By Meryl A. White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

GULU, Uganda – Over the past 18 years, a rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) killed over 1000,000 people in Uganda and displaced more than one and a half million civilians. During the 18 years of war, over 200,000 children were abducted. Today, an estimated 1.5 million people live in displacement camps.

On Tuesday, the LRA has asked for forgiveness from northern war victims. Martin Ojul, an LRA spokesman stated that “the LRA made plenty of mistakes and I ask forgiveness for what happened to our people.”

Archbishop of Gulu John Odama told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme, “Forgiveness is healing and it has a more lasting effect then revenge, the perpetuation of hatred, the perpetuation of war.”

Walter, a victim of the violence stated that “the government should not pursue these people into court. They should return to Uganda willingly and the government should just be open to them.”

Local leaders want the LRA commanders to undergo traditional rituals and face the victims’ families. However, rights groups reject forgiveness as “too soft.” These activists want an international court to decide the fate of rebel leaders.

Consy Lawil, 35, who lost her ears, nose, and lips when rebels sliced them off with a machete, believes that LRA leader, Joseph Kony should be taken to The Hague and jailed for his actions.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Uganda’s LRA rebels ask war victims for forgiveness  – 6 November 2007

BBC News –  How to Punish Uganda Rebels – 6 November 2007

BBC News – Uganda Rebels Ask For Forgiveness – 6 November 2007

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The growing fear in the Horn of Africa is a major concern. For several months, both Ethiopia and Eritrea have accused the other of violating the 2002 border resolution which ended the 1999-2000 war that took the lives of roughly 70,000 people. The United Nation’s resolution granted the disputed town of Badme to Eritrea. The terms of the resolution required that the countries physically mark the boundary by the end of this month or the International Boundary Commission would draw it on maps themselves and let it stand.

Ethiopia claims it has accepted the terms of the agreement, although it continues to demand further talks as to its implementation.  Just weeks ago, Eritrea accused Ethiopia of plotting to invade the nation in November. Ethiopia responded by labeling the allegations as “absurd fabrication(s)”, however a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that a “war in the next several weeks is very real.”

In its report, the ICG urges the United States and the United Nations to use their influence to clarify that no destabilising unilateral action will be tolerated. The U.S. views Ethiopia as an ally, but has placed Eritrea on its list of states sponsoring terrorism. The UN, similarly, has expelled the Eritrea foreign staff. In this manner, Ethiopia has “played its cards right” to win U.S. toleration despite being the key player obstructing the border resolution.

The ICG estimates that Eritrea has 4,000 soldiers, supported by artillery and amour in the demilitarized zone and approximately 120,000 more troops positioned nearby. Ethiopia, although deeply involved in the Somali conflicts with Islamic insurgents and in-home clashes with the Ogaden National Liberation Front, is suspected of maintaining 100,000 troops on its border with Eritrea. The United Nations currently has 1,700 peacekeepers monitoring the buffer zone. The ICG and diplomats forecast that the November deadline may be the trigger to another war.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa- Ethiopia and Eritrea may go to War “in Weeks” – 5 November 2007

BBC- New Eritrea- Ethiopia War Fears – 5 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Ethiopia: Analysts Warn of New War with Eritrea – 5 November 2007

For more information on the Border Conflict please see the following Impunity Watch reports:  BRIEF: Heightened Fear of Another War & Eritrea in a Proxy War

Mogadishu, SOMALIA – According to Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program, two ships were released by Somali pirates to the U.S. Navy this afternoon. The South Korean-owned vessels, Muvano 1 and 2, along with its 24 sailors were kidnapped off the Somali coast on May 15. According to South Korean media, the pirates previously demanded between $700,000 and $1 million in ransom.

The hijackers released the ships to the U.S. Navy, which has been patrolling the Somali waters due to the surge of piracy. At the request of the South Korean government, the U.S. Navy is escorting the ships and its crew to a port in Yemen. No injuries were reported.

Commander Lydia Robertson of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain says the increase in U.S military in Somali waters is an opportunity to put some pressure on the pirates. The Navy is also urging the pirates to release the Japanese ship seized last week and two other captured vessels.

Somalia, which has been without an effective government since 1991, lies near crucial shipping routes connecting the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.

For more information, please see:

Yahoo News- Pirates Leave Ship under US Navy Escort – 4 November 2007

Reuters: Africa- Korean-owned Ships Freed by Somali Pirates-group – 4 November 2007

For more information on Somali Pirates concern, please see the following Impunity Watch reports: Another Hijacked Ship ; BRIEF: Piracy Continues to Plague Somalia ; Piracy and Kidnapping Deepens Food Crisis