Impunity Watch: Africa

BRIEF: Darfur Death Toll is Likely Much Higher

DARFUR, Sudan - In 2006 the United Nations estimated that 200,000 people had died in Darfur.  Now the same man who calculated the figure two years ago says that number is too low.  The calculation was done by the former United Nations humanitarian chief, and current special adviser to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,  Jan Egeland.  He has suggested to the Associated Press that thousands and thousands more have been killed due to fighting since 2006.  Egeland has asked for the discontinued use of the 200,000 figure because it is outdated and wrong.  Egeland and human rights groups believe the figure is much closer to 400,000.  While aid work has helped more people since the 2005 survey the total number of affected people has quadrupled to four million.

Egeland suggests that a broad mortality survey would be able to more accurately calculate the death toll of the five year conflict.  Surveyors, however, would need better access to areas previoiusly unreached.  The Sudanese government has not allowed many aid workers to reach certain areas in Darfur and continuing violence between ethnic African rebels adn janjaweed militias have prevented surveyors from risking the danger.  Currently there are no plans for a new survey.  The United Nations has instead decided its efforts are better directed towards the four million people continuing to suffer in Darfur.  Co-Chairman of Enough Project, John Prendergast, works to end genocide and impunity.  Prendergast argues to Yahoo! News that "mortality studies can be done with a few epidemiologists and aren't that costly or time consuming."

The Sudanese government disputes Egeland's estimate as too high and argues the number is lower than 10,000.  Aid workers say the Sudanese government's calculation does not represent all deaths resulting from the conflict.  Deaths have occurred not only by gun fire but by hunger and disease that has increased during the violence.  Richard Garfield, who works with the WHO, says the job now should be to help those who can be helped and provide security to reach those aid workers can't reach and situations are unknown.

For more information please see:

Yahoo! News - Is Death Estimate for Darfur Too Low? - 28 March 2008

Calgary Sun - Darfur Death Toll of 200,000 Disputed - 29 March 2008

BRIEF: Chad president pardons French aid workers for kidnapping children

N’DJAMENA, Chad – Six French aid workers accused of planning to abduct one hundred and three children African children were pardoned by President Idriss Deby of Chad. The six were detained October 25 of last year, as they were about to put the children on a flight to France in the eastern Chad town of Abeche, across the border from Darfur. The six, who worked for Paris-based charity Zoe’s Ark, believed the children to be orphans from Darfur, and were trying to rescue them from the troubled region and the suffering they believed they would experience there. They had planned to take them to foster homes in Europe. However, most of the children turned out to be Chadian, and not war refugees. In addition, the majority were not even orphaned, having at least one living parent.

The members of Zoe’s Ark were charged with abduction and fraud charges and sentenced to eight years hard labor, before being sent to France to continue in jail under a co-operation agreement. Before sentencing, the six protested the charges by going on a hunger strike, insisting they were acting in good faith, but their actions were unilaterally criticized by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. President Deby’s pardon, while expected, was supported by the French Government.

For more information, please see:

BBC News  – Chad pardons French aid workers– 31 March 2008

Reuters – Timeline of events in Zoe’s Ark case – 31 March 2008

Times Online – Chad president pardon’s Zoe’s Ark aid workers – 31 March 2008

More Allegations of Election Tampering in Zimbabwe; Israeli Intelligence May Be Involve

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Officials of the opposition party said Friday that incumbent Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe hired Israeli intelligence services to him win the election yesterday. 

A spokesperson for presidential candidate Dr. Simba Makoni told the Mall & Guardian newspaper that the voters’ role was tampered with.  The voters’ role, he alleged, was devised by Mossad agents acting on Zimbabwean government instructions.  Mossad may have played an important role in creating the controversial voters’ roll.

The opposition MDC purchased the electronic version of the voters’ roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for $2400, which, according to information technology expert Valentine Sinemane, was compiled by Nirkuv Projexts, an Israeli company.

More than 8,000 ghost voters were discovered when the addresses on the voters’ roll was examined.  Many of the addresses were found to be empty stands with no residential buildings.

Ibbo Mandaza, Dr. Makoni’s spokesperson, said that Mugabe’s Zanu-PF requested Mossad help because it has experience with elections.

“They have expertise in vote-rigging,” he said.

President Mugabe is seeking his sixth term in office.  He has been accused of rigging with previous elections, and has refused to allow outsiders into the country to oversee a fair election.

On election day yesterday, some polling stations opened late, and other ran out of ballot papers after only a few hours.  There were also reports that some opposition polling agents were being denied access to polling stations throughout the country.  Riot police in Bikita West allegedly assaulted people suspected to be linked to the NCA or Youth Forum.

