Africa

Opposition Leaders Arrested in Sudan

By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan — On the night of January 14, Abdul-Aziz Khalid, Chairperson of the Central Council of the National Sudanese Alliance Party, was arrested at his home by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).  Reports state that he is being detained incommunicado in an undisclosed location.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. (Photo Courtesy of IRIN)

Abdul-Aziz Khalid is the sixth political opposition member to be detained by NISS since a coalition of Sudanese political opposition parties and armed rebel groups attended political negotiations in Kampala, Uganda.  Dr. Jamal Idris, Enstar Alagali, Professor Mohamed Zain Alabidein, Dr. Abdulrahim Abdalla, and Hisham Al Mufti are also reportedly being detained by the NISS.  The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) fears that the six detainees are at serious risk of torture and ill-treatment

At the Kampala meeting on January 7, opposition leaders discussed the overthrow of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s regime in order to institute a national democratic alternative.

President al-Bashir has been under international scrutiny over the years for the events transpiring in Darfur.  The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants for Al-Bashir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur in 2009 and 2010. The warrants charge him with criminal responsibility on 10 counts, including murder, extermination, forcible transfer of population, torture and rape.

The Kampala negotiations culminated in the adoption of the New Dawn Charter.  The charter calls on parties to work together to topple the regime through either “democratic civil peaceful means” or “revolutionary armed struggle.”  Abdul-Aziz Khalid signed the “New Dawn” document on behalf of the National Sudanese Alliance Party.

The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of Sudan has publicly opposed the charter.  Sudanese authorities described the signatories as “traitors” and pledged that 2013 would be a year of “decisive action against armed opposition movements.”  The authorities also accused Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni of playing a “dirty role” in the region, asserting that they are aware of his conspiracies.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounced the arrest of several opposition party leaders by security forces.  ANHRI stated that “the security forces’ harassment of the opposition is a serious violation of basic human rights and their freedom to express their political opinions and stances freely and safely.”

This comes at a time when the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan will hold their second summit in a month.  Sudanese President al-Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir are to meet on January 24, in an attempt to resolve tensions over oil, territory, military concerns and other disputes.

For further information, please see:

Sudan Tribune – Sudanese political opposition leaders detained incommunicado and at risk of torture – 15 January 2013

All Africa – Sudan: Security Forces Arrest Opposition Party Leaders – 9 January 2013

Al Monitor – Sudan Crisis Escalates as Dissidents are Arrested in Khartoum – 9 January 2013

Reuters – Leaders of Sudan, South Sudan to Meet in Second Push for Peace – 15 January 2013

Congolese Rebels Declare Unilateral Ceasefire

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KINSHASA, DR Congo—The Congolese M23 rebels have recently declared a unilateral ceasefire (on Tuesday January 8, 2013) with the government. This announcement boosted the hope for an end to the nine-month revolt against the Congolese government. Francois Rucogoza, the rebels’ executive secretary told Ugandan journalists, “We’ve been for peace…Today we are declaring that we are in a ceasefire.” “Even if the government refuses to sign a ceasefire agreement we will continue with the negotiations,” he added.

The M23 executive secretary announces its unilateral ceasefire, the group now awaits a response from the government. (Photo Courtesy of New Vision)

Jean-Marie Runiga, the head of the rebels’ political wing gave a slightly different opinion saying, “If President Kabmila refuses to sign the ceasefire deal we will to him in the language he understands better which is war. We will not participate in any form of talks with him if he does not agree to peace.”

Last month an attempt was made to come to an agreement between the government and the rebels, but this attempt failed. Up to 800,000 people in the DR Congo have been displaced as a result of the rebels taking up arms against the government in May of last year.

However, the M23 has accused the government of failing to honor a peace deal that would integrate the rebels into the army. The group later broadened its stated goals to include the “liberation” of all of the DR Congo as well as the removal of the country’s President Joseph Kabila. The group also claims that they would like to improve living conditions for the people living in the eastern region of the DR Congo. The United Nations says, on the other hand, says that the group is supported by Rwanda, which has been very heavily involved with its Congolese neighbors since the people held responsible for Rwanda’s genocide left in 1994.

