By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ARUSHA, Tanzania – A United Nations court has overturned a conviction and 20-year sentence faced by the former Rwandan president’s brother-in-law for the organization of a massacre during the country’s 1994 genocide.

After a hearing at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in Tanzania, Judge Theodor Meron ordered the immediate release of Protais Zigiranyirazo (“Mr. Z”).

In a 30-page ruling, the court said that it had reversed Mr. Z’s convictions for genocide and crimes against humanity because those convictions had “violated the most basic and fundamental principles of justice.”  Also stating that, “In these circumstances, the Appeals Chamber had no choice, but to reverse Zigiranyirazo’s conviction.”  The court declared that trial judge had, “seriously erred in its handling of the evidence.”

Reporters who attended the hearing said Mr. Z looked stunned and relieved by the ruling.

“God is great and justice has been done.  I am very happy,” he told BBC reporters.

Zigiranyirazo’s lead defense attorney, John Philopt, is pushing for him to be sent back to Belgium where he was arrested, or to France where his wife lives.  He says that they are very happy with the judgment, but that Zigiranyirazo must be reimbursed for the damage that was done.  Philpot says the 8 1/2 years spent in detention need to be reimbursed in some way.

The excitement over the judgment is not shared by all. Rwanda’s prosecutor general, Martin Ggoga, stated that regardless of the procedural mistakes that were made, the verdict is “deeply disappointing.”

“If ‘Monsieur Z’ could be found innocent how is anyone going to be found guilty.  This decision attacks the very roots of trying to find justice for the genocide,” said continued.

In 2008, Zigiranyirazo was convicted of organizing a massacre that left about 1,000 Tutsis dead.  During the genocide at least 500,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.  The genocide began in April 1994 when President Habyarimana’s plan was brought down.  During this time, his brother-in-law, Zigiranyirazo, was a very influential member of the Rwandan government.

Once the violence started, the killings spread across the country and lasted 100 days.  It finally came to an end when Tutsi, Paul Kagame, led his rebel army to overthrow the Hutu government.  Kagame is currently Rwanda’s president.

For more information, please see:

AP – Judge Frees Rwandan, Overturns Genocide Conviction – 16 November 2009

BBC – Rwanda Genocide Ruling Overturned – 16 November 2009

Guardian – Rwanda Genocide Conviction Quashed Leaving Monsieur Z Free – 16 November 2009

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – Formal peace talks began on Saturday between Nigeria’s main militant group and the country’s president for the first time since it declared an indefinite cease-fire last.

President Umaru Yar’Adua called the talks with the ex-chiefs of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) “frank and fruitful.”   MEND is one of the main rebel groups in the oil region.

For over three years, militants have waged a violent campaign against facilities, saying they are fighting for a greater share of the oil wealth for the local communities.

Henry Okah et Farah Dagogo represented MEND at the talks.  He said in a statement that the two hours of talks were “frank, cordial and useful.”

“This meeting heralds the beginning of serious, meaningful dialogue between MEND and the Nigerian government to deal with and resolve root issues that have long been swept under the carpet,” read Okah’s statement.

Wole Soyinka, Nigerian writer and Nobel Literature price winner also attended the talks.

This past June President Yar’Adua offered amnesty to rebels who surrendered their arms.  Even though MEND did not take initially did not take part in the amnesty, it declared an indefinite ceasefire in October to allow these peace talks to proceed.  Since the the main field commanders and thousands of gunmen agreed to the ceasefire, MEND has been severely weakened.

The government has proposed a massive infrastructure development program for the impoverished region.  Boy Loaf, a former top rebel commander, says development of the Niger Delta should start from the creeks or rebels will have an excuse to continue their attacks.

Activists warn that the former fighters could return to the creeks and resume the attacks if these talks do not quickly lead to changes in the oil-rich region.

“They should start the development from that creek because the  creek is the only hideout for our people . . . [S]o that the people can have a sense of belonging,” said Bay loaf.

The rebel activities in the Niger Delta reduced Nigeria’s oil output by almost one third, from 2.6 million barrels a day in 2006 to around 1.7 million barrels.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Nigerian President in “Fruitful” Oil Rebel Talks – 15 November 2009

AP – Nigeria Militants Start Peace Talks with President – 15 November 2009

Reuters – Nigerian Militants Say Peace Talks Start with Govt – 15 November 2009

Telegraph – Niger Delta Peace Talks Raise Hopes of Oil Boost and an End to Kidnappings – 15 November 2009

VOA – Nigerian President Holds Talks with Rebel Group – 15 November 2009

By Kylie M Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

CONAKRY, Guinea – According to an unnamed Western diplomat, Guinea President Moussa Dadis Camara’s junta troops are being trained by South African mercenaries.

Violence reported in the capital led to news that Guinea forces were being trained.

The South African government is investigating reports that as many as 50 South African mercenaries are working with the Guinea coup leaders.  So far the country’s intelligence agencies have been unable to confirm the reports, a South African senior official said.

“We have instructions that they are mercenaries who are training people of the same ethnic origin as the head of the coup d’etat,” said the Western diplomat.  “We already have more and more reports of abductions and violence in the streets of Conakry.”

The recent training has led to fear of ethnic warfare.  On September 28 Camara’s forces raped and killed more than 150 protestors in a sports stadium.  UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed a three-man African-led commission to investigate the incidents.  Since then there has been little violence.

International mediation is unlikely to resolve the political deadlock between Captain Camara’s National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) and the opposition.  If mediation fails the country could potentially face a new bout of unrest.  Since the September 28 violence opposition leaders have called on Captain Camara to step down immediately.

Camara shows no signs of surrendering power.

“I think it’s unrealistic.  You can’t start a negotiation by saying ‘I don’t want power,'” said Guinea Foreign Minister Alexandre Ceceloua in response to the opposition’s demands in Ouagadougou, where Blaise Campaore is leading peace talks this week.

Campaore is the international community’s last hope at facilitating peace.

President Moussa Dadis Camara took power in a bloodless coup d’etat on December 23, 2008 when longtime President Lansana Conte died.

For more information, please see:

Kuwait Times – Mediation Unlikely to Solve Guinea Crisis – 15 November 2009

UPI – Mercenaries Said Training Guinea Troops – 14 November 2009

The Wall Street Journal – Hired Guns Help Junta in Guinea – 14 November 2009

Xinhua – Guinea’s Ruling CNDD Delegation Returns After Ouagadougou Crisis Talks – 14 November 2009