Impunity Watch: Africa

Violent Student Federation of Cote d'Ivoire must be Punished; International Support for Rwanda Genocide Convictions Continues; LRA Rebels Responsible for more Recent Child Abductions

By:  Lindsey Brady
Impunity Watch Managing Editor - News

ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - Human Rights Watch has issued a report calling for the government of Cote d'Ivoire to end impunity for the Student Federation of Cote d'Ivoire ("FESCI").  The FESCI has sometimes been referred to as the "pro-government militia."  The FESCI, since 2002 when the country faced a failed coup, has been linked to murder, assault, extortion, and rape mostly against dissidents of the Popular Ivorian Front.  The Popular Ivorian Front ("FPI") is currently the ruling political party in Cote d'Ivoire.  Corinne Dufka, West Africa director of Human Rights Watch, was quoted in their report as saying "for years, the government of Cote d'Ivoire has demonstrated sustained and partisan failure to investigate, prosecute, or punish serious criminal offenses by FESCI members...the impunity enjoyed by groups like FESCI has got to stop now in order to create a climate conducive to peaceful elections."

Human Rights Watch reports that last year FESCI members rampaged the headquarters of two human rights organizations in Cote d'Ivoire.  The Ivorian League for Human Rights and Actions for the Protection of Human Rights were apparently targeted for their support of university professors striking for improved working conditions.  The FESCI has been known to work on and near university and high school campuses with another organization called the Young Patriots.  Reuters, reporting on Human Rights Watch's report, acknowledged that "in the presence of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Ivory Coast's political parties, including the FPI  and parties representing the New Forces rebels, last month signed a good conduct code.  This committed them to shun violence, promote fair voting and respect the outcome of the November election."

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch - Cote d'Ivoire:  End Impunity for Pro-Government Student Group - 21 May 2008

Reuters - Ivory Coast Urged to Tackle Youth Violence Before Poll - 21 May 2008

ARUSHA, Tanzania - The United States Department of State for African Affairs issued a press release that renewed its call for those responsible for the 1994 Rwanda genocide to be brought to justice through the "Rewards for Justice" program.  The program, through the cooperation of the Department of State, the U.N. and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda ("ICTR"), desires to capture and punish the remaining thirteen individuals who have been indicted by the ICTR for their involvement in the 1994 genocide.  The press release declared, "the continued impunity of these individuals and their presence in the region presents a threat to regional stability and reconciliation" according to the Arusha Times.

Michel Bagaragaza, who allegedly helped to financially support and arm Hutu-dominated rebel militia during the 1994 genocide has been transferred to Arusha, Tanzania to the U.N. war crimes tribunal that handles mass killings.  This came after The Hague declared it did not have the jurisdiction to try his case.  The UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has charged Bagragaza "with ordering, his subordinates and with instigation, aiding and abetting others over whom he did not have authority to kill hundreds of Tutsi civilians who sought refuge on Kesho Hill near a tea factory in Rubaya and in Nyundo Cathedral."  Bagragaza was the former Director General who controlled the Rwandan tea industry during the 1994 genocide.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica (Arusha Times) - Rwanda:  U.S. Renews Search for Fugitives of Genocide - 17 May 2008

AllAfrica (UN News Service) - Rwanda:  Former Official Transferred Back to UN War Crimes Tribunal - 21 May 2008

KAMPALA, Uganda - Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, is claimed to responsible for the abduction of children from Sudan, Congo, and the Central African Republic.  The children are forced to act as child soldiers or forced to act as sex slaves.  One LRA slave reported to BBC News that he and his brother were abducted and knew they were going to be tortured and forced to act as soldiers in the LRA.  The LRA told the boy that he would be killed by the Ugandan army if he tried to run away from them or else they would poison him themselves.  Kony's and the LRA have been fighting the Ugandan army since the late 1980s after President Yoweri Museveni took power.  Kony has been worshiped and feared and claims to be a man acting under divine direction.

After 20 years of fighting, Kony has been charged with 33 counts of international crimes and crimes against humanity.  An estimated 20,000 children have been abducted from their homes.  It is reported that LRA rebels, between February and May of this year, abducted 100 children from the Congo, Sudan and Central Africa Republic alone.  Human Rights Watch has called for there to be an international response to end the abductions and sexual violence the LRA has been perpetrating. 

Richard Dicker, an international justice director, suggests the United Nations should track the movements of the LRA and cut off any weapon supply to the group.  In 2005, the UN court issued warrants for the arrests of the LRA's top five leaders.  World Net Daily reports, "earlier this year, a ceasefire was negotiated between the LRA and Uganda.  A permanent peace was to be enacted in April, but Kony didn't show up for the signing.  Since then, child abductions have been on the rise again."