Reports of “assisted” voting were also made throughout the country.  Mugabe amended the Electoral Act last week to allow the police into polling stations to assist “illiterate” voters.  This was criticized as an attempt to influence and intimidate voters, reports AllAfrica.com. 

Political commentator Dr. John Makumbe reported that police units were stationed outside polling stations in Harare.  He has been monitoring the elections for the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.

SW Radio Africa reports that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said that there are 8,500 voters registered in ward 42, despite the fact that there are 1500 stands there that have no houses built yet.  A SW Radio Africa correspondent also reported that he spoke to voters there that admitted to being bused in from other constituencies in new vehicles distributed by Mugabe at his rallies in Harare.  These same individuals also admitted they would vote again in their home constituencies, which is clearly vote rigging.

Despite this rigging, another spokesman of Simba Makoni says that preliminary results show that “Robert Mugabe is history,” claiming that the incumbent had come in a distant third, after Tsvangirai and Makoni.  Other reports have Makoni third in the poll, and others show that Tsvangirai has won in a landslide.  The true winner will not be known until the official results are announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

For more information, please see:
SW Radio Africa – Makoni spokesman says Mugabe is history – 30 March 2008

AllAfrica.com (SW Radio Africa) – Zimbabwe:  Polling Stations Run Out of Ballot Papers – 29 March 2008

Africa News – Israeli intelligence behind Mugabe – Makoni – 28 March 2008

Brief: Update on Charles Taylor Trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The Special Court for Sierra Leone trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor observed a recess this week, following eight weeks of testimony. The proceedings will resume March thirty-first.

In the meantime, Madam Regina Dogolea, widow of Taylor’s first Vice President Enoch Dogloea reacted to statements made during witness testimonies that suggested her husband’s death was anything but an accident. The statements by witnesses were made before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and suggested some foul play in her husbands’ death. She warned that “all those . . . using the peaceful demise of her husband as a means of defaming other characters . . . or on the basis of spreading falsehood should desist and allow his soul to rest in perfect peace.” Questions arose based on a committee that Taylor established to probe into allegations that Dogolea was beaten to death.  Madam Dogolea said her husband was sick, and as his sickness intensified, the government played its part, but that the sickness eventually killed him, refusing to acknowledge any speculation of impropriety.

In addition, Madam Dogolea spoke kindly of the support, cooperation and protection of security apparatus during her husbands tenure. Thus, she dismissed any evidence or statements that she or her husband had complained about harassment, death threats or any physical violence by security.

Taylor is accused of orchestrating atrocities during the civil war in Sierra Leone, including the murder, rape, and forced conscription of children into his army. He has pled not guilty to all charges. The 59 year old is the first former African head of state to appear before an international war crimes tribunal.

For more information, please see:

The Trial of Charles Taylor – last accessed 29 March 2008

allAfrica.com – Dogolea’s Wife Reacts to TRC Hearings – 28 March 2008

Human Rights Council Demands Resolution in Darfur

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Senior Article Editor

GENEVA, Switzerland – Today, the United Nations’ Human Rights Council issued a proposal to Sudan to resolve its human rights violations and improve its prosecution of those responsible. In a joint report issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN/AU mission in Darfur last week, the international community acknowledged that Sudan forces deliberately attacked villages in Darfur in the past two months. This resolution condemns Khartoum for these attacks, in which 115 people died and 300,000 were forced from their home.

Relief agencies, like the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have expressed concerns over the alarming number of attacks by bandits. Humanitarian organizations claim the attacks on personnel and cargo have reached an unprecedented rate. The office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, reports that three humanitarian workers and one truck driver have been killed and nearly 90 workers abducted since the beginning of 2008. Furthermore, 29 WFP truck drivers remain unaccounted for after being kidnapped at gunpoint. The agencies warn that the violence is impeding and threatening to disrupt the delivery of food and aid to thousands of desperate people.

The Human Rights Council, a 47-member body, which includes Islamic and African countries, passed the resolution in consensus. The proposal was a compromise between European and African countries. Canada’s representative expressed regret that “the resolution did not reflect the seriousness of the human rights situation in Sudan”, however stated that they would not block its passage and have joined consensus.

Khartoum claims only 9,000 have been killed during the five year civil war, however international reports estimate roughly 200,000 people have died and nearly 2.2 million displaced. With the situation becoming increasingly more violent and relief obstructed, the UN resolution may not address the urgency of the people. Alone, the Canadian representative realizes “[t]he people of Sudan deserve better.”

