By Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DJIBOUTI- Djibouti’s government has ousted Democracy International (DI), a United States based election observation and reporting agency, less than a month before the upcoming presidential election on April 8.  Foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf told the Financial Times that DI had failed to maintain political neutrality by supporting opposition parties against the incumbent president Ismael Guelleh.  In declaring DI ‘illegal’ earlier this month, Youssouf said the government hopes to avoid the “chaos and upheaval” seen in the protests and demonstrations of other African and Middle East countries in the last several months.

The head of DI’s operation in Djibouti, Chris Hennemeyer, has denied the group was involved in any illegal activity and asserts DI was only trying to help resolve disputes between Guelleh’s administration and opposition groups when protests began in February.  That protest, which took place on February 18 of this year, attracted approximately 6,000 anti-government supporters.  That rally ended violently when police fired on the crowd, many of whom were throwing rocks.  Dozens were injured and at least one protesters was killed.  Another opposition rally was scheduled for March 4 but did not take place after security forces filled the streets making it impossible for people to gather.

Much of the discontent is aimed at Guelleh himself.  Guelleh’s family has maintained exclusive political control of Djibouti since its independence in 1977 and he has been president since 1999.  In March 2010, Guelleh amended the constitution to remove the two term limit, which would have forced him from office this year, giving himself two more six-year terms.  Opposition leaders are boycotting the upcoming election, saying Guelleh’s actions are illegal and the polls will be rigged.  Many have demanded his resignation and as fears of violent demonstrations escalate, individuals within the opposition movements have been arrested.  Four leaders of one such group were arrested and held for several hours last Friday.  After being released, the group leaders said, “We warn the illegal candidate [Guelleh] against his irresponsible actions at the risk of seeing radicalization of our actions, which have up to now been peaceful. . .The opposition can no longer continue to respect the law when the ruling power itself tramples on it.”

Guelleh’s administration has extended invitations to the European Union, the African Union and the Arab League to observe Djibouti’s April 8 elections and insists they will be fair and free.  However, it is unlikely any of these groups will be able to set up an adequate system to monitor the elections in time.  Hennemeyer said he does not know what will happen in Djibouti, stating “I don’t see Djibouti moving backward, but I’m not sure I see it moving forward in a democratic sense either.”

For more information, please see;

Bloomberg– Djibouti Bans a US-Backed Democracy Advocacy Group One-Month Before Vote– 15 March, 2011

Sify News– Djibouti Evicts US Vote Group Ahead of Election– 21 March, 2011

Financial Times– Election Observers Quit Djibouti– 15 March, 2011

Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – On Thursday, March 17, at least six mortar shells were fired into Abodo, a neighborhood in northern Abidjan. The attack killed between 25 and 30 people and wounded more than 40. The United Nations (U.N.) mission in Ivory Coast claims the attack may qualify as “a crime against humanity.” The U.N. believes this attack was carried out by forces loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo. Numerous international observers believe the once stable West African nation is heading towards civil war.

On Friday, a statement from the United Nations mission to Ivory Coast claimed nearly 100 people were killed or wounded when at least six 81 mm shells were fired into the Abodo district. The statement also noted that “such an act, perpetrated against civilians, could constitute a crime against humanity.” One of the shells hit the Saika Kone market where shoppers had congregated. The U.N. believes the shells were fired from a military base in Abodo and the perpetrators of the attack had been aiming for the market area. Abodo, a northern suburb in Abidjan is controlled by militias loyal to Mr. Gbagbo’s rival, Alassane Ouattara.

According to U.N. human rights chief  Navi Pillay, members of her office went to the scene of the attack and collected physical evidence. Specifically, her investigators noted “”shelling impacts were visible throughout the market and at least three houses were destroyed.”  Ms. Pillay also explained that her “mission collected photographic evidence of the damage caused as well as physical evidence of shell remains.”

