A Voice for the Voiceless

Malawi Severs Ties With Taiwan, Favors China

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TAIPEI, Taiwan – After 41 years, the African nation of Malawi has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of establishing ties with Beijing.

Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda told the press on Monday that Malawi has “decided to switch from Taiwan to mainland China after careful consideration on the benefits that we will be getting from mainland China.”

Ms. Banda went on to say that “Malawi recognizes that there is but one China in the world, […] and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.”

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the island would break off ties with Malawi effective immediately. Taiwanese officials accuse the Chinese government of luring the Malawians with $6 billion in aid and other incentives. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its “regret that the government and leaders of Malawi are unwilling to honour their promises to our government and have succumbed to China’s evil forces.”

China has also been using its influence to reduce the number of countries who recognize Taiwan. Since Taiwan split from China amid a civil war in 1949, they have engaged in a “contest to win diplomatic allegiance from countries around the world.”

Most of Taiwan’s allies are small and impoverished nations in Latin America, Africa, and the South Pacific. In Africa, only Burkina Faso, Gambia, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe still recognize the island.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Malawi Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Taiwan – 15 January 2008

AP – Malawi Drops Ties With Taiwan for China – 14 January 2008

BBC News – Malawi severs links with Taiwan – 14 January 2008

Renewed Fighting in North Yemen

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’ADA, Yemen – In northern Yemen, fighting between the Yemeni military and Shiite rebels broke a six-month old ceasefire.  According to a government official, fighting was renewed after rebels attacked military camps in the nearby Marran mountains.  The military responded with ground and air strikes on villages in Saada province, a stronghold for rebel activity.  However, rebel leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, denied official allegations and stated that the military struck first.  As a result of the renewed violence dozens of people have been killed in the past week; including 18 rebels and 29 Yemeni military and pro-army tribal fighters.

Earlier, al-Houthi warned the government to honor the terms of the ceasefire and complained of constant government discrimination and campaign of harassment.  While, al-Houthi stated that he was concerned about bloodshed, he added that they must defend themselves “against any assaults by the army.”  Currently, both sides are preparing for what al-Houthi called the “fifth war.”

In June 2007, the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels signed a cease-fire agreement, which was brokered by Qatar.  In the agreement, the government promised to free detainees, compensate victims, and to rebuild villages affected by the war.  In return, the rebels agreed to turn in their weapons and expel al-Houthi from the country.  However, both sides accuse the other of not fulfilling their obligations.

For more information, please see:
Yemen Post – Sa’ada 5th War Ruptures; 47 Killed So Far – 14 January 2008

Associated Press – 30 Killed in Renewed Fighting in Yemen – 11 January 2008

Yemen Times – Sa’ada Crisis Worsens Amid Threats of Violence – 6 January 2008

BRIEF: Two Killed at Yemeni Reconciliation Rally

ADEN, Yemen – At least two people were killed and 15 injured during a rally for reconciliation between the northern and southern provinces of Yemen.  According to a statement by official local authorities, the violence resulted from actions by “criminal elements”, firing indiscriminately into the crowd, and who were later arrested.  The official state news agency, Saba, reported two deaths and 16 injuries.

However, witnesses and rally organizers claim that the violence resulted from actions by the security forces, which had surrounded the rally.  Witnesses report that security forces used water cannons and live ammunition to disperse the crowds.  Ali Mounasser, the secretary of Yemen’s opposition socialist party, told AFP that the rally was conducted in a peaceful manner and was ending when violence broke out.

The rally, “Reconciliation and Forgiveness Rally for Southern Provinces”, was held in the southern port city of Aden.  The rally was intended to draw attention to the inequalities, especially economic, suffered by southern residents since their unsuccessful bid to break away in 1994.

For more information, please see:
AFP – Four Dead in Yemen Protest: Witnesses – 13 January 2008

BBC – Protesters killed at Yemen Rally – 13 January 2008

News Yemen – Two Killed, Some Injured in Aden Reconciliation Rally – 13 January 2008

Reuters – Two People Killed in Clash at Yemen Political Rally – 13 January 2008

Saba Net – Security Detains 11 Persons Due to Aden Clashes – 13 January 2008

After Nearly Two Months, Myanmar’s Junta meets with Suu Kyi

By Amy Glasrud
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – Aung San Suu Kyi met with a senior minister of the junta on Friday, after nearly two months of no contact.  According to the Associated Press, an official said “a government-appointed liaison official, Aung Kyi, met with Suu Kyi for about an hour.”  It is unknown what was discussed at this meeting.  An NLD spokesman Nyan Win stated “that the more they meet, the better for the country.”  Reuters reported that “witnesses had seen a car leave Suu Kyi’s Yangon home, where she is under house arrest, and drive to a state guesthouse.”

The last time Suu Kyi had met with the junta was November 19th, 2007, when Suu Kyi met with regime leader Senior General Than Shwe, and it is speculated that they spoke about the junta’s preconditions for negotiations between the two parties.  Reuters stated that Than Shwe has repeatedly insisted the only path to political reform is via the junta’s own “roadmap to democracy.”  It is uncertain just how much the junta will be willing to negotiate; many critics claim that they are unwilling to work outside their own framework.

According to the International Herald Tribune, western governments and the United Nations have pressed the military to open a sustained dialogue with Suu Kyi in order to bring about democratic reforms.  Moreover, Yahoo News reported that “in December, US President George W. Bush threatened to spearhead a global campaign to step up sanctions against the country if it continued to ignore calls for a democratic transition.”  However the regime has allowed for a UN rights investigator and a UN special envoy to enter the country, but the junta has yet to make many changes.

According to Nicholas Burns of the Washington Post, the leaders of Myanmar (formally known has Burma) and their “policies are the greatest threat to Burma’s unity, stability, and prosperity.”

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets with junta – 12 January 2008

Associated Press – Myanmar’s Suu Kyi meets with junta – 11 January 2008

International Herald Tribune – Aung San Suu Kyi meets with junta representative in Myanmar – 11 January 2008

Reuters – Detained Suu Kyi meets Myanmar junta minister – 11 January 2008

Yahoo News – Aung San Suu Kyi meets Myanmar junta official – 11 January 2008

Iraqi Parliament Passes Bill Removing Ban on Baath Officials

The Iraqi government removed the ban on Baath party officials to run for public office.  The Baath party was the official party of Saddam Hussein.  The bill that may pass into law though could force many of the previously employed Baath workers into early retirement with severance packages, but some could regain their posts.

However, the highest ranking officials under Saddam Hussein would be locked out because of their previous contribution to Saddam’s rule.  It would reduce the number of Baath officials prohibited from government posts to only 3,500 from the 30,000 who were previously prohibited from working in the government.

The change is the first benchmark that would be passed to allow more of a power share of the government between the Shiites and Sunnis and lesson the tensions.

For more information, please see:

New York Times- Iraqi Parliament passes allows former Baath officials to take government positions- 13 January  2008