By Meryl A. White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NDJAMENA, Chad– Along the border of Eastern Chad and Sudan, there has been heavy fighting since a state of emergency was declared in the region. During the month of October, more than 300 people have been killed in the region.

Houmadji Moussa Doumgor, spokesman for Chad’s government, has stated that the government and military will use the state of emergency to “survey all comings and goings to prevent continued attacks.”

Annette Rehrl, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, believes that the recent flare up of events were predictable. She stated, “I think the violence has been interrupted only by celebrating Ramadan for the past month. So we were expecting it, it is not completely news to us, because we are still in a very volatile and very dangerous political situation here.

Rebel leader Mahamat Nour agreed to sign a peace agreement with the government of Chad. Nevertheless, Nour was recently quoted saying that the agreement will represent only “partial peace” and rebel fighting will continue.

On October 10, Steve Godbold, a 48-year-old American aid worker was kidnapped by militants in Tibesti, located in the northern part of Chad. This kidnapping was directed as a warning to foreigners to stay out of the militant region. Negotiations are currently under way with the Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT) rebels to secure the release of Godbold.

In early November, 3,000 European peacekeepers are expected to assist in Chad and the neighboring Central African Republic. They will help to provide protection to more than 300,000 Sudanese refugees who have crossed the border into Chad.

For more information, please see:

Reuters- Chad says US missionary kidnapped by rebels – 18 October 2007

BBC- Chad rebels battle army in east – 19 October 2007

VOA- State of Emergency Takes Effect in North, Eastern Chad – 17 October 2007

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia– Somalia has been in a state of crisis since Ethiopian forces helped Somali government troops oust the Islamic court in December. From that point, Somali has experienced un-relentless violence while the new government battles for stability and control. Thousands of people, both civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives. Just two days ago, at least eight civilians and one policeman were killed in a battle which lasted for hours. The fighting began when roughly 100 Islamic insurgents attacked a police station with grenades and machine guns in southern Mogadishu, ultimately seizing the station. Like in many war-ravaged countries, the civilians suffer most.

Crucial food aid and other humanitarian relief have stalled due to incessant piracy off the coast of Somalia. According to the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB), within the first nine months of this year, pirate attacks have jumped to 14%. The IMB has advised all merchants to remain at least 200 nautical miles away from the coast. Pirates are suspected of targeting tourist liners as well as ships with food relief cargo. After the United Nations (UN) ship, the MV Rozen, was hijacked in February during a mission to deliver food to northern Somalia, the World Food Program has deferred to the more costly air delivery. The MV Rozen crew was later released in April.

In some instances the hijacking turned deadly. With the Somali government unable to quell violence within the capital, the coasts are virtually un-policed.

According to the UN around 1.5 million Somalis are in need of food aid and protection. To make matters worse, the UN has suspended food distribution in Mogadishu as of yesterday. The suspension comes after the World Food Program (WFP) said 50 to 60 heavily armed government soldiers stormed the UN compound and detained Idris Osman, the local head of the WFP in charge of feeding thousands of people in the capital. Somali’s Interior Minister Mohamed Mohamoud Guled denies any government operation at the compound and claims the WFP recently distributed food without consulting the government. The WFP along with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demands the immediate release of Osman. In addition, UN deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe, asserts that the Somali government’s action violates international law.

For more information please see:

BBC – Somali Aid Stopped after Kidnap – 18 October 2007

Yahoo News (AP) – Somalia Detains U.N. Food Aid Official – 17 October 2007

Yahoo News (AP) – Piracy off Somalia, Nigeria Increases – 16 October 2007

BBC- Somalia’s Pirates are “Thriving” – 16 October 2007

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – A former Congolese warlord was transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague today to face war crimes charges including murder, sexual slavery, and recruiting child soldiers.  Germain Katanga led the Patriotic Forces of Resistance of Ituri (FRPI) militia in northern DRC.  He is the second suspect to be transferred to the ICC.

The ICC prosecutor alleges that Katanga’s FRPI fighters committed criminal acts against mostly civilians of the Hema ethnic group in Ituri province between January and March 2003.  Katanga is charged with 3 counts of crimes against humanity and 6 counts of war crimes for his involvement.  200 civilians were massacred, women and girls were raped and enslaved, and villagers were imprisoned in a room filled with corpses. Katanga is also charged with using child soldiers in the attack.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Second Congo war crimes suspect transferred to ICC – 18 October 2007

AllAfrica.com – Congo-Kinshasa: Second War Crimes Suspect to Face Justice in the Hague – 18 October 2007

Institute for War and Peace Reporting – Second Congolese Rebel in ICC Custody – 18 October 2007

AP – Hague Court Says 2nd Congo Suspect Held – 18 October 2007