On Monday, the International Criminal Court at the Hague, Netherlands, announced that they will issue an arrest warrant for the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir. This will be the first time in history that such an action has ever been taken against a head of state still in office. The only reason an announcement has been made preceding the actual announcement of the warrant is because prosecutors fear attacks against peacekeepers and aid workers. They hope the a warning will give the foreigners time to prepare themselves for an increase in violent attacks. The warrant will be issued concerning alleged genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. It will include charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. Bashir has denied any involvement in the incidents.

The cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe is become more destructive by the day. Since August, the disease has killed 780 people and sickened a total of 16,000 people. Health officials say that approximately 6 million people, roughly half of the country's population, is at risk for the disease. However, President Robert Mugabe has claimed that the epidemic has ended. Mugabe's government has badly mismanaged the country's economy, which has caused the basic public services to have to shut down. Services like water, sanitation, and hospitals are decreasing in number. Inflation in Zimbabwe has reached 8 quintillion percent according to some economists. Mugabe continues to hold on to power despite strong opposition and calls for his resignation. As he clutches to his office, the situation in the country worsens every day, and, now, even his soldiers have begun to riot against his government.

In Niger, what resembles a civil war has broken out between the government and a band of nomads over ownerships of massive reserves of uranium. As the world's choice of energy source has begun to shift towards alternative energy, nuclear power has become one of the most popular selections. Whoever controls the uranium in Niger has the potential to make a very significant amount of money. The country itself is already extremely destitute. One in five children die before turning five. In the north, where the rebels reside, the situation is even worse. The government has isolated the areas of fighting, which has crushed their economy. In Niger, of you don't have government connections, it is highly unlikely you will be successful. Hundreds have been killed and thousands have been displaced by the fighting.

If the Hague lives up to its word and actually pursues the criminal charges leveled against Omar al-Bashir, it will be a great day for the people of Sudan. For too long has the west been inactive about the Sudanese situation, and it is great to see some sort of plan being put into effect. The question whether the Hague will actually act on the warrant, or if it will behave like the UN and condemn the atrocities, but do nothing effective to stop them.

As for Zimbabwe, it is beyond repair. The only option now is for a new government to take control and start from the ground up. It is despicable the Mugabe continues to deny the epidemic and ignore the pleas for his resignation. Even for a dictator, when inflation reaches 8 quintillion percent and hospitals and sewage systems are shutting down, an alarm has to be ringing. Drastic action needs to be taken to save this country from itself.

The situation in Niger just appears to be worsening, and that will only continue. How the government can afforded to cut off parts of its already dismal economy should be beyond anyone. Sharing the uranium deposits would be the ideal situation, but that will not happen. While obstinancy on both sides continues, more people will die and more will be displaced. It is the beginning of the Darfurian conflict all over again.