Threat of War in Sudan

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir warned Saturday that although the government does not want war, it will be ready for one if forced to fight.  This statement came at a rally marking the 18th anniversary of the Popular Defense Forces (PDF), a militia he created to fight in Sudan’s 22-year civil war.  Bashir called on the PDF “to open training camps and gather mujahadeen not for the sake of war but to be ready for anything.” 

Southerners have been increasingly accusing the government of violating the peace treaty that ended the civil war in 2005, leading to concerns of a return to war. Bashir announced that he will continue to refuse to budge “an inch” on the contested borders of the oil-rich Abyei region, a dispute that led to the SPLM pulling its ministers out of the government in October.

Bashir’s comments come at a very turbulent time for the Darfur region and ongoing peace efforts.  Darfur peace talks, brokered by the AU and UN have died out due to boycotts of insurgent groups.  The SPLM and rebel groups, who have responded that they are for peace and not for a return to war, have condemned Bashir’s comments and accused him of “threatening and calling for war.”

Bashir also reiterated his right to exclude Western troops from a 26,000 UN-AU joint peacekeeping force scheduled to start operating in Darfur next year. “The boots of those who blasphemed the prophet Muhammad would never trample on Sudanese land” Bashir told the crowd at the rally.   This statement was apparently in reference to countries whose newspapers carried caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.  A Denmark newspaper first published the drawings in 2005 and several European countries later reprinted them. 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated in his latest report that several obstacles remain in the way of a speedy deployment of the troops, including the Sudanese government’s refusal to assign land for the hybrid force.   Sudan also has yet to approve a list of troop donor countries.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Former rebels accuse Sudan president of threatening war – 18 November 2007

Sudan Tribune – Bashir says Sudan will not accept troops from four countries in Darfur – 18 November 2007

The Times (South Africa) – Beshir ups ante in Sudan – 18 November 2007

AP – Sudan Leader Says He’d Be Ready for War – 17 November 2007

For more information on the Sudan situation, please see the following Impunity Watch reports:Continued Delays in Deployment of Sudan Hybrid Force; Sudan Talks Falter; Upcoming Peace Talks in Sudan in Jeopardy; New Atrocities in Darfur; Ceasefire Ends in Sudan; African Union Peacekeepers Attacked in Darfur; Ongoing Conflict in Sudan; ICC Prosecutor Demands Arrests in Sudan; Secretary General Urges Sudan President to Commit to Ceasefire; Peace Talks on Darfur Scheduled for October 

Solomon Islands Government in Turmoil

By Sarah C. LaBelle
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Solomon Islands government is in turmoil this week, with nine high-level government ministers defecting to the opposition after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare shuffled his cabinet.  Deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua resigned, along with Dr. Derrick Sikua, Steve Abana, Nollen Leni, Stanley Festus Sofu, Gordon Darcy Lilo, Sam Iduri, Mark Kemakeza, Patrick Vahoe, Peter Tom, Martin Sopage, Martin Magga, and Trevor Olovae.  Lilo and Abana were terminated from their positions for “working against” Sogavare.

The resigning ministers delivered signed letters to Governor General Nathaniel Waena, which were also signed by backbenchers and members of the opposition, calling for Sogavare to resign from his position.  They stated that if he would not resign, they would submit a no confidence motion.  The opposition is confident that they now have the numbers to force the resignation, and consequently, that Sogavare no longer has the numbers to rule.  Waena called Sogavare in, but Sogavare maintains that he has the numbers to rule.

Waena told Parliament that the issue was a political one, and that he cannot intervene unless he is certain that the elected leaders cannot overcome the political impasse.  He told the press, “As Governor General, I don’t see it as a Constitutional crisis but a political crisis.  They are two different things.  The numbers form political crisis, therefore they are elected with a mandate from our people to sort out the political chaos.”  While Waena will not recall parliament to hold a no-confidence vote, he will reconsider the situation next week if it has not been resolved.

Sogavare, however, has said that only Parliament can remove him from office, and has restated his belief that the government does still have the requisite numbers to remain in power.  Transparency International reports that Sogavare is rapidly losing popular support, and the opposition is steadfast in its intent to overthrow him.  The opposition has said that empty ministerial portfolios prove that the government does not have the numbers to lead.

