Grenade Attack Kills Two in Rwanda

By: Danielle L. Gwozdz
Impunity Watch News Reporter, Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda – Two people were killed in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, by grenade blasts. These blasts also wounded about twenty-two people, police report.

Rwandan marketplace where blast occurred (photo courtesy of AFP)

The first attack occurred on Friday in a marketplace, which killed one and wounded fourteen.

“Two grenades were thrown” during the attack at a market on Friday that had already left one dead and 14 wounded, spokesman Damas Gatare said. “One was caught in the roof of the market but people didn’t identify it.”

Another grenade detonated on Saturday night, in the same area of Kigali. This grenade injured eight people and killed one. Police say that three people have been arrested since this day.

Although police have arrested three people, they gave no further details about who was likely responsible for the blasts.

Kigali, Rwanda is known for as one of Africa’s safest capital cities. However, these blasts are similar to blasts that occurred earlier this year in the capital and in 2010 before the presidential elections.

Since 2010 the country has been hit by grenade blasts that authorities sometimes blame on political dissidents.

This attack has occurred before a parliamentary vote on Monday.

Authorities believe these attacks may have been by political dissidents and Hutu rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) based in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

“I don’t think it is going to impact on the election… everything is in control,” police spokesman Damas Gatare told AFP news agency.

In 2010, Kagame won the presidential election by a landslide. However, rights groups stated that members of the opposition faced threats and attacks.

A coalition, led by Kagame’s party the Rwandan Patriotic Force, is expected to comfortably win in Monday’s parliamentary elections for the chamber of deputies.

Rwanda has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past two decades, with strong economic growth and a drop in corruption, which is credited to Kagame.

Last year 22 people were found guilty of launching a series of grenade attacks around Rwanda, including some former soldiers who were accused of having links with the FDLR rebel movement.

Some FDLR leaders are accused of links to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

For more information, please visit:

BBC News – Blasts in Rwanda capital Kigali kill two ahead of vote – 14 September 2013
SABC – Grenade attacks kill two, injure 22 in Rwanda – 14 September 2013
Business Recorder – Grenade attack kills at least one in Rwanda – 14 September 2013
Aljazeera – Two die in grenade attacks in Rwanda – 14 September 2013
Fox News – Rwanda grenade blast kills one ahead of polls – 14 September 2013

President Obama Defends Syria Policy on “This Week”

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – President Obama defended his shift policy with Syria over the past two weeks in an interview with George Stephanopoulos.  He commented that style was not the critical factor in his decisions. Good policy was.

President Obama reversed his position on the need for military action in Syria last week, opting to pursue diplomatic avenues. (Photo courtesy of Fox News)

The President’s comments, which aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos,” suggested that the current policy of allowing Syria to voluntarily disarm would not preclude a future use of military action.  However, President Obama said a diplomatic solution might end the Syrian Civil War without the need for US intervention.

President Obama accepted criticism that his shifts in policy lacked style, but also criticized Washington for its propensity to “grade on style.”  He drew a comparison to early support for the Iraq War, saying Washington would likely praise a policy that “was very smooth, disciplined, and linear” even if it were a substantive disaster.

While the President conceded his plan lacked style, he explained that there has been progress in negotiations with Syria over the past two weeks, citing as examples Syria’s willingness to join the Chemical Weapons Convention and turn over their current stockpiles to international control.  “If that goal is achieved, then it sounds to me like we did something right,” he remarked.

 

When the conversation shifted to Iran, the President remarked that a nuclear arms race in the Middle East hits closer to the “core values” of the US than chemical weapons in Syria.  He cautioned Iran not to look at the use of diplomatic measures in Syria as an indication that the US would not make military strikes against a “nuclear Iran.”

While speaking on Iran, President Obama revealed that he and Hassan Rouhani, the newly elected President of Iran, have exchanged letters in an effort to reach out.  Rouhani is expected to usher in a more conciliatory foreign policy, already giving authority to his foreign minister to discuss their nuclear program with the US.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Obama says Iran nuclear row ‘larger’ than Syria crisis – 15 September 2013

ABC News – Obama Rejects Criticism of Shifting Syria Policy: ‘I’m Less Concerned About Style Points’ – 15 September 2013

The LA Times – Obama defends deal with Russia on Syria, says it could end war – 15 September 2013

The Guardian – Kerry insists Syria strikes still an option as Obama defends deal with Russia – 15 September 2013

Fox News – Obama defends Syria policy, says Washington too ‘style’ conscious – 15 September 2013

Additional Peace Keepers Head to Central African Republic As President Disbands The Seleka Coalition

By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BANGUI, Central African Republic — As the humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to escalate, President Michel Djotodia announced the dissolution of the Seleka Coalition. The rebel groups in the same group that brought Mr. Djotodia to power in March.

