Impunity Watch: Africa

Students Killed in Capital Bombing

Two school children and three others were killed in a bombing this past Sunday in the capital of Somalia. Nine people were also injured. Sunday is a school day for a majority in the majority of Muslim Horn of Africa nations. This region has endured significant fighting and is patrolled daily by government troops and Ethiopian allies.

Thousands have been killed this year because of the periodic gunfire and attacks of government officials and stations. Random attacks have been so frequent, that troops are more concentrated on their own safety than that of the people and city. However, in this attack no government troop was in the area. Witnesses reported that the bomb was planted near the school in south Mogadishu where hundreds of students attend.

Again, remnants of the Islamic court’s militias and those unhappy with the presence of Ethiopian troops have been blamed for the bombing. These groups have also been blamed for a grenade attack on police officers that killed one civilian and another grenade attack in the capital’s main market that killed one person and wounded five. In many attacks, civilians are the ones killed or injured. The tactics are widely viewed as “barbaric”.

For more information please see:

“5 Somalis killed in violence, nine hurt” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070826/ap_on_re_af/somalia;_ylt=At07Xtk5twFyd3Q5smB5QCu96Q8F 26, Aug. 2007.

“Somalia: Roadside Bomb Explosion Kills 2 Students in Mogadishu” AllAfrica.com: http://allafrica.com/stories/200708260009.html 26, Aug. 2007.

“Fear Stalk Somalia’s Capital Once Again” BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6252359.stm 11, Jan. 2007.

UN Secretary General to Visit Sudan

Khartoum, Sudan – UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon made a statement on Tuesday that he is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in the Darfur region.  In his statement, he said that several hundred people have died in incidents including an August 1 attack on a police station and air strikes in South Darfur.  On Wednesday, the Sudanese government quickly rejected the statement, with the foreign ministry spokesman saying the statement was based on fabricated news stories. 

The Secretary General is now planning a trip to the region, so that he can see for himself the conditions under which the UN-AU peacekeeping mission planned for Darfur will operate.  He is also looking to know firsthand the plight of the people in Darfur.

The trip is scheduled for September 3-6, and will be Ban’s first trip to Sudan as secretary general.   Mr. Ban has also laid out a three-point action plan for Darfur, focusing on peacekeeping efforts, humanitarian aid, and the search for a long-term political solution.  The joint UN-AU force, comprised of more than 25,000 military and police personnel, is one of the most complex operations the UN has ever undertaken.  The cooperation of Sudanese’s government is needed in order for the operation to be a success, and Ban is looking to get this support when he travels there next week and meets with President Omar al-Bashir. 

After visiting Sudan, Ban will continue to meet with Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi, a key regional leader who will be useful in bringing some of the Darfur parties to the negotiations.  Ban will then continue on to Chad, where the Security Council indicated yesterday they would be willing to authorize a UN presence to support an EU force in the east of the country and in the Central African Republic, which have both had problems due to clashes between rebel and government forces and the spillover from Darfur. 

Since the conflict began in the Darfur region in 2003, at least 200,000 people have died and more than two million have been displaced. 

For more information, please see:

Voice of America  - Sudan Rejects UN Statement Alleging Increased Darfur Violence – 29 August 2007

Voice of America - UN Chief to Visit Sudan Next Week – 28 August 2007

Independence Online (South Africa) - UN leader is banking on new plan for Darfur – 28 August 2007

AllAfrica.com - Ban ki-Moon to Visit Next Week to ‘Lock In’ Progress Towards Darfur Peace – 28 August 2007

Washington Times - UN’s Ban to visit Sudan’s Darfur region – 29 August 2007

President to Declare Emergency in Sierra Leone

Tejan Kabbah, the president of Sierra Leone has threatened to impose a state of emergency due to extreme violence between rival parties in the current national election. Presently, supporters of two rival parties have been fighting for two days.

President Kabba’s warning came as the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) issued a statement citing that supporters of the leading opposition party, the All People's Congress (APC), had "brutally assaulted" SLPP supporters.

A statement by the APC said, "We all must, as a matter of duty, stop those who are threatening the state with brutal and murderous war and genocide."

The rising threats make President Kabbah fear that election violence will cause civil unrest and chaos. Kabbah stated, "All those responsible for the violence and lawlessness should be prepared for the consequences.”

In Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, police had to use tear gas to end rioting between rival supporters who clashed on the streets on Sunday and Monday. Furthermore, in the diamond-rich town of Kono, several people were injured when police used tear gas in that region.

