By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda-Political repression and instability are on the rise as the presidential elections in the Republic of Rwanda draw near.   Violent instability has received international attention after the shooting death of the independent journalist Jean-Leonard Rugamsbage on July twenty-forth.   Rugamsbage died instantly after being shot in the head and chest by assailants who were waiting outside of his house.

The murder of Rugamsbage is just the latest attack against journalist in Rwanda.  In February 2007, Jean-Bosco Gasasira, an editor for the independent Rwandan newspaper Umuvugizi’s narrowly survived an attack after speaking out about the harassment of journalists in Rwanda at a presidential news conference.  Now Human Rights Watch is leading an effort to bring attention to the current situation in Rwanda in order to clamp down on violence against journalists.  Africa director at Human Rights Watch, Rona Peligal, contends that in the run-up to the election “the government is lashing out to silence its opponents and critics.”

Critics of the government including Umuvugizi contend that the government is responsible for the death of Mr. Rugamsbage.   Mr. Gasasira, who recently fled to Uganda after publication of an article critical of the government caused discontent among army leadership, claims that the government maintains a campaign against journalists and is involved in this most recent attack.  Mr. Gasasira believes that the government sought to silence Mr. Rugamsbage for publishing an article linking the government with the failed assassination of Lt. Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa, a former high ranking leader of the Rwandan army.  International organizations are currently seeking an independent investigation into this most recent murder and into violence against journalists throughout Rwanda.

Paul Kagame, the current President of the Republic of Rwanda has denied allegations that his government is behind the murder of Mr. Rugamsbage.   President Kagame told Reuters that “[t]he government of Rwanda might have its disagreements with journalists, like other governments, but we do not kill them.”   The government had already taken action against Umuvugizi, suspending the publication and blocking its website alleging that it was merely a sensationalist newspaper.   The President also reported that he requested the initiation of an investigation into Mr. Rugamsbage death.   Two men have been arrested for Mr. Rugamsbage’s death.

The upcoming election is only the second election since the 1994 genocide.  Mr. Kagame is expected to be re-elected for another term.   International organizations have expressed concern that Mr. Kagame’s re-election would lead to further suppression of freedom of press in the country.

For more information please see;

Associated Press – Rwanda Denies Involvement in Journalist’s Death – 29 June, 2010

Huffington Post – Kagame’s Rwanda Attacking Journalists and Political Opponents – 27 June, 2010

Reuters – Rwanda Repression Rises Ahead of Poll – 27 June, 2010

Irish Times – Editor of Rwandan Paper Shot Dead – 26 June, 2010

New York Times – Rwandan Editor Who Accused Officials in Shooting Killed – 25 June, 2010

By Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Bujumbura, Burundi – Pierre Nkunrunziza, incumbent president of Burundi. Observers are concerned that Burundi’s elections scheduled for Monday will throw the country back into violence just 5 years after a civil war that lasted 12 years and claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.  Currently, incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza is the only candidate in the upcoming presidential race and as such is poised to win.  All opposing candidates have withdrawn from the race alleging election fraud at the local level in spite of requests from the international community for them to rejoin.  Among the candidates who have dropped out is Agathon Rwasa who is rumored to be in hiding in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Rwasa is the former rebel leader of the National Liberation Forces which surrendered last year, five years after the other warring groups agreed to create a power sharing government.

African Union head, Jean Ping, issued a statement urging those in Burundi who would protest the elections to use only legal means to do so.  “He is appealing urgently to all the political actors to refrain from any action likely to lead Burundi back to the horrors of the past and that could jeopardise the political and democratic progress of the past few years,” the statement continued.

Despite Ping’s plea, almost forty grenade attacks have occurred in the past two weeks alone.  The worst of these, a grenade attack at a bar that injured twenty people, took place in Kayanza in northern Burundi.  Another grenade attack in Muramvya left one child injured.  In addition, numerous political offices across the country have been set on fire.  While suspects are in custody, the tension created by the local elections is only serving to escalate acts of violence throughout Burundi.  Defence Minister Germain Niyoyankana acknowledged the increase in grenade attacks following the opposition’s rejection of the local election results saying, “The situation is still under control . . .[but t]he same Burundians who were responsible for the crisis we went through are still around. They may still have they same mindset.”

For more information please see:

American Free Press, AU concerned about Burundi poll, 25 June, 2010

American Free Press, 21 hurt in new Burundi grenade attacks: police, 19 June, 2010

BBC News, African Union warns Burundi politicians ahead of vote, 25 June, 2010

BBC News, Burundi mystery over ex-rebel chief Rwasa’s whereabouts, 24 June, 2010

By: Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The Partnership Africa Canada (PAC), an international organization seeking to prevent human rights violations in Africa, is in an intense struggle against the government of Zimbabwe to stop human rights abuses in the country’s diamond mines.  In its June report entitled “Diamonds and Clubs: The Militarised Control of Diamonds and Power in Zimbabwe,” the organization observed that government sponsored smuggling operations have led to numerous human rights violations in a diamond mine in Chiadzwa.  In addition to numerous other claims, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is being accused of using his military to intimidate, manipulate and murder citizens.

