Africa

Deadly Bomb Hits Nigeria Market

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

ABUJA, Nigeria – At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion at a market in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a medical worker told BBC news.

Several cars were destroyed in the explosion (photo courtesy of AP)

 

The explosives were reportedly hidden in a vehicle carrying charcoal.

It is believed that Boko Haram has carried out the attack, though no group has stepped forward and claimed this violent bombing. Maiduguri is the center of Boko Haram’s violent campaign.

This same group is the one linked to the 200 schoolgirls kidnapped.

“A van loaded with charcoal and IED (improvised explosive device) exploded at Monday Market in Maiduguri this morning. The location has been cordoned,” the defense headquarters stated on its Twitter account.

The vehicle exploded into a huge fireball, AFP further added.

About 55 people were injured due to the explosion.

One resident, Babagana Hausari, told BBC that “I heard a very loud explosion right from my house and rushed to the place.”

He further added, “When I got there I saw many people lying after they were hit by explosives.”

One student who rushed to the scene said “I saw police and troops picking out victims.”

Several vehicles were damaged due to the bombing, including the driver of the vehicle carrying the charcoal and the bomb.

After the accident, Nigeria’s military stated it raided a Boko Haram intelligence unit thought to be linked to the abduction of the schoolgirls.

The Boko Haram cell leader was arrested.

The cell leader has not commented on the allegations of the bombing.

This year alone, more than 2,000 people have been killed in attacks blamed on the Boko Haram militants.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Nigeria’s Boko Haram crisis: Deadly bomb hits Maiduguri – 1 July 2014
Tert.am – Nigeria’s Boko Haram crisis: Deadly bomb hits Maiduguri – 1 July 2014
The Sun – Boko Haram crisis: Deadly bomb hits Maiduguri – 1 July 2014
NewsBreakNigeria – Nigeria’s Boko Haram crisis: Deadly bomb hits Maiduguri – BBC News – 1 July 2014

 

Massive Resources and Government Involvement Needed to Curb Ebola Outbreak

By Ashley Repp

Impunity Watch News Reporter- Africa

Guinea-ebola

WEST AFRICA- the Ebola virus continues to claim lives, yet governments are quiet in actively working to stop the spread

West Africa has been attempting to cope with an Ebola outbreak that has become out of control.  This week, a 635 cases have been confirmed and nearly 400 have lost their lives to the virus.  Ebola, a haemorrhagic fever, is one of the most contagious diseases and can spread quickly through contact with bodily fluids and perspiration.   Without proper control and protocol when dealing with infected individuals, rampant spread of the illness will ensue.   Nearly 90% of all who become infected will succumb to the disease; a bleak prognosis.

Doctors Without Borders has asserted that it is working at full capacity and simply cannot help more individuals as the virus continues to spread.  More than sixty virus ‘hotspots’ have been identified, with Guinea being the hardest hit.  The Doctors Without Borders (MSF) organization has warned that massive funding, resources, and cooperation are needed to get the outbreak under control, and urges the governments of the countries affected by the outbreak, like Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Monrovia,  to take a role in providing resources and establishing a plan for addressing the epidemic.

Some doctors have expressed outrage, asserting that this virus has gotten out of control because government officials will not come to terms with the reality of the outbreak, and have ‘lied’ through their contentions that the outbreak is under control.  A target of this critique has been Guinean president, Alpha Conde, who expressed, at a meeting with the World Health Organization, that the virus seemed to be under control.  Other doctors have asserted that governments are not being forthright with information about the extent of the outbreak for fear that it will scare off potential investors.  As a result, obtaining investors is coming at the cost of human life, which is inciting outrage.

If governments do not take a more present and visible role in coping with this outbreak, the epidemic could continue to escalate and claim more lives.  Furthermore, the potential for more countries to have documented cases and outbreaks will become a very real reality.  Citizens of the nations currently affected by the epidemic are paralyzed by fear, but many are unsure how to stop the spread of the disease, creating a difficult combination of panic and continued exposure.  It is essential that information regarding the virus and how it is spread is disseminated by a reliable source.  Until these loose ends can be tied, it is likely that the outbreak will continue to spread.

