By Ashley Repp

Impunity Watch news reporter, Africa

The ICC has begun official investigation into crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic. Fatou Bensouda, prosecutor for the ICC stated that the list of alleged crimes is simply too serious to ignore, and includes rape, pillaging, murder, and use of child soldiers. As a result, formal evidence to mount a case will be collected.

Photo: Man Chases a suspected Seleka member (Courtesy of The Atlantic)

The violence began after a coup in March of 2013. The Muslim group, Seleka, overthrew the president and installed the politician of their choice, Francois Bozize. Violence escalated, and a Christian group formed, called anti-balaka, which translates somewhat to anit-machete. As the nation began to split along sectarian lines, creating stark contrast between the Muslim minority and Christian majority, violence and crimes against humanity became more glaringly obvious to the international community. After proving that he was unable to quell the violence, Francois Bozize was pressured by world leaders to step down from his position as president.

An interim president from the Christian majority was installed, and she in turn, selected a Muslim prime minister, in an attempt to reduce the sectarian violence. This also has provide ineffective at quelling the violence, and now, the ICC has decided that it must step in to mount a case against those who perpetrated the violence. The UN has also sent troops to the country in an effort to help reduce the violence and crimes against humanity.

While the violence has certainly taken a toll on the nation, and efforts by the ICC may be warranted, many Africans are skeptical of the ICC, if not unsupportive. The ICC currently has eight investigations open, and all of the cases are in Africa. In many regards, these efforts may come across as a new form of imperialism, with the sights set on Africa. As one man the Central African Republic noted, “Normally we Africans are against the actions of the ICC, but for the Central African case, it’s a necessity because the Central African justice system doesn’t have the means or the desire to judge those responsible for this crisis.”

Beyond many African countries feeling targeting by the ICC, there is doubt, in many minds, that the ICC has the ability to carry out justice, as it has mounted cases against many, with no real punishment or ability to even capture those it charges with crimes. So while the Central African Republic continues to cope with the violence that has gripped the country, all it can do is wait and see if ICC efforts will be able to bring to justice those who perpetrated the crimes against humanity.

 

For more information, please visit:

The Wall Street Journal- The International Criminal Court opens second Central African Republic probe– 24 Sep 2014

ABC News- ICC opens new Central African Republic probe– 24 Sep 2014

 All Africa- Central African Republic: Hague court opens probe in Central African Republic– 24 Sep 2014

Aljazeera- ICC to probe possible war crimes in CAR– 25 Sep 2014

By: Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Africa

KAMPALA, Uganda

Ugandan military forces have reportedly foiled an attack planned by al-Shabab, after uncovering a terrorist cell in the city of Kampala.  An imminent attack by the Islamic militant group has been feared in recent days after the death of the leader.  Less than two weeks ago, the United States carried out a mission that targeted and killed the al-Shabab leader, along with two other companions.  This attack left the militant group calling for revenge and retribution for the attack on their organization and the death of group members.  In the wake of the call for revenge, nearby states, including Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda, have remained on high alert, concerned that a terror attack could be likely.

The target of the attack plan foiled by the Ugandan military is unknown, as well as the full scope of the plan.  The Ugandan government has urged citizens to heed the shelter in place warning, issued in the days following the death of the al-Shabab leader, and refrain from leaving the house at night.  The United States Embassy has echoed this warning, cautioning US citizens in Uganda to exercise caution during this time of heightened tensions in the region.  Busy areas and locations that accommodated high volumes of people on a daily basis may be targets, the US Embassy warns.  Such locations may include malls, local transit stations, airports, and movie theaters.

Uganda is not unfamiliar with al-Shabab to say the very least.  The nation has been involved with peace keeping initiatives that have required Ugandan troops having a presence in Somalia.  Indeed, al-Shabab carried out an attack on a sports bar in Uganda during the 2010 World Cup, killing many.  Al-Shabab has warned that all of those who maintain a presence in Somalia may be targets for violence; Uganda and Ugandans are on the list.  Retaliatory measures in the wake of last week’s events are requiring that the Ugandan government exercise vigilance to protect its people and deter attacks directed at the country or citizens.

While a retaliatory act seems likely, Uganda may have enough time to sufficiently brace itself and further explore any terror plot leads.  This is the best time to take advantage of any structural weakness of al-Shabab, as it recovers from internal tragedy and begins to implement new leadership.  Though al-Shabab may aim to carry out an attack in the coming days, it may be operationally incapable of carrying out an organized plan as the new leader attempts to pick up where the former leadership ended.

