Impunity Watch: Africa

Women Refugees who Fled Darfur are Living in Fear of Sexual Assault

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DARFUR, Sudan - Women who have escaped the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur are living in fear of sexual assault at a refugee camp in Chad.  The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and a Massachusetts based group, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), issued a report documenting the “scope and long-term impact of rape and other sexual violence” experienced by these refugee women.

 (Photo: Americans for UNFPA)

PHR interviewed 88 women from Darfur at the Farchana refugee camp in November.  The results indicated 32 women suffered rapes at the hands of Arab militiamen backed by the Khartoum government.  About half of the rapes occurred in Darfur, and the rest occurred at the refugee camps.  Many of the rapes in Chad occurred when the women left the camp to collect firewood.

"(One) woman told me … she was beaten on her arms so badly that she couldn't use them, and she was raped by four to six men," Said Dr. Sandra Crosby of the Boston Medical Center, who participated in the study.

Susannah Sirkin, PHR’s deputy director, goes further to state that "Women who report being raped are stigmatized, and remain trapped in places of perpetual insecurity.  There's no one to stop the rapes, no one to turn to for justice for past or ongoing crimes, and little psycho-social support to address their prolonged and unimaginable traumas."

Even though the Sudanese government denies this sexual violence has ever taken place, the International Criminal Court has accused Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, of organizing “a campaign of rape, murder, and other crimes against Darfur civilians.”

Furthermore, PHR is calling for rape to be considered a war crime, and also calls for "legal reforms in Chad to end impunity for sexual violence.”  The Physicians group also calls for effective firewood patrols and increased protection from police and peacekeepers.

For more information, please see:

Americans for UNFPA - Violence Plagues Darfur Women Searching for Firewood - 31 May 2009

AP - Doctors Group: Rape is Common Against Darfur Women - 31 May 31, 2009

CNN - Darfuri Women Live 'Nightmare,' Harvard-backed Study Says - 31 May 2009

UPI - Darfur Rape Study Finds Lasting Scars - 31 May 2009

VOA - Women Fleeing Darfur Reportedly Face Rape, Sexual Assault - 31 May 2009

UN Report Calls for Independent Investigation into Extrajudicial Killings and Other Human Rights Violations in Kenya

By Dahee Nam
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings has called for a special prosecutor to investigate extrajudicial executions, police impunity, and other human rights violations in Kenya.

In a report made public on Tuesday, the U.N. Special Rapporteur Philip Alston said there have been "chronic and deplorable accountability failures with respect to policies, practices and conduct that led to alleged unlawful killings." 

The report accused the Police Commissioner of running a death squad that has killed innocent civilians in the past years and described Kenyan courts as “slow and corrupt.”  Alston called for the resignation of Kenya's Police Chief Hussein Ali, Attorney General Amos Wako, and all current judges. 

"Any serious commitment to ending the impunity that currently reigns in relation to this issue by the police should begin with the immediate dismissal of the police commissioner.  The resignation of the attorney general of Kenya is in my view an essential first step to restoring the integrity of the office and ending its role in promoting impunity," he said.

Alston also recommends an independent commission to investigate human rights violations in the country.  The alleged violations include some 500 cases of killing people suspected of participating in the banned Mungiki group, a joint police-military operation targeted against members of the Sabaot Land Defence Forces in a campaign last year in western Kenya, and post-election violence in December 2007.

While the report is to be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council next Wednesday, Kenyan officials have rejected the allegations, calling the charges "paternalistic, unhelpful and uncalled for."

For more information, please see:

Daily Nation- Extrajudicial Killings: Geneva Test for Kenya - 31 May 2009 

Capital News - UN Prober Wants Kenya AG Powers Clipped - 29 May 2009 

Standard Online - UN Report Says Wako, Ali Should Step Aside over Human Rights - 29 May 2009

VOA - UN Report Ready on Kenya Killings - 29 May 2009

Top UN Official Calls for Support in Reintegrating Former Child Soldiers in Burundi

By Dahee Nam
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

BUJUMBURA, Burundi - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict has appealed for immediate support of hundreds of former child soldiers for Burundi rebels who recently left a demobilization centre to rejoin their families.

