By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia– Somalia has been in a state of crisis since Ethiopian forces helped Somali government troops oust the Islamic court in December. From that point, Somali has experienced un-relentless violence while the new government battles for stability and control. Thousands of people, both civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives. Just two days ago, at least eight civilians and one policeman were killed in a battle which lasted for hours. The fighting began when roughly 100 Islamic insurgents attacked a police station with grenades and machine guns in southern Mogadishu, ultimately seizing the station. Like in many war-ravaged countries, the civilians suffer most.

Crucial food aid and other humanitarian relief have stalled due to incessant piracy off the coast of Somalia. According to the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB), within the first nine months of this year, pirate attacks have jumped to 14%. The IMB has advised all merchants to remain at least 200 nautical miles away from the coast. Pirates are suspected of targeting tourist liners as well as ships with food relief cargo. After the United Nations (UN) ship, the MV Rozen, was hijacked in February during a mission to deliver food to northern Somalia, the World Food Program has deferred to the more costly air delivery. The MV Rozen crew was later released in April.

In some instances the hijacking turned deadly. With the Somali government unable to quell violence within the capital, the coasts are virtually un-policed.

According to the UN around 1.5 million Somalis are in need of food aid and protection. To make matters worse, the UN has suspended food distribution in Mogadishu as of yesterday. The suspension comes after the World Food Program (WFP) said 50 to 60 heavily armed government soldiers stormed the UN compound and detained Idris Osman, the local head of the WFP in charge of feeding thousands of people in the capital. Somali’s Interior Minister Mohamed Mohamoud Guled denies any government operation at the compound and claims the WFP recently distributed food without consulting the government. The WFP along with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demands the immediate release of Osman. In addition, UN deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe, asserts that the Somali government’s action violates international law.

For more information please see:

BBC – Somali Aid Stopped after Kidnap – 18 October 2007

Yahoo News (AP) – Somalia Detains U.N. Food Aid Official – 17 October 2007

Yahoo News (AP) – Piracy off Somalia, Nigeria Increases – 16 October 2007

BBC- Somalia’s Pirates are “Thriving” – 16 October 2007

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – A former Congolese warlord was transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague today to face war crimes charges including murder, sexual slavery, and recruiting child soldiers.  Germain Katanga led the Patriotic Forces of Resistance of Ituri (FRPI) militia in northern DRC.  He is the second suspect to be transferred to the ICC.

The ICC prosecutor alleges that Katanga’s FRPI fighters committed criminal acts against mostly civilians of the Hema ethnic group in Ituri province between January and March 2003.  Katanga is charged with 3 counts of crimes against humanity and 6 counts of war crimes for his involvement.  200 civilians were massacred, women and girls were raped and enslaved, and villagers were imprisoned in a room filled with corpses. Katanga is also charged with using child soldiers in the attack.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Second Congo war crimes suspect transferred to ICC – 18 October 2007

AllAfrica.com – Congo-Kinshasa: Second War Crimes Suspect to Face Justice in the Hague – 18 October 2007

Institute for War and Peace Reporting – Second Congolese Rebel in ICC Custody – 18 October 2007

AP – Hague Court Says 2nd Congo Suspect Held – 18 October 2007

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

MUHAGIRIYA, Sudan – African Union and United Nations officials are looking into reports of a new massacre in Darfur.  Witnesses report that Sudanese government troops and their allied militias killed more than 30 civilians, slit the throats of several men praying at a mosque, and shot a 5-year old boy in the back as he tried to run away.

Muhagiriya, a small town in southern Darfur, was a stronghold to one of Darfur’s numerous rebel factions, but witnesses say there were few rebels there on October 8 when two columns of uniformed government troops and dozens of militiamen not in uniform surrounded the town and stormed the market.

While both the UN and AU have been investigating the atrocities, and have verified that dozens of civilians were killed, neither group has been able to officially identify and verify the group responsible.  Witnesses assert that uniformed troops “methodically mowed down anyone who tried to escape, including a group of fleeing children.”

The Sudanese government has denied any involvement, calling it “completely false information.”  When asked about the reports of attacks an official in the government blamed it on “internal fighting between the movements.”

Many are worried that this occurrence is a sign of a much larger problem in Darfur.   Rebels, Arab militias, and the Sudanese military all seem to be rushing to seize territory before a major peace conference scheduled for October 27 in Libya.  Sam Ibok, a senior advisor to the African Union who is involved in preparations for the peace talks, said “they are all trying to reposition themselves ahead of the cease-fire talks and ahead of discussions of who controls what.”

The recent attack in Muhagiriya are complicating peace efforts and causing concern as “people are now becoming more skeptical” and believe “that the government is not interested in peace.”

Africa Union officials are also investigating accusations of another attack on civilians in Haskanita, most of which was burned to the ground.  Rebels have accused the government of ransacking the town and killing 100 people following a rebel attack on a nearby African Darfur base.

For more information, please see:

New York Times – In Southern Darfur, Signs of Another Massacre – 17 October 2007

USA Today – Gov’t troops massacred civilians in southern Darfur – 17 October 2007

International Herald Tribune – Poison pot of obstacles facing peace in Darfur – 17 October 2007

Eathtimes – New atrocities emerge in Darfur – 17 October 2007

For more information on the Darfur conflict, please see the following Impunity Watch reports: Ceasefire Ends in Sudan; African Union Peacekeepers Attacked in Darfur; Ongoing Conflict in Sudan; ICC Prosecutor Demands Arrests in Sudan; Secretary General Urges Sudan President to Commit to Ceasefire; Peace Talks on Darfur Scheduled for October