For more information please visit:

All Africa- Uganda: Government foils ‘imminent’al-Shabab terror plot- 13 Sept 2014

All Africa- Uganda: Kampala Foils Terrorist Attack, U.S. Citizens Urged to take caution– 13 Sept 2014

All Africa- Uganda: New Al-Shabab boss plans to hit Uganda- Gen Katumba– 13 Sept 2014

Aljazeer- Uganda foils ‘terrorist’ attack – 13 Sept 2014

By: Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Africa

PRETORIA- South Africa

This week, in a tense courtroom, Judge Thokozile Masipa found Oscar Pistorius, not guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.  Instead, with regard to her death, he was found guilty of a lesser charge of “culpable murder,” which is the equivalent of manslaughter in the United States.  Some, including Steenkamp’s family, expressed that justice was not served here.

On February 14, 2013, Steenkamp went into the bathroom of the master bedroom where she and Pistorius slept.  According to Pistorius, he though an intruder was hiding in the small bathroom, took his gun, and shot into the bathroom four times through the door.  The prosecution pushed the premise that Steenkamp had locked herself in the bathroom, in an attempt to get away from Pistorius.  The prosecution brought text messages between Steenkamp and Pistroius that indicated a rocky and jealous relationship.

The defense argued that Pistorius was raised in a violent and unsafe part of South Africa and as a result, was wary and afraid of the possibility of intruders, which he claimed he believed Steenkamp was the night he shot her.  While the judge held that this particular piece of information was immaterial to the trial, she did find that he behaved negligently in shooting into the bathroom four times.

The trial’s outcome turned on the legal finding that not all of the elements to find Pistorius guilty of premeditated or common law murder, were present.  Under South African law, to find someone guilty of premeditated murder, the killer must intend and plan to kill the target, which in this case would have been Steenkamp, or whoever Pistorius claimed was behind the door.  To find common law murder, the killer must act in the heat of the moment, but lack the “malice aforethought” requisite for premeditated murder.  Under this theory, the judge would have to find that Pistroius should have known that shooting into the bathroom would kill whoever was behind the door.

While Masipa did not find these elements entirely fulfilled, she did find Pistorius guilty of culpable murder, a classification that does not require that the actor intended to kill the individual, but acted negligently, counter to how a reasonable person would behave in the same circumstance.  Therefore, the decision turned on the finding that Pistorius did not intend to kill, and did not know that his actions would lead to the death of Steenkamp, and that by shooting into the bathroom four times, Pistorius behaved negligently.

Though this decision came as a relief to Pistorius and his family, the verdict was heartbreaking for many who simply cannot come to terms with the notion that Pistorius could have shot into the bathroom without the intent to kill.  There is no minimum sentence for culpable murder, and Pistorius will be sentenced in October, pursuant to the decision reached this week.

 

For more information, please visit:

BBC News- Oscar Pistorius: Minister says verdict is ‘disappointing’- 13 Sept 2014

CNN World- Judge: Pistorius was negligent, but Steenkamp’s killing was not murder– 12 Sept 2014

CNN Wrold- What’s next for Oscar Pistorius– 11 Sept 2014

New York Daily News- Oscar Pistorius murder trial: ‘I can’t believe that they believe it was an accident,’ says Reeva Steenkamp’s mother– 13 Sept 2014

By Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Africa

Yaounde, CAMEROON- Rising numbers of cholera cases make aid needed to control outbreaks, but political insecurity and the impending rainy season challenge efforts, while the Ebola virus overshadows those grappling with the cholera outbreak

While the fight against the Ebola virus occupies the global spotlight and rages on, another invisible killer has quietly crept onto the stage with much less ado.  In the Lake Chad river basin countries, the occurrence of cholera has dramatically spiked in recent months.  The illness has already claimed the lives of over 1,200 individuals, and has infected nearly 40,000.

Cholera is a water-borne illness that often strikes in regions where sanitation is poor and water is generally not potable.  Despite being one of the first studied illnesses in history, Cholera still ravages many parts of the world and claims the lives of over 100,000 people every year.  The illness causes sever vomiting and diarrhea that leads sever dehydration, and in some cases, death.