 (Picture from AFP)

The 340 child soldiers, who had formerly associated with the National Liberation Forces (FNL), Burundi’s last active rebel group, had been in Gitega Demobilization Center, 100 kilometers east of the capital city of Bujumbura, since early April.  Aged between 16 and 17, the children recently staged a mutiny demanding better conditions at the camp.  The first 136 children were released two weeks ago.

Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, said yesterday in a press release that all the former child soldiers must receive long-term support to ensure a lasting reintegration into their communities. 

Each child is now being sent off with a package including clothes, food, and soap, and the child’s family will receive some US$ 330 over the next 18 months, not in cash but in kind, for their reintegration into society.  Also, US$ 136 will be granted to each child either for formal education or towards a small project of the child's choice.

Stressing that delay in providing proper socio-economic support could derail the process, Coomaraswamy called on the government and the donor society to develop and support long-term reintegration programs for the newly demobilized child soldiers. 

“Child soldiers endure traumatizing experiences and their long-term reintegration must remain a priority of the Government,” said Coomaraswamy.  “The promise of peace and tangible support will help them to rebuild their lives,” she added.

She also urged the Burundi government to finalize the immediate discharge of another 44 children who still remain with dissident faction of the FNL in the Randa and Buramata assembly sites.

Along with Sierra Leone, Burundi was one of the first two countries that UN Peace Building Commission helped in determining priority areas for post-conflict rebuilding.  After the ceasefire in 2005, a process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) has been made to reintegrate former FNL combatants into society. 

For more information, please see:

UN News Centre - Burundi: Top UN Official Appeals for Help in Reintegrating Former Child - 28 May 2009

Relief Web - Consolidating the Peace Process in Burundi - 26 May 2009 

Afrique en Ligne - Former Burundian Child Soldiers Return Home - 18 May 2009 

AFP - Mutinous Burundi Child Soldiers Sent Back Home- 13 May 2009

Progress Made as Sudan Regains Control of Border Town, Talks to Resume in Doha

By Kylie M. Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DOHA, Qatar - Sudan troops regained control of Kornoy, a town about 50 kilometers into Darfur from the Chad border.  Rebels for the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have completely evacuated Kornoy and retreated toward the Chadian border.

Darfur rebels plan to free 60 Sudanese troops.  "The Justice and Equality Movement intends to release 60 government troops that it is holding prisoner," JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam said.  "This step does not come as part of a prisoner exchange but we do it unilaterally."  He added that the release is "a sign of good will and commitment to make the negotiations ... succeed."

JEM's release of government troops comes as talks are scheduled to resume in Qatari capital Doha.  Previous talks in Doha broke down when the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.  JEM has since agreed to resume talks with the Sudanese government. 

Qatar has called on the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels to end the conflict.  Qatar's minister of state for foreign affairs told Qatar News Agency that both sides need to end attacks and make concessions in order to reach a lasting peace agreement. 

The United Nations Security Council and the European Union have sent special representatives to join the talks.  Djibril Bassole, mediator for the United Nations and African Union said that these envoys are trying to put together a plan and timetable for reaching a peace agreement.

International experts estimate that the death toll can be as many as 300,000 with another 2.5 million who have fled their homes.  Sudan estimates the death toll at 10,000.

