By Kylie M Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NEW YORK, New York – The UN General Assembly on Friday was blasted for ignoring Zimbabwe’s disregard for international efforts to curb the trade of “blood diamonds.”

According to a UN resolution, the “trade in conflict diamonds continues to be a matter of serious concern.”  The United States, the EU, and a number of other Western delegations criticized the assembly for failing to mention concerns about Zimbabwe’s alleged violation of the Kimberley Process safeguards.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was set up in 2003 following civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.  Those wars were primarily funded by the diamond trade.  It imposes strict requirements on rough diamond shipments to certify them as “conflict-free.”

Zimbabwe’s UN Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku said that Harare is “committed to the Kimberley Process,” and rejected the notion that they were out of compliance.  He believes that the United States and other Western countries are trying to politicize the issue by criticizing his country.

According to Namibia’s report to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, however, there were “credible indications of significant non-compliance with the minimum requirements of the [Kimberley Process] by Zimbabwe.”

Namibia, the current chair of the Kimberley Process, warned that blood diamonds could be making a comeback, noting that internet sales and postal shipments have “proved it difficult to track and reconcile rough diamond shipments.”

Israel will take over Namibia’s post as chair of the Kimberley Process in January.

Syria, Israel’s enemy, fought to keep Israel’s name from a key resolution.  Syrian Ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja’afari, said, “Israel exploits trafficking in diamonds in Africa and other countries in the world in order to fund transactions to sell arms and to promote internal troubles in certain countries, thereby involving children in armed conflict.”

Israel is one of the founders of the Kimberley Process and is a global trading center for rough diamonds.

Before the Kimberley Process about fifteen percent of the world market was made up of conflict stones.  Now they are believed to make up only one percent, although many diamonds are untraceable.

For more information, please see:

AP – Syria hits Israel ‘Conflict Diamond’ Leadership – 11 December 2009

Delaware Online – Blood Diamonds Are No One’s Best Friend – 11 December 2009

Relief Web – General Assembly Reaffirms Strong Support for Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Aimed at Ensuring Diamonds ‘Conflict Free’ – 11 December 2009

Reuters – Zimbabwe “Blood Diamonds” Dispute Breaks Out at U.N. – 11 December 2009

Vancouver Sun – UN Blood Diamond Session Goes Sideways Over Mention of Israel – 11 December 2009

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The latest round of heavy fighting between government forces and rebel fighters in the Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu has left at least 7 dead and 11 others injured.

The clashes started in the capital’s Abdiaziz district where forces loyal to rebel Hizbul Islam group fired a missile to a government troop vehicle, leading to heavy gun battle that killed the seven people, mostly combatants.

The latest clash compounded with last week’s deadly bombing of a medical school’s graduation ceremony, which killed 23 people, including three ministers in the Transitional Federal Government, parents, students, professors and journalists, has created extreme civilian unrest in a country already pervaded with disorder.

A civilian uprising against Al-Shabab seems to be under way, with street demonstrations in Mogadishu on 7 December, and in camps for the internally displaced (IDPs) on 8 December. On both occasions the group’s black flag was burned.

Abdi Mahad, a civil society activist who organized an anti-Al-Shabab demonstration on 7 December, told IRIN the attack was “a wake-up call for all. Up to that point, everybody assumed they were fighting foreigners and the government, but we realized on Thursday [3 December] that they are at war with us; it was the last straw.” Mahad, who is a member of a youth movement in Mogadishu, said his group was planning more demonstrations against Al-Shabab, including one by students. “We will do whatever it takes to stand up to them,” he said.

“Anti-Islamic” Mogadishu resident Ibado Abdi Mohamed did not take part in a demonstration but, on 7 December, was among hundreds of Somalis who took to the streets in protest against Al-Shabab. “I used to be afraid but no more; I am a mother and we have watched for far too long our children being killed senselessly,” she said. Mohamed said what Al-Shabab and allied groups are doing has nothing to do with Islam and accused the groups of being anti-Islamic. “Islam teaches us compassion and kindness,” she said. “What they did [on 3 December] and are doing is cruel and inhuman.”

Al-Shabab recently captured several strategic towns near Mogadishu and is in control of most of southern Somalia up to the Kenyan border. “In my opinion they are seen as occupiers in almost all areas they control, and the attack on Thursday [3 December] will only add to their isolation,” said one observer. “I think the demonstration was a clear signal to them that people have had enough of their violence and will not tolerate it any more.” The government now needs to organize and take the group on militarily, he said. “The people seem to be ready; it is now up to the government to show leadership and take the initiative.”

