The Genocide Monitor, from the Genocide Intervention Network

Genocide Monitor: August 4, 2010

kennedy@genocideintervention.net — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:39:13 -0400

Spotlighted Conflict

Situation on the Ground:

Thousands of members of Burma’s ethnic minority groups are fleeing the country in anticipation of a crackdown on dissent ahead of elections scheduled for the fall. Kachin, Karen, Chin and Muslim citizens have already begun to cross the border into Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Also in advance of the elections, ethnic minority groups are sending their young children to Rangoon to train as monks out of fear that they would otherwise be forcibly recruited into local militias to serve as child soldiers.

Government Corruption Ahead of Elections

Earlier this month, Burma’s military government merged the nation’s largest government-controlled social welfare organization into the army’s recently formed political party, the USDP. Human rights groups charge that this move guarantees Burmese government domination of the fall elections.

In what may be an attempt to further influence the upcoming elections, the USDP is reportedly conducting its own census.

Increased Ties With North Korea

The U.S. government has expressed concerns about reports of a nuclear program in Burma as well as a substantial array of North Korean weaponry in the nation.

Action Item

Schedule a Meeting With Your Member of Congress

With the south Sudanese independence referendum taking place in less than six months, the United States finds itself at a critical point in regards to its policies towards Sudan. There is a concern that violent conflict may be around the corner depending on what actions the parties in Sudan take in the weeks and months ahead.

From August 9th through September 10h, your Members of Congress will be in your home state meeting with constituents, like you. Don't miss the chance to ensure that they hear your concerns about U.S. policy towards Sudan.

Sign-up Up For a Lobby Day

We’ll work to schedule the meeting.
We’ll provide training calls, give you all the information you need, and find others to go to the meeting with you.
All you need to do is sign-up.

Other Areas of Concern

International Criminal Court (ICC) Update

The ICC charged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with three counts of genocide, marking the first time a sitting head of state has been charged with the crime. This comes on top of warrants for al-Bashir’s arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Chadian government rejected calls from rights groups to arrest President al-Bashir as he visited the nation last week. As a signatory to the ICC, Chad is obligated to arrest the Sudanese leader.

Despite fewer Deaths in June, Abuses Continue

According to a report by the joint UNAMID peacekeeping force over two hundred civilians and combatants were killed as a result of armed conflict and criminality in June 2010. This represents almost 400 fewer fatalities than were seen in May.

In a positive step, JEM signed a landmark deal with the UN this month, pledging to demobilize all child soldiers associated with rebel movements in the region and facilitate their reintegration into society.

Referendum Preparations

According to a new report by a number of humanitarian and human rights organizations, Sudan is ‘alarmingly unprepared’ for the upcoming referendum on southern Sudan’s independence.

Northern and southern Sudanese leaders announced that they would consider creating a common market or confederation if the south chooses to secede in January 2011.

Increase in Civilian Casualties

According to Afghan Rights Monitor 1,074 civilians were killed between January and June this year, a slight increase compared with the same period in 2009. However, due to restrictions on initiating airstrikes put in place by former commander General McChrystal, the number of civilians killed by NATO air strikes dropped by 50%.

Kabul Conference Concludes

The Kabul Conference, Afghanistan’s largest international meeting since the fall of the Taliban, concluded July 21 with support for the Afghan government’s peace and reconciliation program with the armed opposition. Also at the conference President Hamid Karzai said Afghanistan will be responsible for its own security operations by 2014

Somalia

Al-Shabab Expands its Reach

Al-Shabab militants claimed responsibility for twin bombing attacks in Uganda that killed 74 soccer fans watching the World Cup final. This was the militia’s first attack outside of Somalia, which the group claimed was retaliation for AMISOM's presence in Somalia.

In response to the latest attacks, Djibouti and Guinea are expected to contribute troops to the African Union’s AMISOM peacekeeping mission, increasing the number of forces from just over 6,000 to more than 10,000.

African Union Peacekeepers Committing Atrocities?

