GOMA, DRC – In Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of people have fled General Laurent Nkunda’s rebel army. An estimated 400,000 people have been forced to move from their homes this year alone. 

The rebels have been able to advance on the town of Sake, which is located about 30km north-west of Goma. This in turn has pushed back government forces.

Since the army lost land to rebel forces last week, many innocent victims have been forced to flee from the conflict. Many victims have arrived to the regional capital of Goma, in an attempt to seek shelter. Presently, Goma is being defended by United Nation Troops.

In the surrounding hillside, UN troops have taken offensive precautionary measures. Major Prem Tiwari stated “We have reinforced our positions. We won’t let this town fall into the hands of Nkunda’s troops.”

Rebel spokesman, Rene Abandi stated “We are calling for a political solution – to end discrimination against some communities to solve the problem of the Interahamwe and to organise a modern army,” He believes that the solution to the conflict comes with political and not military action.

Anneke Van Woudenberg of Human Rights Watch was quoted as saying “The fundamental issues that led to the Congo war have never really been dealt with” and “we are seeing the results of that now.”

For more information, please see

BBC – Congolese flee as rebels advance – 13 December 2007

BBC- Congo Rebels Call For Peace Talks – 13 December 2007

The Sydney Morning Tribunal –  Fragile Democracy Faces Yet Another War  – 13 December 2007

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – After a two-month absence, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have said they will rejoin the national unity government in Sudan.  In October, the SPLM withdrew amid accusations that President Bashir’s National Congress Party was failing to implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ended the 21-year civil war. 

The SPLM has agreed to end the boycott following a meeting between their leader, First Vice President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir.  The parties agreed to funding for a census and a timetable to pull troops out of the north-south border.  The government will also move to the southern capital of Juba every three months.

Although there is still no agreement regarding the oil-rich Abyei region, SPLM’s Secretary General Pagan Amum said most issues had been resolved. Abyei “is a complicated question whose resolution requires a lot of efforts and we hope that it will be resolved by December 31 [or] that there will be an agreement on how to resolve it” said a member of Bashir’s National Congress Party. 

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended Africa’s longest running civil war that resulted in 2 million deaths and 4 million displaced.  It was largely between Khartoum’s Islamist government and Christian and animist rebels.  The agreement provides for a six-year transition period, which allows the south to retain autonomy and participate in the national government.  A national referendum is scheduled for 2011 on whether to create a separate southern state.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Sudanese peace deal back on track – 12 December 2007

AFP – Former Sudanese rebels to rejoin unity cabinet – 12 December 2007

Reuters Africa – Sudan moves parliament south to heal rift – 12 December 2007

VOA News – Southern Ministers Set to Rejoin Sudan Government – 12 December 2007

MUSHAKE, DRC –  Reports confirm that the rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have recaptured the strategic eastern town of Mushake, which they lost to the national army last week. A UN spokesman confirmed that “Nkunda’s troops have taken up positions around Mushake and Mushake itself. The regular army is no longer present there.”

Presently, United Nation forces in the town of Sake, are threatening force against the rebels if the rebels continue to fight. Government officials also fear that the rebels have captured the town of Karuba.

The Defense Minister of the National Army, says that the army is currently planning a counter attack to seize Mushake. Mushake is a strategic military point because it provides an outlook to a critical road in Eastern DRC. The Minister stated, “The insurgents launched a surprise attack. We pulled back and they retook Mushake and Karuba, but this won’t last.”

Observers believe that the recapture of Mushake is both a major set back for the army and for UN peacekeepers, who do not want to resort to methods of violence to end this conflict.

During this part of the conflict, DRC army has suffered heavy casualties. UN General Gaye stated that in an effort to protect civilians, “We can propose solutions to ensure the security of these people but they must also take responsibility and not put themselves in a situation where they endanger their lives.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – DR Congo rebels retake key town – 11 December 2007

All Africa – Congo-Kinshasa: Army Suffers Setback in Offensive Against Rebels  – 11 December 2007

RTE – UN Threatens to Take On DRC Rebels  – 11 December 2007

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The special court trying former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes held a final status conference today. The hearing lasted less than ten minutes, and the prosecution and defense both agreed they would be ready to begin hearing evidence on January 7.  The trial is expected to continue until mid-2009. 

Taylor was indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, but is being tried in The Hague under fears that it would ignite violence if held in Freetown.  Taylor’s trial began in June, but it was postponed to allow Taylor’s new defense team more team to prepare.

For more information, please see:

AP – Taylor War Crimes Trial to Resume in Jan. – 11 December 2007

Jurist – Taylor defense set for January war crimes trial resumption – 11 December 2007

For more information on Charles Taylor, please see the following Impunity Watch reports: Charles Taylor Appointed New Lawyer; Charles Taylor Trial Delayed; Reactions to Beginning of Charles Taylor Trial; Thoughts on Charles Taylor Trial; Opening Day in Charles Taylor Trial

KIGALI, Rwanda – After the brutal beating and arrest of The New Times’s photographer, George Baryamwisaki (Barya) and staff colleague Ignatius Ssuuna, on Tuesday evening, other journalists have come forward with their accounts of assaults by the hands of Rwandan police.

While covering a story on hawkers being chased off the streets, a policeman turned his gun on Barya because he allegedly took his picture without his permission. Barya and Ssuuna were handcuffed and ordered to follow the officer to the police station. Along the way, the policeman allegedly punched and kicked Barya. The two journalists were detained for hours before being released. Upon release, Barya was admitted to the hospital.

The following day, the Commissioner General of Police, Andrew Rwigamba promised to investigate the allegations.

However many journalists are not hopeful the investigation will quell the tension between reporters and police officers. Three other reporters from The New Times and other newspapers came forward with similar stories of abuse.

In one incident, Daniel Sabiiti, reporter for The New Times, and Jean-Pierre Twizeyeyezu, reporter for Contact FM were arrested while covering a Garaca trial. According the reporters, the police officers tried to confiscate their identifications. When they refused, they were detained. When they were released, the reporters were forced to sign a paper stating that they had not been harassed or embarrassed. The reporters were then dropped off in the middle of the country “in the dead of night.”

Police spokesman, Inspector Willy Higiro, claims the reporters’ claims are “exaggerated” and that “[j]ournalists often believe they are above the law.”

For more information please see:

AllAfrica .com – Rwanda: Policemen used to beating Journalist – 10 December 2007

AllAfrica.com – Rwanda: Police Investigate Officer for Assaulting Journalist – 7 December 2007