A truck full of Chadian soldiers that are part of the multinational African force of FOMAC (Photo Courtesy of AFP PHOTO)

“The Seleka coalition is dissolved over the length and breadth of the Central African Republic’s territory. Only the Central African security force is in charge of protecting our territorial integrity. Any individual or group of individuals who act in the name of Seleka … after the publication of the present decree … will expose themselves to the full sanctions under the law.””  the statement broadcast Friday afternoon said.

The rebel group has increasingly turned towards violence and looting and it is unclear if Mr. Djotodia’s announcement will do much to curb the violence. It is also unclear if Mr. Djotdia will face any consequences for disbanding the group.

The chief of the Mandaba neighborhood of Bangui told the AP that the move was political. “The measure taken by President Michel Djotodia will change nothing in terms of the behavior of the militia known as Seleka. President Djotodia is trying to create distance and confusion over the acts of abuse committed by their fighters. This is a measure that was taken for the sake of appearance.”

To help maintain security in CAR a regional peacekeeping force that was assembled will receive a boost from the Republic of Congo and the United Nations. The Republic of  Congo already has 150 soldiers in the area and sent 200 more on Sunday.  There are about 2,000 peacekeepers already in the region as part of the Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC). With the addition on U.N peacekeeping troops the number is expected to grow to more than 3,500.

“We need a big force to come here because we are suffering a lot under Seleka,” George Fakida who owns knife workshop in Bangui told the Voice of America.

For further information, please see:

ABC News — More Peacekeepers Head to Central African Republic — 15 September 2013

Voice of America — African-Led Peacekeeping Force Due for Boost in CAR — 14 September 2013

New York Times — Central African Republic: Leader Turns Against Rebels Who Put Him in Power — 13 September 2013

Washington Post — President of Central African Republic dissolves rebel group that brought him to power — 13 September 2013

 

 

The UN Security Council to Act if Syria Fails in Compliance

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 DAMASCUS, Syria-Following a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Russia to ultimately strip Syria of its chemical weapons, an enforceable resolution has been put to the United Nations Security Council.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Serge Lavrov hold a joint press conference discussing agreement to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons (photo courtesy of NBC News)

Under the agreement, Syria must provide a “full catalog of its chemical arsenal within a week and allow United Nations inspectors to start working no later than November.”  If Syria fails in complying, the UN Security Council will take affirmative action.

While it is unclear what steps the UN Security Council will take, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that it was agreed that there will be no “use-of-force trigger” in the resolution.  However, Kerry further went on to say, “The President of the United States always retains the right to defend the United States of America and our interests.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, “There is nothing said about the use of force and not about any automatic sanctions.”

A UN spokesperson said there are ways to establish the “Chapter 7” resolution with a compromise on the use of force.  “Some use the explicit language that allows for the use of military force…others refer to the possibility that the use of force may be invoked if there is non-compliance within the text of the resolution.”

The deal was welcomed and supported by Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General.  He stated that he “hoped that would not just prevent further chemical use in Syria but help pave the path for a political solution to stop the appalling suffering inflicted on the Syrian people.”

On Saturday, the UN said that all necessary documents for Syria to join the chemical weapons convention had been received and that Syria will become part of the treaty on October 14th.

“The Convention will enter into force for the Syrian Arab Republic on the 30th day following the date of deposit of this instrument of accession, namely on 14 October 2013,” stated the U.N press office.

Monday will see the revealing of the UN report on the deadly chemical-weapons attack that occurred last month in Syria.  The report will be presented to Ban Ki-moon by chief inspector Ake Sellstrom, and it has been quoted to be “overwhelming in showing that chemical weapons were used.

A Security Council permanent-member diplomat said, “If the report points to accountability by the Assad government, there may be more discussion of a referral to the International Criminal Court.”