According to an internal AU report, peacekeepers serving with the AMISOM mission are indiscriminately shelling residential areas in Mogadishu.

This is not the first time that AMISOM troops have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians. Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch detailed abuses in a report titled “Harsh War, Harsh Peace.”

BURMA: As the Burmese government continues its crackdown on dissent ahead of the fall elections, thousands of members of ethnic minority groups are fleeing the country.

SUDAN: The ICC issued a second arrest warrant for President al-Bashir, charging the Sudanese leader with genocide.

AFGHANISTAN: Civilian casualties have increased slightly since 2009, but the number of people killed in NATO airstrikes has halved.

SOMALIA: In response to twin bombing attacks by al-Shabab militants in Uganda, two more countries intend to contribute troops to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission.

Genocide Monitor: Jul. 6, 2010

kennedy@genocideintervention.net — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:31:41 -0400

Spotlighted Conflict

Situation on the Ground:

According to the United Nations, violence in Afghanistan is significantly higher in 2010 than in previous years. Roadside bombings have increased by 94% since last year and the rate of complex suicide attacks has doubled. Despite an influx of coalition troops, most of the violence is concentrated in insurgent strongholds in the nation’s south and southeast.

The Pakistani militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, has reportedly expanded its operations in Afghanistan. The group is said to be operating in at least six Afghan provinces, where it targets local Afghans and Indian development workers.

There were 80 NATO fatalities this month, making June the deadliest month for the ISAF mission in the nearly nine-year long conflict.

Possibility of Peace Talks

Afghanistan recently concluded a national “peace jirga,” during which nearly 1,500 tribal elders, government officials, and religious leaders debated the merits of negotiating with the Taliban.

After three days of debate the group agreed to consider peace negotiations, an outcome welcomed by President Hamid Karzai, who had proposed an amnesty program for insurgents. It is unclear whether the Taliban will negotiate, due to their insistence on the withdrawal of all foreign forces in the country.

Leadership Changes

General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, resigned after a controversial interview criticizing senior U.S. administration officials. General McChrystal will be replaced by General David Petraeus, but there will be no change in policy.

Action Item

Call Secretary Clinton

In just over six months, residents of South Sudan will vote in a referendum on whether to establish a independent state. In the wake of April's national elections, the stalemated of U.S. policy and deteriorating situation on the ground, the coming referendum makes it imperative that the United States take a firm stance to ensure peace and justice in Sudan.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today and tell Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to apply effective pressure on those who abuse civil and human rights in Sudan. Also ask her to hold to account those responsible for creating an environment where credible elections were not possible and ensure that the coming referendum will be free and fair.

Call 1-800-Genocide

Other Areas of Concern

Violence on the Rise in Darfur

According to UNAMID peacekeepers, casualties in Darfur reached a two-year high in May. It is believed that as many as 600 people, primarily combatants, were killed during the month.

Fatalities were partially attributable to clashes between the Misseriya and Rizeigat tribes near the West Darfur city of Zalingei. At least 150 tribespeople were killed in similar clashes over the past few weeks.

International humanitarian staff remain targets of violence as well. Two German aid workers were abducted by unknown assailants in Nyala, capital of South Darfur on June 23.

UNAMID civil engineers were also attacked by unidentified gunmen near Nertiri, West Darfur. Three peacekeepers were killed, which brings the number of peacekeeper deaths since January 2008 to 27.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Update

The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo will ask the United Nations Security Council to order Sudan to hand over Ahmed Haroun and Ali Kushyab. Messrs. Haroun and Kushayb were both indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity in 2007 for their actions in Darfur. President Bashir, also indicted by the ICC, is refusing to co-operate.

Two Darfuri rebels accused of attacking the African Union’s Haskanita peacekeeping base in 2007 have surrendered to the ICC to face charges of war crimes in connection with the attack.

Insecurity Continues Throughout the Country

According to the United Nations, an average of 102 civilians per month are killed by Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo. This represents an increase from 64 per month over the previous two years.

