By Tamara Alfred
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

On Thursday, the Sudanese president vowed to “never give up” a disputed oil-rich region that has led to escalated tensions between Sudan and South Sudan and sparked fears of a return to war.

Clashes between the two nations soared in the past week after South Sudan declared the disputed Heglig region to be under its control.  Sudan also claims ownership of the region and has lodged complaints with the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), urging both groups to pressure South Sudan to withdraw its troops from the territory.

“We will never give up an inch of our land,” Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said during a rally broadcast on state media.  “And we have said it before, whoever extends his hand toward Sudan, we will cut it off.”

President al-Bashir’s defiant speech continued: “We will punish them…and it will be the last lesson for them.  If they do not understand, we will make them get it by force.  We extended our hand before for peace and unity.  But they deceived us.  Heglig is the start.”

The international community has urged the two countries to return to the negotiating table amid the intensified tensions.  South Sudan split from Sudan in July 2011 under the terms of a 2005 peace agreement that ended decades of civil war.

“The last thing the people of these two countries need is another war – a war that could claim countless lives, destroy hope and ruin the prospects of peace and stability and prosperity of all Sudanese people,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

The UN Security Council issued a statement demanding “a complete, immediate and unconditional end to all fighting and a withdrawal of the SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army of South Sudan] from Heglig and an end to aerial bombardments.

The United States (US) has also called for both sides to stop the hostilities.  “We condemn South Sudan’s military involvement in the attack on and seizure of Heglig, an act which goes beyond self-defense and has increased tensions between Sudan and South Sudan to dangerous levels,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.  “We also condemn the continued aerial bombardment in South Sudan by the Sudanese Armed Forces.”

Five people were killed and five others were wounded this past weekend after an airplane dropped bombs on a town in South Sudan.  Col. Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the SPLA, said that the aerial strike hit a market area in Rubkona in the early afternoon on Saturday.  Two other counties were reportedly also attacked that day.

“We will observe closely the behavior and attitude of the reaction of the government of the South to this call and if they don’t heed it, we will reserve our right to exercise the right of self-defense and we will chase them out,” Sudan’s Ambassador to the UN Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman said.

While South Sudan did not immediately respond, Maj. Gen. Mangar Buong, a deputy commander for the South Sudanese military vowed to hold their position.

Later, South Sudan’s Ambassador to the UN Agnes Oswaha blamed the Sudanese government for attacks of their forces at the border, provoking the South Sudanese actions at Heglig.

“South Sudan had no choice.  It had to defend itself to deter attacks on South Sudanese territory,” Oswaha said.  “South Sudan is prepared to withdraw troops as long as a mechanism is put in place that the area cannot be used to launch further attacks.”

Tensions have continued to run high since the separation last year.  Unresolved issues pertaining to the divorce include status of citizens, how much the landlocked South should pay to transport its oil through Sudan, and the division of national debt, among others, including the fate of disputed border areas.

Addressing a rally in Khartoum on Wednesday, al-Bashir accused South Sudan’s ruling party, the SPLM, of seeking to execute “the agendas of world powers to oust the government in Khartoum” before threatening to do it the other way himself.

“Either we end up occupying Juba [the capital of South Sudan] or you end up occupying Khartoum, but the boundaries of the old Sudan can no longer fit us together.  Only one of us has to remain standing,” Bashir said.

He further pledged to liberate South Sudan’s people from the SPLM, which he described as an insect that must be crushed.

“We have promised the South’s people to free them from the SPLM rule immediately and we bear a responsibility before the South’s citizens after we contributed to establishing the SPLM rule in the South,” he said.

Meanwhile, South Sudan government spokesman Barnaba Marial Benjamin said that al-Bashir’s words were a warning that he would like to carry out the “genocide” in South Sudan as he is doing in the Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions of Sudan.

The violence has led to increase of rights groups warning of deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a new analysis that the countries are “teetering on the brink of all-out war from which neither would benefit.”

“The deteriorating situation right now is making the overall humanitarian issues very challenging,” said Alex Neve, secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada.  Reportedly, supply lines to refugee camps have been cut off, and a failure to get key supplies before the rainy season hits will lead to an even greater humanitarian crisis.