For more information, please see:

AFP - Sudan Regains Control of Key Chad-Border Town: Army - 28 May 2009

AFP - Darfur Rebels Say Plan to Release 60 Govt Troops - 28 May 2009

Al Jazeera - Sudan Rivals Urged to Compromise - 28 May 2009

Reuters - Qatar Urges Sudan, Darfur Rebels to Make Concessions - 27 May 2009

Impunity Watch - Tensions Mount as Sudan Accuses Chad of Rebel Attacks - 19 May 2009

Landmark Bipartisan Bill May Provide Peace and Protection in Uganda

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

WASHINGTON, United States - A coalition of 22 human rights, humanitarian, and faith-based groups such as Genocide Intervention Network, Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, and many others, say that the newly introduced bill, the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, is a huge step forward for US policy in Northern Uganda.

If passed, this legislation would require the Obama administration to provide support for people affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) by developing strategies to protect civilians, removing child soldiers from conflict, and by providing emergency services.

The LRA, led by Joseph Kony, has launched attacks in northern Uganda for over twenty years.  The group has supported itself by kidnapping 66,000 children to serve as child soldiers and sexual slaves.  This violence has led to the displacement of roughly two million people.  In 2006, the LRA left Uganda but continues attacks on the Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

“We must not allow Joseph Kony and the LRA, who have forced children to do unspeakable acts and destroyed the lives of millions, to continue their reign of terror.  The strategy required by this bill would address the conditions in northern Uganda that originally gave rise to the LRA and if unchanged, could re-ignite violence in the north,” said Senator Russ Feingold, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, who introduced the bill, along with others, to the Senate and House on May 19th.

There is hope that these peacekeeping investments from the United States will inspire Northern Ugandans to return home and rebuild after decades of war and displacement.

For more information, please see:

Lutheran World Relief - Lutheran World Relief Applauds Bill for Peace and Reconciliation in Uganda - 27 May 27 2009

HWR - US: Pass Bill to Protect Civilians - 21 May 2009

All Africa - Central Africa: Bipartisan Bill Aims To End Reign Of Terror By LRA- 19 May 2009

Somalia President Calls for Help, Islamist Extremists Remain in Mogadishu

By Kylie M. Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia - As Islamist extremists continue their fight for power in Somalia, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed calls on the international community for help.

"I am calling on the international community to help Somalia defend against foreign militants who have invaded the country," President Sheikh Sharif said.  "Somalia has been invaded by foreign fighters, who are using Somali factions and their objective is to keep the country in chaos and to hide international criminals."  

Last week, Islamic insurgents attacked Somali troops killing 3 civilians.  The death toll is up to 40 civilians with about 150 more injured, although it is thought that around 200 have been killed since the fighting began. 

The most recent attack came on Sunday.  Teenager Abdulkadir Hassan Mohamed "Atir" drove a truck laced with explosives into a military facility and carried out a suicide bombing that killed 6 soldiers and 3 civilians.  Al-Shabaab political leader Sheikh Hussein Ali Fidow claimed responsibility for the deadly attack and warned that similar attacks would continue in the weeks and months to come. 

President Sheikh Sharif was elected in January to head an interim government as part of a UN-backed peace initiative.  The president has adopted Sharia law in an attempt to pacify insurgents who want a stricter version of Islamic law, but his attempt has been futile. 

The interim government controls little Somali territory with most airports and port facilities outside of its control.  Islamist rebels control most of the ports and airports surrounding Mogadishu, including Kismayo and Baidoa.  As a result, at its Council of Ministers meeting the government decided that airplanes cannot land at airports that the government does not control. 

The United Nations Special Representative to Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, visited President Sheikh Sharif on Monday in Mogadishu.  He attended the Council of Ministers meeting and has urged international agencies to contact the Somali government before attempting to deliver humanitarian aid via facilities outside the government's control.

Mogadishu has had almost 18 years of civil unrest, and this is the international community's 15th attempt to restore national order in Somalia. 

