By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

GENEVA, Switzerland – According to the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) the number of civilians crossing the border from Libya to Tunisia has dropped dramatically since Wednesday March 2. The UNHCR suspects that refugees trying to flee the violence in Libya are either being harassed or prevented entirely from crossing into Tunisia by heavily armed pro-government mercenaries loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi. In response to continuing violence in Libya, several nations have mobilized aircraft and naval assets to assist in evacuating refugees and to support a humanitarian mission in both Tunisia and Libya.

The UNHCR claims that on Wednesday, March 2 as many as 10,000 to 15,000 people were crossing the border between Egypt and Libya. However by Thursday, March 3, the number had dropped to 2,000 people. Civilians that have made it across the border claim mercenaries robbed them of their mobile phones, laptops, cameras and money. Along with their valuables being stolen, the UNHCR claims that those who did cross the border appeared frightened and did not want to speak with U.N. representatives. Additionally, there has been claims that government forces have been confiscating electronics equipment like cameras so images of the violent clashes between rebels and pro-government forces cannot reach the outside world.

On Friday, the United Nations estimated that nearly 200,000 people have already fled the fighting in Libya. As the violence continues, several nations have committed airplanes and naval vessels to help evacuate stranded migrants and provide humanitarian supplies to the civilians massing at the Libya-Tunisia border. The United States has dispatched two planes to this border area to deliver humanitarian supplies such as water, blankets, and plastic sheets. A Pentagon spokesman claims that after the humanitarian supplies are delivered, the aircraft will be used to shuttle migrants from Tunisia to Egypt.

European nations are also taking an active role in helping to ferry migrants and deliver badly needed supplies. The French government has sent several planes to the Tunisian resort island of Djerba to pick up refugees and transport them to Egypt. Furthermore, the Italian government has sent aircraft and was planning to send a cargo ship full of supplies to the rebel controlled city of Benghazi.

According to United Nations spokesperson, Valorie Amos, food and supply lines are going to become more stressed as the conflict drags on. In particular, she claims that in rebel controlled regions food, medicine, and fuel supplies will begin run out in less than 15 days.

For more information, please see:

AFP — Pro-regime forces man Libyan-Tunisia border: UNHCR – 4 March 2011

Al Masry AlYoum —UNHCR fears civilians may be prevented from fleeing Libya – 4 March 2011

UN News Centre — UN refugee agency ‘very concerned’ civilians being prevented from fleeing Libya – 4 March 2011

Wall Street Journal – Libyan Evacuations Slow, Raising U.N. Fears—5March 2011

by Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Video of Attack on Ivory Coast Protesters- Warning: Content is graphic, viewer discretion is advised (Video courtesy of CNN)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast– In the midst of a protest held today by over 5,000 women in the Ivory Coast capital city of Abidjan in the southern district of Abobo, tanks entered the area and began shooting on the crowd, killing at least six women and injuring dozens more.  As the video from CNN shows, the women were engaging in a peaceful demonstration that included chants and singing and according to observers, they appeared to be unarmed.  The women gathered to protest the ongoing violence that has occurred since President Laurent Gbagbo lost the election in December and has refused to leave office.  Gbagbo has denied responsibility for the attacks and says his security and military forces were not in the area today, despite the fact that one tank was emblazoned with the word ‘Police’.

One of the protesters gave an account to BBC after the shooting, telling the reporter that she saw eight women killed during the attack, including a pregnant woman.  She said as she ran, another woman next to her was shot in the head.  “We have no idea why they shot at us. . . I don’t know how I managed to get away unharmed. . . .Only God knows how I escaped the killing.”  The street quickly cleared as clothes, bags and shoes were left, abandoned by the women trying to escape the gunfire.

The women had gathered to protest Laurent Gbagbo’s presidency, holding signs that called him an assassin and robber of power.  During the protest, many women blew on whistles, joining chants and singing as others danced.  The crowd became silent as the three tanks rolled into view.  With no warning, shots came from the tanks and the women starting fleeing.  Observers rushed to pull the bodies of the slain women from the street as the tanks continued to drive through the area.

Violence has been building in intensity in the capital and the country as a whole since the election results were announced in December of last year.  Gbagbo’s opponent, Alassane Ouattara, won just over 54% of the vote, a result verified by the UN and recognized by the international community.  However, Gbagbo has said that the results, especially from the polls in the north where Ouattara garners the most support, were falsified.  Specific religious and ethnic groups are being targeted due to political party divides in the Ivory Coast.  Gbagbo is the leader of the Christian party, located largely in the southern region and Ouattara is the leader of the Muslim party, located mainly in the north.  Security forces and military troops have been targeting those with Muslim last names as well as those who openly support Ouattara.

As Ouattara attempts to run his cabinet out of a hotel guarded by UN security forces, the African Union in charge of resolving the dispute have declared they are extending their deadline for the second time to March.  The UN has also stated that the escalating violence is making it difficult to continue providing humanitarian aid to people in the Ivory Coast.  Many are fearful that this violence will lead to a renewed civil war as plumes of black smoke from burning tires can be seen each day in the Abidjan skyline.  Even Gbagbo’s supporters are growing weary of the situation.  Said teacher Frank Agny, “I voted Gbagbo, but I don’t understand how a leader of this country can use tanks and break human rights like this. We don’t want war, but only Gbagbo will be to blame if it happens.”

For more information, please see;

BBC– Ivory Coast: Parts of Abidjan Resemble War Zone– 4 March, 2011

BBC– Ivory Coast Eye Witness: Women ‘Slaughtered By Soldiers’– 4 March, 2011

CCN– Video Documents Carnage in Ivory Coast– 4 March, 2011

TIME– Ivory Coast Massacre: Army Mows Down Female Protesters– 4 March, 2011