“Diplomatic pressure to cease hostilities and return to negotiations must be exerted by both government by the region and the United Nations Security Council, as well as such partners as the US, China and key Gulf states,” said the ICG.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Arab League calls emergency meeting on Sudan violence – 19 April 2012

CNN – Sudan president vows to ‘punish’ South Sudan – 19 April 2012

CNN – Official: 5 killed, 5 wounded in aerial attack in South Sudan – 18 April 2012

Sudan Tribune – Bashir Vows to ‘Free’ South Sudan’s People From SPLM – 18 April 2012

By Tamara Alfred
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

A cell phone video allegedly showing a group of seven Soweto youths filming themselves raping a 17-year-old girl, who is said to have the mental age of a five-year-old, went viral on Twitter in South Africa.

Eight suspects, between 14 and 20 years of age, were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with kidnapping and rape, according to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela.

“The video is very bad.  The men can be clearly identified as they take turns raping and filming her,” Makhubela told CNN.

“The girl can be heard pleading with the boys to stop,” journalist Mandy Weiner reported.  “They crudely jest and crassly spur one another on.”

The Daily Sun, a local tabloid, reports that it was the one to alert the police after a concerned mother who caught her daughter watching the video handed it over to the paper.

“The mother of a teenage girl saw the horrifying pictures and confiscated her daughter’s phone.  A work colleague of the woman said they recognized some of the boys and advised her to take the video to Daily Sun,” the newspaper reporter.  Interestingly, the colleague did not advise the woman to go the police directly.

The paper reports that the video lasts just over 10 minutes and the girl can be heard shouting “you are forcing me” repeatedly.

The Sun was also the one to inform the victim’s mother.  The woman reportedly said that her daughter had been a victim of rape since age 12.

“People took advantage of her illness and because my family is poor,” the Sun quoted her as saying.

The girl’s mother reported her missing on March 21.  Media reports suggest the police initially failed to open a missing persons case, but that the girl has since now been found.  Police suspect the girl was kidnapped and turned into a sex slave.

A local radio station got hold of the video and has been receiving requests to post it.  Eyewitness News editor Katy Katopodis stated that the station would never do that.

“To those asking for the #rapevideo link that #EWN reported on today.  Stop!  Not happening!  We’d never put it on our site.  Illegal & wrong,” Katopodis posted on Twitter.

According to the Film and Publication Board CEO Yoliswa Makhasi, the Films and Publications Act states that minors may not be used or featured in pornographic content and the creation, possession and distribution of child pornography is illegal.  Authorities have warned anyone who has received a copy of the video to delete it or risk being charged under these laws.

A popular radio talk show host broke down Wednesday morning as she encouraged listeners to come up with solutions to the problem of rape in the country.  According to the latest police statistics more than 60,000 cases of sexual assault were reported in the year ending March 2011, down from 70,000 in 2008.  NGOs estimate a woman is raped every 26 seconds in the country.  Women’s rights activist Lisa Vetten says that in the province where Johannesburg is located, one in every five rapes is a gang rape.

“Rape is a young man’s crime.  It’s a bit of a performance for them, showing off to each other how macho they are,” said Vetten.  “We need to teach our young men that you can be masculine in ways that do not involve violence and degrading women.”

Experts say that the South African government is well aware that the problem needs urgent attention.  “We are not lacking in terms of legal instruments to deal with this kind of thing,” said Nomboniso Gasa, an expert on gender and culture.  “What we lack are ways of making these instruments effective.”

The country has created a ministry of women and children headed by Lulu Xingwana precisely to deal with violence against women and other related matters.  Xingwana says that this case will be a high priority.  “Distributing child porn is illegal in this country so the police must confiscate this video,” said Xingwana in a radio interview.  Furthermore, “[i]n addition to the painful ordeal of rape the young woman was forced to endure, she is now subjected to a second assault on her dignity (the video),” Xingwana added.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Outrage in South Africa over internet rape video – 18 April 2012

CNN – Shocking rape video goes viral in South Africa – 18 April 2012

South African Press Association – South Africa: Board Warns About Rape Video – 18 April 2012

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

LILONGWE, Malawi – Joyce Banda was sworn in as Malawi’s first female president on Saturday, a week after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, whose party expelled her after a disagreement over whether his brother Peter could succeed him.  The former vice president takes on the task of rebuilding a crumbling economy and restoring confidence in government.

“The first priority would be to revamp the economy and ensure that there is good governance,” said Banda.  “I know this is a great challenge but I thank all Malawians for having confidence in me.”

She took her first steps in that process on Monday, firing Police Inspector General Peter Mukhito.  Once hailed by Mutharika as the best IG Malawi ever had, Mukhito’s departure came as a surprise to some.  Banda’s administration did not provide an explanation, but his handling of recent events may have been a factor.  The country faced anti-government protests about the economy last July.  In response to the rallies, Malawian police fired into the crowds, killing at least 19 people.