The Hutu-extremist FDLR rebels continue to attack villages across North and South Kiv u. The latest attacks are largely concentrated in the Walungu area of South Kivu, where residents have been driven into the forest by the rebels.

Sexual violence against displaced persons and refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on the rise, according to the UN Population Fund. This increase in rapes has caused some observers to fear an increase in the HIV rate within the next five to ten years.

MONUC Reducing Troop Levels

At the end of the month, MONUC will be redesignated the Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), a new force that will focus on civilian protection and stabilization in the country.

Somalia

Government Accused of Recruiting Child Soldiers

The Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been accused by the United Nations of recruiting children to serve in its armed forces. This development may limit U.S. financial and training support for the TFG's fight against the insurgents.

Fighting Displaces 30,000

Clashes between the government-aligned Ahlu-Sunna Wal-Jamma’a and al-Shabaab militants continued near Dhusamareb in central Somalia. According to eyewitnesses around 30,000 people have fled due to the fighting.

Top Position on the "Failed State" Index

Somalia’s sustained lawlessness and failure to address its pirating and terrorism crises have earned it the top spot on Foreign Policy Magazine’s annual “failed states” index for the third year running.

AFGHANISTAN: Violence is on the rise in Afghanistan, with June seeing the most fatalities for NATO troops since the beginning of the war.

SUDAN: As clashes continue in Darfur, the ICC is pressing for the arrest of two Sudanese indicted for crimes committed in Darfur.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: MONUC peacekeeping forces have begun to withdraw to make way for the MONUSCO mission, a force specifically focused on civilian protection.

SOMALIA: According to Foreign Policy magazine, Somalia retains the position of "most failed state" for the third year in a row.

Genocide Monitor: June 8, 2010

kennedy@genocideintervention.net — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:59:34 -0400

Spotlighted Conflict

Sudan

Situation on the Ground:

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) continued to take place in South Darfur throughout May, with fighting around the town of Oum Sa’aoun and along the highway between Al-Dha’ein and Nyala. No civilians appeared to be injured or killed in the fighting.

JEM and the SAF were also allegedly reinforcing their positions around the strategic town of Shangil Tobayi, North Darfur in the early part of May.

Cattle raiders continue to represent an ongoing threat to stability in South Sudan. The most recent incidents were reported in Lakes and Unity States.

Peace Talks Update

The Sudanese government has said that it will not participate in further peace talks with JEM and will instead seek to hold the rebel group’s leadership accountable for crimes that it has committed.

However, Sudan will reportedly continue peace talks in June with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), a coalition of several Darfuri rebel groups.

Violent Dissatisfaction with Electoral Results

South Sudanese security forces have clashed with the supporters of at least two candidates over the results of last month’s elections.

Throughout May, General George Athor, an unsuccessful candidate for the Jonglei State governorship, allegedly attacked SPLA positions in the southern Upper Nile and Jonglei States. Athor appears to be fighting for the removal of recently re-elected governor Kuol Manyang due to allegations of fraud and vote-rigging.

On May 24, the SPLA fought with supporters of parliamentary candidate David Yauyau in Jonglei State’s Pibor County. Mr. Yauyau and his supporters charged that the results of the April elections were manipulated by the SPLM. At least three combatants were killed in the fighting.

Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement

On May 12, the Special Envoy to Sudan, General Scott Gration, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In his testimony, Special Envoy Gration warned that implementation of the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is behind schedule, particularly in regard to preparations for the 2011 South Sudan independence referendum.

Watch Special Envoy Gration’s testimony here.

In positive news, the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Deng Alor stated that one key CPA requirement - the demarcation of the North-South border - is approximately 80% complete.

Action Item

World Refugee Day

Since 2001, the United Nations has celebrated World Refugee Day every June 20, to draw public attention to the more than 40 million people who have been driven from their homes.

As an estimated 17.8 million residents of GI-NET's Areas of Concern have been driven from their homes by conflict, we are helping to organize a host of events to commemorate World Refugee Day and bring attention to the plight of displaced persons around the world.