For more information please visit:

The New York Times- Ebola Deaths Rise as Outbreak Spreads- 26 June 2014

All Africa- West Africa: Ebola Virus Out of Control- Doctors Without Borders- 26 June 2014

All Africa- ‘Ebola Epidemic Requires Massive Deployment of Resources’ MSF- 23 June 2014

Relief Web- Medics Vent Anger at Government Inaction Over Ebola- 26 June 2014

 

 

Recent Attacks in Kenya may Point to al-Shabab

By: Ashley Repp

 

Impunity Watch News Reporter, Africa

 

NAIROBI, Kenya–  Wave of violence in coastal city shakes Kenyans – a dozen are missing.

al shabab

Recent attacks in Mpeketoni and two nearby towns took the lives of about 50 people and led to the abduction of about a dozen women.  But amidst the heartbreak, there are questions regarding who bears the responsibility for the attacks. 

The attacks appear to have been extremely well orchestrated; phone lines were even jammed to ensure that residents could not sound the alarm about the attacks on the city. 

al-Shabab, an Islamic militant organization, has accepted responsibility for the attack on the coastal city of Mpeketoni. 

The organization even cited the motive of revenge against Kenya for presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia and the oppression of Muslims. Following the Monday attacks, some witnesses claim to have seen the attackers flying the al-Shabab flag and yelling in Somali. 

These pieces of evidence support al-Shabab’s involvement and orchestration of the attack.  Furthermore, earlier this month, an al-Shabab leader called the militant group to target Kenya in attacks in order to exact revenge and convey frustration and anger towards Kenya.

But despite al-Shabab’s acceptance of responsibility, some, including President Kenyatta, are hesitant to accept this as a legitimate answer, and instead point to local ethnic and political tensions. 

The attacks occurred in hotels and a police station where many were gathered around to watch the World Cup.   

Despite witness reports that support al-Shabab’s involvement, critics of the notion that al-Shabab was at the helm of the recent attacks point to the attack itself as support that this could not have been the militant group that claimed responsibility.  For example, the attack and the abduction of a dozen women, does not necessarily fit the normal pattern of al-Shabab attacks. 

Critics assert that the militant group normally carries out attacks in an indiscriminate way, with men, women, and children as targets.  In the attacks on Mpeketoni and the nearby towns, the deaths do not seem to follow this pattern; rather, men were the targets for the killings.

Foreigners were not targeted in the attacks, but are still urged to take precautions, and if possible, leave the area, as tensions remain high.  Britain has also issued a warning to nearby east African countries, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, cautioning that al-Shabab may be at work and further attacks may be in the near future. 

It is important to note that these nations also have troops in Somalia.   For now, Kenyans are left to pick up the pieces while they search for answers to their questions and fears. 

For more information, please visit:

BBC News- Kenya Attacks ‘Women Abducted’ near Mpeketoni- 17 June 2014

Z News- After al-Shabab attacks, women kidnapped near Kenya’s Mpeketoni- 17 June 2014

CNN News- Mpeketoni attack was done by local networks, Kenya’s President says- 17 June 2014

Daily Nation- Mpeketoni Attack: Death Toll Rises to 48- 17 June 2014

Sudan Woman Freed From Death Row Arrested for Alleged Fake Travel Documents

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

KHARTOUM, Sudan – The Sudanese woman freed from death row has been accused of trying to leave country with fake documents, her lawyer told BBC news.

South Sudan’s embassy issued the document on Monday (photo courtesy of BBC)

 

The woman, Meriam Ibrahim, was detained on Tuesday, a day after the court released her, annulling the death sentence imposed on her for renouncing the Islamic faith.

Ibrahim, age 27, had been detained at the Khartoum airport along with her family. Her husband Daniel Wani said the family intended to leave the country for the United States. Wani is a United States citizen.

Ibrahim is currently still being held in a police station in Sudan.

United States officials said that they had received assurances that she had not been arrested and would be allowed to leave; however, a Sudan source told the Times of India that she was being investigated for carrying fake documents.

“The National Security took her and Daniel,” said the Times of India source. The same source also told the AFP that Ibrahim had been transferred from the custody of the National Intelligence and Security Service.

Ibrahim’s attorney said that more than 40 police officers prevented the family from boarding the plane to the United States.

“It is very disappointing,” Ibrahim’s attorney stated. “They were very angry. They took us [the family’s lawyers] outside, and took the family to a Niss detention center. They have not been given access to lawyers.”