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica (New Vision) - Uganda:  LRA Abduct 100 Children - 20 May 2008

WorldNetDaily - Children Stolen, Forced into Firefights - 21 May 2008

International Herald Tribune - Army Accuses Ugandan Rebels of Kidnapping 130 Children in Recent Weeks - 20 May 2008

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Charles Taylor’s former vice president, Moses Blah, took the witness stand this week, ending weeks of speculation whether he would testify and as to the nature of his testimony. Blah named Libyan President Muammar Gadhafi and Burkinabe President Blaise Compoare as supporters of Taylor’s 1989 rebel invasion of Liberia. Blah further testified as to the formation, arming and training of Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Blah also provided a first hand account of Taylor shrugging off reports of killings, rapes and looting by forces that targeted civilians in Sierra Leone.

Blah came to the Hauge reluctantly, but said he intended to tell the truth, stating “I’m not going to crucify him – he’s my former boss.”  He was among 180 rebels recruited by Taylor and flown to Libya in the late 1980’s to undergo months of military training.  Later, Blah briefly served as Liberian president in 2003, assuming power after Taylor was forced into exile.

As to the link to Gadhafi, Blah’s testimony was the strongest link yet in the case against Taylor that Gadhafi had a hand in his rise to power. Blah alleged that Gadhafi sent Taylor’s regime shipments of crude oil to sell in order to buy “military hardware.” Gadhafi also allegedly gave Taylor a half million dollars after Taylor was elected prudent in 1997.

Blah told the court that Taylor rejected complaints from Sierra Leone rebels about atrocities committed by his fighters. The Revolutionary United Front (“RUF”) rebels were notorious for mutilating civilians, but their leader, Foday Sankoh, complained to Taylor about Liberian troops. According to Blah, Taylor responded by threatening to withdraw troops. The RUF had a reputation for brutality, such as chopping off the arms and legs of civilians, as well as killings and rape.

Blah also testified that Liberian rebels cooked and ate human flesh and innards. A member of Taylor’s presidential guard, Nelson Gaye “had the habit of eating fellow human beings.” Blah “saw one incident with (his) own eyes. (He) visited a camp . . . he roasted the hands of a human being, then ate them with boiled cassava.” He said that rebels also ate and cooked intestines, and that rebels could not enter the unit without doing that. Gaye’s marine unit was one of Taylor’s forces, which he had been told should not be pursued if they committed atrocities.

Blah was the twenty seventh witness in the trial of Taylor. The rest of Blah’s testimony was expected to detail how Taylor controlled rebels in Sierra Leone from Liberia.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Witness: Gadhafi helped Taylor take over Liberia – 14 May 2008

AFP – Liberian commanders ‘ate human innards’– 15 May 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor - last accessed 18 May 2008

The Inquirer – Blah Gives More Details – 16 May 2008

BBC News – Taylor ‘ignored rebel protests’ – 15 May 2008

allAfrica.com (Guest Blog) – Blah to Testify in Taylor’s Trial Tomorrow – 15 May 2008

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

Former Vice President Moses Blah - from AFP

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The trial of Charles Taylor, ex-president of Liberia, resumed lastweek after a recess for Dutch Holidays with more testimony, and developments regarding the long-awaited testimony of Moses Blah, Taylor’s former vice-president. 

In the courtroom, the special court heard testimony from prosecution witness TF1-028, whose identity was protected. She testified that she had been abducted by rebels and held for over a year. During her graphic description of many rebel Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (“AFRC”)/Revolutionary United Front (“RUF”) atrocities, the witness broke into tears at points, especially when describing how two of her uncles had been killed.  She described the incident which claimed the life of both in vivid detail, with tears streaming own her cheeks, saying: “I saw my uncle lying down. He had been hacked on his neck…. Then I saw my other uncle… (he) was asking what his elder brother had done when they hacked him… then they hacked him across his face, saying that was the answer… and he died.”

She also described another incident she witnessed, in which a boy was killed for simply taking soap without permission to wash. He was died up on the orders of a rebel commander, and dragged to the bush, where he was shot, despite pleading with the rebels.

The defense then cross examined witness TF1-028, trying to discredit her testimony with conflicting accounts of her recall of events. The defense, as has been common practice, focused on inconsistencies in her testimony at trial and interview depositions, to try and discredit the witness.