Mr. Gbabgo has denied any involvement in the incident. In response to the U.N. statement, Ahoua Don Mello, a spokesman for Mr. Gbagbo’s government, told the AFP news agency the accusations were part of a larger conspiracy by the U.N. and France to oust Mr. Gbabgo and install Mr. Ouattara as president. Further, Mr. Gbabgo claimed that since forces loyal to Mr. Ouattara took control of the neighborhood, his security forces have not had access to Abodo.

International observers claim that this incident is another example of pro-Gbagbo forces firing upon innocent civilians.  The United Nations claims over 400 people have been killed since the disputed presidential election. Prior to the election, Ivory Coast was a peaceful nation prospering from its role as the world’s largest cocoa producer.

For more information, please see:

ABC NEWS — UN Condemns Mortar Attack on Ivory Coast Market – 19 March 2011
2011

New York Times — Ivory Coast: Attack on Market May Be War Crime, U.N. Says – 18 March 2011

Press TV — Dozens killed in Ivory Coast violence – 18 March 2011

Reuters — UPDATE 4-Gbagbo forces kill at least 25 in Abidjan attacks-U.N. – 17 March 2011

RTT News — UN Condemns Mortar Attack On Ivory Coast Market – 18 March 2011

UPI — U.N. wants ‘scale up’ in Ivory Coast – 19 March 2011

By Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MBABANE, Swaziland– As many as ten thousand students, nurses, teachers and other Swazi workers marched through the Swaziland capital of Mbabane on Friday, peacefully protesting the country’s unstable economy.  The protesters are calling for an end to Swaziland’s government which is the last absolute monarchy in Africa, led by King Mswati III.  Swaziland is currently suffering a sharp economic downturn which has caused a majority of wages to drop as much as 60 percent.  Additionally, the International Monetary Fund has denied recent loan requests from the country, stating that Swaziland’s government needs to cut public spending before it can be considered for more loans.

In a statement to the state-run newspaper, Mswati said “We need to work even harder and sacrifice even more today for a better tomorrow. The storms shall pass for sure.”  The protesters who gathered Friday say that suggesting they give up even more in order for conditions to improve is ‘laughable’.  Many are attacking Mswati’s actions, citing his lavish lifestyle, as the factors that have bankrupted the small South African country.  Mswati has been in power for 25 years and despite the fact that his worth is estimated at $100 million USD, average wages in Swaziland are less than $1.  He has lived for years with multiple wives who have separate palaces and it is reported the king has a fleet of luxury cars for his personal use.

It appears the government’s plans to celebrate Mswati’s upcoming coronation anniversary, in combination with the economic slump, prompted Friday’s protest.  Signs in the crowd read “Why Cut Salaries, Cut Corrupt Government” and “Down With Celebrations”.  In a country where political parties are illegal and past demonstrations have resulted in police intervention, Friday’s protest marked the largest gathering of its kind in Swaziland in recent years.

During the protest, Mario Masuku, head of the banned opposition People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) stated, “Swaziland cannot remain an island of dictatorship in the sea of democracy. . .Royalty has squandered the economy. . .We want a government by the people.”  The protesters marched to Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini’s office and gave him a petition which called for the resignation of Dlamini and his cabinet.  The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), which has been working with the unions and the Swazi government during wage negotiations, has issued a statement commending Friday’s protesters.  Cosatu is not only calling for sanctions against the Swazi royal family for greed and corruption but is also planning to organize multiple events and rallies over the coming weeks in an effort to stand in solidarity with Swazi workers.  “Let these actions serve as a clear statement to the world, to SADC [South African Development Community] and to our own government that merely standing by and watching Mswati is an act of accomplice in the persecution of the people of Swaziland.”

For more information, please see;

BBC– Swaziland: Protest at Pay Freeze While King Celebrates– 18 March, 2011

AFP– Work harder, Don’t Protest Swazi King Says: Media– 19 March, 2011

UPI– Swaziland Protesters Demand New Government– 19 March, 2011

Mail & Guardian– Cosatu to Intensify Role in Swazi Protests– 19 March, 2011

By Polly Johnson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

LEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands – The three-year long trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor, who was indicted while in office in 2003 for large-scale atrocities committed in Sierra Leone, came to an end this week.