For more information please see:

Yahoo News (AFP) - UN Human Rights Council Resolves to Pressure Sudan Over Darfur – 27 March 2008

AllAfrica.com – Sudan: Worsening Banditry Threatens Humanitarian Effort in Darfur - 27 March 2008

Reuters: Africa – U.N. Body Calls on Sudan to Tackle Rights Abuses - 27 March 2008

Zimbabwe Government Refuses to Allow Certain Media to Cover March 29 Elections

By: Julie K. Narimatsu
Impunity Watch Managing Editor - Journal

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwean government has refused to allow several leading news agencies to cover the March 29 elections.  Among the banned news organizations are U.S.-based CNN and MSNBC, South Africa-based E-tv, Britain-based ITV, Sky, The Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, and South Africa-based Independent Newspapers Group and ETV.  News organizations given the green light by the Zimbabwean government are state-owned South Africa Broadcasting Corporation, Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al-Jazeera, however, accreditation was granted with conditions.  South African Broadcasting Corporation is being forced to use Zimbabwean equipment to transmit their broadcasts, while all are being warned that behavior of staff would be attributed to bureau chiefs. 

Zimbabwean journalists have also been rebuffed.  Hopewell Chin-ono, the recipient of the “Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship, has been told he cannot cover the elections, though his accreditation is valid until the end of the year.  Reporters Without Borders has condemned these refusals, calling upon the Zimbabwean government to honor its international commitment.  In 2004, Zimbabwe signed the Southern African Development Community’s “Principles and Rules Governing Democratic Elections” requiring member states to grant “total access to national and international media.” 

Presidential spokesman George Charamba admitted that most requests to cover the elections were refused, noting the attempt to “turn journalists into observers and security personnel from hostile countries.”  CNN, however, was given no reason for the denial of their request.  CNN is planning on covering the elections from the surrounding area, but has stated that they “hope the government will reconsider its decision.”

Meanwhile, opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and many civil society organizations are decrying the acts of the ruling regime, alleging that the Zimbabwean government has impounded a helicopter that was to be used by Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of MDC, to attend rallies.  Amnesty International, in particular, has noted the government’s attempts to harass opposition leaders and maintaining surveillance of the activities of civil society organizations.  An Amnesty International staff person claimed that while incidents are not as severe as past elections, they still exist and could have an impact on the elections.  Such activities include state officials attending meetings and interrogating staff.

MDC is asserting an increase in violence against their candidates and supporters this week.  According to a MDC spokesperson, MDC candidates are staying away from rallies and campaigning due to fear of retribution.  While reports have been made to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, MDC claims that nothing is being done and that the victims of violence are actually being arrested and spending days and weeks in custody without charges.

For more information, please see:

CNN.com - CNN denied permission to cover elections in Zimbabwe - 25 March 2008

swradioafrica.com - Top ZANU-PF officials directing violence against opposition - 26 March 2008

Reporters Without Borders - Government bars many international news media from covering 29 March elections - 26 March 2008

Amnesty International - Zimbabwe opposition suffer pre-election harassment - 26 March 2008

swradioafrica.com - Amnesty International blast Zim police for harassment of opposition - 26 March 2008

Impunity Watch -Mugabe Accused of Attempting to Rig Elections... Again - 24 March 2008

Impunity Watch - Legitimacy of Upcoming Zimbabwean Election Already in Question - 21 March 2008

BRIEF: Free and fair vote in Comoros is a “priority”

ANJOUAN, Comoros – The government of Comoros, following the overthrow of the island’s self proclaimed leader, stated that a free and fair vote in Anjouan “is a priority.” The island nation is one of three, located two-hundred and fifty miles off Africa’s southeast coast, each ruled by a different regional president under the authority of the main leader Ahmed Abdallah Sambi. Comoros has been ruled illegally by Mohamed Bacar since 2001. His rule ended Tuesday, when hundreds of Comoros government troops with the support of African Union troops stormed the capital, at the order of Sambi. Bacar fled the capital, and his whereabouts are currently unknown.

The troops, now occupying the capital, freed all of the prisoners from the main jail, which included a number of men who were imprisoned for their political views. One of the freed prisoners said he was picked up by the police at the place of his employment, and told he was being jailed on the grounds that he was a distant relative of Sambi. When Comoros troops came to the capital, troops backing Bacar came to the jail wanting to kill the supposed political opposition members. Only the penitentiary guards, who refused to open the cells, saved them.