After a brief re-examination, the prosecution called Karmoh Kanneh, a forcibly recruited soldier of the RUF. Kanneh, code name “Eagle”, offered testimony linking Taylor to the RUF in various ways: as its most senior commander, as a contact for ammunition purchases in Burkina Faso and as a recipient of diamonds mined through forced labor in Sierra Leone.

Kanneh testified that he was abducted from his village with sixteen others when he was young. They were all sent for military training and were told if they tried to escape, they would be shot. The training camp itself included men, women and around fifty children between the ages of ten and fifteen. They were taught, among other things, how to “make an area fearful,” which meant removing civilians from villages however necessary.

Outside the courtroom, the special court announced that Moses Blah, Taylor’s vice president, would make his long awaited appearance by Tuesday May 13^th. The special court believes his testimony could be extremely useful for shedding light on Taylor’s relationship with the RUF.  The witness could also provide a solid base of background information, information relating to training received by recruits and the composition and command structure of the rebel groups.

Also last week, the credibility of a BBC report that Taylor had over five billion dollars in seized assets was deemed questionable.  The prosecutors office suggested the actual amount may have been more around $375 million. The prosecutors office suggested the errant report may have mistaken the amount of total transactions, which was around five million dollars, for the actual amount possessed by Taylor. Regardless of the amount, if the money can be seized, it will be used to compensate victims or be returned to those whom it was stolen from.

Taylor faces eleven charges of war crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and recruiting child soldiers. He is currently on trial in the Hauge for playing a key role in supporting and controlling the RUF, which ravaged Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2001.

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Taylor Had $5 Billion in U.S. Banks – BBC Blunder? – 9 May 2008

AFP – Ex – vice president to testify at Liberia war crimes trial – 9 May 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor - last accessed 9 May 2008

allAfrica.com (Guest Blog) – Former RUF Officer Testifies About Extensive Links Between Taylor and AFRC/RUF – 9 May 2008

allAfrica.com (citing Concord Times)  – Tears Flow At Taylor’s Trial – 9 May 2008

The Inquirer (Monrovia) – Blah to Testify in Taylor’s Trial Tomorrow – 12 May 2008

Tsvangirai ‘Free to Return’ but Arrest Possible

By M. Brandon Maggiore
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

HARE, Zimbabwe - Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said that Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), can return to Zimbabwe. However, Chinamasa said that Tsvangirai may have committed crimes for which he would be held accountable. Chinamasa also intimated that the ruling Zanu-PF party would use force to maintain power if Tsvangirai wins the run-off election. 

Chinimasa refused to rule out the possibility that Tsvangirai would be arrested if he returns to Zimbabwe from South Africa where he has been since violence began after the presidential election in the end of March.

Chinimasa’s most disconcerting statement is that an opposition victory will not be permitted and that "If people attempted to unfree themselves, moves would be made to free them." as quoted by the BBC. 

Zimbabwean police reported the arrest of 58 MDC supporters on suspicion of burning homes belonging to the governing Zanu-PF in Shamva. The government accuses the MDC of exaggerating the violence and of staging attacks.

The MDC reports that 25 of its supporters have been killed since the presidential election and many others have been injured to intimidate voters before the run-off election for which not date has been set. 

Tendai Biti, the MDC secretary general, said that the MDC still hopes that a government of ‘national healing’ can be brokered with Tsvangirai leading a coalition government.

Tsvangirai has said that all international observers should be given unrestricted access to oversee the run-off and journalists have called for the presence of Southern African peacekeepers. 

Tsvangirai also softened his stance against President Mugabe saying that if Mugabe’s 28-year reign ends, Tsvangirai will grant him status as “the father of the nation.”

The Chinese vessel carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe, the An Yue Jiang, has not been recalled to China as the Chinese government had reported. The vessel has been trying to find a port at which to offload its military cargo after South African dockworkers refused to unload the cargo. Angolan dockworkers offloaded cargo, but not the arms destined for Zimbabwe. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union has been instrumental in preventing the arms from being offloaded. 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Zimbabwe Police Arrest Activists – 11 May 2008

Africanews – Chinese arms ship heading to Congo Brazza – 8 May 2008

AFP - Zimbabwe braces for new elections amid violence – 11 May 2008

Impunity Watch - Violence in Zimbabwe Stands in Way of Election - 8 May  

Violence in Zimbabwe Stands in Way of Election

By M. Brandon Maggiore
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The post-election death count continues to rise in Zimbabwe with this week being the deadliest week of post-election violence since the disputed presidential election. It is believed that there is too much violence for an election to be held. The Head of the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) reportedly said that the presidential run-off election might be delayed one-year. 

