NAIROBI, Kenya – The lawyers for Rwanda’s leader Paul Kagame are demanding the suspension of the trial and investigation against Kagame. President Kagame and his Tutsi rebels are credited with halting the 1994 genocide that killed some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within 100 days.

Judges in France and Spain has called for the prosecution of Kagame and 40 of his associates for the killing of thousands of civilians including nine Spaniards. In November 2006, a Paris anti-terrorist judge issued a summons for Kagame to stand trial for the murder of his predecessor, Juvenal Habyarimana, whose death instigated the genocide. Kagame has denied the claims.

France and Spain could not prosecute Kagame since he has immunity as a head of state. Peter Erlinder, head of the Defense Lawyer’s Association, requests an independent investigation by the U.N. Security Council of manipulation of the prosecutor’s office. Defense lawyers claim the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) should cease investigations because it is biased.

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Yahoo News (Reuters) – Lawyers Try to Halt Rwanda Genocide Tribunal – 27 February 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and rival Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), have signed an agreement that will create a new coalition government.The agreement comes after more than one month of negotiations brokered by Kofi Anan. The agreement, which is expected to be released later today, will detail the plans for the sharing of power between members of the current government and opposition leaders.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Kenya rivals agree to share power – 28 February 2008

Impunity Watch – Update: Anan Calls for Break in Kenyan Negotiations – 26 February 2008

By Ted Townsend,
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

PARIS, France – Representatives from rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, pressed French President Nicolas Sarkozy not to “cover up” the actions of Chadnian President Idriss Deby (“Deby”). Deby is accused of playing a role in the February 3^rd disappearance of members of political opposition groups, as part of a crackdown against political opponents after a failed coup. Further investigation by Human Rights Watch has determined the opposition politicians were taken by state security forces, despite Chadnian claims to the contrary.

The Chadnian Government denies any role in the disappearances, and stated that “an official inquiry had been unable to locate Ibni Oumar Mahamat Saleh (Saleh) . . . and Ngarley Yorongar (Yorongar).” Both men are vocal members of the political opposition; Saleh a spokesman for a coalition of opposition parties, and Yorongar a prominent member of the opposition in Parliament.

Further, Chadnian Interior Minister Ahmat Bachir suggested that since the men were seized while rebels controlled the N’Djamena neighborhoods they lived in, they were likely rebel captives. Chadnian Foreign Minister Ahmad Allam-Mi also added that Yorongar was “hiding” in N’Djamena, and that Yorongar’s sister and chauffer said he was going to resurface and speak to the press soon. The chauffeur refutes this, claiming he has not heard from Yorongar since February third.

Multiple eyewitnesses told Human Rights Watch researchers that Chadnian government soldiers took each man into custody, forcing their way into each man’s home and removing him forcefully. The eyewitnesses detailed each arrest, claiming that ten soldiers in Chadnian army uniforms took each man away in beige Toyota four-wheel drive vehicles, the type of vehicle that is standard issue in the Chadnian army.

Human Rights Watch African Director Georgette Gagnon believes the “Chadnian Government should publicly acknowledge the whereabouts of Yorongar and Ibni.” “They should be released immediately, or charged with a crime and accorded all their rights.” An Amnesty International representative added “These men are at grave risk of being tortured. The French Government should not cover up the excesses of the Chadnian Government.”

The pressure this week is focused on France because President Sarkozy is visiting the former French Colony this week. Many see the French in the best position to effectuate the release of the prisoners given the relationship between the two countries. President Sarkozy, for his part, claimed “he would ask Deby to set up an independent inquiry into the disappearances.”

 

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Chad: Account for ‘Disappeared’ Opposition Leaders – 25 February 2008

IOL.com – Opposition Figure Still Missing – Colleague – 27 February 2008

VOA News – French President Visits Chad as Rights Groups Urge Pressure on Chadian Leader – 27 February 2008

AFP – Sarkozy urged to press Chad on fate of opposition members – 27 February 2008

Impunity Watch – Amnesty International Claims Chadian Government is Violating Human Rights – 22 February 2008

UDNAIROBI, Kenya – Kofi Anan called for a break in the Kenyan Negotiations because the two sides are at an impasse. Anan said it is time for the principles, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and rival Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), to get directly involved in the negotiations. Anan Plans to meet with them to try and overcome the current stalemate over the details of a power-sharing deal involving the creation of a new prime minister post which is to be occupied by Odinga when first established. The impasse came on the same date the African Union chief Jakaya Kikwete arrived in Kenya to try and support the negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that there is no excuse for further delay in the two sides reaching an agreement. Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula said that Kenya’s “international friends” an make suggestions to aid the negotiations but that that they cannot impose solutions.

For more information, please see:

Agence France Press – Annan suspends talks with Kenyan crisis negotiators – 26 February 2008

Reuters – Rice demands action as Kenya talks stall – 26 February 2008

Impunity Watch – Brief: Kenyan Peace Talks Faltering – 25 February 2008 

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kofi Anan, the moderator of the peace talks in Kenya, is intervening due to a failure of the two sides to reach agreement. Anan is going to talk to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and rival Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM,) in an effort to get the talks back on track. The dispute is over the powers to be ceded to the newly agreed upon post of prime minister which is to be occupied by Odinga if it is created as talks have suggested it will be.

The ODM has said it will resume mass protests this Thursday if agreement is not reached.

Some government leaders believe the final plan should be put to the people for a referendum.

It is now estimated that 1,500 people have been killed since the late December 2007 election.

BBC News – Kenya peace talks reach impasse – 25 February 2008

Reuters – Annan meets rivals to break Kenya talks stalemate – 25 January 2008

Impunity Watch – UPDATE: AU Chairman Pushes for Agreement in Kenya – 22 February 2008