Information regarding lake basins and nutrients in river beds have uncovered information that suggests that certain high nutrient levels and river surges are responsible for a growth in plankton populations.  These plankton populations have been isolated as one cause of the transmission of cholera.  Even more concerning, river surges and growth in plankton populations are associated with warming waters, according to the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.  Bearing this in mind, there is concern that global warming may lead to an increase in the number of cholera cases.  While this information is not conclusive, the issue must be paid attention as global temperatures rise and the disease claims more lives in some of the poorest countries of the world, including those of the Lake Chad river basin.

Compounding the cholera problem is the current insecurity that affects the region, most notably, the rise in power of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group in Nigeria.  As people have fled Nigeria, some have brought cholera with them.  In fact, the first family with cholera in Cameroon was a Nigerian family that fled from Boko Haram.  The porous border of countries in the region undoubtedly contribute to the easy spread of disease, and the political insecurity makes it difficult for health organizations to distribute medical supply kits and potable water to areas affected by both cholera and instability.

While cholera cases are already high than usual, this may just be the beginning as the rainy season approaches.  Incidents of cholera tend to spike dramatically during the rainy season when flooding and water stagnation are not uncommon.  With the rainy season fast approaching, it will be difficult for health organizations to extend aid to the areas that need it most if cholera cases continue to rise in the context of instability.

 

For more information, please visit:

All Africa- Cameroon: Cholera surges in Cameroon– 4 Sept, 2014

All Africa- Cameroon: Ebola distracts from worsening cholera outbreak in Cameroon– 4 Aug, 2014

Inter Press Service- Recurrent cholera outbreak in far north Cameroon highlights development gaps- 19 Aug, 2014

Rueters- Cameroon cholera outbreak worsens

By Ashley Repp
News Desk Reporter, Africa

Mogadishu, KENYA- Al-Shabab grapples with the death of leader killed this week by a US strike, reveals new leader, and contends with revenge

In a missile operation on September 1st, carried out by the United States, the leader of al-Shabab, Ahmed Godane, was killed along with two other al-Shabab members.  The United States has targeted Godane since 2012, offering a reward for information regarding his whereabouts that would lead to his subsequent death or capture.  The Islamic militant group, rooted in Somalia, confirmed the news and announced that there would be repercussions for Godane’s death, and that it is the duty of the al-Shabab organization to avenge the death of the fallen militant leader.  Along with this statement, the group also asserted that the enemies of al-Shabab should expect to be caused “great distress.”

In stark contrast to the al-Shabab announcement, the Pentagon acknowledged the death of Godane as significant and politically symbolic.  Godane played a key role in increasing the attention given to the militant group by carrying out significant attacks, including the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya last year and the bombing during the 2010 World Cup that took the lives of over 70 people.

Indeed, Godane’s involvement and leadership within the group elevated the notoriety of al-Shabab.  He rose to power in 2008 after the death of his predecessor; once in this role, he strengthened ties with the Al-Queda organization and declared allegiance to the group.  Godane expanded the breadth of the organization’s influence and began to plan attacks with targets outside of Somalia.  Such a rebranding has incited fear, and caused international political leaders to pause and asses how to best manage the risk posed by the militants.

In the wake of Godane’s death, the Somalian government has intercepted information that al-Shabab may be planning retaliatory attacks that will specifically cause the distress that the group has warned will be next.  The information reveals that the attacks are likely to target civilians, including hospitals and educational facilities.  The Somalian government has put the country on alert and has increased security forces in response to the information.  In an attempt to diffuse the potential backlash to follow in the wake of Godane’s death, the Somalian president has offered political amnesty for al-Shabab members that leave within a 45 day grace period.

While al-Shabab has named Godane’s successor, Sheikh Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah, it remains unclear what step will be next for the group.  And as retaliatory action for the death of Godane has been at the forefront of possibilities, it is likely that tensions will remain high in the region.

 

For more information, please visit:

BBC News- Al-Shabab Names New Leader After Godane Death in US Strike- 6 Sept, 2014

Rueters- Somalia’s al-Shabaab confirm leader killed by US airstrike, name new head- 6 Sept, 2014

Aljazeera- Somalia’s al-Shabab names new leader- 6 Sept, 2014

Business Week- Al-Shabaab seeks successor to US-killed leader- 6 Sept, 2014