For more information, please see:

“Sierra Leone: President Threatens to Declare Emergency.” 28 August 2007. Allafrica.com http://allafrica.com/stories/200708280582.html

“Sierra Leone President threatens to impose state of emergency.” International Herald Tribune. 28 August 2007. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/28/africa/AF-POL-Sierra-Leone.php

“Emergency threat in Sierra Leone.” 28 August 2007. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6966339.stm

Girl Soldiers

Among the millions of child soldiers across Africa kidnapped, drugged and manipulated into fighting, girls represent an estimated 30 percent. Girls face an even harder challenge following the release from soldiery. Many girls, like boys are abducted from their homes, drugged, beaten, and in many cases forced to kill their family members. But unlike boys, the girls are raped and/or forced to “marry” rebel leaders. Their children are then ostracized as “Kony children”, referring to Joseph Kony, the self-proclaimed prophet of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

The LRA, based in northern Uganda, kidnapped an estimated 25,000 children during the 20-year war against the government. According to Human Rights Watch, children were used in the frontlines, as spies, minesweepers and concubines.

Although several children, either abandoned or orphaned, joined the rebels out of desperation, the majority was kidnapped from the family.

On June 20th of this year, the UN-backed courts convicted junta leaders of using child soldiers during the Sierra Leone civil war. This marks the first time the use of child soldiers was treated as a war crime.

For more information please see:

“Another side of child-soldiering: girls” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070825/ap_on_re_af/africa_s_child_war;_ylt=AqSK.u0PgSvdETjY_rF9F7.96Q8F 25, Aug. 2007.

Sudan Expels Western Diplomats

Khartoum, Sudan – Sudan expelled the European Commission envoy, Kent Degerfelt, and a Canadian diplomat, Nuala Lawler, on Wednesday.  Sudan’s state Suna news agency reports that they were asked to leave the country and were each declared persona non grata due to their “intervention in the internal affairs of Sudan.”  Foreign Ministry officials in Sudan have accused the two of meeting with Sudanese opposition leaders. 

Canada and the EU, however, have said that they were given no reason for why they were expelled.  The Canadian Foreign Minister said Lawler was standing up for democracy and freedom in Sudan. The spokesman for the European Commission said Degerfelt was not in the country when he was ordered out.

Canada and the EU have both been highly critical of the Sudanese government’s role in Darfur, where more than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced since 2003 when a rebel group with ethnic-cleansing ideas took up arms in the Arab-dominated central government.  Khartoum has been accused of sending the janjaweed militias, who are blamed for atrocities during this conflict.   

On Friday, Amnesty International accused the Sudanese government of continuing to deploy offensive military equipment in Darfur, in violation of a UN arms embargo and peace agreements.

Last month, the UN Security Council approved a joint AU-UN peacekeeping force for Sudan, and it is hoped that the troops will be sent by the end of the year.  However, the peacekeeping resolution does not give the troops authority to disarm or demobilize the janjaweed or other armed opposition groups. 

Meanwhile, a UN report was released earlier this week detailing rapes in Darfur.  Sudan’s justice minister attacked the report on Thursday calling it a “false report” and questioning the commissioner’s credibility.

For more information, please see:

BBC - Sudan expels two Western envoys – 23 August 2007

Times Online - Sudan expels European and Canadian diplomats – 24 August 2007

Voice of America - Sudan Expels Canadian, European Diplomats for “Meddling” – 24 August 2007

Guardian Unlimited - Sudan expels western diplomats as pressure mounts over Darfur – 24 August 2007

Attack on UN Peacekeepers in DRC

There was an attack on UN peacekeepers stationed in the Rusthuru region of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident took place when North Kivu brigades were hit with rocks on August 20th in Bunugana village by rebels who wanted to prevent the UN police from entering their village.

The peacekeepers were attempting to gather information on the assault of two Congolese intelligent agents that took place last weekend. Three Indian peacekeepers and an officer from the Congolese police were wounded during the attack.

The rebels were part of a militia organized by General Nkunda, who was a former general in the Congolese army. Nkunda’s militia is responsible for attacking government positions in North Kivu. While the Congolese army and UN peacekeepers have been able to force Nkunda’s militia to withdraw in the past, there have still been numerous clashes between the militia and army.

The general instability in the region has resulted in the displacement of 10,000. Moreover, since 1999, fighting between six armed forces has resulted in the deaths of 50,000 people.

UN Refugee Agency estimates that over 10,000 Congolese crossed to Uganda's southwestern district of Kisoro in attempts to seek refugee on August 21st. Presently, Uganda hosts about 29,000 refugees from eastern DR Congo.

For more information, please see:

“Congo-Kinshasa: UN Peacekeepers Caught Up in Continuing Unrest in North Kivu.” UN Integrated Regional Information Networks. 23 August 2007. http://allafrica.com/stories/200708230591.html

“DRC: Thousands disarm and join reintegration process in Ituri.” IRIN. 21 August 2007. http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73839

“Congo refugees return from Uganda.” 23 August 2007. BBC.com. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6959036.stm

Tension between Uganda and DR Congo

The border separating the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda becomes increasing dangerous. Uganda is one of several countries involved in DR Congo’s five-year war. Currently, 17,000 soldiers, the largest UN peacekeeping force in the world, are stationed in DR Congo.

