Swedish UN worker shot dead in Ivory Coast

This afternoon, I was saddened by news that a Swedish UN worker for the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) was shot dead in Abidjan as troops loyal to the internationally recognized President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, clashed with forces loyal to the illegitimate President Laurent Gbagbo.

The Swedish woman, identified as Zahra Abidi, 34, was reportedly shot and killed by a stray bullet yesterday - Thursday 31 March 2011 in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Ivory Coast.

It is worth mentioning that there has been a recent spike in violence against UN peacekeepers in Ivory Coast. On 13 January 2011, pro-Gbagbo supporters attacked UN peacekeepers and burnt UN vehicles. On 28 March, a UN helicopter came under attack by pro-Ouattara forces.

The death of a UN worker as a result of the on-going power struggle in Ivory Coast resounds the need for all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint and stop killing civilians. Attacks against UN workers and civilians is a crime punishable under international law and perpetrators will be brought to book.

The noose is tightening on Laurent Gbagbo who refuses to cede power after losing the November 2010 presidential elections. International calls for him to step down have become louder and atrocities committed by his loyalists are well-documented. When it's all said and done, justice will take its course.

My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of the slain Swedish UN worker and all the numerous civilians who have been shot death in Ivory Coast since violence broke out following the disputed November 2010 presidential election.

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Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself

You've probably heard about Nelson Mandela's new book - Conversations with Myself - that was launched on 12 October 2010. If you've not read it and shelved it in your personal library yet, make sure you do. Nelson Mandela, former South African President, no doubt, has such an incredible life story that would never fail to inspire you, your children and your children's children to seek progress by promoting social justice and equality for all.

Many people have already read or listened to Nelson Mandela's incredible life story uncountable times from a variety of sources, but a recent report by Bob Simon, contributor for "60 Minutes", about Madiba and the new book is worth watching. The report captures the life of  [arguably] "the most admired human being alive." WATCH...



The new book offers "unique access" to the life and thoughts of the freedom fighter. It reveals the "private man behind the public figure," and guess what - the foreword is written by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself is available on Amazon.com. It's highly recommended.

Read more about the book on the official website of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

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Help Uganda's forgotten children

Children in a camp in north-eastern Uganda: The Guardian.

Today, I watched a video titled "The Compelling Story of The Forgotten Children." The video tells the story of abduction, torture, sexual slavery and rape meted out by rebels against thousands of children in Northern Uganda. The video urged me to help Uganda's forgotten children by simply telling their story. Perhaps this would make a difference.

The following video is truly a compelling revelation of an untold story that has not received a fair share of international attention. It's a story of gross violations of children's rights in the armed conflict in Northern Uganda. WATCH...



Northern Uganda has been engulfed in civil war since the 1980s. The civil war was sparked by a rebellion against the Ugandan government under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni. The rebellion is led by two rebel groups - the Lord's Resistance Army (LRD) based in Northern Uganda and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) based in western Uganda.

LRA Leader - Joseph Kony.

It is worth mentioning that the ADF has reportedly lost steam, while the LRA, under the leadership of Joseph Kony, remains the main rebel group with a reputation of perpetrating the most heinous crimes against civilians in Northern Uganda. Victims of the war face rape, abduction, torture, mutilation, the worst forms of child labour, just to name a few.

In 2005, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Joseph Kony and 4 other LRA commanders, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

After watching "The Compelling Story of The Forgotten Children," you must be convinced that the children of Northern Uganda are truly forgotten and are in desperate need of all the help you can provide; no matter how small. Visit www.worldhelp.net and lend a helping hand.

Although the LRA reportedly stopped atttacks in northern Uganda in 2006, stability in the region is fragile.

The perpetrators of violence against children in Uganda, including Joseph Kony are still at large. It remains to be seen whether justice will take its course.

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UN report: Israel violated international law during flotilla raid

Photo of Israeli soldier boarding the Mavi Marmara, by IsraelIMFA

Israeli forces intercepted a humanitarian aid flotilla on 31 May 2010 in a military mission that shocked the international community, including humanitarians and human rights activists around the world. The military mission left 9 people dead aboard the Mavi Marmara, a ship that was carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. In its defense, Israel invoked the right to defend and secure its borders and condemned the attempt by the flotilla to break the Gaza blockade. Following the incident, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ordered an investigation into the flotilla raid and an independent fact-finding mission was established by the Human Rights Council to investigate the incident.

On 22 September 2010, the fact-finding mission issued a report of the application of international law during the raid. The report concludes that Israel violated international humanitarian and human rights law during the interception of the aid flotilla in May.

