TIEBISSOU, Ivory Coast – More than five years after a brief war erupted and split the country into a rebel-controlled north and government-held south, the rebels and government forces have agreed to begin the process of disarmament.  Ceremonies are being held on either side of the ceasefire line today and it is hoped that this will be a significant step towards the planned reunification of the country. 

The warring parties first agreed to a ceasefire several months after the brief war erupted in 2002.  In 2004, the government announced the start of disarmament, but disagreements among the parties have repeatedly delayed the process.  Former enemies President Laurent Gbago and ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro forged a partnership in March and have worked towards this disarmament.   The process is expected to take three months.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Ivory Coast’s disarmament begins – 22 December 2007

International Herald Tribune – Ivory Coast factions begin disarmament process – 22 December 2007

Reuters – Ivory Coast former foes launch disarmament process – 22 December 2007

AFP – African Union hails progress towards peace in Ivory Coast – 21 December 2007

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Violence has broken out every election in Kenya since 1992. This year’s election, which is scheduled to take place on December 27, is expected to be extremely close, which explains the mounting tension and violence as candidates seek votes and land for their groups. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission claims that local politicians are responsible for instigating the violence against opponents.

The western part of Kenya, specifically Kuresoi and Mount Elgon, has been the hotspots of incessant attacks and clashes. According to the European Union’s chief election monitor in Kenya, the violence has been raging all year. Between both regions, more than 300 people have been killed and 70,000 have fled their homes.

In Kurosoi, a farmer was hacked to death with a machete by a political activist, who then burned down eight nearby houses. In Ugenya, a city in western Kenya, two carloads of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters, stoned a rally by a rival candidate. One rebel group, Mungiki, responsible for a series of beheading, has threatened to disrupt the election. Since July, the group has passed leaflets encouraging Kenyan youth to rise up against the government.

Women, especially, are easy targets for many of the political activists. One aspiring parliament candidate was shot to death in front of sister’s house. Another was dragged and gang raped by several armed men. Angela Waweru, withdrew her candidacy for a Kenyan civic seat, after a group of knife-wielding men threatened her life at a polling station near a slaughterhouse. Martha Kibwana, a candidate for councillor in Taveta, a town in Kenya’s coastal province, was stabbed and left for dead. Through a shattered jaw, Kibwana expressed that she would not withdraw from the race, “[o]therwise it would be for nothing”.

The Gender Rapid Response Unit (GRRU) was set up by the British government to respond to and deal with attacks against women. Since the campaign period, which began in September, GRRU has received roughly 255 reports of attacks. Hundred of female candidates and activists have received threatening phone call and texts. Unlike, neighboring nations, the disproportion of women in parliament is 18 out of 224, despite the fact that out of 14 million voters, women represent 6.7 million.

The campaign continues to be marred by violence despite the European Union’s condemnation. As thousands of displaced men, women and children wait in line in front of Molo Baptist Church for a ration of maize and milk, Pastor George Kariuki expresses the view of many, “If the government can’t stop the violence…they should postpone the election.”

Presently, ODM’s Raila Odinga has a slight lead in opinion polls over President Mwai Kibaki, and Kalonzo Musyoka follows as a distant third.

For more information please see:

Yahoo News (AP) – EU: Kenya Clashes Threatening Election – 21 December 2007

Reuters: Africa – Kenyan Women Bear Brunt of Election Violence – 21 December 2007

Reuters: Africa – EU Condemns Pre-Election Violence in Violence – 21 December 2007

BOSASSO, Somalia – According to Awale Jama Salad, a local journalist and clan member of the kidnappers, Gwen Le Gouil is urging international media watchdogs to press for his release. Le Gouil was kidnapped by armed men on Sunday, December 15 and is currently being held for $80,000 ransom in the mountainous village of Mareero, east of Putland’s Bosasso port.

