Africa

Boko Haram Leader Claims Control Of Nigerian Town

 

 

 

 

By Ashley Repp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 

Gowza, Nigeria-  Boko Haram Releases Video Claiming Control in Northern Nigeria

 

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group with its roots in Nigeria, released a video commending group members for their work in capturing the town of Gowza.  The video asserts that the town, with a population of about 265,000, will now be under the governance of Islamic Law, and that this is major victory for the militants.

BokoHaram

Citizens of northern Nigeria are not strangers to the presence of Boko Haram, and the violence that tails the group.  Since 2009, thousands have been indiscriminately killed at the hands of Boko Haram.  Just this year, nearly 4,000 civilians fell victim to the deadly violence that Boko Haram so frequently employs in asserting authority and dominance.  The video recently released by Abubakar Shekau, shows pickup trucks with armed militants driving into Gowza.  About 20 men are shot dead in the video as well.  Many fled upon the arrival of the militants, though many were not fortunate enough to avoid the onslaught of gunfire and grenades.

Though the Nigerian military asserts that it is still in full control of Nigeria in its entirety, Boko Haram contends that this is untrue.  Many civilians in the area have also expressed that Nigerian military has been absent from the region.  Military absence creates a space in which Boko Haram influence can proliferate.  Furthermore, with the rise of ISIS in the Middle East, the growing influence of Boko Haram is particularly concerning.  While Abubakar Shekau mentioned Iraq in his video, there was no specific mention of an alliance or allegiance between ISIS and Boko Haram.  Nevertheless, this will be an allegiance to pay particular attention to.

Ultimately, in light of the recent news regarding Boko Haram, including their claim of responsibility in the kidnapping of about 200 school girls in April, the group is an entity that appears to have the requisite strength and ominous shadow to continue to grow.  Further growth will certainly compound issues for Nigeria, a country currently reeling from the devastation of an outbreak and the continued presence of Boko Haram.  It goes without saying that the Boko Haram situation will only continue to grow in strength and presence, unless it can be stopped, in the very least, by government and military forces.  Until a decisive shift in either direction is made, it seems the world, and Nigerians, can only watch and wait.

For more information please visit:

BBC News– Boko Haram Declares ‘Islamic State’ in Nigeria– 25 Aug, 2014

Boston Herald- Nigeria: Boko Haram Declares it is Islamic Caliphate– 25 Aug, 2014

Times of India- Boko Haram Chief Declares ‘Caliphate’ in Nigeria Town– 25 Aug, 2014

Reuters- Boko Haram Leader Says Ruling Nigerian Town by Islamic Law– 25 Aug, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Confusion and Misunderstanding Fuel the Ebola Fire

By Ashley Repp
News Desk Reporter, Africa

West Africa– Lack of government outreach and denial of the disease are adding kindling to the Ebola fire. Denial regarding Ebola has been an overarching reality in many West African nations.  In March and April many governments refused to admit that there were Ebola cases in their villages, asserting to the international community that there was no chance of an Ebola outbreak, no looming epidemic to contend with.  Governments misstepped again by failing to alert the public to the presence of the deadly virus within their respective countries.  This issue was further compounded by the general lack of knowledge of how the virus is spread, and without dissemination of information regarding proper health precautions on how to avoid becoming infected, many West Africans are in denial that Ebola is actually an issue at their doorstep, or are fearful of the disease they don’t understand.  Regardless of which side West Africans find themselves on, their governments should be faulted for the limited resources, information, and awareness provided to combat the rapidly spreading virus.

ebola

Ebola is spread by contact with bodily fluids including, sweat, blood, urine, vomit, and mucus.  Understanding this is key, yet very few West Africans are aware of this.  As a result, ritual burials that often include extensive contact with the dead body still continue, despite the fact that such contact with a body infected with Ebola could be lethal.  As one news report mentioned, many people waver between fear and denial, exemplified by a girl in Liberia yelling at her friend not to touch her because “Ebola in town.”  Her friend responded that Ebola isn’t real, the government planted this seed of fear.  Others are certain that West African governments are only using Ebola to get aid from nations like the United States, and that it is not an actual issue.  Ultimately, denial and fear are spurring on Ebola, and lack of government outreach and uniformed people, are supporting the epidemic’s survival.

