By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe is investigating several allegations of political violence against opposition groups. The claims allege assault and threat by police, security forces and supporters of President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party. In an effort to purge rallies and organized public debates regarding the deepening economic and political crisis, Mugabe has passed strict security laws that require opposition groups to seek police approval before holding group gatherings. According to the Movement for Democratic Chance (MDC), the leading opposition party, many of its meetings have been banned without reason.

Promises of a governmental investigation come after several violent incidents by supporters of Zanu-PF. Three MDC officials were abducted from their homes in Chipinge South. According to the MDC, George Makuyaya, the MDC’s parliamentary candidate for next year’s elections, Philip Munopera, the party’s district elections director, and local ward Chairman Leornard Makusha, were pushed into a white truck by six men in broad daylight earlier today. Reports further suspect the three men are being held by loyal Zanu-PF members in a building owned by central committee member Enock Porusingazi. According to Pishai Muchauraya, the MDC spokesman for the region, Porusingazi wants to prevent Mukuyaya from running against him in the parliamentary election.

Another incident involved Tobias Gundavakura, the MDC ward chairman for Mutare. Gundavakura and his brother, wearing MDC shirts, were attacked by a group who accused them of “selling the country to the whites.” The confrontation turned violent when someone from the group, possibly a Zanu-PF youth, pulled out a machete and stuck Gundavakura on the head. The attackers fled and Gundavakura is being treated at the hospital for his injuries, which are serious but not life threatening.

Mugabe continues to deny reports of human rights violation. The Zanu-PF and MDC continue to hold talks of an end to political unrest and economic depression. These talks are mediated by South Africa President Thabo Mbeki who has been accused of bring too soft on Mugabe.

Despite the impression of improvement, the MDC has not been the only group to allege human rights violation by Mugabe’s supporters.  Last week the Women in Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), one of the leading civil rights organizations in Zimbabwe, released a report alleging violence against women activists by the police and security officials.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com- Zimbabwe: MDC Activist Attacked with Machete – 25 October 2007

AllAfrica.com- Zimbabwe: Three MDC Officials Abducted in Chipinge South – 25 October 2007

Reuters: Africa- Zimbabwe to Investigate Violence Accusation – 24 October 2007

Impunity Watch-  Women Activists Abused – 16 October 2007

By Meryl A. White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

NORTH KIVU, Democratic Republic of Congo – According to Human Rights Watch, the United Nations has been slow to react to murder, rape, and the indoctrination of child soldiers in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Presently, the situation in DRC is grim, as the crisis is turning into a war between Hutu and Tutsi tribes.

In the last five days of fighting, more than 100 rebels were killed by the Congolese army.  This prompted General Nkunda to call for a cease fire to avoid civilian casualties. Presently, more than 150 of Nkunda’s fighters have “fled the rebel ranks.”

More than 370,000 people who have been displaced by the fighting in the eastern region. Around 8,000 refugees have been forced into migration across the border into Uganda to seek safety. Refugees are currently entering Uganda through the Bunagana and Busanza border crossings.

UNHCR has reported that women and children are taking shelter on shop verandas in Bunagana, while other refugees are remaining close to the border crossings in hopes of returning home.

Critics of the United Nations believe that peacekeepers in the region have been “powerless to intervene in the battles between government forces and three separate militias.” Nevertheless, the 18,000-strong mission in Congo is the largest U.N. peacekeeping operation.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com – Congo-Kinshasa: 8,000 Flee to Uganda – 22 October 2007

AllAfrica.com – Congo-Kinshasa: Civilians in Peril – 23 October 2007

YahooNews – Congo Fighting Displaces More Civilians – 23 October 2007

Human Rights Watch – DR Congo: Civilians in Peril – 23 October 2007

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A Comoros-registered cargo ship marks the fourth ship hijacked and the fifth attacked by Somali pirates this week alone. This is just a series of attacks this year by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The Al Marjan was heading from Somalia to Kenya on Wednesday when gunmen attacked the vessel. It took several days for officials confirm the hijacking.

Two other ships were also attacked and held by pirates off Somalia’s coast on Saturday. On Sunday, pirates in two speed boats attempted to seize a UN World Food Programme (WFP) ship 60 miles from Mogadishu. The ship had just unloaded food at the nearby port. According to Peter Smerdon, a spokesman for the U.N, this makes the third attack on a WFP ship. Although, eighty percent of UN aid reach Somalia by sea, the agency has had to revert to air transport, which is more expensive.

The overthrow of the Islamic government in December by government and Ethiopian troops, has left the country insecure and unstable. The transitional government has been struggling to regain control of the country however incessant attacks by insurgents has made that feat impossible. The coast has been left virtually un-policed.

For more information please see:

Yahoo (AFP)- WFP  Renews Plea for Naval Vessels After Pirates Strike in Somalia – 22 October 2007

Reuters: Africa – Missing Ship Feared Seized by Pirates off Somalia – 22 October 2007

Yahoo (AP) – Somali Pirates Seize Ship off Africa – 22 October 2007

Impunity Watch – Piracy and Kidnapping Deepens Food Crisis -18 October 2007