Her attorney further stated that the appeals court had dismissed all of Ibrahim’s convictions and there were no restrictions on her travelling. He also added, however, that political differences within the government over the case may have played a part in the decision to prevent her leaving.

“I am very concerned,” her attorney claimed. “When people do not respect the court, they might do anything.”

Ibrahim was sentenced to death in May for abandoning Islam when she married a Christian. This marriage sparked outrage around the world.

A court had ruled that she was Muslim because that was her father’s faith. Her Christian marriage of 2011 was officially annulled. She was then sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery and death by hanging for renouncing Islam. Sex outside a “lawful relationship” is considered adultery under Sudanese law.

Ibrahim argued against the court’s ruling by claiming her father abandoned her family when she was six and she was brought up by her mother who was a Christian.

The court ruled that she would be released on June 23rd, but she was arrested the next day.

The United States says it is currently working with Sudan to ensure that Ibrahim will be freed.

South Sudan’s embassy says the travel documents are genuine.

Even though Ibrahim was brought up as an Orthodox Christian, the authorities still consider her Muslim because of her father.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Sudan death row woman ‘faked papers’ – 25 June 2014
Guardian News – Sudan death row woman accused of forging papers – 25 June 2014
International Business Times – Freed Christian Woman Meriam Ibrahim Accused of Forging Documents to Leave Sudan – 25 June 2014
The Times of India – Freed Christian woman detained trying to leave Sudan – 25 June 2014
The Guardian – Sudan death row woman Meriam Ibrahim detained again – 24 June 2014
Channel 4 News – Meriam Ibrahim detained at airport in ‘abuse of power’ – 24 June 2014

Nigeria World Cup Viewers hit by Deadly Suicide Bomber

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

ABUJA, Nigeria – At least 21 people have been killed in a bomb blast in northern Nigeria as they were watching a World Cup match, a hospital source told BBC News.

Police at scene of suicide bomber (photo courtesy of Associated Press)

 

Witnesses in Yobe state say a suicide bomber in a tricycle taxi detonated explosives as people watched Brazil’s match against Mexico on TV.

At least 27 people are seriously injured.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by Boko Haram, an armed Islamic group that wants to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state, was suspected.

Nathan Cheghan, a Police Assistant Superintendent, said that rescue workers had been careful about rushing to the scene for fear of secondary explosions. The Boko Haram group frequently detonates secondary explosions to kill those who help victims from the first bomb.

Young children were among the victims.

The Nigerian government has advised World Cup fans to avoid crowded public screenings of the tournament in Brazil, fearing possible attacks.

Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden” in the Hausa language, has listed football, or soccer, as one of the sinful and corrupting signs of western influence they want to eradicate.

Nigeria’s military has promised increased security but appears incapable of halting a stream of attacks by extremists holding more than 250 schoolgirls hostage.

A hospital worker told the media that truckloads of injured people are being treated in overcrowded wards.

“The injured people are so numerous I cannot count them,” the worker said after the blast.

An emergency has been declared in three states, including Yobe, amid attakcs by suspected Boko Haram militants.

There have also been warnings of potential attacks at venues showing the World Cup in East Africa – Somali Islamist group al-Shabab killed 76 people watching the 2010 World Cup final at two restaurants in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The kidnapping of the girls two months ago and failure of Nigeria’s military and government to rescue them has roused international concern. The US is searching for the girls with drones and has sent experts along with Britain and France to help in counter-terrorism tactics and hostage negotiation.

Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to sell the girls into slavery unless the government agrees to exchange them for detained extremists, but President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will not exchange prisoners.

Nigeria’s military has said it knows where the girls are but that any military campaign could get them killed.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Nigeria World Cup viewers hit by deadly bomb blast – 18 June 2014
CBC News – Nigeria suicide bombing of World Cup viewing site kills 14 – 18 June 2014
The Globe and Mail – Blast at Nigerian World Cup viewing site kills 14 – 18 June 2014
International Business Times – Nigeria: Boko Haram Kills Children in ‘Un-Islamic’ World Cup Bombing – 18 June 2014
The Independent – ’14 killed’ in Nigeria suicide bomb attack on World Cup viewing venue – 18 June 2014
Daily Monitor – Bomb attack kills Nigerian World Cup fans – 18 June 2014