Comoros has a history of instability, enduring nineteen coup or coup attempts since independence from France in 1975.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – Comoros troops free prisoners in Anjouan capital wrested from rebels – 26 March 2008

Voice of America – Comoros Promises Fair Elections for Former Rebel-Controlled Anjouan -26 March 2008

Sudanese officials criticize UN report claiming attackers violated international law, as obstacles continue to plague Darfur peacekeeping mission

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABU SUROUJ, Sudan – The United Nations has condemned recent attacks by militias and the Sudanese army on West Darfur villages, claiming they violated international humanitarian and human rights law. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human rights and the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur recently issued a report, criticized the army, suggesting the widespread destruction after the attacks was deliberate military strategy. This report was issued in response to February attacks which killed at least one hundred and fifteen people, and displaced another thirty thousand. 

The report claims attackers burned down villages, conducted aerial bombing in helicopter gun-ships and fixed wing aircrafts, and organized a large-scale ground assault by armed militia on horses and camels. It quotes witness reports of government-backed militia on camels, shooting at residents and looting. Witnesses also saw the Sudanese army joining in these attacks, most notably raping young girls.

The Government led attacks were intended to rout forces of the opposition Justice and Equality Movement from the northern corridor of west Darfur, an area in the rebel groups’ control. For its part, the Sudanese government blames rebels in Darfur for attacks on civilians and the looting of their property, and claimed the U.N. report was “totally false.”  Brigadier General Osman Mohamed al-Agbash suggested in a statement that the army was merely doing its duty to civilians in going “after rebels and bandit groups all over the country.” He also suggested that the army regarded the security and protection of human life, in execution of this plan.

The U.N. report, however, claimed otherwise, suggesting the attacks “violated the principal of distinction stated in international humanitarian law, failing to distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives.” The resulting dead only added to the over two hundred thousand who have died in Darfur since the rebels took up arms in 2003.

As Darfur attempts to recover from these attacks, the long-awaited peacekeeping force expected to bring stability and peace to the war-torn region was in danger of failing before even beginning its mandate. The mission, a joint effort between U.N. and African Union troops, was expected to take over for an “exhausted” African Union force January first, with twenty-six thousand reinforcements.  However, only nine thousand of those promised have actually arrived, and the rest will not make it until the end of the year. Even those troops in place, including the African Union force, lack essential equipment. Armored personnel carriers and helicopters promised have not arrived. Manpower is lacking. Soldiers even have to pay for paint for their own helmets.

The peacekeeping force is suffering from bureaucratic delay, stonewalling by the Sudanese government and reluctance from troop-contributing countries. A major part of this is due to the active nature of the conflict. As U.N. Special Representative Rodolphe Adada said, “How do you keep peace when there is no peace to keep?”

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Darfur Attackers Violated International Law – UN  – 21 March 2008

United Press International  – Darfur peacekeepers struggle for ground – 24 March 2008

International Herald Tribune – More obstacles plague Darfur peacekeeping mission – 24 March 2008

BBC News – Sudan rejects Darfur rape charges – 22 March 2008

Mugabe Accused of Attempting to Rig Elections... Again

Photo - CNN (AFP)

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

HARARE, Zimbabwe - The discovery of millions of extra ballot forms indicates President Robert Mugabe’s intention to rig the March 29 elections in his favor, reports CNN.

Tendai Biti, the secretary general of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the party in opposition to Mugabe, told CNN that the election commission asked the company that prints paper ballots to make nine million.  Zimbabwe, however, has an electorate of just under 6 million registered voters. 

In addition, 600,000 postal paper ballots, usually requested for civil servants serving abroad, were requested for soldiers and police officers.  The total number of soldiers and police in the country is approximately 50,000.  The approximately 4 million Zimbabweans living abroad are not permitted to vote by mail.

“Remember, when they stole this election away from us the last time, they stole it with 350,000 votes,” Biti said.  “Six hundred thousand is double insurance.  They cannot win a free and fair election in this country.”

Mugabe won a close presidential race against MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2002, where there were also accusations of vote rigging. He has been the country’s only ruler since 1980.  Recently, Tsvangirai was prevented from addressing a rally when air traffic control authorities in Bulawayo grounded his helicopter.  The flight plan was lodged well in advance and had been cleared by authorities, said MDC party treasurer Roy Bennet.  Despite this, he alleges that local officials grounded the helicopter when they realized it held the Opposition leader.

Human Rights Watch has also commented that the elections are likely to be “deeply flawed,” and that “all indications are that once again the people of Zimbabwe will not be able to freely exercise their civil and political rights and vote for the candidates of their choice.”

Monitoring the elections will be impossible, as independent news organizations are banned from Zimbabwe, and no credible monitors are in place, according to CNN.  Mugabe had declared that the Opposition will never take power while he lives.

