By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The growing fear in the Horn of Africa is a major concern. For several months, both Ethiopia and Eritrea have accused the other of violating the 2002 border resolution which ended the 1999-2000 war that took the lives of roughly 70,000 people. The United Nation’s resolution granted the disputed town of Badme to Eritrea. The terms of the resolution required that the countries physically mark the boundary by the end of this month or the International Boundary Commission would draw it on maps themselves and let it stand.

Ethiopia claims it has accepted the terms of the agreement, although it continues to demand further talks as to its implementation.  Just weeks ago, Eritrea accused Ethiopia of plotting to invade the nation in November. Ethiopia responded by labeling the allegations as “absurd fabrication(s)”, however a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that a “war in the next several weeks is very real.”

In its report, the ICG urges the United States and the United Nations to use their influence to clarify that no destabilising unilateral action will be tolerated. The U.S. views Ethiopia as an ally, but has placed Eritrea on its list of states sponsoring terrorism. The UN, similarly, has expelled the Eritrea foreign staff. In this manner, Ethiopia has “played its cards right” to win U.S. toleration despite being the key player obstructing the border resolution.

The ICG estimates that Eritrea has 4,000 soldiers, supported by artillery and amour in the demilitarized zone and approximately 120,000 more troops positioned nearby. Ethiopia, although deeply involved in the Somali conflicts with Islamic insurgents and in-home clashes with the Ogaden National Liberation Front, is suspected of maintaining 100,000 troops on its border with Eritrea. The United Nations currently has 1,700 peacekeepers monitoring the buffer zone. The ICG and diplomats forecast that the November deadline may be the trigger to another war.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa- Ethiopia and Eritrea may go to War “in Weeks” – 5 November 2007

BBC- New Eritrea- Ethiopia War Fears – 5 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Ethiopia: Analysts Warn of New War with Eritrea – 5 November 2007

For more information on the Border Conflict please see the following Impunity Watch reports:  BRIEF: Heightened Fear of Another War & Eritrea in a Proxy War

Mogadishu, SOMALIA – According to Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program, two ships were released by Somali pirates to the U.S. Navy this afternoon. The South Korean-owned vessels, Muvano 1 and 2, along with its 24 sailors were kidnapped off the Somali coast on May 15. According to South Korean media, the pirates previously demanded between $700,000 and $1 million in ransom.

The hijackers released the ships to the U.S. Navy, which has been patrolling the Somali waters due to the surge of piracy. At the request of the South Korean government, the U.S. Navy is escorting the ships and its crew to a port in Yemen. No injuries were reported.

Commander Lydia Robertson of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain says the increase in U.S military in Somali waters is an opportunity to put some pressure on the pirates. The Navy is also urging the pirates to release the Japanese ship seized last week and two other captured vessels.

Somalia, which has been without an effective government since 1991, lies near crucial shipping routes connecting the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.

For more information, please see:

Yahoo News- Pirates Leave Ship under US Navy Escort – 4 November 2007

Reuters: Africa- Korean-owned Ships Freed by Somali Pirates-group – 4 November 2007

For more information on Somali Pirates concern, please see the following Impunity Watch reports: Another Hijacked Ship ; BRIEF: Piracy Continues to Plague Somalia ; Piracy and Kidnapping Deepens Food Crisis

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda – Amnesty International issued a press release on Friday urging governments worldwide to not transfer any individuals suspected of crimes during the 1994 Rwandan genocide for trial.   The organization raised several concerns with the Rwandan justice system related to its ability to investigate and prosecute crimes fairly and impartially, and in accordance with international standards of justice.   

Amensty highlighted three main issues that need to be addressed: concerns about the right to a fair trial within Rwanda; the risk of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment including “appalling prison conditions”; and the ability of the systems that are in place to ensure that victims and witnesses that take part in the process are provided full protection and support.

Amnesty International also urged the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to not transfer any of its cases to Rwanda until the government addresses the issues raised.  The ICTR was created in 1994 by the Security Council and tries the most serious cases in Arusha, Tanzania.  To date, the court has tried 27 cases and issued 22 convictions.   

The Rwandan government has made several formal and informal requests to various governments for the extradition of several individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.   In June of this year, Rwanda abolished the death penalty in hopes that it would enable countries that object to capital punishment to extradite suspects. 

