Welcome to the weekly world briefing, a midweek feature that helps you stay up to date on issues worldwide and how they affect travelers. Is there something you think should be added to the next briefing? Tell us on Twitter.
In Nigeria…
Voters will choose their next president this Saturday. The race features more than 70 candidates, but only two have a realistic shot at winning. Muhammadu Buhari has been president since 2015, when he ousted Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria’s first peaceful transition of power. A pro-government intervention member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Party, Buhari first gained power in a military coup in 1983. After being overthrown in a separate 1980’s coup, Buhari won the 2015 election with an anti-corruption message.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is running on a platform of economic investment to unseat Buhari. As a wealthy investor, Abubakar has more faith in capitalism than his opponent, and says his ideas will bolster Nigeria’s struggling economy. Nigeria’s economy spiraled into a recession when the price of oil dropped dramatically. It has since recovered slightly, but with 87 million inhabitants living in poverty, Nigeria’s poor population is now the largest in the world, surpassing India.
Both men are in their 70s, but the winner will be charged with leading one of the youngest populations in the world. Over half of Nigeria’s electorate is between the ages of 18-35. How the candidates plan to create economic opportunity for the growing number of young people will be an important factor in the election. The country has experienced a brain drain as the most highly educated youths leave Nigeria for the UK or the US. The terrorist organization Boko Haram is also a constant threat. Terrorist groups feed on young men with little economic opportunity.
Past elections in Nigeria have been marred by violence and corruption, but this election is so far devoid of both. Abubakar released a statement on Wednesday declaring, “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.” Though this election has not spurred any violent deaths to date, at least 15 people died in a stampede at a rally for Buhari on Tuesday. After Buhari spoke in the southern city of Port Harcourt, a crowd of people attempted to exit through a partially closed gate resulting in panic and an ensuing stampede. A spokesperson for the APC expressed “deep shock over the deaths of APC members who were in a stampede.”
Our take: Nigeria and especially bustling Lagos have a lot to offer visitors. That said, we’re wary of travel anywhere during elections, as they often spark unrest. Wait it out for a few weeks to see how elections pan out (there are also state elections in March) before you start planning a trip to the country’s numerous national parks, museums, and dining opportunities. Whenever you visit, avoid the Borno and Yobe States and northern Adamawa State due due to terrorism, and the Gulf of Guinea due to piracy.
In the United States…
The government will likely not shut down again after congressional leaders from both parties brokered a deal to fund the government and provide $1.375 billion in funding for a wall. The compromise is a relief for the hundreds of thousands of federal government employees who recently endured the longest shutdown in government history. Airports, museums, and national parks will all avoid further strain if the law passes as expected.
In an effort to corral her Democratic colleagues, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “As with all compromises, I say to people, support the bill for what is in it. Don’t judge it for what is not in it.” The $1.375 billion is less than Democrats originally offered before the shutdown, but some on the left are opposed to any new funding for a border wall. The law includes Democratic priorities in several other areas as well. After the House votes on the bill Wednesday night, it will head to the Senate on Thursday before reaching President Trump. Trump will likely sign the bill, though when asked about the compromise, he said, “I can’t say I’m happy.”
In another rare moment of bipartisanship, the Senate passed a conservation bill by a margin of 92-8 that adds 1.3 million acres of protected land and creates four new national monuments. In addition, the bill prevents new mining in Montana and Washington state, renews several bird sanctuaries, and continues a program to direct offshore drilling profits toward conservation. The bill’s co-sponsor, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), applauded the bill as a “very, very collaborative” process.
Our take: This is obviously great news for federal workers and tourists who don’t have to worry about museum and park closures, or more issues with TSA. We’re also excited about the new national monuments and protected land, and will bring you stories on both in the coming months.
In Iran…
Earlier this week, Iranians celebrated the 40th anniversary of their country’s revolution. The 1979 revolution overthrew Western-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and turned Iran into an Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. (This timeline of the revolution is a good background refresher).
The anniversary comes during economic crisis in Iran, new tensions with the United States after the Trump administration pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, growing power in the region as the US backs away, and restlessness from younger generations who want a freer, secular, more global future. Still, tens of thousands of people marched in Azadi Square to hear President Hassan Rouhani speak. “The presence of people today on the streets all over Islamic Iran … means that the enemy will never reach its evil objectives,” Rouhani said. “We have not asked, and will never ask for permission in developing our missile arsenal as we continue to pursue our path to military might.”
Demonstrators chanted “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” and “Death to the al-Saud,” but many also called for government reform. Some are considering leaving Iran due to economic hardship. Meanwhile, the White House is working on a program to sabotage Iran’s missiles. The classified program has been accelerated under Trump. For more on the history of US/Iran relations, check out this podcast.
Our take: Many are skeptical of visiting Iran, and we understand. There are too many incidents of foreigners being detained to make it a worry-free vacation spot. That said, if you are a tourist not working as a journalist or for the US government, you have little reason to be concerned. Americans are rarely granted visas to Iran unless they work with a tour agency, and if you’re visiting as part of a guided tour the chances you will run into issues with the Iranian government are very slim. Iranians in general are welcoming, and the country is full of mesmerizing sights, beautiful landscapes, rich history and culture, and incredible food. Go, but as with many places do what you can to direct your tourism dollars toward local businesses rather than government-run establishments.
In Australia…
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the reopening of a controversial detention center on Christmas Island. The center, which closed only three months ago, will once again house asylum seekers who attempt to enter Australia by boat. Under Australian law, asylum seekers who reach the island nation by boat are sent to offshore centers in Nauru, Manus Island, or Christmas Island with no hope of becoming Australian citizens.
Morrison’s announcement followed Parliament’s decision to allow asylum seekers to enter Australia for medical treatment. The vote passed the lower house 75-74 with the opposition Labor party receiving support from Greens and Independents to narrowly defeat the ruling Conservatives. It was the first loss in the lower house by the ruling party on their own legislation in 80 years. Morrison claims the new law will inspire more migrants to make the dangerous journey to Australia, but proponents of the law accuse Morrison of fear mongering and point out that the law only applies to those already detained on Nauru or Manus Island. Tweleve people have died in offshore detention centers since 2014.
Since 2013, over 3,000 migrants have been detained on islands off the coast of Australia. Around 1,000 are still there. The detention centers have been condemned by the UN and several human rights organizations. Last year in Nauru, doctors warned that detained children were showing signs of resignation syndrome, a condition involving extreme withdrawal from reality. The children have all been relocated to the United States through a deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama that President Donald Trump has called “dumb.”
Australian Conservatives have enjoyed support for their hardline immigration policies since 2001 when then Prime Minister John Howard refused to allow a ship carrying 433 refugees to enter Australian waters. The Labor party held control from 2007-2013, but chaotic conditions on Christmas Islands fueled a Conservative comeback. Even though the UN has condemned Australia’s immigration policies, neither party has pushed to close all the offshore detention facilities completely.
Australia holds its general election in May, and most polls favor the Labor party. Morrison seems to believe a strong anti-immigration stance will once again keep Conservatives in power.
Our take: This is horrifying. To our Australian readers: we’re counting on you to use your vote in May.