It wasn’t until several days ago that one country, Guinea, decided to shut its borders in an effort to keep Ebola at bay.  But with West Africa’s porous borders and largely weak governments, it is unlikely that this measure will ultimately have much effect.  Nevertheless, in the aftermath of West African governments failing their people by not disseminating information regarding the disease, and denying the Ebola crisis, steps, such as closing borders, may be a turning point for the epidemic.  But have these precautions come too late?

 

For more information, please visit:

All Africa- Guinea Shuts Boarders in Bid to Halt Ebola Spread- 9 Aug, 2014

All Africa- Nigeria: Ebola- Many Nigerians Still Ignorant of Disease- 8 Aug, 2014

All Africa- Liberia: You Ain’t Know Ebola In Town?- 9 Jul, 2014

All Africa- West Africa: Misconceptions Fuel Ebola Outbreak- 14 Jul, 2014

West African Countries Step-Up Quarantine Efforts As Ebola Death Toll Rises

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Managing Editor

MONROVIA, Liberia – As the death toll continues to rise in West Africa’s deadly Ebola virus outbreak several counties have taken steps to prevent the spread of the virus in an effort to prevent the spread of the deadly illness. To date the virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four West African countries; Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Police in Liberia use force in an attempt to prevent slum residents from breaking quarantine in Monrovia. Slum residents have complained that curfews and quarantines have been placed on them without giving them the proper opportunity to buy and store food and water. (Photo courtesy of The Wire UK)

So far Liberia has been the worst affected of the four West African countries hit by the Ebola virus, with 576 deaths from 972 cases to date. Officials have sealed of the West Point Slum in Monrovia, an area that is home to 75,000 people, in an attempt to stop the spread of the Ebola virus. However, the quarantines have angered residents who say the forced curfews and quarantines came with no advanced warning of the measures which has prevented them from being able to buy and store food and water.

Some residents had begun throwing rocks at police who were enforcing the quarantine. The police responded by firing live rounds and teargas into the crowd. Police also reportedly beat some of the residents. While several serious injuries were reported no-one is reported to have been killed during the incident.

Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, defended the quarantines, which have been established in areas throughout the country, saying they were essential to control the spread of the disease. She argued that Ebola had continued to spread throughout the country because of “continued denials, cultural varying practices, disregard for the advice of health workers and disrespect for the warnings by the government”.

However, there are fears that large scale isolation will lead to unrest in quarantined communities when essential movement of goods and people is cut-off. “I don’t have any food and we’re scared,” said Alpha Barry, a West Point resident. The World Health Organization has begun working with local authorities to deliver emergency food aid into quarantined zones in an attempt to prevent rising unrest.

The World Health Organization, which has set up a task force to monitor and contain the Ebola outbreak, has advised countries affected by the Ebola virus outbreak have been asked to introduce exit screenings at all international airports, seaports and major land crossings in order to stop the spread of the disease. The WHO task force will also be responsible for providing information to governments as well as transport companies. “Any person with an illness consistent with [the Ebola virus] should not be allowed to travel unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation”, the UN health agency said. It added that non–affected countries in the region “need to strengthen the capacity to detect and immediately contain new cases.”

Several governments have already taken steps to restrict travel from West African countries effected by the Ebola outbreak. Kenya Airways announced that it will suspend flight operations to Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Kenyan government announced other restrictions, saying it is temporarily suspending entry into Kenya of passengers who have passed through Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. The government of Cameroon has closed all its borders with Nigeria, which has had at least 4 deaths due to the virus, in an attempt to halt the spread of the Ebola virus, state radio said on Tuesday.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – Liberia Overwhelmed By Number of Ebola Dead – 21 August 2014

The Wire UK – Ebola: Police Open Fire to Enforce Liberia Quarantine – 21 August 2014

Reuters Africa – Cameroon Says Closes Borders With Nigeria in Bid To Halt Ebola – 20 August 2014

USA Today – Ebola Toll Climbs Even Amid ‘Encouraging Signs,’ WHO Says – 19 August 2014

The Wire UK – Ebola: WHO Calls For Screening at Borders in West Africa – 19 August 2014

CNN International – New Restrictions in Kenya for Travelers amid Ebola Fears – 16 August 2014

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa – August 2014

South Sudan Rebels Skip Out on Peace Talks

By: Danielle L. Cowan (Gwozdz)
Senior Desk Operator, Africa

JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan rebels have failed to attend the second day of peace talks aimed at ending months of conflict, BBC News reports.