The opposition coalition has said that if they are successful in their bid to unseat Sogavare, they will turn over current Attorney General Julian Moti to the Australian authorities, who have wanted to indict him on child sex tourism charges since the late 1990s.  Sacked finance minister Gordon Lilo said that Moti is now “the most worried person” in the Solomons, and is doing everything he can to keep Sogavare in power.

Some defections this week have gone the other way, from the opposition to the government, and three of the original resigning ministers returned to the government.  These moves have been followed with allegations that those defectors were bribed back to the government, which Sogavare has vehemently denied.  Former Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza was rumoured to have joined with the government, though he told reporters that he was not going anywhere and that he would not do any deals.

Both sides maintain that they have the numbers to rule.

For more information, please see:

Solomon Times – Sogavare Reshuffles Cabinet Ministers – 09 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands government in crisis – 11 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons PM says he has no details of complaints by revolting Cabinet ministers – 11 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Sogavare administration still intact, says Solomons government caucas chair – 12 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons government claims it still has the numbers despite resignations – 12 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons Opposition confident of removing PM, following Gov’t defections – 12 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands Prime Minister his out at his former Finance Minister – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – New Govt Promises to Repatriate Moti – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Solomons Citizens Call for Government Stability – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Lilo, Abana Sacked for Working Against PM – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Only Parliament Can Vote Me Out: Sogavare – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Solomons Govt in Political Crisis – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – PM Sogavare says only parliament can vote him out – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – PM says deputy is ‘ring leader’ of defecting ministers wanting to oust him – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – GG summons Sogavare, Govt claims administration still in tact – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – Three government backbenchers defect opposition – 13 November 2007

Islands Business – Governor General calls on politicians to solve crisis – 13 November 2007

Islands Business – Transparency says PM losing support – 13 November 2007

Islands Business – We still have the numbers: Opposition – 13 November 2007

Pacific Islands Report (Solomon Star) – Sogavare Defiant After Solomons Resignations – 13 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons PM faces defiant opposition – 13 November 2007

Solomon Times – Sir Nathaniel: Current Power Struggle Political Crisis – 13 November 2007

Solomon Times – We Still Have the Majority: Lilo – 13 November 2007

Solomon Times – Governor General Demands Resignation Letters – 13 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands Prime Minister says current political upheaval is over – 14 November 2007

Islands Business – Government crisis worries Moti – 15 November 2007

Sydney Morning Herald – Former Solomons PM struggling for power – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – Sir Allan joins Grand Coalition for Change Government – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – PM Sogavare: No Bribery Offered to Koli – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – “The Game is Now Over”: PM Sogavare – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – Unions Call on PM to Step Down – 16 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands opposition says empty ministerial portfolios prove PM lacks numbers – 16 November 2007

Please note that the Solomon Star has exceeded its bandwidth and is therefore not online at this time.

For more information on the Moti affair, please see the Impunity Watch reportson Moti’s appointment as attorney general for the Solomons, PNG government involvement in Moti’s escape, the Vanuatu case status, Australia’s extradition attempt and the missing PNG inquiry report, PNG court refusal to suppress the inquiry report, and Moti’s fear of assassination attempts.  The inquiry report itself was released to Dade on 28 September, and he found the inquiry to be illegal at the end of October.  The issue is on appeal in the PNG court system,barring public debate at this time

Egypt ID Cards Limit Minority Beliefs

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – A recent report jointly issued by Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has raised concerns over Egyptian violation of freedom of religion. In “Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom,” they document the Egyptian government’s discriminatory practice of restricting identity to three religions when citizens are required to identify their faith on government documents. Such requirement causes violation of many rights and immense hardship to members of minority faiths such as Bahai as well as converts from Islam by forcing them to lie about their true belief.

In Egypt, all Egyptians over 16 must carry Identification card showing religious affiliation. But the Civil Status Department of the Interior Ministry has limited the choice of affiliation to one of the three recognized religions – Islam, Christianity, or Judaism. Even though no Egyptian law gives the officials the power to authorize such requirement, they had acted on their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia.

Without the Identification card, minorities and converts face enormous problems in everyday life including education and employment. For example, it would deny a person’s ability to conduct transactions as basic as opening a bank account, getting a driver’s license, entering a university, getting a job, or collecting a pension. In addition, it may also affect one’s ability to educate children.

Consequently, the 98-page report highlights many who complained that they have been designated as Muslims against their will. While some just get their identification cards listing them as Muslims, others are intimidated or bribed by Interior Ministry officials to identify themselves as Muslims against their express wishes.

