At Least Seven Killed in Nigerian Shootout

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

ABUJA, Nigeria – Suspected Islamist militants have opened fire on security forces in Nigeria’s capital this past Friday, killing at least seven. Security forces state this shootout was with Boko Haram, but witnesses claim it was an attack of unarmed squatters.

The military say it has killed Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau (photo courtesy of AFP)

The State Security Service (“SSS”) did not give any details as to how many people were killed in the attack. A witness told BBC that he saw nine bodies.

The SSS intelligence service said its forces had been searching an area behind the Apo Legislative Quarters for weapons after a tip-off from arrested members of the anti-government Boko Haram group when they came under fire and shot back.

It mentioned injuries, but no deaths.

This will be the first clash involving Islamists in the capital this year if Boko Haram did open fire. Boko Haram is a group that wants to impose sharia or Islamic law in northern Nigeria.

Boko Haram is most active in north-eastern Nigeria, where a state of emergency was imposed in May.

Attacks in the north-east have increased recently despite a massive military deployment to the worst-affected areas.

However, other witnesses claim that the shooting came during an attempt to move squatters. Six witnesses told Reuters the house was owned by a military man who wanted them to leave his property.

The BBC’s Mohammed Kabir Mohammed in Abuja says the shooting occurred at a two-story building which has been built, but not yet complete. Young men have been using the building to sleep at night.

Although witnesses claim a different number of bodies seen, a doctor who declined his name because he was not authorized to speak to the news stated that there were seven dead.

A Reuters reporter saw a police vehicle dump three bodies and then drive off, “leaving a trail of blood.”

Also, there was no security presence at the hospital, as might have been expected if there had been Boko Haram suspects among the wounded.

A statement from the SSS said: “No sooner had the team commenced digging for the arms than they came under heavy gunfire attack by other Boko Haram elements. Some persons were injured and 12 others have been arrested in connection with the incident.”

However, a 28-year old witness being nursed for leg wounds stated that he was one of the squatters during the attack. He further said that the owner had come on Wednesday and told them to leave, but they refused because they were paying a security guard to be there.

The witness, Mohammed, further stated that the security guard left on Thursday and then around midnight five pick-up trucks arrived carrying armed personnel.

“They began firing. It was crazy,” Mohammed said. “We were running helter skelter and bullets were flying.”

Last month, the army said it had killed Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau but this has not been confirmed and the militants’ attacks have continued.

For more information, please visit:

BBC News – Nigeria’s ‘Boko Haram’: Abuja sees security forces targeted – 20 September 2013
Aljazeera – Deaths reported in Nigeria shootout – 21 September 2013
Chicago Tribune News – Nigerian forces raid building in Abuja, seven killed – 20 September 2013
Africa Review – Boko Haram attack’: Abuja sees security forces targeted – 20 September 2013
War News Updates – Multiple Attacks By Boko Haram And A Massacre Are Being Reported In Nigeria – 20 September 2013

U.N. Weapons Inspectors Return to Syria Wednesday

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – U.N. chemical weapons inspectors are expected to return to Syria on Wednesday according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Ryabkov addressed the inspector’s return on Tuesday when he spoke to the Russian parliament regarding the unfolding situation in Syria.

U.N. chemical weapons inspectors research the use of sarin gas in Syria following an attack on 21 August. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

“We are satisfied that our persistent calls for the return of the UN inspectors for an investigation of the previous episodes have finally borne fruit,”  said Ryabkov.

The weapons experts will be the same team that visited the country during August to investigate the reports of chemical weapons use. The team, led by Ake Sellstrom, presented their report to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon just over a week ago. The report confirmed that a ‘large scale’ sarin gas attack occurred on 21 August just outside of Damascus.

Before the 21 August attack, the UN weapons inspectors were tasked to investigate several other reports of chemical weapons attacks in Syria. However, when the 21 August attack occurred, the team delayed their research and was relocated to focus exclusively on the Damascus attack.

In a statement Tuesday, the U.N. said the investigation will include gathering evidence specifically from the village of Khan al-Assal. The village, just outside of Aleppo, was reportedly the target of a chemical weapons attack on 19 March of this year. Not surprisingly, the rebel opposition and the Assad government adamantly deny responsibility and blame the other.

There have been a total of fourteen alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria since the revolution against the Assad government began in 2011. Two locations of particular interest to United Nations chemical weapons inspectors are Sheikh Maqsoud and Saraqeb. Inspectors received permission from the Assad government to visit the sites back in July, but have been unable to inspect the sites yet.

