A Voice for the Voiceless

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DARFUR, Sudan – Four prominent Darfur rebel groups have agreed to establish a unified front after a U.S.-sponsored negotiation in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa over the weekend.

Although the four factions: the United Resistance Front (URF), the Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdulwahid, the Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity, and the Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdulshafi have not yet agreed on specific ways to facilitate peace within the groups, they have agreed on a road map to unify their struggle and engage in peace talks.

The U.S. special envoy to Darfur, Scott Gration mediated the agreement between the factions and was present during the signing.  He called rebel unity a prerequisite for political talks on stopping the war that has lasted for over six years, killing an estimated 300,000 people.

“It’s a remarkable achievement,” said Gration.  “What I’ve seen with these groups is that they are working so hard to ensure that we learn from past attempts to reunify, to get peace; and this time to make it lasting and durable,” he continued.

The rebel factions have created a committee in order to continue to deal with the remaining issues which have been the cause of conflict between the groups.  One major issue that remains is that of leadership.  Initially they planned to elect their “unity leadership” in Addis Ababa, although there is no concrete final agreement on the leadership post as of yet.

Even though the peace talks are a step in the right direction, Ahmed Abdulshafi Toba, chairman of Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdulshafi said the unity talks do not include a ceasefire.  Also, one of the main rebel groups, Justice for Equality and Movement (JEM) did not take part in the unity talks due to their previous disagreements with U.S. envoy Gration.

There are currently 30 different rebel groups in Sudan fighting for their cut in the oil industry and for fair representation in the national political system.

For more information, please see:

All Africa – Sudan: U.S., Africa Step Up Darfur Peace Drive – 24 August 2009

Daily Nation – Darfur Rebel Factions Unite for Peace Talks – 24 August 2009

VOA – Four Darfur Rebel Groups Reach Unity Deal – 23 August 2009

AFP – US Envoy Pledges to Help Darfur Rebels Unite – 22 August 2009

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least five civilians were killed in the Somali capital during an exchange of fire that broke out on Saturday night.

The fighting occurred in southern Mogadishu’s Hodan and Holwadag neighborhoods between rebels and government forces, who were backed by African peacekeepers. Some of Saturday’s fighting was centered on a strategic road linking the capital with the town of Afgoye.  Each side of the conflict accused the other of starting the fighting.

Residents of the neighborhoods say that the fighting has died down since Saturday, although the hard-line Islamist rebel leader Hasan Dahir Aweys has vowed to intensify the war against the Somali government and the African peacekeepers.  He declared his intentions to continue the violence during Ramadan, against President Sheikh Sharif Ahmand’s call for a ceasefire during the holy month.

“We will not accept that ceasefire call.  This holy month will be a triumphant time for mujahideen and we will fight the enemy,” said Aweys.

The radical leader also accused African Peacekeepers of having recently deployed additional troops in the capital city.

“They deployed more troops to worsen the security situation in Somalia, but we will never stop fighting them until they leave our soil alone,” continued Aweys.

President Ahmed’s United Nations-backed government is viewed as the countries best hope for a return to stability after almost 20 years of conflict, although it holds only small pockets of the capital and parts of the south.

Aweys claims there are efforts under way to unify his group, Hizb Al-Islam and the al-Qaeda inspired rebel faction known as the Shebab.  Both groups are the two main factions in the insurgency bent on taking over President Ahmed and ousting the African Union forces from the country.

This violence follows Friday’s battles between the same groups, where more than 20 people were killed in Mogadishu.  So far, thousands of civilians have been killed and more than a million driven from their homes from the fighting that has taken place over the past two years.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Six Civilians Killed in Somali Capital – 23 August 2009

BBC – ‘Several Dead’ in Somali Clashes – 23 August 2009

Reuters – Somali Insurgents Reject Ramadan Ceasefire Call – 23 August 2009

VOA – 5 Killed in Mogadishu Fighting – 23 August 2009

By Kylie M Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

YENAGOA, Nigeria – Rocket launchers, gunboats, guns and bullets were surrendered by a top militant commander and nearly 1,000 of his followers on Saturday.

The government’s amnesty plan began two weeks ago and this was the biggest move since the program’s inception.

Militants in Yenagoa, capital of the Bayelsa state, cheered and danced as they turned their weapons over to the government.

Ebikabowei “Boyloaf” Victor Ben, state commander for MEND, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, and 25 commanders under his leadership delivered weapons to the police.

MEND, the largest armed group in the region, has said that it will not participate in the program as a group but that Boyloaf was free to surrender.  MEND has announced that it will end its ceasefire on September 15.  It has also suspended talks about an amnesty program with the government.

“In the midst of such sheer deceit, MEND will be compelled to resume with ferocious attacks on the oil industry at the end of our ceasefire on September 15, 2009,” the group said in a statement.

The event at the peace park had a red carpet laid out for dignitaries.  There were covered bleachers surrounding the park.  Boyloaf came wearing a hat that read “Bayelsa Peace Day” and spoke to the crowd.

“We have kept to our word to follow the part of peace.  The government should on its own part keep to the bargain of promises made,” he said.  He also apologized to the families who have suffered losses from the struggle.

Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, the spokeswoman for the presidential panel on amnesty, has said that the administration learned from past mistakes and the government would not pay for surrendered weapons this time.

“Instead, we are asking the boys what they want – to further their education, learn a trade, or take a microloan for a small business,” she said.

Officials admit that so far participation is disappointing.

“They are still worried about their safety, but they are now seeing the government means very well for them and that we will ensure their safety,” said Koripamo-Agary.

President Umaru Yar’Adua offered unconditional pardons to all militants who participate in the program.

For more information, please see:

AP – Nigerian Militants Give Up Weapons to Police – 22 August 2009

BBC – Nigeria Rebels Hand Over Weapons – 22 August 2009

Reuters UK – Nigerian Militant Group to End Ceasefire on Sept. 15 – 22 August 2009

VOA – Nigeria’s Amnesty Program Makes Slow Progress – 21 August 2009

Reuters – Nigeria Oil Militants Disarm Slowly – 20 August 2009

Impunity Watch – Nigerian Government Released 60 Day Amnesty Plan – 27 June 2009