Somalia’s Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, has called for an international peace plan like the new US strategy for Afghanistan, saying it would be more effective and far cheaper than current efforts to combat the country’s problems of piracy and armed opposition. “What is so startling is that all the conclusions are as true about Somalia as they are about Afghanistan,” he said. Like the embattled government in Kabul, Sharmarke’s UN-backed administration controls only part of the capital, Mogadishu, and is battling to subdue anti-government fighters and pirates who prey on shipping in the Indian Ocean.

Somali powerful militants are bent on overthrowing the fragile UN-backed Somali transition government, which controls little more than a few blocks of Mogadishu. Al-Shabab and other anti-government groups regularly attack government troops and African Union peacekeepers, in efforts to force them out of the country. Al-Shabab and allied groups control much of southern and central Somalia and want to impose their version of Sharia, or Islamic law, in the country.

The prolonged conflict in the country has displaced more than 1.5 million people, while another 3.6 million need assistance.

For more information, please see:

Garowe Online – Somalia: Fighting Rocks Mogadishu, Seven Dead – 10 Dec 2009

IRIN – Attack on Graduation Ceremony the “Last Straw” – 10 Dec 2009

Aljazeera – Somalia Seeks Afghan-Style Strategy – 5 December 2009

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

CONAKRY, Guinea– Just about a week since the attempted assassination of Guinea’s military leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, reports have begun to surface surrounding the circumstances of the assassination attempt. On Wednesday, the second-ranking official in Guinea’s military junta, Sekouba Konate, made his first public speech since last week’s shooting. In his speech, Konate addressed a number of issues, primarily those dealing with the current military divide that is said to have been the source of the assassination attempt. In his speech, Konate asks soldier across the country to remain united. He further says, “We are asking for your cohesion, the army is a family.”

Following this speech, a spokesperson for the Guinea junta, Idrissa Cherif told reporters that they believe Frances Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner was involved in a plot to kill Camara. Cherif said, “I wouldn’t say that I am accusing France entirely. I said that certain services were used to make this attempt on Mr. Camara’s life, and the regime ruling the country.” France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the allegations and said, “We don’t want to enter into any polemics with anyone in Guinea.”

Just today however, reports surfaced that Guinea made arrests of 100 soldiers as it continues to investigate the shooting of Camara. Government officials say the detained soldiers are allies of presidential guard chief, Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, who is suspected of being behind last weeks shootings.
While the investigation continues, and Camara continues to heal from his injuries suffered from the attempt on his life, Konate will assume leadership of the country. One anonymous US official has said that the United States sees Konate as one of the better chances of bringing an end to the military divide. The official further said, “We don’t know if Camara will return to power, but in the meantime, we will hold out a hand to Konate. We believe progress can be made with Konate, in the event that Camara doesn’t return.”

For more information please see:

AFP – Guineas New Strongman Urges Army To Discipline – 10 December 2009

BBC – Bernard Kouchner Accused Over Guinea Camara Shooting – 9 December 2009

New York Times – Official Asks Guinea’s Army To Stay United – 9 December 2009

VOA – Guinea Arrests 100 Soldiers – 10 December 2009

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

CONAKRY, Guinea– Just about a week since the attempted assassination of Guinea’s military leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, reports have begun to surface surrounding the circumstances of the assassination attempt. On Wednesday, the second-ranking official in Guinea’s military junta, Sekouba Konate, made his first public speech since last week’s shooting. In his speech, Konate addressed a number of issues, primarily those dealing with the current military divide that is said to have been the source of the assassination attempt. In his speech, Konate asks soldier across the country to remain united. He further says, “We are asking for your cohesion, the army is a family.”

Following this speech, a spokesperson for the Guinea junta, Idrissa Cherif told reporters that they believe Frances Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner was involved in a plot to kill Camara. Cherif said, “I wouldn’t say that I am accusing France entirely. I said that certain services were used to make this attempt on Mr. Camara’s life, and the regime ruling the country.” France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the allegations and said, “We don’t want to enter into any polemics with anyone in Guinea.”

Just today however, reports surfaced that Guinea made arrests of 100 soldiers as it continues to investigate the shooting of Camara. Government officials say the detained soldiers are allies of presidential guard chief, Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, who is suspected of being behind last weeks shootings.
While the investigation continues, and Camara continues to heal from his injuries suffered from the attempt on his life, Konate will assume leadership of the country. One anonymous US official has said that the United States sees Konate as one of the better chances of bringing an end to the military divide. The official further said, “We don’t know if Camara will return to power, but in the meantime, we will hold out a hand to Konate. We believe progress can be made with Konate, in the event that Camara doesn’t return.”

For more information please see:

AFP – Guineas New Strongman Urges Army To Discipline – 10 December 2009

BBC – Bernard Kouchner Accused Over Guinea Camara Shooting – 9 December 2009

New York Times – Official Asks Guinea’s Army To Stay United – 9 December 2009

VOA – Guinea Arrests 100 Soldiers – 10 December 2009