In 2001 the country turned to the traditional “gacaca” system, when the jails were packed with more than 100,000 genocide suspects.  Amnesty argues that “the guarantees of fair trials are not applied in the gacaca courts” that that “drains the whole legal system.”

Rwanda has rejected all of Amnesty International’s objections as unfounded.  Rwanda’s prosecutor general, John Ngoga, told IRIN: “What Amnesty International is not offering is actual facts and evidence…It’s just blatant allegations.  We will continue to pursue fugitives, wherever they are.”  Ngoga further accused Amnesty of agitating for impunity.

Since the genocide ended 13 years ago, Rwanda has been keen to play a role in the prosecution of those responsible in the orchestrated slaughter of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.  Many see the use of domestic courts, rather than international or foreign courts, as being key to calming tensions that have persisted.   

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com – Rwanda: Country Scoffs at Amnesty Claims – 3 November 2007

BBC News – ‘Don’t extradite’ Rwanda suspects – 2 November 2007

AFP – Don’t extradite Rwandan genocide suspects: Amnesty – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Rwanda: Genocide Justice System Prompts Row With Amnesty – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Rwanda: Amnesty International Asks the ICTR Not to Transfer Cases –2 November 2007

VOA News – Amnesty Urges Governments Not to Extradite Genocide Suspects to Rwanda – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Rwanda: Prosecutors Trained to Handle Genocide Cases – 2 November 2007

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Two ships were hijacked in two consecutive days off the coast of Somalia. A Japanese chemical tanker with 23 crewmen was hijacked on Sunday and a North Korean vessel was hijacked either late Monday or early Tuesday. The East African Seafarers’ Assistance Programme and the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre, a regional maritime organization and a piracy watchdog respectively, confirmed the hijacking of the Japanese ship known as the Golden Nory. Although a U.S. destroyer sank two skiffs attached to the ship, it remained under pirate’s control. The fate of the Japanese tanker and its crewmen are presently unknown, however the U.S. Navy continues to monitor its movement.

Fortunately, the crew of the North Korean ship, MV Dai Hong Dan, was able to overpower the hijackers. According to reports of the investigation, the same men that were supposed to dock the ship conceived the hijacking plan. After its seizure, militiamen demanded $15,000 ransom to release the ship and its crew on Tuesday. That same day, the U.S. Navy received a distress call from the ship. A helicopter was dispatched to the vessel to investigate the call and soon after the 22 crewmen overwhelmed the five hijackers, leaving two dead.

According to Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell, the assistance of the U.S. military was not an indication of a more aggressive stance at Somali piracy however the surge of terrorist involvement is a concern. In total this marks the 26th ship attacked by Somali pirates this year, presently four boats are being held by armed pirates.

Somalia has been in a state of anarchy since 1991. The transitional government and Ethiopian forces has been unable to keep the streets of the capital safe, never mind the coasts of the country.

For more information please see:

Yahoo News (AP)- US Military Takes on Latter-day Pirates – 2 November 2007

BBC – Pirates ‘Overpowered’ Off Somalia – 30 October 2007

Reuters: Africa- Somali Pirates Hijack Japanese Tanker – 29 October 2007

AllAfrica.com- Somalia: U.S. Navy Saves Korean Hijacked Vessel off Coast – 30 October 2007

Yahoo News- With US Help, Ship Crew Defeats Pirates – 30 October 2007

Reuters: Africa- Somali Pirates Seize another Ship – 30 October 2007

KAMPALA, Uganda – The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has sent a peace declaration to the Ugandan government, but are asking that the ICC indictments against rebel leader Joseph Kony and three of his top commanders.  The chief rebel negotiator and legal advisor have asked for the Ugandan government’s help in securing a UN Security Council 12-month renewable suspension of the indictments.   

Kony and his commanders are wanted by the ICC for the alleged war crimes of killing civilians, hacking off limbs and kidnapping children to use as soldiers.  Analysts agree that a peace deal will be difficult until the warrants are lifted.  The government, however, insists that it will only ask for the ICC to drop the indictments if the LRA signs a comprehensive peace agreement to end the two decades of fighting. 

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: Help Us On ICC Warrants, LRA Asks Ssekandi – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: Rebels ‘Ready to Make Peace’ But Want ICC Charges Dropped – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: LRA Negotiators Arrive in Kampala – 1 November 2007