September 1 — East Asia: JAPAN
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda resigns after less than a year in office, frustrated with the parliament effectively opposing his policies. (Sept. 24): Japan’s parliament elects former foreign minister Taro Aso as the new prime minister. Aso is a staunch conservative who advocates an assertive foreign policy. He also supports increased public spending to revitalize the Japanese economy.
September 2 — South Asia/International Organizations: AFGHANISTAN/NATO
Thousands of NATO, U.S., and Afghan troops successfully deliver a massive hydroelectric power turbine to the Kajaki dam in southern Afghanistan. A 100-vehicle convoy stretching for 2.5 miles passed through the most dangerous Taliban-controlled part of the country. The allied troops killed more than 200 insurgents who attacked the convoy. The power station will supply 1.9 million people with electricity.
September 3 — Europe: CYPRUS
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat meet in the divided capital, Nicosia, to initiate talks aimed at reunifying the country. Previous negotiations ended in stalemate four years earlier.
September 3 — Europe/Former Soviet Republics/Europe: UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko’s party, Our Ukraine, pulls out of the ruling coalition after Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s bloc backed the opposition’s legislation designed to curtail presidential powers. (Sept. 16): Ukraine’s governing coalition collapses. Parliament now has 30 days to form another coalition. If it fails to do so, the president can dissolve the parliament and call an election.
September 5 — Africa: ANGOLA
Angola’s ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) wins the country’s first multi-party election in 16 years. The MPLA gains nearly 82 percent of the votes, while the main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) wins only 10 percent. The election campaign was generally peaceful.
September 9 — South Asia: PAKISTAN
Asif Ali Zardari is sworn in as Pakistan’s new president. He was elected by the country’s parliament a few weeks after the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf. Zardari is a controversial politician who spent eleven years in jail on corruption charges even though he was never convicted. He took over leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after its leader and his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in December. Zardari faces a violent Islamic insurgency and an economy in crisis.
September 12 — Africa: SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s High Court judge dismisses a corruption case against African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma due to evidence that the investigation was politically compromised. The ruling clears the way for Zuma to become South Africa’s next president in 2009. (Sept. 21): Under pressure from his ANC party, South Africa’s President, Thabo Mbeki, resigns over accusations that he interfered in the corruption case against Jacob Zuma. He denies the allegations. (Sept. 25): South Africa’s parliament elects ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe as the country’s caretaker president. He will hold the post until elections in May 2009.South Africa’s High Court judge dismisses a corruption case against African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma due to evidence that the investigation was politically compromised. The ruling clears the way for Zuma to become South Africa’s next president in 2009. (Sept. 21): Under pressure from his ANC party, South Africa’s President, Thabo Mbeki, resigns over accusations that he interfered in the corruption case against Jacob Zuma. He denies the allegations. (Sept. 25): South Africa’s parliament elects ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe as the country’s caretaker president. He will hold the post until elections in May 2009.
September 15 — Africa: ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and his bitter opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai, sign a historic power-sharing agreement. The deal provides that Mugabe will stay on as president and Tsvangirai will take the post of prime minister. The agreement also divides cabinet posts between the two main parties, Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Other stipulations include free political activity, press freedom, and carrying out a land audit.
September 16 — Latin America: MEXICO
Eight people are killed and more than 100 injured in an explosion caused by grenades as crowds celebrate Independence Day in the city of Morelia, Mexico. The attack is shocking, as it appears to target civilians. (Sept. 27): The Mexican authorities arrest three people suspected of causing the blast and say the men are members of a unit of the Gulf Cartel, known as the Zetas. So far this year, the number of victims of drug-related violence has exceeded 2,700.
September 16 — South Asia/International Organizations: SRI LANKA/UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations aid agencies pull out of northern Sri Lanka after the country’s government says it cannot guarantee their safety. The government is preparing a major offensive against the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the north, having already pushed it out of key bases in the east. The Tigers have been fighting for a separate state for the Tamil minority since 1976.
September 17 — Middle East: YEMEN
Two car bombs hit the United States Embassy in Yemen, killing 16 people, including four civilians, six Yemeni soldiers, and six attackers. The Islamic Jihad of Yemen group takes responsibility for the attack. (Sept. 18): Yemeni authorities arrest 25 suspects. Yemen is a U.S. ally in its “war on terrorism.”
September 20 — South Asia: PAKISTAN
A suicide truck bomb explodes outside the Islamabad Marriott Hotel in Pakistan, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 226. A previously little-known militant group, Fidayeen-e-Islam, takes responsibility for the assault. The group says that the goal of the attack is to stop the United States from interfering in Pakistan. However, most victims are Pakistani.
September 22 — Latin America/Europe: VENEZUELA/RUSSIA
Russian warships leave for Venezuela to take part in joint military exercises scheduled for November. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says that Latin America needs a strong friendship with Russia to counter the influence of the United States in the region. (Sept. 26): Russia and Venezuela sign an energy accord that broadens cooperation on oil and gas production between the two countries. Russia is also one of Venezuela’s largest arms suppliers.
September 23 — Latin America: COLOMBIA
Colombian Forces kill a FARC rebel commander, Aicardo de Jesus Agudelo, known as El Paisa. He was responsible for hundreds of killings and kidnappings. His victims included a former defense minister and the governor of one of the country’s provinces. FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has waged war with the Colombian government for the last 44 years and still holds hundreds of hostages.
September 23 — East Asia: MYANMAR
Myanmar’s military government releases 9,002 prisoners, including the country’s longest-serving political prisoner, Win Tin, who spent 19 years in detention. However, more than 2,000 political prisoners remain detained, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition. Other political activists continue to be arrested.
September 26 — Africa: SOMALIA
Somali pirates seize a Ukrainian ship off the coast of Somalia and demand a ransom of $35 million for its release. The ship carried military supplies destined for Kenya. Piracy has become a big business for Somalis who have not had a functioning government for 17 years. It is estimated that pirates earn more than $100 million a year from hijacking ships.
September 26 — East Asia: THAILAND
Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declares a state of emergency in the capital of Bangkok, after weeklong protests by pro-and anti-government groups turn violent. The anti-government protesters have occupied government buildings, demanding the resignation of the prime minister. (Sept. 9): Thailand’s Constitutional Court orders Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to step down. The court rules that Samak has violated the constitution by accepting payments for hosting TV cooking shows. (Sept. 17): Thai Parliament elects Somchai Wongsawat the new prime minister. However, because he is the brother-in-law of the ousted Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, anti-government protests are expected to continue.