“Ministry of Interior officials apparently believe they have the right to choose someone’s religion when they don’t like the religion that person chooses,” said Human Rights Watch’s Joe Stork. “The Interior Ministry’s policy essentially says: ‘If you lie we’ll give you the documents you need, but if you tell the truth about your religion we’ll make your life miserable by withholding them’,” he said.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Egypt ID cards sentence minorities to non-life – 12 November 2007

Human Rights Watch – Allow citizens to list actual religion on ID cards – 12 November 2007

Reuters – Egypt denies ID papers to Baha’is, converts – 12 November 2007

BBC News – Egypt ‘denies minority beliefs’ – 12 November 2007

BRIEF: Child Soldiers Released From DRC Rebels

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – More than 200 child soldiers were freed from a pro-government militia according to the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF.  UNICEF announced that the release of 232 children, with an average age of 14, is part of a campaign against the recruitment and use of children by armed groups operating in East Congo.  While the Congo army no longer use children, militias continue to draft and recruit them.  The children are engaged in battle, and used as porters, cooks, and lookouts.

The children were released from the Mai Mai militia through the combined efforts of UNICEF, Save the Children, and the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.   Around 29,000 children have been demobilized so far, however it is believed that hundreds or even thousands of children are still working with the armed groups.

According to UNICEF, the children are “currently in transitory care facilities and awaiting family reunification…Once reunified, they will receive assistance to go back to school, undertake vocational training, or start small income generating activities.”

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Children released from DRC rebels – 17 November 2007

AP – Child Soldiers Released in Congo – 17 November 2007

Reuters – More than 200 Congo child soldiers freed – 17 November 2007

Crack Down in Somalia

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Following the gruesome event last week in which the bodies of two Ethiopian soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, the Ethiopian army underwent an intensive search for insurgents believed to be involved with the incident. For several days Ethiopian troops carried out operations against the al-Shabaab, the military group of the former Islamic government, which left nearly 80 people dead in the streets. The troops continue to patrol and conduct door-to-door searches for insurgents.

According to the Human Right Watch’s Africa director, Peter Takirambudde, the Ethiopian soldiers are not distinguishing civilians from insurgents. This is partly the explanation why more civilians are killed. In accord, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf warned residents of the capital that if they do not assist the government in fighting the insurgents, they risk being caught in the crossfire.

Within a week about 24,000 people have fled the capital for fear of being injured or killed in the crossfire of insurgent or Ethiopian attacks. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), estimates that 114,000 residents of Mogadishu has fled the city, and some 850,000 Somali people have left the country.

Together with Ethiopian troops, the Somali transitional government has also taken actions to crack down on insurgents and their supporters. Three prominent radio stations have been taken off the air since Monday in Mogadishu. Along side Radio Shabelle, which was forcibly closed, Mayor Mohamed “Dheere” Omar Habeeb accused 2 more private radio stations, Radio Banadir and Radio Simba, of supporting insurgents and undermining the government. Four stations, HornAfrik Radio, Holy Quran Radio, Radio Somali Weyn, and Voice of Democracy, remain on the air but their content and reports have been censored.

In the meantime, the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces is unrealistic given the dire conditions. Instead the UN is encouraging dialogue between the transitional government and insurgents with the aim of ending the incessant violence and strengthening the public institutions to the point which would allow Ethiopian troops to withdraw.

However, negotiations appear unrealistic. In an audio clip posted on a website yesterday, Somali insurgent leader Sheikh Aden Hashi Ayrow asked insurgent fighters to attack African Union soldiers in Somalia. The peacekeeper’s spokesman, Major Felix Kulaigye replied by saying that the soldiers would defend themselves if necessary.

For more information please see:

BBC- Somali Insurgent Target AU Force – 14 November 2007

Yahoo News- Somali government Cracking Down on Media – 13 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Somalia: Two More Radio Stations Shut Down for “Coverage Undermining the Government” – 14 November 2007

United Nations – UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia not realistic or viable, says Ban Ki-moon – 12 November 2007

Reuters: Africa – Residents Flee Mogadishu as Government Battles Rebels – 12 November 2007

Reuters: Africa – Death Toll in Somali Capital Nears 60 – 10 November 2007

BBC- Hunt for Insurgents in Mogadishu – 12 November 2007