For more information, please see:

BBC - Rebels Claim Somali Suicide Bomb - 25 May 2009

CNN - Somali President Calls for Help in Battling Islamist Militias - 25 May 2009

Garowe Online - Foreign Fighters in Somalia are 'International Criminals': President - 25 May 2009

Garowe Online - UN Envoy Visits Mogadishu, Suicide Bomber was Al Shabaab - 25 May 2009

Impunity Watch - Ethiopian Troops Return to Somalia as Islamist Insurgents Attack - 21 May 2009

Growing Humanitarian Crises Surrounding Niger Delta Conflict

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

WARRI, Nigeria - Local and international human rights groups have been campaigning for the military to halt its attacks of the villages in the Niger Delta region.  They express grave concerns over a growing humanitarian crisis.

Two weeks ago, twelve military soldiers were reported missing in the wake of the conflict between the militants and the Joint Military Task Force (JTF).  While the militant groups claim that they are fighting for local people to get a fairer share of the oil wealth, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the military would not stop its search and rescue operation until the missing soldiers are located.

During the attacks, innocent civilians have been harassed and injured.  Some local leaders accuse the military of a targeted ethnic campaign killing innocent civilians in the villages of the Gbaramatu Kingdom.  The military denies the accusations.

In a petition to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, the people of Benikrukru, one of the war-ravaged towns, urged UN to call the government to order the stoppage of the "genocidal campaign" against Ijaw communities, saying that the communities do not have any problem with the JTF or the militants.   They further claim that the onslaught between the JTF and militants should not lead to death and immense hardship on civilians.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade, coordinator of the Niger-Delta Re-orientation Project (NDRP), also has appealed to the government to take actions to end the insecurity of the region and prevent the JTF from further killing and bombardment of communities. 

For more information, please see:

All Africa - Nigeria: Niger Delta Bombardment to Continue, Says JTF - 25 May 2009

Vanguard - Mulade Alleges Political Undertone JTF, Militants Face-Off - 25 May 2009

Reuters - Nigeria Army Frees More Hostages, Extends Offensive - 24 May 2009

Impunity Watch - Tens of Thousands Caught in Niger Delta Violence - 23 May 2009

AU Calls for Sanctions on Eritrea for Supporting Islamist Insurgents

By Dahee Nam
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Somalia - The African Union (AU) has urged the United Nations Security Council on Friday to impose sanctions on Eritrea for supporting Islamist insurgents attempting to overthrow Somalia's government.   Eritrea rejected the accusations, saying it is the victim of an international conspiracy. 

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African regional group, has already called on Wednesday for immediate sanctions against Eritrea.  The request was backed by the AU on Friday after more than 40 people were killed during fighting between the government troops and the insurgents in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia.   Somalia's transitional government has accused Eritrea of arming the insurgents.

The AU further calls for the imposition of a no-fly zone and a blockade of ports and airports to prevent foreign fighters and arms from entering.  This is the first time the AU has called for sanctions against its member state. 

Meanwhile, Eritrea suspended its membership of the AU, repeatedly denying the accusations. 

Eritrean Ambassador Araya Desta said in a letter to the U.N. Security Council, dated May 20: "I wish to put on record my government's strong opposition to, and categorical rejection of, the unsubstantiated accusations leveled against my country."

"This is a fabrication which is distributed by the CIA agents and the African Union is simply repeating the statement which is put in its mouth.  . . .  We suspend our membership because of this irresponsible act of the African Union," Eritrea's Information Minister Ali Abdo told the BBC.

Despite Eritrea’s denial, insurgent leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has said that the country supports their fight.  "Eritrea supports us and Ethiopia is our enemy.  We once helped both countries but Ethiopia did not reward us,” he told the Reuters.

For more information, please see:

AFP - Eritrea Hits Back over Somali Rebel Claims - 23 May 2009

BBC - AU Calls for Sanctions on Eritrea - 23 May 2009 

Reuters - African Union Calls for Eritrea Sanctions- 23 May 2009 

VOA - AU Calls for Sanctions Against Eritrea over Somalia Fighting - 23 May 2009 

Tens of Thousands Caught in Niger Delta Violence

By Kylie M. Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

LAGOS, Nigeria - On the orders of President Umaru Yar'Adua, Nigeria’s Joint Military Task Force (JTF), consisting of Army, Navy, and Air Force troops and mobile police, attacked village communities across the Niger Delta region.  Some 20,000 civilians are caught in the crossfire, and thousands of people have fled their villages.