PAC has taken a more direct and hard-line stance against the government after the recent arrest of Farai Maguwu, a rights activist who is currently facing charges of “communicating falsehoods” about the violence at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.  Rights groups including Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are concerned that Mr. Maguwu is being tortured and that the government will keep him incarcerated indefinitely.

In an attempt to stem the violence, international organizations led by PAC are asking the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme to redefine the scope of the term “blood diamonds” to cover those diamonds and gems mined in Chiadzwa.  The Kimberly Process is a joint government, industry and civil society initiative designed to stop the flow of conflict diamonds around the world.   The Kimberly Process imposes strict requirements on member states and only certifies for trade those gems which are “conflict-free.”  Zimbabwe is one of 49 member nations to the Kimberly Process.

PAC claims that the current definition is outdated and too narrow in scope.  Representatives noted that the definition “erroneously assumes all governments are legitimate and does not recognize that such governments in whole or part could engage in acts of terror or criminality as egregious as any rebel movement.”  PAC further noted that the Kimberly Process has lost credibility on the world stage and fears continued inaction against the government of Zimbabwe.  PAC is also pushing the United Nations to emplace an embargo and all Zimbabwean diamonds until the government can properly control the mining and trade of its diamonds.  This seems unlikely however, as a similar attempt to inhibit the trade of Zimbabwean diamonds was rejected last year by China, Russia and South Africa.

The government however, contends that it is being treated unfairly.  Government officials have protested that Zimbabwe’s inability to get trade certification has slowed economic growth and has taken power away from the government.  In fact, the government’s Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu argued that the PAC is simply trying to “demonise their country” and is working against the people of Zimbabwe.  Minister Mpofu concluded that the government of Zimbabwe would handle the situation independently and legally.

The United States has also come out against the rights violations however; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted that the U.S. is “trying to walk a fine line between supporting the people and keeping the pressure on the Mugabe leadership.”  President Obama recently renewed “targeted sanctions” against 220 officials and agencies associated with the Mugabe regime.   According to Clinton, the United States recognizes that Zimbabwe’s ruling elite is corrupt and are profiting from the country’s diamond exports at the expense of the poor.

An official review will take place next week in Tel Aviv however the Kimberly Process monitor to Zimbabwe has already recommended that the nation be allowed to sell diamonds mined from Chiadzwa.

For more information, please see:

The Herald (Harare) – Government Mines Prompts ‘Blood Diamond’ Review – 16 June, 2010

SW Radio Africa – No Agreement From KP Monitoring Group on Diamonds – 16 June, 2010

BBC Monitoring Africa – Clinton Says U.S. Renewed Sanctions Imposed Against Zimbabwe to ‘Pressure’ Mugabe – 15 June, 2010

BBC Monitoring Africa – South African Based group Concerned About Possible Torture of Zimbabwean NGO Chief – 15 June, 2010

Global Witness  – Mugabe Elite Grab Diamonds, Says NGO – 14 June, 2010

SW Radio Africa – Report Says Diamonds Sustain Mugabe Regime – 14 June, 2010

The Kimberly Process

By Laura Hirahara

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

On Tuesday the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis announced it was stopping the payment of $300 million in aid money to Zambia after Zambian officials refused to address corruption concerns within the Ministry of Health.  John Liden, director of communications for the Global Fund, stated that despite identifying the individuals within the Ministry responsible for the corruption the Zambian government has been slow to respond.  “That’s one of the reasons we feel we do not have confidence that the Ministry of Health, at this stage, can continue to channel funding of this magnitude for health in Zambia,” said Liden.

The Global Fund’s aid freeze comes after the European Union halted funding to Zambia for road construction projects and a year and a half after Sweden and the Netherlands stopped $33 million from being sent to the Ministry of Health after $5 million went missing.  An economist with the University of Zambia, Oliver Sassa, noted that the allegations of corruption have a serious impact on the donors who send aid to Zambia as these donations account for thirty percent of the government’s budget.  “This [aid freeze] touches directly on life and should send a signal to the government on the importance of accountability,” said Sassa.

The Global Fund’s report of corruption within the Ministry of Health adds to the graft allegations against Zambia’s president, Rupiah Banda.  Many doubt Banda’s ability to remedy corruption in Zambia after the government failed to appeal the acquittal last August of Zambia’s former president Frederick Chiluba who had been charged with stealing $480,000 in Treasury funds.

The Global Fund stated that life-saving treatments would not be affected by their decision.  While the Global Fund has yet to specify how funds will be distributed in the future, Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao said the funding would now be paid through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

For more information please see;

BBC News, Global Fund Freezes Zambia Aid Over Corruption Concern, 16 June, 2010

Reuters, Zambia Dismisses Fears of Looming Health Crisis, 16 June 2010

Daily Nation, Global Fund Suspends funding to Zambia, 15, June 2010

IBI Times, Global Fund Freezes Zambia Aid Citing Corruption, 15 June 2010