In late August, the inspectors were to continue there research at sites other than just the Damascus location, but inspectors left the country as the threat U.S. military intervention increased. Since, the U.S. and Russia have come to a general agreement regarding the removal of all chemical weapons from Syria. The passage of an official resolution via the United Nations is expected soon.

For further information, please see:

BBC – UN chemical weapons inspectors ‘to return to Syria’ – 24 September 2013

Huffington Post – UN Chemical Weapons Inspectors Returning To Syria – 24 September 2013

RT – UN chemical weapons experts to return to Syria Wednesday – Moscow –  24 September 2013

Voice of America – Russia: UN Investigators Heading Back to Syria – 24 September 2013

The Taliban Ramp up Violence with Afghan Border Attack

By Kevin M. Mathewson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Militants have killed at least 11 Afghan policemen at a checkpoint on the Pakistani border. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack took place on the border of Pakistan. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

The Taliban, a hard line Islamic group, has proved to be a major threat to the Afghan government.

The attack took place against a series of border check posts in the Shorabak District of Kandahar Province.

Insurgents attacked the border post in the early hours of Sunday morning, said a spokesman for the Kandahar police. In the overnight attack the Taliban insurgents used heavy weapons, including mortars. The insurgents then escaped back across the border to Pakistan, where they are believed to be based.

Also on Sunday, in an unrelated attack, two coalition soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device in eastern Afghanistan.

Then early Monday morning, a district intelligent chief was assassinated on his way to work. Abdul Hussein was sprayed with bullets as he was riding a motorcycle Monday morning near the city of Kunduz.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for these attacks.

The attack on the border police on Sunday comes less than a week after insurgents ambushed a police convoy in the Badakhshan Province in northern Afghanistan, killing 10 and taking 16 prisoners.

The Taliban have ramped up their violence on security officials as foreign forces prepare to withdraw before the end of next year. Afghan police are in the forefront of the fight against Taliban militants. In 2012, more than 2,000 Afghan policemen were killed.

For further information, please see:

NY Times – 11 Officers Killed as Taliban Strike Afghan Border Post – 23 September 2013

BBC News – Afghanistan Taliban kill 11 police in Kandahar province – 23 September 2013

The Daily Star – Afghanistan: Taliban kill 11 border police guards – 23 September 2013

The Hindu – Taliban kill 11 border police guards in Afghanistan – 23 September 2013

News Times – Afghanistan: Taliban kill 11 border police guards – 23 September 2013

India’s Cabinet Passes Executive Order Protecting Convicted Politicians

By Brian Lanciault

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NEW DELHI, India– India’s cabinet moved to shield politicians found guilty of crimes by passing an executive order on Tuesday that could allow convicted lawmakers to continue to hold office and stand in elections, ahead of national polls due by next May.

People gather outside the Indian Parliament building during its session. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

About thirty percent of Indian lawmakers across federal and state assemblies have pending criminal charges against them, and following a Supreme Court order in July, many faced being expelled from their seats. In response, the ruling congressional party had already moved a parliamentary bill to partially reverse the decision of the court, which held that any lawmaker found guilty of a crime could no longer hold or run for elected office.

The current ordinance is believed to resemble the content of the parliamentary bill, which would allow lawmakers facing criminal charges to continue taking part in parliamentary proceedings such as debates, but would not permit them to vote or receive a government salary.

The bill has not yet passed through India’s historically slow-moving parliament. Some commentators believe the government sprung to action in light of the possible corruption conviction of a key electoral ally of the majority,  in a case set to conclude next week.

“When it comes to saving their convicted brethren, they act with lightning speed,” said Amulya Ganguli, a political analyst.

Following India’s 2009 general election, some thirty percent of the lawmakers sworn into the federal and state assemblies had criminal charges against them, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms, an advocacy group.

In the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the national assembly, 162 of the 543 MPs indicated that there were pending criminal cases against them in sworn affidavits filed prior to elections. In the state assemblies, 1,258 of the 4,032 lawmakers declared criminal charges. The amount of subsequent convictions remains unknown.

Before July’s Supreme Court order, Indian lawmakers had been able to capitalize on a loophole whereby those who filed appeals within three months of a guilty verdict could stay in office.

The ordinance must be signed by Indian president Pranab Mukherjee in order to become law. The law must be ratified by parliament within six weeks of the next parliament session. Analysts suspect it will pass with ease.