For more information on how to get involved, click here.

Find Out More

Other Areas of Concern

Population Movements in Ethnic Areas

Ongoing fighting between the Burmese Army and its Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) proxy militia has caused at least 10,000 Karen civilians to flee to Thailand from their homes in eastern Burma.

Civilians are also leaving their homes in southern Shan State, due to the threat of renewed conflict between the Burmese Army and the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

Extension of US Sanctions

On May 16, the United States extended sanctions on Burma for another year.

Lord’s Resistance Army Attacks Continue

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels continue to commit atrocities in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations and Human Rights Watch accused the LRA of carrying out a series of attacks in the Niangara territory during February 2010, where a small group of LRA combatants killed at least 74 civilians in four attacks over a two week period.

Since December 2009, the LRA has killed 400 civilians and forced at least 350,000 people from their homes.

In an effort to counter the LRA threat, the United States recently ratified the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. The Act calls on the United States to develop a regional strategy to help eliminate the threat posed by the LRA, increase humanitarian aid to LRA-affected areas and fund reconstruction efforts in northern Uganda, where the LRA operated for nearly 20 years.

Somalia

Growing Humanitarian Crisis

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called Somalia the globe’s most worrying humanitarian crisis. According to the ICRC, 3.4 million Somalis require humanitarian aid, the provision of which is complicated by the ongoing insurgency against the Somali government and inability of aid workers to operate freely within the country.

The United Nations estimates that it cannot provide aid to nearly 1 million residents of southern Somalia due to threats against its staff.

SUDAN: Renewed fighting is reported in South Darfur and across South Sudan.

BURMA: Residents of eastern Burma are on the move as clashes take place between the government and ethnic militia.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The Lord’s Resistance Army remains a threat to Congolese civilians and the United States ratifies the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act.

SOMALIA: The International Committee of the Red Cross calls Somalia the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Genocide Monitor: May 3, 2010

kennedy@genocideintervention.net — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:59:19 -0400

Spotlighted Conflict

Situation on the Ground:

National Elections Round-up

On April 11, Sudan’s first multi-party elections in 24 years began. Even before the elections started, there were concerns over the non-participation of major opposition parties, restrictions on political speech, incorrect census results and ongoing violence in Darfur.

The five-day election period was marred by incorrectly run polling places, spoiled ballots, intimidation at polling locations as well as electoral fraud. These conditions resulted in the elections falling far short of international standards.

On Monday, April 26, the preliminary election results were released. This confirmed that despite an outstanding ICC warrant for his arrest, Omar al-Bashir was re-elected as President of Sudan with 68% of the vote. Salva Kiir was reelected as President of South Sudan after receiving nearly 93% of the vote.

For more information about the elections, their aftermath and GI-NET's reaction, please visit our blog at www.genocideintervention.net/blog.

Renewed Fighting Throughout Sudan

While there were limited reports of violence surrounding the recently completed Sudanese elections, there have been increasing reports of clashes between armed groups and the Sudanese security services.

On April 23, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) reportedly repulsed an attack by Sudanese government forces southwest of the West Darfur city of Zalingei. There were no casualties reported in the attack, but the ongoing fighting between the government and JEM appears to undermine the legitimacy of the ceasefire signed by both groups in February. JEM has also accused the Sudanese army of carrying out air attacks in North and West Darfur in early April.

Further south, the SPLA clashed with members of the Rizeigat tribe in South Darfur’s Balbala region, near the border with Western Bahr al-Ghazal. At least 58 people were killed during the fighting on Friday.

Action Item

Call Secretary Clinton

In the wake of the recently concluded election, stalemated of U.S. policy and deteriorating situation on the ground, the United States must take a firm stance to ensure peace and justice in Sudan.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today and tell Secretary Clinton to apply effective pressure on those who abuse civil and human rights in Sudan. Also ask her to hold to account those responsible for creating an environment where credible elections were not possible.

