Department announced a 72-hour cease-fire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for presidential elections. Conflicts have raged in eastern DRC for decades as more than 120 armed groups battle for control of mineral resources and territory, leading to the displacement of a record 6.9 million people across the central African country. President Felix Tshisekedi, who seeks another term, said the conflict has limited voter turnout and the election faces huge logistical obstacles. Campaign violence has also been reported at rallies. Accusations against neighboring Rwanda for backing the powerful M23 rebel group, a claim Rwanda denies, have featured prominently in election rhetoric. The eastern conflict is the election’s main issue, with almost all candidates promising to end the war by building a stronger army to wipe out armed groups.
This map depicts targeted demonstrations and violence against CENI, the body that oversees democratic processes in the DRC, which has been accused of bias toward the incumbent president. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: ACLED
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Albania – Italy
Court Blocks Migrant Plan
Albania’s constitutional court has blocked an agreement with Italy to host asylum seekers awaiting processing. A hearing will be held next month to make a final determination on whether the deal violates Albania’s constitution. Last month, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama signed an agreement for Italy to build two centers in northern Albania large enough to process 36,000 asylum seekers a year. The centers would be paid for by Italy, governed by Italian law, and staffed by Italians who would have some immunity from Albanian law. Petitions from Albanian opposition argued the agreement denies asylum seekers protections and amounts to Albania renouncing sovereignty over the locations.
This map depicts the locations in Albania where the Italian government wishes to set up processing sites for asylum seekers. The agreement between the Italian and Albanian governments to establish the sites is on hold pending a review by Albania’s constitutional court. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: EU News
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China
Indian Ocean Vulnerability
Despite China’s increasingly aggressive moves to assert control over the South China Sea, analysts are highlighting China’s dependency on shipping through the Indian Ocean. Roughly half of China’s oil is shipped from the Persian Gulf through the Indian Ocean, along with resources from Africa and beyond. For the time being, the United States navy maintains dominance over the region and locations critical for shipping. While India and China have made some moves towards greater cooperation, they remain rivals over Himalayan territory, and India’s multilateral approach to diplomacy means it could support any or none of the combatants in a conflict. The world’s second-leading naval power, Russia, has also increased activity and outreach to the Indian Ocean region in recent weeks, highlighting the importance of the area. While China’s Belt and Road Initiative has garnered increasing influence, US military authorities say China has limited capacity to project military power in the Indian Ocean basin.
This map depicts shipping routes through the Indian Ocean and East Asia, as well the locations of military bases and key facilities of China and the United States. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What country is home to the “Roof of the World” and has the highest elevation of the Central Asian states?
A: Tajikistan
Tajikistan is the smallest among the five Central Asian states, but surpasses them all in terms of elevation, containing more mountains than any other country in the region. Known in Persian as the “Bam-i-Dunya” (Roof of the World), Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains – located mainly in Gorno-Badakhshan, an autonomous region in eastern Tajikistan that borders China, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan – are one of the highest ranges on the planet. The Pamirs are a rugged glaciated mountain massif of great beauty which rises 4,920-5,905 feet (1,500-1,800 meters) from a 3.1 mile-high (5,000 meter) arid plateau. Since the area is so isolated, the Pamiri people have a strong cultural identity that is markedly different from the rest of Tajikistan. Every July, the capital town of Khorog hosts the Roof of the World Festival, where dancers and artisans from across the Pamir region – as well as other mountain communities along the historical Silk Road – come together.
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Q: Where in the world can you find a town that uses a mirror to capture sunlight for three months a year?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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