“There is widespread support for this among the political class,” said Neerja Chowdhury, a political commentator and former political editor of The Indian Express newspaper.

The case due to conclude next week involves Lalu Prasad, a former chief minister for the eastern state of Bihar, and a frequent ally of the ruling congressional party. Prasad is accused of participating in a scam where money was allegedly taken from state treasuries to provide fodder for herds of livestock that later turned out to be non-existent.

“Lalu Prasad’s possible conviction could have prompted the cabinet to pass this ordinance,” Chowdhury said. “There are some who feel that…if they get Lalu Prasad on board they can win Bihar.”

Bihar is one of India’s most important electoral states.

Another influential figure, Rasheed Masood, a majority party member of India’s upper house and a former health minister, was found guilty last week in a corruption case. He was to be the first lawmaker to be affected by the Supreme Court order, according to local reports.

Numerous politicians have been charged with serious crimes such as rape and/or murder. Elected office is lucrative in a country where black markets often thrive under political protection. Political parties are often open to criminal syndicates who bring with them campaign financing.

For more information, please see:

Reuters — India’s cabinet moves to protect politicians convicted of crimes — 24 September 2013

Times of India — Cabinet clears ordinance to shield convicted lawmakers — 24 September 2013

Hindustan Times — Gov’t may bring ordinance to save tainted lawmakers — 23 September 2013

Zee News — Cabinet paves way for convicted MLAs, MPs to contest elections — 24 September 2013

Bloomberg — India Cabinet Counters Step to Ban Convicted Lawmakers, PTI Says — 24 September 2013

Mall Seige Over, Mourning Period Declared by Kenyan President

By: Dan Krupinsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – The four-day siege at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall is finally over, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced on Tuesday.

Kenyan soldiers move into position outside of the mall. (Courtesy: Reuters)

In an address to the nation, Kenyatta said that five terrorists were killed, while 11 others believed to have been connected to the attack have been taken into custody. 61 civilians and six soldiers are also among the dead, according to Kenyatta, but more bodies, including possibly those of additional terrorists, may be buried in rubble, after three stories of the mall collapsed during the attack. The Red Cross put the death total at 62, and said that 65 people are still unaccounted for.

Kenyatta praised the people of his nation for their united stance and support during the siege.

“Fellow Kenyans, we have been badly hurt and feel great pain and loss, but we have been brave, united and strong.  Kenya has stared down evil and triumphed,” he said.

Somalia’s al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that it was payback for Kenya’s military operations in Southern Somalia.

According to witnesses, the attackers questioned many of the civilians about their religious beliefs, and allowed Muslims to go free.

Remarkably, reports have circulated that a four-year old British boy was spared after he confronted a gunman and told him that he was a ‘very bad man’ as he protected his six-year old sister and mother, who had been shot in the leg.

The gunman then reportedly handed the children candy bars, and said “Please forgive me. We are not monsters.”

While most of the gunmen reportedly spoke English, Kenyatta would not confirm reports that some of the attackers were from outside the region, and possibly Westerners.

“Intelligence reports had suggested that a British woman and two or three American citizens may have been involved in the attack,” he said.  “We cannot confirm the details at present, but forensic experts are working to ascertain the nationalities of the terrorists.”

Reports of the potential involvement of a British woman have caused many to wonder it could be Samantha Lewthwaite, the widow of one of the bombers responsible for the London subway attacks in 2005. She has been dubbed “white widow” by the British press.

Lewthwaite is wanted for planning other attacks in Kenya, and has been linked to terrorist groups in the country.

Kenyatta declared that the attackers will be held fully accountable for the “mindless destruction, deaths, pain, loss and suffering we have all undergone as a national family.”

“These cowards will meet justice as will their accomplices and patrons wherever they are,” he vowed, pledging to work with allies in fighting terrorism.

Kenya will officially have a three-day mourning period.


For further information, please see:

All Africa – Kenya: Govt Says Army in Control of Besieged Mall, All Hostages Free – 24 September 2013

CNN – Attackers defeated in mall siege, Kenya’s president says – 24 September 2013

Daily Mail – Astonishing Moment: British boy, four, confronted Kenyan mall gunman – 23 September 2013

Voice of America – Kenyan President Declares Mall Siege Over – 24 September 2013

Washington Post – Kenyan president says siege of Nairobi mall is over, declares mourning period for the dead – 24 September 2013