By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – African Union chief and Ghanaian President John Kufuor left Nairobi yesterday without resolving the standoff between President Mwai Kibaki and opponent Raila Odinga. The three-day conference, aimed at mediating the political conflict that has sparked a humanitarian crisis, ended disappointingly with trades of accusations rather than discussions of mediation. Both sides have however, agreed to finding an end to the violence that have left nearly 600 people dead, more than 250,000 displaced, and roughly 500,000 in need of humanitarian aid.

As President Kufuor and the AU chief leave the country, Former U.N. head Kofi Annan, Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian leader Ben Mkapa are expected to take their place as mediators. In a report, Annan said “[w]e are not going to impose solutions but work together with [Kibaki and Odinga] to arrive at viable and long-lasting solutions to the problem in hopes of coming to a mediated settlement.”

However, a Kenyan government spokesman said that Kibaki is not interested in a mediated settlement but prefers a face-to-face talk with Odinga. Odinga has refused all invitations to sit down one-on-one with Kibaki, who he says robbed him of the presidency by rigging the December 27 presidential polls.

According to spokesman Alfred Mutua, although Kibaki welcomes anyone who will “facilitate dialogue” with Odinga, he has taken the position that a crisis does not exist that requires mediators.

Both sides have rejected the idea of a coalition government.

Kibaki has continued business as usual. On Thursday, Kibaki swore in 17 ministers as part of a partial cabinet and has recalled the parliament. Even the World Bank has recognized Kibaki as the leader of Kenya.

In an effort to keep the momentum of his movement, Odinga has called on a three-day nationwide protest. Despite the fact that police have banned all political rallies and past protests have led to riots, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general Anyang’ Nyong’o says Kenyans have every right to protest peacefully.

The ongoing unrest has damaged Kenya’s reputation as east Africa’s most stable and booming economy. One local reporter wrote, “Our leaders are stuck in mortal combat, unable to rise above their ambitions and put the interests of the country and the people first.”

For more information please see:

AllAfrica.com- Kenya: Peace Talks Deadlock – 11 January 2008

Reuters: Africa- Kenya Opposition Calls Wave of Protests – 11 January 2008

Yahoo News- Kenya Crisis Talks Fail as Crisis Deepens – 10 January 2008

By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

NIAMEY, Niger – Since December, there have been three landmine explosions in the south of Niger. Just this week, the director of a private radio station, Abou Mahaman, was killed when he ran over the device with his car in Niamey, Niger. A woman traveling with Mahaman was seriously injured. Moreover, forensic experts believe that a second landmine was planted at the side of the road but did not explode.

Government officials have accused Tuareg-led rebels of planting the previous two landmines. At this point, no group has officially claimed responsibility. Moreover, it is unclear if Mr. Mahaman was a deliberate target. BBC reporter Baroue claims that Mahaman was not known to be a critical supporter of either faction.

This attack is the first attack to occur inside the capital where army officers, including the chief of staff, work and reside. Presently, journalists are banned from visiting northern Niger to interview rebel leaders of the Niger Justice Movement (MNJ). Last December, two French journalists were arrested when they ignored the ban and were charged with colluding with armed rebels.

In the past year, land mine explosions and ambushed have displaced over 11,000 citizens and cut off large parts of the northern region from aid.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Niger reporter killed by landmine –   9 January 2008

All Africa –   Niger: Mine Explosion in Niamey –  9 January 2008

All Africa – Niger: Media Director Killed by Landmine –   – 9 January 2008

KHARTOUM, Sudan – The UN peacekeeping chief announced today that the UN lacks enough troops and equipment to do much to improve the situation in Darfur before mid-2008.  Jean-Marie Guehenno, the UN undersecretary-general for peacekeeping warned of “dire consequences” for Sudan and voiced some doubt that the joint AU-UN peacekeeping force deployed this month would be able to provide for even its own security.   The mission currently has 9,000 soldiers and police officers, but is supposed to eventually have 26,000.   Sweden and Norway also announced today that they will not be sending 400 troops to Darfur due to opposition from the Sudanese government. 

Meanwhile, the UN and US have both condemned the recent attack on Sudanese troops and UN peacekeepers in Darfur.  The US has called for tougher sanctions in reaction to this attack.  State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement: “The United States believes this incident demonstrates the need for a stronger arms embargo for Sudan and we will be working with our security council partners to that end.” 

The Sudanese government has denied any responsibility for the attack and insists it was the work of rebels.  Sudan’s UN envoy, Abdalmahmood Mohamad, stated that “the armed forces have no relationship whatsoever” with the convoy attack.  The government has specifically blamed the rebel group Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).  JEM commander Abdel Aziz el-Nur Ashr dismissed the accusation and insists that that attack was in territory controlled by government forces.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – UN: 6-month setback for Darfur peacekeeping because of inadequate troops, equipment and security – 9 January 2008

AFP – Security Council, US slam Darfur attack – 9 January 2008

VOA News – Sudan UN Envoy Denies Army Attack on UN/AU Convoy in Darfur – 9 January 2008

AFP – US demands tougher sanctions on Sudan – 9 January 2008

Reuters – Sudan says rebels, not army, attacked peacekeepers – 9 January 2008

Reuters – Sweden, Norway withdraw plan for Darfur troops – 9 January 2008