Peace talks began between the rebels and the government in November of last year, after the regional Heads of State and Government International Conference on the Great Lakes Region met in Kampala to discuss and seek solutions to the security situation affecting the eastern DR Congo.

The leader of the M23 is wanted by the International Criminal Court as prosecutors have accused him of using child soldiers. The United Nations also noted that he is in control of several mines located in the east region of the country. A lot now hangs in the balance as the country awaits the government’s response to the M23’s declaration of a ceasefire.

 

For further information, please see:

New Vision – M23 Rebels Declare Unilateral Ceasefire – 9 January 2013

Standard Digital News – DR Congo’s M23 Rebels Declare Unilateral Ceasefire – 9 January 2013

AlertNet – Congo Rebels Declare Ceasefire Before Peace Talks – 8 January 2013

CRI English – Congo Rebels Demand Government Sign Ceasefire – 5 January 2013

Rebels React to French Intervention in Northern Mali

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BAMAKO, Mali – Malian rebel groups Ansar Dine and AQIM (al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) have threatened France that its military intervention in Northern Mali could endanger the lives of its people.

The Mujao, an extremist group occupying northern Mali, who claimed responsibility for kidnapping a French citizen last November. (Photo courtesy of RFI/AFP/Issouf Sanogo)

They urged France to reconsider its military support to the Malian Army to avoid any harm to French hostages and other French citizens.

“There are consequences, not only for French hostages, but also for all French citizens, wherever they find themselves in the Muslim world,” said Sanda Ould Boumama, Ansar Dine’s spokesperson. “The hostages are facing death.”

AQIM posted a video online where its spokesperson, Abdallah Al-Chinguetti, gave a similar warning to France: “Stop your assault against us or you are digging your own sons’ graves.”

Since April last year, the Malian government had been asking for urgent military assistance from France to regain territories captured by several insurgent groups in the north. On Friday, French President Francois Hollande announced that France will help its former colony in west Africa. On the same day, France sent air strikes to Konna which allowed the Malian Army to drive the rebel convoy out of the city.

“Terrorists should know that France will always be there when the rights of a people – those of Mali who want to live freely and in a democracy – are threatened,” President Hollande said. According to him, the French military operation in Mali, named “Operation Serval”, would last “as long as necessary” mainly because “Mali’s very existence as a state was under threat” with insurgent groups trying to turn Mali into a “terrorist” state.

President Hollande added that the French military intervention complied with international law and had been agreed with by Malian interim President Dioncounda Traore.

Although Operation Serval had been successful in regaining control of several territories in a matter of days, it was not without casualties. A French pilot was killed on Friday when his helicopter was shot down near the town of Mopti. Hours later, a French hostage being held by extremist groups in Somalia was executed which further highlighted France’s conflict with such groups in Africa.

The French Foreign Ministry has since raised its security alert to red – the highest level, advising the 6,000 French citizens staying in Mali to leave the country. It has also extended the red alert on neighboring countries such as Mauritania and Niger.

Meanwhile, interim Malian President Traore declared a state of emergency on Friday. He also cancelled a long-planned official trip to Paris on Wednesday because of the ongoing conflict in his country.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC News – French soldier killed and hostage feared dead in Somalia – 12 January 2013

Huffington Post – France’s Mali Operation: Troops Make Progress Against Islamist Rebels – 12 January 2013

Reuters – France bombs Mali rebels, African States Ready Troops – 12 January 2013

Reuters – Mali intervention will put French citizens at risk: Islamists – 12 January 2013

RTE News – Over 100 rebels killed after French Air Strikes on Mali – 12 January 2013

Times Live – Mali war escalates with French intervention – 12 January 2013

RFI – Mali’s islamist Mujao group claims kidnapping of French citizen – 22 November 2012

 

Eight Dead in Kenyan Tribal Attack

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya—Today, Wednesday January 9, 2012, eight Kenyans were killed when armed raiders attacked a village in Kenya’s coastal province. The police said that it was politically instigated fighting that has been linked to the upcoming elections. These raiders were armed not only with guns but also with machetes and arrows. The Pokomo farmers attacked a tribe of semi-nomadic Orma pastoralists. Disputes between these groups have endured since August 2012 over grazing land and water. In August, over 100 people were killed in raids and revenge attacks.

