Janessa Schilmoeller

Janessa Schilmoeller is a Mint Press correspondent and staff writer based in Southern Africa. Janessa has worked with intercultural education programs for several years and focuses on topics of international relations, social change and human rights. She has previously lived in Jordan and has traveled to various countries in the Middle East. Janessa is currently reporting from Southern Africa where she coordinates study abroad programs focused on nation building, liberation theology and decolonizing the mind while reporting on social and political issues in the region. Follow her on Twitter at @jschilmo

30+ Dead After Police Clash With Islamic Hardliners In Bangladesh

Clashes took place between police and tens of thousands of protesters who demanded the passage of an anti-blasphemy bill.

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

NAMIBIA - More than 30 people were killed in Bangladesh on Sunday and Monday in clashes between police and tens of thousands of protesters who demanded the passage of an anti-blasphemy bill in the Islamic state, ruled under a secular penal code dating back to 1860. As many as 36 people had been reported killed in protests across the country as of

Read Full Article

Thousands Of Refugees Return To Somalia As New Government Struggles To Rebuild

Janessa Schilmoeller   NAMIBIA — As many as 14,353 Somali refugees have returned home from Kenya since January, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) reported over the weekend. Up to 1,029 people reported to have moved to Somalia thus far in April — a sign that increased security operations in the Horn of Africa appear to be contributing […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

Janessa Schilmoeller NAMIBIA — As many as 14,353 Somali refugees have returned home from Kenya since January, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) reported over the weekend. Up to 1,029 people reported to have moved to Somalia thus far in April — a sign that increased security operations in the Horn of Africa appear to be contributing to more stability

Read Full Article

Bahrain Moves To Increase Penalties Against Protesters Ahead Of F1 Grand Prix

Janessa Schilmoeller NAMIBIA – Bahrain’s government has proposed an amendment to increase punishments for anyone found guilty of insulting the Gulf nation’s king just one week before the nation hosts the Formula One Grand Prix. According to state media, on Sunday Bahrain’s cabinet proposed an amendment to Article 214 of the Penal Code, implementing a […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

Janessa SchilmoellerNAMIBIA - Bahrain’s government has proposed an amendment to increase punishments for anyone found guilty of insulting the Gulf nation’s king just one week before the nation hosts the Formula One Grand Prix. According to state media, on Sunday Bahrain’s cabinet proposed an amendment to Article 214 of the Penal Code, implementing

Read Full Article

African Nations Divided On Support For “Colonial” International Justice System

J Schilmoeller NAMIBIA – Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda blocked the U.N. Security Council from adopting a non-binding statement this week that would recommend the International Criminal Court (ICC) be part of the continent’s solution to resolving conflict and human rights issues. Following recent sexual assault allegations against an ICC official in the Democratic Republic of […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

J SchilmoellerNAMIBIA - Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda blocked the U.N. Security Council from adopting a non-binding statement this week that would recommend the International Criminal Court (ICC) be part of the continent’s solution to resolving conflict and human rights issues.Following recent sexual assault allegations against an

Read Full Article

Western Neocolonialists Compete With Local Powers For Influence Across Africa

NAMIBIA – Decades after most African nations gained independence, mineral-rich countries like Mali and the Central African Republic still find themselves tangled in a web of outside intervention by former colonial powers and newly-emerging local powers hoping to secure complex political, economic and security interests in the region. Less than two years ago, French air strikes helped […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

NAMIBIA - Decades after most African nations gained independence, mineral-rich countries like Mali and the Central African Republic still find themselves tangled in a web of outside intervention by former colonial powers and newly-emerging local powers hoping to secure complex political, economic and security interests in the region. Less than

Read Full Article

Egyptian Satirist Latest Victim In Attacks On Free Speech

NAMIBIA – A Cairo court dismissed a lawsuit hoping to ban Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef’s popular TV show over the weekend — a move that may set a positive precedent for the comedian facing pressure for openly criticizing the government on his show, “El-Bernameg.” Judge Hassouna Tawfiq said the court dropped the complaint, filed by […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

NAMIBIA - A Cairo court dismissed a lawsuit hoping to ban Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef’s popular TV show over the weekend — a move that may set a positive precedent for the comedian facing pressure for openly criticizing the government on his show, “El-Bernameg.” Judge Hassouna Tawfiq said the court dropped the complaint, filed by an

Read Full Article

DRC Awaits First-Ever Offensive UN Peacekeeping Mission

NAMIBIA – The United Nations Security Council authorized its first-ever offensive peacekeeping intervention on Thursday, approving a deployment of up to 3,000 peacekeepers to “neutralize armed groups” and “make space for stabilization” in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The intervention brigade will carry out targeted offensive operations — with or without the participation of […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

NAMIBIA - The United Nations Security Council authorized its first-ever offensive peacekeeping intervention on Thursday, approving a deployment of up to 3,000 peacekeepers to “neutralize armed groups” and “make space for stabilization” in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The intervention brigade will carry out targeted offensive

Read Full Article