In closing arguments, the defense argued that Taylor had been a victim of politically motivated selective prosecution and that rebel groups were solely responsible for committing the atrocities.  The prosecution contends that Taylor used the rebel group Revolutionary United Front (RUF), among others, as proxy groups to gain control over Sierra Leone to exploit its mineral resources, giving the rebel groups weapons in exchange for “blood diamonds.”

The RUF engaged in a ten-year spree of terror in Sierra Leone, using rape and murder as weapons to terrorize the population. The group became notorious for slicing off human limbs.

Taylor has denied the charges against him, including murder, rape and using child soldiers during Sierra Leone’s civil war.

The prosecution painted Taylor as a charismatic figure apt to fool those around him into thinking he was a peacemaker, rather than a leader responsible for terrorizing a nation. In response to defense counsel’s contention that documentary evidence failed to establish Taylor’s guilt, the prosecution indicated that the documents merely showed Taylor’s public denial of his involvement with RUF. In private, the prosecution stated, Taylor engaged in arms deals to gain access to diamonds.

The defense focused its rebuttal on denying the existence of joint criminal enterprises between Taylor and the various rebel groups.

At the conclusion of trial on Friday, the judges had received testimony from one hundred and fifteen witness and one thousand ninety-seven exhibits. It is expected to be months before a verdict is rendered.

If convicted, Taylor would serve his sentence in the United Kingdom.

For more information, please see:

Philadelphia Inquirer – After 3-year trial, Liberian awaits war-crimes verdict – 12 March 2011

BBC – Charles Taylor’s Sierra Leone war crimes trial closes – 11 March 2011

Radio Netherlands – Charles Taylor trial concluded – 11 March 2011

Charles Taylor Trial – Defense Concludes Closing Arguments, Attacks Credibility of Prosecution Witnesses – 10 March 2011

By Daniel M. Austin 
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) claims nearly half a million people from Ivory Coast have been displaced by violence surrounding the November 2010 presidential election. The UNHCR figure reflects those individuals who are displaced within Ivory Coast as well as citizens who have fled the country. The UNHRC continues to press the international community for financial assistance to deal with this on-going crisis.

According to figures released by UNHCR, the number of refugees has increased to over 450,000 people. It is estimated that 88,000 people have crossed the border from Ivory Coast into neighboring Liberia, with half of them making the journey within the past two weeks.  In addition to those citizens who fled the country, another 200,000 to 300,000 people are displaced around the capital of Abidjan, while another 70,000 are displaced in the western part of the country. According to UNHCR spokeswoman, Melissa Fleming, the Council has identified over 20 sites around the capital, Abidjan where displace people are gathering. The UNHRC continues to monitor these sites and is assessing their needs. It is already clear refugees in these camps are in desperate need of food and other humanitarian supplies, such as medicine.

The UNHCR is concerned with the international community’s lack of response to the deteriorating security situation in Ivory Coast as well as the widening humanitarian crisis. Reports from Ivory Coast claim the number of refugees as well as violence between the two political factions is increasing. The UNHRC claims that international attention has been diverted from the events in West Africa to the political upheaval occurring in North Africa.

According to Ms. Fleming, the response from donor nations to help finance the humanitarian effort in Ivory Coast is failing. The UNHRC established a goal of $46 million but has only received $5 million in donations. As violent conflict between supporters of the sitting President, Mr. Laurent Gbabgo and the President-elect Mr. Ouattara continues to intensify, the UNHRC is contemplating another push for donations. Ms. Fleming has urged donor nations to be more reactive to the humanitarian crisis taking place in Ivory Coast.

For more information, please see:

Albuquerque Express — Ivory Coast descending into chaos as 450,000 flee violence – 12 March 2011

BBC Africa — Ivory Coast crisis: ‘Nearly 450,000 refugees’ – 11 March 2011

Times Live – 75, 000 refugees have fled Ivory Coast – 12 March 2011

Voice of America — UN: Nearly Half-Million People Displaced in Ivory Coast – 11 March 2011