Mukhito garnered fame for his questioning a lecturer about his comparisons between the Arab Spring uprisings and the country’s fuel crisis last year.  The incident escalated to the point that Chancellor College, part of the University of Malawi, was forced to close.  According to the People’s Party (PP) Orange Intellectuals, the youth wing of Banda’s political party, the conflict over academic freedom raged for eight months.  It welcomed the change in leadership.

“This could not have come at a better time,” said National Coordinator Edgar Chipalanjira, a student at the since-reopened Chancellor College.  “Honestly, it was hell under the former IG who was ironically dubbed ‘finest ever’ by the late President.  Those were the days no Malawian would wish to experience again.”

Banda has appointed commissioner Lot Dzonzi to replace Mukhito.

She will face a stiffer challenge on economic issues.  In the year before his death, Mutharika had a falling out with the United Kingdom, who cut off its aid to Malawi.  This has contributed to a shortage of foreign currency, as Mutharika also had poor relations with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.  Despite these hurdles, and her party’s lack of representation in Parliament, the government does not expect much political wrangling.

“We would like to help the new president to rebuild the country. Malawi at the moment is confronted by several challenges and the new needs support from lawmakers. By working with her, Malawians will benefit from development projects,” said an optimistic Ken Kandodo, the country’s former finance minister.  “We had [a] very smooth transition according to the Constitution. There were some people from the national governing council who wanted to disrupt this smooth process but have failed. We should all celebrate because democracy has triumphed.”

But government alone will not be enough to guarantee a successful turnaround.  Banda has emphasized the need to reestablish relations with foreign exchanges and to build up its own industries once again.

“The economy is on a downward spiral with challenges of availability of foreign exchange, fuel shortages and failure to pay civil servant on time or at all,” Banda said last May.  “The private sector is constrained to take an active role.  The country needs to urgently find alternative sources of foreign exchange.”

For more information, please see:

BBC — Malawi’s New President Sacks Police Chief Mukhito — 9 April 2012

Daily Times (Malawi) — Banda Tipped on Priorities — 9 April 2012

Daily Times (Malawi) — Industry Hopeful with New Regime — 9 April 2012

Nyasa Times — PP “Intellectuals” Hail Appointment of New Police Chief — 9 April 2012

Malawi Voice — Inspector of Police Mukhito Fired; Dzonzi Takes Over — 8 April 2012

New York Times — In Mourning, Malawi Swears in a New President — 7 April 2012

By Tamara Alfred
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

An anti-gay group in Liberia released a “hit list” on April 3 of people they believe should be punished for their participation in the gay rights movement.

Movement Against Gays in Liberia (MOGAL) distributed fliers over the weekend in parts of Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, threatening to take out the individuals one by one.  The fliers allege that gays and lesbians want to destroy Liberia and do not have the nation’s best interests at heart.  MOGAL said those involved in promoting gay rights “should not be given space to get a gulp of air.”

“Having conducted a comprehensive investigation, we are convinced that the below listed individuals are gays or supporters of the club who don’t mean well for our country,” the fliers read.  “Therefore, we have agreed to go after them using all means in life.”

While no individual MOGAL members signed the fliers, Moses Tapleh, a 28-year-old affiliated with the group, stressed that its threats should be taken seriously.  “We will get them one by one,” he said.  “They want to spoil our country.”

When asked what action might be taken against those on the list, Tapleh said they could be subjected to “dangerous punishments” including “flogging and death.”

The flier warned that MOGAL would begin taking action soon.  “Let these individuals be aware that we are coming after them soon,” the flier reads.  “We urge them to also begin saying their Lord’s prayers.”

One of the persons whose name appeared on the list already reported receiving threatening phone calls.

The fliers are yet another example of the growing hostility towards gays and lesbians on the west coast of Africa.  Liberian law currently does not explicitly address homosexuality.  “Voluntary sodomy” is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison.  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last month vowed to preserve this law, prompting a statement of concern from the U.S. State Department.

Additionally, last February, two proposals were introduced in the legislature making homosexuality punishable by prison terms.  One of the proposed bills would make same-sex sexual practice a second-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.  The other bill would make same-sex marriage a first-degree felony, with sentences ranging up to 10 years in prison.

Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, said the emergence of the “hit list” should put pressure on President Sirleaf to take a stance in support of gay rights.  Simply refusing to sign the new anti-gay laws was insufficient, according to Reid.

“She cannot sit on the fence when there’s this kind of provocation taking place,” said Reid.  “She needs to take a clear and unequivocal stance on this issue.”

Homophobia is widespread in Africa.  Last year, Nigeria voted in favor of a bill that would criminalize gay marriage, gay advocacy groups and same-sex public displays of affection.  In 2009, Uganda introduced a bill that would impose the death penalty for some gays and lesbians.  Even in South Africa, the only African nation to recognize gay marriage, so-called “corrective” rapes have been carried out on lesbians.

For more information, please see:

Africa Review – Anti-gay hit-list in circulation in Liberia – 4 April 2012

Scrimac.com – Liberian Gays Threatened With Death on Hit List Fliers – 3 April 2012

The Washington Post – Anti-gay group in Liberia issues hit list, threatens to ‘get to them one by one’ – 3 April 2012

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DAKAR, Senegal – Sunday night marked the end of a long, contentious presidential election cycle in Senegal, the only West African country to have never been marred by a military coup or a civil war that reached the capital.  At about 9:30 p.m. local time, incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade placed a phone call to his opponent in the run-off vote, former protégé Macky Sall, to concede defeat.  Even before Wade conceded, proud Senegalese celebrated in the streets of Dakar in recognition of a change of the guard and a possible end to the violence that had left at least six people dead during the campaign.

“Senegal, in a transparent election, has proven once again that it is and remains a great democracy, a great country,” Mr. Wade’s press secretary said in a statement announcing his concession.

This election had been a source of controversy for months.  The 85-year-old—but possibly older—Wade  attempted to circumvent the constitution’s two-term limit, which he installed, by claiming his first term did not count because he served it before the limit’s passage.  His decision was met by derision by opponents and civilians alike, who considered him to be too grandiose and, at times, a person who wasted resources.  Youth groups soon targeted him through the use of highly critical rap songs.

The first round of elections took place last month.  Wade earned the largest share of the vote, with 34.8%, followed by the 50-year-old Sall, at 26.6%.  Twelve other candidates had their names on the ballot, and all of whom backed Sall in Sunday’s second round.  As neighboring Mali stood on the verge of its first coup in more than twenty years, peace prevailed at the polls in Senegal, despite fears of vote rigging in order to ensure Wade’s defeat.  It proved unnecessary, as preliminary totals showed Sall supporters outnumbering Wade backers at a rate of more than two to one, including in Wade’s home constitutency.

“The real winner remains the Senegalese people,” he said in his victory address.  “We have shown to the world that our democracy is mature.  I will be the president of all the Senegalese.”

For Sall, a geologist who once served as prime minster under Wade, the results signify a return to prominence after five years away from Dakar.  While he was president of the National Assembly, he called Wade’s son, Karim, to the capital for questioning on public spending.  This action angered the president, who was believed to be grooming Karim as his successor.  From there, Sall returned to his hometown of Fatick, where he was elected mayor.  He ran a platform calling for “a style of government that is more sober and efficient” than the extravagant Wade.

Wade’s concession and the presumed easy transition that will follow stands in marked contrast to contentious and occasionally violent fights for control in Senegal’s neighbors.  But in this coastal country, where democracy has reigned, the voters turned to the polls to bring about changed.

“This is a great victory for Senegal — it shows the maturity of our democracy,” said sociologist Hadiya Tandian. “It shows that the Senegalese believe in their voter IDs, that a voter card can change something, can make a difference. It shows that our long democratic heritage continues to live in us day by day.”

General reaction was one of euphoria, but skepticism remains.  Sall’s connections to Wade are well-known, and his statements could be a façade.

“We have never seen a president elected with this kind of landslide victory [in Senegal]. It gives a lot of political capital [to Sall],” said Senegalese political analyst Aly Fary Ndieye.  “The question now is how will Macky Sall turn this win into political power.  The biggest challenge now is how to effectively implement policies to benefit Senegalese people.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Senegal Opposition Celebrates Election Win — 26 March 2012

BBC — Macky Sall Senegal Election Win “Example for Africa” — 26 March 2012

BBC — Senegal Proud of Peaceful Election after Macky Sall Win — 26 March 2012

Senegambia News — Macky Sall Wins Senegal Run-Off Votes — 26 March 2012

New York Times — A Turbulence-Free Election in Senegal — 25 March 2012