The UN is struggling to cope with the large number of refugees fleeing the fighting (photo courtesy of AFP)

 

Organizers of these talks state that it is unclear why the rebels did not show up.

On Monday, the rebels had appeared and made this appearance with complaints about the continued presence of Ugandan forces in South Sudan.

It is unclear whether these talks are going to continue.

These talks have been part of a long effort by the government to finalize a transition for South Sudan.

The deadline that has been in place for these talks is August 10. By this date, they had hoped to agree on a transitional government and a ceasefire.

They had tried a round of talks in June between President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, but these talks stopped as well.

Instead, another conflict arose in December. President Kiir accused rebel leader Machar of plotting a takeover.

Although Machar denied these accusations, he gathered a rebel army to fight the government.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry stated that Machar “needs to understand the importance of living by the agreements.”

The UN has warned that this country is on the verge of famine.

More than 1.5 million people have been displaced.

Over the last two days, at least six Sudanese aid workers have been killed in violence close to the South Sudan border.

These ethnically targeted attacks have been said by the UN as characteristic violence which has ruined South Sudan.

The murdered aid workers belong to the Nuer ethnic group, BBC News reports.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Rebel no-show at South Sudan talks in Ethiopia – 5 August 2014
Africa Time – Rebel no-show at South Sudan talks in Ethiopia – 6 August 2014
Ethiopian Headline News – Rebel no-show at South Sudan talks in Ethiopia – BBC News – 5 August 2014
Africa News – Rebel no-show at South Sudan talks in Ethiopia – BBC News – 6 August 2014

 

As the Africa Summit in Washington, D.C. Nears, Activists Push for Gay-Rights

Gay-Africa-003

 

By: Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Africa 

Africa, as a continent, is home to the strictest of anti-gay laws in the world, and as an issue of human rights, many African nations are facing backlash for their laws and called to address such violations of human rights.  Activists are now calling on prominent world leaders, including President Barak Obama, to push for gay rights to be on the agenda for the African summit in Washington next week.  Activists see this summit as a rare opportunity for the human rights of the African gay, lesbian, and transgender population to be discussed and supported.  The LGBT community in Africa faces some of the worst discrimination, and many human rights activists demand change.

In Africa, 37 African countries have laws on the  books criminalizing homosexuality.  Some nations allow imprisonment of homosexual and transgender people, while some countries, including Nigeria, Mauritania, and Sudan, go so far as to allow for the killing of such individuals.  And while Uganda recently removed the law allowing for the death penalty in cases dealing with gay and transgender people, it still has some of the strictest anti-gay laws.  Creating a safe space for those in the LGBT community in Africa will be a difficult battle, considering how persistent some governments and communities appear to be in maintaining anti-gay laws and culture.  Just last month in Nigeria, over a dozen individuals were assaulted by a mob in order to rid the community of homosexuals.

Many of the LGBT community in Africa live in constant fear of violence, harassment, and punishment.  Discrimination of members of this population is rampant and permeates nearly every facet of life in many African nations.  As a result of the discrimination, the LGBT community bears the burden of poverty due to unemployment or inability to find a job because of known or presumed sexual orientation, abandonment   by family and community, and legal punishment.  With what is effectively rejection by society, members of the African LGBT community have few options and even fewer rights.

Although Obama has already increased sanctions against Uganda for its new anti-gay laws, the summit next week will be a unique opportunity, if the chance is seized, for the leaders of the countries with the strictest anti-gay laws, to be addressed in person for the human rights issues created by anti-gay culture, law, and policy.  And with tensions rising within nations between groups that support and promote the upholding of the tradition anti-gay rhetoric and culture, and those who support LGBT human rights, the time could not be more ripe for a multi-national discussion on the issue.

 

For more information, please visit:

Time- Advocates issue report on the dreadful state of LGBT rights in Africa, as world leaders and leading figures from the continent prepare for the US-Africa Leaders Summit- July 29, 2014

ABC News- Activists Want Gay Rights on Africa Summit Agenda- July 29, 2014

BBC News Africa- Cameroon lawyer wins award for defending gay rights- Mar 18, 2014

The Washington Post- Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death- Feb 24, 2014