According to Salad, Le Gouil is “fine.” Puntland’s Trade and Industries Minister Abdisamad Yusuf Abwan said French embassy delegations were in the country to negotiate Le Gouil’s release.

Based on a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, a U.S. media watchdog, at least 64 journalists have been killed in 2007. This is the highest death rate since 66 deaths in 1994’s. After Iraq, Somalia ranked as the second deadliest country with seven journalist killed this year.

Fortunately, Somali kidnappers are known to treat their captives as assets and therefore are not likely to seriously harm Le Gouil.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa – French Journalist Held in Somalia Asks for Help – 20 December 2007

Reuters: Africa – 2007 Deadliest Year for Journalist since 1994 – 19 December 2007

By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter for Western and Central Africa

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo – In the east part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese army has killed thirteen of Colonel Laurent Nkundas’s men today. The killing came as retaliation for an attack on government positions in Ntamugenga. The clash occurred 60 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Goma.

A few days ago, a UN field officer confirmed that 17 rebels and two FARDC soldiers had died in the skirmish. “There are people wounded on both sides,” said the source.

Colonel Antoine Mushimbu, leader of the army’s Sixth Brigae, reported that the troops pushed the rebels into the Bukima. After the latest conflict, the country has experienced a slight period of calm.

Presently, the Democratic Republic of Congo has deployed almost 25,000 troops in North Kivu to fight 4,000 rebels loyal to Nkunda. Most of the men claim to be protecting fellow ethnic Tutsis in eastern DRC.

Villagers suffer from the extreme violence in the region. Presently, 800,000 civilian victims are displaced by the conflict. According to Anneke Van Woudenberg, of Human Rights Watch, the government and rebel groups are responsible for the most inhumane excesses against civilians.  “Every time these belligerents fight each other, they have killed, raped and looted civilians,” said Wouedenberg.

A report by Doctors without borders details that victims of the conflict are suffering from outbreaks of Cholera in the makeshift towns. Moreover, victims’ clean water supplies are dwindling down.

For more information, please see:

News 24 South Africa –  DR Congo- 13 Rebels Killed  –    20 December 2007

The Guardian – Mission Impossible – 20 December 2007

AFP-  DR Congo troops push back insurgents; 19 dead  – 19 December 2007

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

LUSAKA, Zambia – Human Rights Watch issued a report yesterday accusing Zambia’s government of failing to stop the escalating violence against women and prevention of access to antiretrovial treatment for AIDS patients.  The report was based on 83 interviews conducted earlier this year of women, police, health counselors, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.   

The Zambian government was commended for its action in dealing with HIV/AIDS treatment, however the report was clear to establish that for many women an HIV positive diagnosis is the equivalent of a death sentence.  While the government has made AIDS treatment drugs free and put more than 93,000 patients on them with the help of international donors, women are still discriminated against and do not receive equal access to treatment. 

The stigma attached to HIV-positive people is still common and significantly affects women’s access to testing and treatment.  Fear of violence from their husbands lead some women to hide their medications and may even prevent them from being tested.  Many women are also left without money for transportation or food after divorce or their husband’s death due to property laws that favor men and “property grabbing” in which the deceased husband’s family seizes all his property, often leaving the widow destitute.  The result is that many women are unable to go to health clinics or afford the proper diet necessary while on medication.

Human Rights Watch called on Zambia to enact and enforce legislation on gender-based crimes and to ensure the the new constitution fully protects women’s equality.  “The Zambian government should also establish systems to enable healthcare providers, including HIV treatment providers, to respond to gender-based abuses. At a minimum, the government should ensure that healthcare providers in the HIV sector receive adequate training, clear guidelines, and support to detect and respond to gender-based abuses.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch News – Zambia: Abuses Against Women Obstruct HIV Treatment – 18 December 2007

AFP – Human Rights Watch slams Zambia over violence against women – 18 December 2007

International Herald Tribune – Human Rights Watch says domestic violence, poverty keeps AIDS drugs from Zambian women – 18 December 2007