In a vital part of the report (Part IV) which dwells on accountability and effective remedy, the mission notes that victims of the flotilla raid have the right to effective remedy and reparations, and hopes that Israel honors its obligations under international law and bring perpetrators of the violation to justice.

On 1 June 2010, in an article about Israel's right to defend and secure borders, I concluded that Israeli commandos used disproportionate force during the mission and should be held accountable for the lives lost during the interception of the aid flotilla. Israel is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and therefore has a legal obligation under international law to hold perpetrators accountable and compensate victims of the flotilla raid.

It remains to be seen whether Israeli authorities will bring those responsible for the violation of humanitarian and human rights law during the flotilla raid to justice.

Read the complete 56-page report (in pdf) published on the Human Rights Council website, here.

A defiant Israel argues that the report is biased.

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Nelson Mandela International Day 2010: Who inspires you?

July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day. On this day, 92 years ago, a man was born in a forgotten part of the world; a man with the right DNA and skills needed to liberate South Africans from unspeakable racial discrimination and oppression by a white minority aparthied regime. On this day, people of conscience worldwide pause to celebrate the birthday of this living legend: Nelson Mandela. Are you a person of conscience? Who inspires you?

Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner for 27 years, imprisoned for his role in the anti-aparthied campaign. After he was released from prison in 1990, he went on to become South Africa's first democratically elected President. Contrary to what many expected, President Mandela preached reconciliation between black South Africans and their former oppressors. After his first term in office, he once a gain silenced his critics by stepping down - setting the course for a democratic South Africa.

To honor Mandela's enormous contribution to world peace, democracy and freedom for all, in 2009, the UN General Assembly adopted a text declaring 18 July - Nelson Mandela International Day, in a bid to "make peace a way of life for people around the world." This is the case because Nelson Mandela, former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate is a symbol of peace, democracy and freedom.

As you celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, I hope he inspires you to promote peace, human rights, freedom and equality for all.

I found the following video very inspiring. WATCH...



Permit me to leave you with the words of this historic figure - Nelson Mandela - in his final testimony in the 1964 trial that sent him to prison for life:  

"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

Make everyday a Mandela Day!

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Heal the World: Tribute to Michael Jackson

It is hard to believe that the 25 June 2010 marked one year since the King of Pop passed away. At this point, it makes sense to concede that everything has been said and written about Michael Jackson - arguably the greatest pop star the world has ever seen. As a matter of fact, on 25 June 2010, another well-written bittersweet tribute to Michael Jackson - Memories of a Light that keeps Shinning, was published on BlogFace2Face. However, here On The Road To Success, there is still room, no matter how humble, to pay tribute to Michael Jackson - an unrivaled pop star and humanitarian in his own right.

Through his works, Michael Jackson, sought to, in his own words - heal the world and make it a better place for all natural persons. This is a mission shared by human rights activists, humanitarians and freedom fighters worldwide. Consequently, many do not hesitate to pause - to pay tribute the legend, one year after his death.

Events around the world reiterate the urgent need to heal the world, and resound Michael Jackson's call to make the world a better place: In Myanmar, the military junta rules with an iron fist, and a symbol of freedom remains under house arrest - despite a global call for her immediate release; in Egypt, police brutality and imprisonment of human rights activists is the order of the day; in the D.R Congo, an armed conflict rages - with civilian casualties of epic proportions; in Finland, decision makers face death threats - for favoring laws that protect the less fortunate, precisely refugees and immigrants; in Scandinavia, rapists enjoy impunity; in Malawi and other parts of Africa, homosexuals are convicted; in the U.S., blatant racism still reigns and some still shamelessly suggest that the zoo has an African; in Russia, there is a battle against justice; Turkey jails Kurdish children for supporting anti-government demonstrations. These are just a few of the many reminders of an urgent need to heal the world.

As Michael Jackson rightly pointed out, you can make the world a better place - starting with yourself. Learn to respect other persons; shun discrimination and hatred, help the less fortunate, and speak out against any form of injustice. In a nutshell, try as much as possible to positively impact the people around you. By so doing, you will help heal the world and leave a legacy; a legacy that your next-generation will be proud of.

You are encouraged to do more than just listen to Michael Jackson's music - Heal The World...



Michael Jackson may be dead, but he is clearly not forgotten. He continues to positively impact the world through his music - music that inspires more and more people of goodwill to help heal the world - "starting with the man in the mirror."

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