The MDC has said that Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won March's presidential election with 50.3% of the vote and that he is the winner. MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti is quoted by Reuters as saying "Our [MDC’s] official position still remains the same that we are not participating."

If Morgan Tsvangirai does not participate in a run-off, President Robert Mugabe would win automatically. 

Zimbabwean law requires that a run-off election be held within two weeks of the official results of the presidential election. However, Kingsley Mamabolo, the head of a South African observer mission believes that there is too much violence to hold an election. Mr. Mamabolo is quoted by the BBC as saying "You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful.”

SW Radio Africa reports that on Tuesday 11 people were killed about 150 km north of Harare with some reports stating the dead were shot execution style and others saying they were beaten to death. That same day, SW Radio Africa reported 16 other deaths in Zimbabwe. 

The violence is not just being committed by adults: there are reports of youth Zanu-PF supporters beating people and gang raping a woman in front of her husband who was forced to watch and who suffered a broken hand and leg.

SW Radio Africa reports that “In the UMP area, villagers have identified the winning ZANU-PF MP for Uzumba, Simba Mudarikwa, as the chief organizer [of directing and financing the violence]. This ruling party official is also a businessman who owns a granite company and he is allegedly using his trucks to transport the violent youths. Mudarikwa is allegedly paying the youths Z$1 billion per day for their brutal services.” 

The ZANU-PF Senator for UMP named Kabayanjire is also believed to be part of the violence and two war veterans, Kandomire and Makot, are believed to be leading violent youth gangs.

40,000 people have reportedly fled their homes due to violence by uniformed soldiers who accuse them of supporting the opposition. 

There are also reports that priest’s have been kidnapped and tortured in the western Matabeleland province by Zanu-PF party supporters.

Not only are there recent reports of violence against MDC supporters, but a journalist was arrested for using a satellite telephone and Zanu-PF supporters are reportedly taking identification cards from MDC supporters. The cards are required to vote. 

Morgoan Tsvangirai has called on the international community to send observers to monitor the run-off election. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the UN echoed Tsvangirai’s concerns about the need for election observers in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe banned western observers from the first round of the presidential election because the government accused them of bias.

The African Union has said it will send extra observers to Zimbabwe’s run-off election. It has also received assurance that the run-off will be held “in peace and transparency.”

For more information, please see:

BBC News - Zimbabwe 'too violent for poll' – 8 May 2008

SW Radio Africa - Post-election death toll rises as state sponsored violence escalates – 8 May 2008

Reuters – Zimbabwe opposition rejects presidential run-off – 8 May 2008

Impunity Watch – BRIEF: Violence Increases in Zimbabwe – 4 May 2008

Ethiopian Troops Reportedly Commit War Crimes in Somalia

By M. Brandon Maggiore
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa 

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a report alleging that Ethiopian troops in Somalia have committed war crimes including gang rape, slitting people’s throats, and indiscriminate killings. The report says that all parties to the violence have committed war crimes, but it focused on Ethiopian troops and called on the international community to take action. 

The HRW report was based on testimony from 75 witnesses and NGO employees. The report was accompanied by a statement from Michelle Kagari, Amnesty's deputy director for Africa, which said the violence in Somalia is widespread and that neighborhoods are being destroyed.

Ethiopia, which has been supporting the Somalia government fight Islamist Militias, responded to the report calling it biased and wrong. Ethiopia also said a report that an Ethiopian soldier slit a young boy’s throat in front of his mother as “totally unfounded.”  

The HRW report included journalists' reports of intimidation and death threats, including a 22 year-old journalists whose neighbor was abducted. The journalist was told that he was supposed to be the one abducted and that his neighbor was taken by mistake.

Journalists also stated that they do no longer know who supports human rights and they are unsure of whom to report the violence to. 

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Routinely Targeted Attacks on Civilians in Somalia – 6 May 2008

Yahoo News (AP) – Amnesty Intl: Ethiopian troops commit atrocities in Somalia – 6 May 2008

Daily Nation – Amnesty seeks help for Somalia – 7 May 2008

Impunity Watch – Fighting in Somalia Continues to Claim Lives – 20 April 2008

BRIEF: Violence Increases in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe – At least 700 people have been treated for injuries caused by political violence across Zimbabwe. It is estimated that only 10% of those injured are able to get medical aid creating an estimated 7,000 people who have been injured, mostly by uniformed soldiers.

