By Myriam Clerge

Impunity Watch, Africa

Peace seems elusive as key rebel leaders refuse to join peace talks. Common platforms such as power sharing, security, land, humanitarian affairs and compensation has already been discussed and negotiated however uniting rebel groups and appointing a “leader” may be difficult. As many rebel leaders and international envoys meet in Arusha, Tanzania to continue negotiations, the presence of a few rebel leaders remain void.

This past Tuesday, the African Union renewed its invitation to Suleiman Jamous and Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur. Jamous, a unifying figure of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA), has been a key link between Darfur rebels and humanitarian workers. He has been unable to attend the conference due to his failing health. Although, authorities in Khartoum have threatened to arrest him, mediators see him as a crucial member and have informed of negotiations via telephone conference from his hospital bed. On Wednesday, the Sudan government agreed to let Jamous fly to Kenya for further medical treatment.

In the meantime, actress Mia Farrow has offered to take his place during the peace talks. Her offer has not been accepted.

Abdel Wahid, the father of the rebel movement and the first chairman of the SLA, is in exile in Paris. He seat remains empty during the conference, a sign of his influence amongst rebel leaders. Wahid announced that he would only join talk once UN-AU forces have been deployed. The operation is not expected to occur until the middle of 2008.

Darfur rebel say that present AU forces have been unable to stem the violence. Recognizing a lack of support, African nations have pledged 11,000- 12,000 troops. Last month, the UN Security Council authorized up to 19,555 military personnel and 6,432 civilian police. This would be the world’s largest peacekeeping force.

A peace deal was already signed by the Sudanese government in May 2006. However, that agreement failed because only one of the three factions endorsed the deal. In a hurried attempt to secure a deal, the security in Darfur rapidly worsened since the agreement sparked new divisions within rebel factions and surged violence.

The conflict in Sudan began in 2003 when African tribes took arms against Sudan’s Arab-dominated government. Although, two decades of war has existed between the Sudanese government and the Christian and animist rebels in the south, in which 2 million people have dies and nearly 4 million displaced.

For more information please see:

Yahoo – Ailing Sudan Rebel Chief Can Go To Kenya – 15 August 2007

Yahoo – Africans Pledge Darfur Troops – 14 August 2007

Yahoo – African Union Urges Darfur Rebel Group to Join Talks – 14 August 2007

BBC – Darfur Rebel Unity Proves Elusive – 08 August 2007

By Meryl White

Impunity Watch, Africa

According to Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), 4.4% of Nigerians are infected with HIV. Presently, the Anglican Church in Nigeria has implemented HIV testing in all Anglican dioceses as a prerequisite for marriage. Rev Akintunde Popoola, a spokesman for the Church explained that mandatory marriage is intended to help “couples to make informed decisions because we don’t want anyone to be kept in the dark about their partner.” The practice of HIV testing is also conducted in many Nigerian Christian Churches.

Prof Tunde Oshotimehin, the head of Nigeria’s state HIV control agency, finds the new policy of mandatory HIV testing unacceptable. He stated, “We cannot accept what the church is proposing. Every Nigerian must be allowed to decide on their own whether they want to be tested or not.” Oshotimehin believes that mandatory testing and therapy will just encourage further denial of the deadly disease.

Just recently, Covenant University, a church-owned college in Otta, Ogun State, attempted to implement a policy that forced its graduates to take a HIV and pregnancy test as a condition for graduation. The policy failed due to widespread criticism from the government and human rights organizations. According to Prof. Osotimehin compulsory testing on university students is “a breach of the Fundamental Human Rights of the students.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – HIV Test Before Nigerian Marriage – 17 August 2007

This Day – Nigeria: HIV Test – Naca Faults Covenant Varsity – 08 August 2007

AllAfrica – Nigeria: Covenant University’s HIV Test – 02 August 2007

By Myriam Clerge

Impunity Watch, Africa

Like its neighbors Namibia is threatened by HIV/AIDS and political upheaval. Namibia, a sparsely populated country, has enjoyed relative peace since its independence from Germany in 1990, although secession troubles in the Caprivi Strip have increased.

Last week, ten men were found guilty of treason. The men were accused of going to Angola to collect weapons and using them in the attack in the Caprivi Region. Thousands were forced to flee to Botswana. Twelve people died in the attack. Seven of the accused were sentenced to 32 years and the other three were sentenced to 30 years. The men were ordered out of the courthouse for shouting “Viva Caprivi”.

One hundred and nineteen have been arrested and await trial. Judge John Manyarara said the long sentences for plotting to secede were necessary given “today’s world”.

The BBC Correspondent at the trial raised human rights questions concerning the length of arrest for many of the men. One of the three men sentenced to 30-years, Frederick Ntambilwa, has been in custody for five years. The seven who received 32-year terms have been in custody since December 6, 2003 or December 12, 2003. The same is true for many of the men arrested.

The mastermind of the secession movement has been living in exile in Denmark since 1999.

For more information please see:

AllAfrica – Namibia: Long Jail Terms for ‘Traitors’ – 09 August 2007

BBC – Jail for Namibia’s secessionists – 08 August 2007

BBC – Country profile: Namibia – 15 May 2007