The offensive began on May 13 following the alleged killing of 12 JTF soldiers by armed groups in Delta State.  JTF maintains that the attacks are justified since the armed groups are hiding in the villages. 

A local official stressed that government troops have been going after criminals not attacking communities.  "Anybody who says we attacked a community let him come and show us which community we attacked.  We are raiding, based on our information, the militants' hideouts and arms dumps … to secure the region,” said Colonel Rabe Abubakar, military spokesman in the Niger Delta. 

"No innocent person was targeted and will be targeted. That will be irresponsible. I ordered a pin-point, tactical helicopter attack on Tom Polo hideout.  We are attacking those who killed soldiers and take foreigners hostage," JTF Commander, Major General Sarkin Yakin Bello, added.

However, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence.  JTF has used heavy machine gun fire and low-flying helicopters to conduct land and air raids on the villages of Okerenkoko and Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom.  The attacks have forced thousands to flee and left them unable to return to their homes. 

Nigeria is one of the world's major oil exporters, but militant activity has decreased production by about 20% in recent years.  The military is determined to stop it and believes JTF is fighting oil militants. 

JTF Commander Bello declared Government Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo) as wanted for atrocities committed and warned militants that they are in for hard times.  Bello is targeting oil militants loyal to Tompolo, the Commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), an umbrella group representing a number of militant factions.

Meanwhile, MEND said that the military operation was an unprovoked attack and has declared an "all-out-war." 

For more information, please see:

China View - Peace Still Elusive in Niger Delta as Militants Leader Declared Wanted - 23 May 2009

Saturday Independent - War In Niger Delta: Lt. Col, 11 Other Soldiers Feared Killed - 23 May 2009

Reuters - Thousands Flee Violence, Hundreds Suspected Dead - 22 May 2009

Amnesty International - Tens of Thousands Caught in Crossfire in Niger Delta Fighting - 21 May 2009

BBC - Thousands Flee Nigeria Delta Carnage - 21 May 2009

UN Concern over Growing Atrocities Against Civilians in DRC

By Dahee Nam
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

KINSHASA, DR Congo – The United Nations (UN) express grave concern at growing reports of atrocities and abuses committed against civilians in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that since April, increasing number of civilians have become victims of lootings, extortions, killings, and rape committed by the Congolese government army and rebel groups such as Rwandan Liberation Democratic Forces (FDLR)and Mai-Mai militia.

"This is a cry of alarm, we are shocked," said Elizabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the OCHA.  "The insecurity is intolerable.  . . .  We are seeing an extremely grave trend with rapes used as a weapon of war."

Byrs reported that some 1,128 homes were burned down, and seventy-seven people were killed with machetes, knives or burnt alive during recent attacks.

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) added that the attacks are causing widespread displacement in the region as well.   Since January, more than 370,000 people lost their homes and were driven into the forests and other places of refuge.

“We urgently appeal to the Government of the DRC, with the support of the international community, to provide protection to the civilian population and to end the atmosphere of impunity surrounding crimes committed by members of the FARDC, the national police and by armed rebels such as the FDLR,” Andrew Purvis, spokesperson for the UNHCR, said. 

For more information, please see:

UN News Centre - Government, Rebel Atrocities Uprooting Civilians in Eastern DR Congo - 22 May 2009

UPI - U.N. Concerned About Alleged DRC Attacks- 22 May 2009

VOA - Growing Atrocities Reported Against Civilians in Eastern DRC - 22 May 2009

AFP - UN Raises Alarm over Congo Killings, Rapes - 21 May 2009