Last week, DR Congo’s army led a deadly attack across Lake Albert. Two people were killed when men dress in Congolese army uniform argues with security guards working at an oil barge owned by the company Heritage. The border between Uganda and DR Congo cuts straight through the lake. This makes it very difficult to control and patrol a watery frontier and especially so for 600 fishermen. In an unrelated incident, four Ugandan were arrested for trespassing.

Thousands of refugees fled from Congo into Uganda within the past three days. Ten thousands refugees spent the night in small town school. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, the refugees migrated after the UN mission in Congo, MONUC, fired shots into the air when a demonstration organized by militia General Laurent Nkunda turned violent. Luckily, Uganda has one of most generous refugees in the world. Presently, Uganda houses 218,000 refugees from South Sudan, DR Congo and Rwanda.

For more information please see:

“Uganda and Congo’s Trouble Waters” BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6948086.stm 16, Aug. 2007.

“Uganda: Congolese Flee to Country” AllAfrica.com: http://allafrica.com/stories/200708230002.html  22, Aug. 2007.

“Uganda threatens Congo over Raid” BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6939976.stm  10, Aug. 2007.

UN Report Detailing Darfur Rapes

A UN report released today provides new details about the rape of dozens of Darfur women last year.  The report is a follow up to one issued in April 2007.  The women recounted that they were sexually assaulted in front of each other, beaten with sticks and forced to cook and serve food to their attackers.  Some of the victims became pregnant as a result of the attacks. The report accuses the Sudanese government of failing to investigate the rapes, allegedly carried out by Sudanese soldiers and allied militiamen. 

For more information, please see:

United Nations Press Release with a link to the full report - Sudan: Women and Children Must Be Protected From Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Says High Commissioner for Human Rights - 21 August 2007

Yahoo News - UN reports new details on Darfur rapes - 21 August 2007

Charles Taylor Trial Delayed Until 2008

Charles Taylor’s new defense team will now have until 7 January 2008 to prepare for the former Liberian president’s war crimes trial.   Taylor’s trial began June 4 with prosecution’s opening statements.  Taylor boycotted the trial, sending a letter to the judge firing his attorney’s and claiming he wanted to represent himself.  He later ended his boycott, appearing in court to demand new attorneys and more money for his defense fund.  The court has increased his defense fund and appointed a new defense team headed by Courtney Griffiths of the UK.

Taylor is charged with arming and supporting rebels who murdered thousands of civilians and mutilated thousands more during the 10 year civil war of Sierra Leone, which ended in 2002.  Taylor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Griffiths argued that the defense team needed more time in order to adequately prepare for his trial. The new defense team was appointed on August 1 and was given access to Taylor’s personal archive last week. Presiding Judge Julia Sebutinde stated that the delay was reasonable “given the complexity of the case with which the new defense team now has to grapple.”   The delay was granted during a status conference, one in a series that will occur over the next few months to evaluate the progress of the prosecution and defense in presenting their case. 

Human Rights Watch says that its fair for Taylor to receive a delay, given that the prosecution has had years to gather evidence and prepare its case.   However, human rights organizations and activists are still inpatient for the trial to begin.

For more information, please see:

BBC News  - Taylor Trial Delayed Until 2008 – 20 August 2007

AllAfrica.com  - War Crimes Trial of Former Leader Postponed by UN-Backed Court – 20 August 2007

Voice of America News  - Court Delays Charles Taylor’s War Crimes Trial Until 2008 – 20 August 2007

Mercury News  - Taylor’s defense gains more time – 20 August 2007

Dusk to Dawn Curfew Imposed in Niger Delta

In Port Harcourt, Nigeria, a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed on Friday after a violent clash between security forces and gang members left dozens dead. According to a senior military official, the fighting ceased when three boatloads of fighters on the Port Harcout waterways were attacked by a Nigerian helicopter gunship.

Furthermore, top gang lord, Sobomo George, is rumored to have died in the fighting, as he was believed to be in a building that burnt down. Nevertheless, there are contrary reports that top military officials have spoken to George after the clash by telephone. Neither account has been officially verfied.

The curfew imposed will last one week and then it will be reevaluated by government officials. Although there has not been any further reports of security threats or fighting in the Niger Delta, Nigerian troops have entered the hard hit area of Port Harcout.

According to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Luka Yusuf, the troops may be deployed in the region for over six months. Yusuf stated that if the governor, acting as chief security officer, "feels that the security situation has improved he will ask for the pulling out of the solders to the barracks." Concerns that face long deployment are the challenges of training, equipment and mainting welfare of the troops.

For more information, please see:
"Nigeria: PH - Troops May Remain Beyond 6 Months" AllAfrica.com 21 Aug 2007. http://allafrica.com/stories/200708210003.html

"Curfew in Niger Delta after deadly battles." CNN.com 17 Aug 2007.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/08/17/nigeria.violence.ap/index.html

"Curfew Imposed in Rivers." AllAfrica.com 18 Aug 2007.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200708180038.html