Foreign relations expert Yvonne Davis talks about Nelson Mandela’s current illness and the legacy left by the former South African president as well as the current unrest in Turkey.
July 18 will mark Mandela’s 95th birthday. For more than 70 years, Mandela, the country’s first black president, led the anti-apartheid movement as leader of the African National Congress. The former Noble Peace Prize winner was sentenced to life in prison at Robben Island in 1964, accused of trying to overthrow the government.
For more information about the Turkey situation, read the CNN story below:
ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) — Protest leaders canceled plans Wednesday to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying the previous night’s violence in Istanbul’s Taksim Square and Gezi Park showed talks would be fruitless.
Riot police used massive amounts of tear gas, water cannons and stun guns to break up protesters’ large-scale demonstration Tuesday night.
Erdogan was going ahead with meeting some “popularists,” including figures from the protests in Gezi Park, the country’s semiofficial Anadolu Agency reported.
But protest leader Eyup Muhcu said those attending the meeting are friendly with Erdogan’s government.
Wednesday began quietly, with rain blanketing the ruins of days of rowdy protests.
Protesters have faced off with police on the streets of Istanbul for two weeks.