Critics of Mugabe have also protested the recent change to voting procedures that allows the police inside polling stations.  The Zimbabwe Election Support Network said that the police presence intimidated voters and that it would investigate proposed alterations to vote counting and verification arrangements.

“They are going to rig the election, there is no doubt,” said Archbishop Pius Ncube, an outspoken critic of Mugabe. “People are longing for change, but unfortunately there will be intimidation again. If they feel intimidated then perhaps they will say 'I'll rather not vote' or they will go and spoil their paper.”

Various sources appear to agree that the chances of Mugabe winning a fair election are small.  The Associate Press reports that public opinion is that Mugabe is to blame for food, gasoline, and other shortages.  Zimbabwe also has an official inflation rate of 100,500 percent.  Mugabe says the West is at fault for his nation's problems.

One in five adults in Zimbabwe – approximately 2 million people – are estimated to be infected with HIV, and only 50,000 receive free or state-subsidized treatment.  The Feminist Political Education Project reported Saturday that the price of a month’s HIV/AIDS drugs rose from 30 million Zimbabwe dollars to 1.3 billion Zimbabwe dollars in the last 3 months.  At least 80 percent of the population lives on less than US$1 a day.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune (AP) – 3 million surplus ballot papers raise fears of vote rigging, says Zimbabwe opposition – 23 March 2008

CNN – Mugabe accused of election-rigging plan – 23 March 2008

ABC News – Zimbawean Oppn leader ‘prevented from giving speech’ – 23 March 2008

Sunday Herald – Pius Ncube – Silenced – 23 March 2008

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor continued this week with the cross examination of prosecution witness and former death squad leader Joseph “Zigzag” Marzah, before the court adjourned for a two week recess. Marzah, who last week told the special court that Taylor ordered cannibalism and the execution of civilians, was questions by Lead Defense Counsel Courtenay Griffiths. Griffiths consistently attempted to point out discrepancies between Marzah’s testimony and earlier statements he made to the prosecution, at times angering the witness.

One of Griffiths main allegations was that Marzah was not senior enough to have taken orders from Taylor, and that his true reason for testifying against Taylor was because he had been paid off by the prosecution, which Marzah vehemently denied. Griffiths also emphasized discrepancies between Marzah’s testimony at trial and earlier statements given to the prosecution. These discrepancies included small details, such as where an officer whom he arranged arms shipments for lived. He also accused Marzah of flat-out lying with regards to the tales of cannibalism. In response to Griffiths’ allegations that he was being paid for his testimony, Marzah “said that he had a large palm and rubber farm . . . so that the amounts from the prosecuton to cover his expenses meant little to him.”

Perhaps the most dramatic revelation came when Marzah, angered at the defense’s suggestions that he was never close to Taylor, alleged that he and Taylor had eaten human hearts and multiple occasions. He said that Taylor participated in eating the hearts of two men, and he named a woman who assisted in preparation of the hearts. These incidents allegedly occurred as part of the poro society, a traditional West African secret religious society, that the two men belonged to. After disclosing this, Marzah crossed himself, claiming that he had broken the laws of his poro society, and would not longer be able to be a member.

Marzah also divluged during cross examination that Taylor had ordered the beating of his Vice President, Enoch Dogolea because he was “liasing with the American government.” Dogolea died shortly after the beating.

After the defense rested, the prosecution declined the opportunity to re-direct. The judges also had no questions for Marzah, and the witness was dismissed. There will now be a two-week recess, beginning Monday, before the trial resumes March 31. Prosecutors, who began their case in January, announced that they expect to finish their case in eight months. They expect to call a total of seventy-two witnesses, and provide seventy victims written statements, evidencing atrocities.

Outside of the courtroom, officials this week announced that witnesses testifying in the trial are receiving death threats, deterring some from testifying. Despite protection schemes in place, there are widespread reports of witness intimidation. Many witnesses who were to have testified in open court are now seeking to give evidence anonymously in closed session.

Taylor is accused of orchestrating atrocities during the civil war in Sierra Leone, including the murder, rape, and forced conscription of children into his army. He has pled not guilty to all charges. The 59 year old is the first former African head of state to appear before an international war crimes tribunal.

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Prosecution Witness ‘Zigzag’ Marzah Finishes Testimony, Says Taylor Ate Human Hearts – 18 March 2008

allAfrica.com – ‘Zigzag’ Unclothes Taylor - 19 March 2008

allAfrica.com – Taylor Should Look His Victims in the Eye – 20 March 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor – last accessed 21 March 2008

allAfrica.com – Dogolea’s Crimes – 19 March 2008

Reuters – “Death threats” to witnesses against Liberia’s Taylor – 20 March 2008