My name is Codrin Arsene; I'm a 21 years old young man living in Chicago, Illinois. I study at the University of Chicago, where I'm majoring in Political Science, International Studies focusing on African Politics, trade policies and the impact of International Organizations on the world's governments. I have travelled extensively throughout the world, having visited more then 60 countries and… counting. I have lived in Romania, the United States of America and Argentina. I've also spent several months in Africa where I'm going back every single year. My passion for Africa comes from travelling. From Cairo to Cape Town, Dakar to Mombasa, from Tripoli to Lilongwe, I visited 24 African countries by 2008. My main areas of interest in African politics are the impact of Chinese investment in Africa and political failure in Central Africa (the DRC, Sudan, and Somalia). In the past, I have worked with different international organizations (Amnesty International, Peace Child International, the Global Youth Action Network, TIGlobal etc) in areas such as youth advocacy, the involvement of the youth in the process of decision-making and youth diplomacy. I'm currently the administrator of the African Politics Portal where I comment upon the newest political developments on the continent, post news links, and provide my visitors with "briefing news", "movie reviews", a "Chinese monitor" and many other options that will help them navigate more easily through the current African Politics. I am a strong critic of both African leaders and International Organizations. While I believe that the World Bank, the IMF and other development agencies care a significant guilt for the current political turmoil in Africa, many other African statesmen should also be held responsible for their actions. Kwame, one of my best African friends once said I was the most "practical dreamer" he had ever met. I don't yet know exactly what I am now, since one sentence or one paragraph is hardly enough to describe a person. But I known the two words I always whisper to myself, every year, when I return to Africa: simply surprising…
Contact Codrin via email here.
Posted by Codrin Arsene on August 7, 2008 in Africa, Feature, Opinion
When people use or hear the word “tribe” they think of Africa. They see a bunch of lunatics dancing around the fire, naked, possibly engaged in cannibalistic activities. It sounds repulsive, doesn’t it? Yet that’s how it is.
Posted by Codrin Arsene on July 30, 2008 in Africa, Opinion, USA
Since 9/11 the whole world has been staring at the war on terror, completely ignoring the small battles which have been much more successful then the most technologically advanced military and paramilitary campaigns.
In a world in which more and more people are getting what they want by the power of gun, West Africa is [...]
Posted by Codrin Arsene on July 18, 2008 in Community Report, Opinion, Zimbabwe
Someone recently asked me what the reasons why Zimbabwe is in such a terrible economic situation are. I’m posting here my top ten causes of political failure in the small southern African state. These are not exclusive. I invite anyone reading the list to add their thoughts and express their feelings towards the list or [...]
Posted by Codrin Arsene on July 15, 2008 in Community Report, Discussion Lounge, Opinion
The most important Africa related news story of the summer has just arrived. Mr. Moreno-Ocampo, the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has formally requested an arrest warrant for Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Mr. Al-Bashir thereby becomes the first international leader accused of the highest crimes against humanity. Mr Moreno-Ocampo declared he has found [...]
Posted by Codrin Arsene on July 14, 2008 in Africa, China, Community Report, Discussion Lounge, Senegal
As everyone knows, news from China is not really being broadcasted around the world in real time.
From a direct source from Beijing I found out something rather…surprising. Since the Beijing Olympic Games are about to start, the local government decided to organize police raids to arrest the drug dealers selling cocaine and heroin in [...]
Posted by Codrin Arsene on July 12, 2008 in Africa, China, Community Report, Politics, Russia, Zimbabwe
A Security Council draft resolution to impose severe sanctions on Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, and some of his closest allies was just vetoed by Russia and China. Both powers have argued that such measures are not necessary. Rarely do super-powers veto resolutions. However, the fragrant difference of opinion between the “West” and the “East” is [...]
Posted by Codrin Arsene on July 11, 2008 in Community Report, Feature, Sudan
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing its greatest challenge since its creation, in 2002. After receiving a green light from the Security Council to prosecute those in charge with the mass murders that occurred in the last five years in Darfur, the ICC is expected to take legal action against some of the top officials in the Sudanese government, possibly even the president of the country.
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