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How do women perform in Turkish local government elections? Existing studies have delved on the subject of participation and representation of women in political activities and the main concern has been to assess the factors responsible for the underrepresentation of women in politics. However, previous studies have largely focused on the representation of women in national legislative assemblies seemingly to assert that political representation of women is confined to national politics and their representation in local governments is largely overlooked. This paper seeks to fill the lacuna in the literature by focusing on participation and representation of women in local government in Turkey. By using the supply and demand-side framework, we seek to understand factors that have contributed to the low representation of women in local governments in Turkey. Key Words: Representation of women, local governments, politics, Turkey, participation of women, Introduction The extensive literature on gender and politics has in the recent past focused on the subject of political representation and participation of women with an initial concern of bridging [...]

The rise in splinter groups within rebel movements and opposition groups has serious implications for conflict resolution efforts. Yet existing literature has not sufficiently touched on the key implications and factors that lead to the split and fragmentation of rebel groups. One of the conflicts that have been impacted by the problem of fragmentation of warring parties is the South Sudan conflict. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has experienced internal fragmentation historically during the struggle for independence from Sudan and today during the civil war that began in 2011. New groups have emerged claiming to be paying allegiance to leaders and pursuing a different course. This paper argues that internal fragmentation within the SPLM constitutes a serious threat to peace in Africa's youngest nation. The author examines the motivations behind such fragmentations and their implication in the understanding of the South Sudan prolonged conflict. The paper begins by examining the causes of the South Sudan conflict and the patterns of violence, and it assesses wartime governance and the fragmentation of the groups. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for the resolution of the conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In what ways are emerging powers affecting the liberal international order? This study examines the increasing influence of emerging powers in international affairs and how these powers may shape the new order that is emerging. We argue that the declining roles of existing international organizations and Western diplomatic interventions have paved the way for new actors, mostly emerging powers that are now leading various interventions. Yet research has not fully captured the implications of these new powers for the emerging order. Using Turkey as a case study, the authors demonstrate that shifts within the international system are likely to have far-reaching consequences to the liberal international order and may give rise to illiberal conservative trends. The study addresses how emerging powers are likely to change the international system and relates some contributing factors. The study concludes that the shift of emerging powers towards illiberal conservativism may have a volatile impact on the liberal international order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper explores the dilemma states face when choosing between domestic concerns and international obligations in international Peacekeeping operations (PKO s) and peace support operations (PSO s). Most of the existing literature focuses on the nature, number, distribution, success, and failures of PKO s and PSO s. However, little attention has been directed to the delicate balance contributing countries face due to competing domestic and international interests. Using a qualitative method approach, this study examines efforts by Kenya to deploy a contingent of National Police Service (NPS) officers to Haiti as part of an international peace support intervention. The authors argue that weaponization of information is increasingly posing a serious dilemma for countries involved in peacekeeping. By looking at the controversies that have engulfed Kenya's deployment of its national police to Haiti, the study analyses how the framing of peacekeeping operations is likely to affect the legitimacy, trust and increase polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the threat posed by paramilitary groups on the state? This paper seeks to examine the role and impact of paramilitary forces on domestic politics and how their involvement results in political (in)stability. It examines how the interplay between the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force in Sudan and the Sudan Armed Forces has resulted in a humanitarian crisis since the overthrow of Omar Al Bashir's government in 2019. The authors argue that the formation of paramilitary groups is aimed at protecting the government from internal and external threats, yet these paramilitary groups can shift or withdraw their loyalty to the political leadership. Such a shift the paper finds creates a high potential for confrontation between the paramilitary forces and regular forces leaving the citizens vulnerable to mass atrocities and war crimes. The paper begins by examining the origin, spread and activities of militia groups globally and at the regional level before examining the concept of paramilitary forces. The authors then look at Sudan's historical and contemporary experiences with paramilitary groups before discussing the recent crisis between the regular forces and the paramilitary force in Sudan. They find that the preferential treatment of paramilitary forces influences their actions during a crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues for the rethinking of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and calls for reforms in the wake of APSA's 20th anniversary since its adoption. The article proposes the adoption of an APSA PLUS approach to allow for structured cooperation with other States and non-State actors beyond the African continent, as well as the expansion of the number and scope of the existing pillars from the current five to six. The findings of this article are intended to offer recommendations on key areas that could benefit from such efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]