A fourteen-month old child was beaten unconscious on her mothers back by Zanu-PF party supporters and about 35 houses were reportedly burned 80 kilometers north of Harare near Shamva. 

The violence has reportedly destroyed Movement For Democratic Change (MDC) organizational structures in many rural areas.

The MDC concluded a weekend meeting without deciding whether or not it would take part in a presidential run-off election where MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe will face one another.

Mugabe would be the automatic winner if Tsvangirai does not run in the election.

A date for the run-off election has not been set.

For more information, please see:

BBC News - Zimbabwe Run-off Remains in Doubt - 14 May 2008

IOL - Terror of Rhodesian Bush War Days Returns - 14 May 2008 

Impunity Watch - BRIEF: Runoff Declared in Zimbabwe - 2 May 2008

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Charles Taylor, ex-president of Liberia, had about five billion U.S. dollars in two U.S. bank accounts during the course of his presidency, according to chief prosecutor Steven Rapp.  Rapp told the BBC’s Focus on Africa Program that the special prosecutor’s office was in the process of tracing the funds in the two accounts, and that a number of countries were co-operating. If recovered, Rapp said the money would be subject to the UN-imposed freeze on Taylor’s assets. He further stated that he hoped any money would be shared between the Liberian state and the victims of Sierra Leone’s civil war.

It is unclear how many of these what funds Taylor still holds, but a June 2007 UN report concluded Taylor may control millions of dollars. When he stepped down as president in 2003, Taylor challenged the international community to seize any monies he allegedly had. If any was found, he would “turn them over to the Liberian people.”

As the trial against Taylor continues, Liberia’s Information Minister has cautioned the media in Sierra Leone and Liberia to treat Taylor as innocent until determined otherwise. Minister Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh told approximately fifty Liberian and Sierra Leonean journalists that, as a former head of state, Taylor should not be treated with added sentiment or a lack thereof by the media. He called on the media in both countries to devise a mechanism to monitor media coverage so as to escape bias. He further assured the Liberian government’s commitment to due process and a free and fair trial of all its citizens, no matter what crimes they are charged with.

In the courtroom this week, prosecution witness Alimamy Bobson Sesay completed his testimony this week, first completing cross examination and then a brief re-examination. The defense, in the remainder of the cross-examination, attempted to establish that Liberians fighting in Sierra Leone had not been under the control of Taylor, and that raids on Freetown were carried out independent of the Revolutionary United Front.

Defense Counsel Morris Anyah further explored the possibility that Sesay had been paid by the prosecution, a common theme of cross examination.

The defense also questions Sesay about his participating in atrocities, testifying that he captured a young Kono girl of about 16, kept her as a “bush wife” and raped her often. He further admitted to ordering ten year old soldiers to amputate the arms of civilians, burning people to death, abducting women, killing babies and looting civilians.  He also participated in “operation pay yourself” and “operation spare no soul,” but said he did not feel good about doing so and that he was just following orders.

The trial chamber then went into recess for the remainder of the week, and remains adjourned until 9:30am on Monday, May 5^th, in observance of Dutch Holidays.

For more information, please see:

BBC News –Taylor ‘had billions’ in US bank – 2 May 2008

allAfrica.com (citing The News) – “Taylor Must Be Treated Innocent” – 28 April 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor - last accessed 2 May 2008

allAfrica.com (Guest Blog) – Prosecution and Defense Offer Divergent Views of Rebel Structures as AB Sesay Concludes his Testimony – 29 April 2008

Afrik.com – Charles Taylor’s billions traced in US banks – 2 May 2008

The Jurist – Taylor held $5B in US banks during presidency: SCSL chief prosecutor – 2 May 2008

BRIEF: Runoff Declared in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe - The Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) released the results of last months presidential election declaring that neither party won more than 50% of the vote, the required amount to win the election.

The ZEC reports that Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai won 47.9% of the vote and Robert Mugabe won 43.2% of the vote.

The MDC says that Tsvangirai won the election with 50.3% of the vote and they will hold a meeting this weekend to decide whether to reverse their stance on not participating in a runoff. The MDC says they will not participate in a runoff election unless international observers are present.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said "This whole thing is a scandal, scandalous daylight robbery and everyone knows that."

Both sides have accused one another of election tampering and the United States and Great Britain are skeptical that a runoff will be fair.

The runoff will be held in the next three weeks with the exact date to be released in the next several days.

For more information, please see:

BBC News -  Zimbabwe announces poll results - 2 May 2008

CNN.com - Officials: Zimbabwe rivals face runoff - 2 May 2008