As plans regarding action to be taken in Syria continue to unfold, Kerry and Lavrov will again meet at the UN General Assembly later this month while President Obama is set to address the assembly on September 24.

Despite the cooperation and progress that has been made, international responses have still been guarded.  Many Western nations are wary of Assad and are all too familiar with the frustrated attempt of UN weapons inspectors dealing with Saddam Hussein in Iraq, along with the difficulties of disassembling Syria’s chemical weapons during a civil war.

For more information, please see the following:

Reuters-Assad’s forces on attack after U.S.-Russia arms deal-September 15, 2013

Aljazeera-US and Russia agree on ‘framework’ to remove Syrian chemical weapons-September 14, 2013

CBS News-Syrian chemical weapons agreement bound for United Nations Security Council-September 14, 2013

NBC News-US, Russia reach deal on Syria’s chemical weapons-September 14, 2013

Thousands Gather to Protest in Poland over Parliament and Prime Minister’s Actions

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

WARSAW, Poland – Poland experienced one of its largest demonstrations in recent years, in response to a lagging economy. Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterized the demonstration as an attempt to overthrow the government.

Tens of thousands march in Warsaw against Prime Minister Tusk and his coalition. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

Since 10 September 2013, in response to labor law reform proposals, tens of thousands have marched in Warsaw. Organized by trade unions, the march included a variety of banners, flags, and trumpets. The city council suggested that demonstrators remained peaceful during the march, although some report that smoke grenades were thrown in Castle Square.

While Poland was the only European Union to avoid recession from the economic crisis’s start—and has experienced two decades of uninterrupted economic growth—demonstrators complain that Poland remains behind Western Europe. As the Eurozone struggled through a recession in the first fiscal quarter of 2013, Poland’s economic growth slowed to 0.1%.

“One has to protest because it is getting worse,” said a young woman named Ola. “Compared to Western states we are a sinking ship, despite the fact that we are in the center of Europe and we have the prerequisites to become a European powerhouse.”

In February 2013, the unemployment rate hit a six-year high of 14.4%. Demonstrators demanded that the Polish government increase the minimum wage, provide greater job security, and return the retirement age to 65 for men and 60 for women. Recently, a new law lifted the retirement age to 67 for everyone.

Several also called for Tusk to resign for his failure to improve unemployment rates. Unions add that Tusk refuses to hear their demands or engage in dialogue. While Tusk is Poland’s longest-serving prime minister since communism fell in 1989, his coalition’s popularity is at its lowest level since he took office in 2007.

“We want the departure of Donald Tusk. This is the only way to change social policy in Poland,” Marek Lewandowski, spokesman for the Polish trade union federation Solidarity, told the AFP news agency.

Among the 100,000-120,000 demonstrators, reports suggest that the political right and left joined together in their demands.

“The government gets its last warning today. If it draws no conclusions, we will block the whole country, all roads and highways,” Jan Guz, leader of the OPZZ union told demonstrators.

Marek Duda, the leader of the conservative Solidarity Union said, “We’re becoming slaves in our own country.”

While Tusk’s Civic Platform party waits to compete in the 2015 parliamentary election, regional governments and the European Parliament will hold elections in 2014.

In recent weeks, three of Tusk’s Members of Parliament have resigned. Lawmaker Jacek Zalek, who resigned on 12 September 2013, told reporters the “protests were a sign that we were unable to rise to the challenges that were put before us by Poles.”

Tusk contends that his revised 2013 budget, which passed through parliament, “proves that the government’s majority is stable.”

Peaceful protests provide leaders an opportunity to address public problems, yet can only remain peaceful where the people are heard. Absent an ear, voices become acts, which create arrests and, possibly, impunity.

For further information, please see:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Poles Stage Huge Antigovernment Protest in Warsaw – September 15, 2013

Al Jazeera – Thousands Protest against Polish Government – September 14, 2013

BBC News – Mass Anti-Government March in Poland against Reform – September 14, 2013

Reuters – Tens of Thousands Join March for Jobs in Poland – September 14, 2013

Washington Post – 100,000 Polish Unionists Protest Government Labor Policies in Warsaw March, Threaten to Strike – September 14, 2013

The Guardian – Poland Must Rediscover the True Meaning of Solidarity – September 13, 2013