Eight people were killed in the attack, 6 Ormas and 2 Pokomo farmers. (Photo Courtesy of Al Jazeera)

The Pokomo tribe raiders attacked a Nduru village in the Tana delta (home of the Ormas) and killed one woman and four men. In their defense, the Ormas killed two of the attackers and one other Orma died on the way to the hospital. Red Cross coordinator, Mwanaisha Hamisi, said, “Many of them were bleeding from gunshot wounds and cuts and we had to administer first aid as we carried them to the hospital.”

In the August attacks, over 400 animals were killed and houses were torched requiring the President to impose a curfew in that area. The victims were attacked with machetes and burned to death as the two tribes fought one another over the Orma-owned cattle grazing on land that the Pokomo claim as theirs. All of this took place as the inspector general of the police force, David Kimaiyo, requested a meeting in Nairobi to come with new strategies to address this violence which has left over 150 people dead.

The regional police chief, Affrey Adoli, told reporters, “We have names of several politicians, business people and local elites who we believe have been and are still funding attacks in the Tana. They are using grazing land and water as excuses.” “When we arrest them, they will tell us how and where they are acquiring illegal firearms and other weapons to arm these locals,” Adoli continued.

President Mwai Kibaki, has now ordered a judicial commission to review options on how to end this fighting and deadly violence. These outbreaks of violence, while claimed to be about land rights, have also raised concerns over security and police capacity for the upcoming elections on March 4. Five years ago, the elections ended with deadly post-poll killings and violence that tore apart Kenya’s prior image as being a beacon of regional stability and peace. The elections in March of this year, will determine the presidency, parliament, and regional posts and councils.

 

For further information, please see:

ABC News – Tribal Clash Kills 7; Police Blame Politics – 9 January 2013

Al Jazeera – Several Killed in Kenya Coastal Violence – 9 January 2013

Reuters – Eight Killed in Kenya Raid, Police See Political Hand – 9 January 2013

Standard Digital News – Tana Attack Death Toll Reaches Nine – 9 January 2013

Church Bombing in Libya Kills Two

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

TRIPOLI, Libya—On Monday, December 31, Libya’s Christian community was in shock after a Coptic church was attacked near the city of Misrata. Two Egyptians were killed n the bombing and fear continues to grow of rising extremism. The priest of the church, Markos Zaglul Boules said, “When we were praying we heard the explosion which struck a side room of the church used for services.” “I am very sad for this cowardly and criminal act and the loss of our sons,” he continued.

The scene of the blast. (Photo Courtesy of World News Australia)

The church is located in the Mediterranean town of Dafinya. It was built between 1936 and 1937 during the Italian colonial rule. The church is popular among Egyptians living in Libya. Libya, as a whole, has a small Christian population that is composed mainly of foreigners. This group includes migrant workers from Egypt, where Coptic Orthodox Christians are the largest religious minority.

Pastor Dominique Rezeau of the St. Francis Catholic church in Tripoli, noted that, “This is the first time we see such an attack. Christians never had a particular problem in Libya before or after the revolution.” “Everyone should be concerned. Especially if you look at the trend in northern Nigeria,” the pastor continued.

With the recent series of attacks against diplomatic missions and aid agencies, attacks against Sufi shrines and mosques, the country begins to fear the growth militant extremist groups. Before the uprising that overthrew Kadhafi, the country had a population of around 6.3 million, including about 1.5 million African immigrants many of whom fled during the fighting—these numbers included 97 percent Muslim and only about 3 percent Christian.

Karim Bitar, an expert, analyzed the situation finding that, “the worry is that Christians in Libya…be but the first to suffer from the Libyan central government’s endemic weakness and the proliferation of armed militias.” “We in Misrata consider this act a crime, an un-Islamic and inhumane crime,” noted Colonel Hadi Shaklawun, who is the head of national security in Misrata. He also said that no one has been detained so far, but the investigation continues until those responsible are accounted for.

 

For further information, please see:

Catholic World News – 2 Dead Following Church Bombing in Libya – 2 January 2013

World News Australia – Deadly Church Blast Rocks Libya – 1 January 2013

Kuwait News Agency – Qatar Condemns Egyptian Church Bombing in Libya – 31 December 2012

BBC News – Libya Coptic Church Blast Kills Two Egyptians – 30 December 2012