Call Secretary Clinton

Other Areas of Concern

Border Guard Transition

For the past several months, the Burmese government has been pressuring several ceasefire militias to integrate themselves into the national Border Guard Forces or disarm. The largest ethnic militias, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), have so far resisted the plan.

It is feared that if neither group agrees to transition to border guards, eastern Burma may be the site of further armed conflicts, particularly as the deadline for integration passes.

Plight of Children in Eastern Burma

The Free Burma Rangers chronicled the effect of displacement in eastern Burma on the region’s children. The study, Displaced Childhoods, charged that children in eastern Burma are subject to arbitrary killings, torture, mistreatment, arrest and detention without cause, sexual violence, forced labor including recruitment as child soldiers and other violations of fundamental freedoms.

Gender Based Violence on the Rise

A newly released Oxfam report shows that sexual violence has become increasingly pervasive in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo where rapes perpetrated by civilians have risen 17-fold in the past few years. The study found that 38% of rapes were perpetrated by civilians in 2008, compared with less than 1% in 2004.

Increasing Numbers of Displaced Persons

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that many Somalis fleeing fighting in Mogadishu are unable to reach safe havens in Yemen or Kenya. At least 169,000 Somalis have fled Somalia so far this year.

According to ECHO, the European Union's humanitarian response arm, displacement in Somalia is driven by a combination of factional fighting across the country and last year’s severe drought.

SUDAN: The first multi-party elections in 24 years are marred by multiple irregularities and electoral fraud.

BURMA: Tensions rise along the Thai-Burma border as the junta proceeds with its plans to integrate ethnic militias into a Border Guard Force.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A new Oxfam report illustrates the pervasiveness of gender-based violence throughout the east.

SOMALIA: Millions of Somalis have been displaced by violence and drought and more than 169,000 people have fled their homes in 2010.

Genocide Monitor: Apr. 2, 2010

kennedy@genocideintervention.net — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:49:45 -0400

Spotlighted Conflict

Situation on the Ground:

Fighting appears to have flared again in Darfur's Jebel Marra region, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Abdul-Wahid al-Nur's faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/AW). At least 200 civilians were reportedly killed and more than 100,000 people have been forced to flee the region since fighting began in February.

Julie Flint has posted an excellent report on the situation in Jebel Marra on the Social Science Research Council's Making Sense of Sudan blog.

Inter-tribal fighting was also reported in South Sudan's Jonglei state, where 18 people died in violence that appears to be linked to cattle raiding. Clashes between ethnic groups in South Sudan have been on the rise in 2010, with more than 70 incidents since January, compared to 102 during the whole of 2009, These incidents account for at least 450 deaths in 2010 and have caused the displacement of more than 60,000.

Electoral Preparations

From April 11 to 13, voters in Sudan will head to the polls for the first time since 1986 to cast their ballots for president, state governors, local assemblies and the national parliament.

In preparation for the elections, Sudan is expected to host a number of electoral observers. According to recent reports, the European Union, African Union, Russia, Japan and the U.S.-based Carter Center are set to deploy electoral monitors for the polls.

Despite the international scrutiny, it is unclear whether the elections will be free and fair. Last week, Human Rights Watch alleged that the practices of both the Government of National Unity and the Government of South Sudan were threatening the ability of Sudan's citizenry to vote freely for their leaders. For more information on repression related to the electoral process, click here.

Earlier this week, five opposition parties announced a boycott of the upcoming presidential elections. GI-NET is closely following these events as they develop and will update information at http://www.genocideintervention.net/blog.

Action Item

Help Support GI-NET

Consider making a gift today to support GI-NET's crucial work.

By donating to GI-NET, you will help support our network of grassroots activists as they work towards stopping ongoing genocides and preventing future mass atrocities

A $50 donation will empower our 2010 Carl Wilkens Fellowship class to educate their communities about taking action to stop genocide. This is particularly salient as the Fellows prepare to meet with their members of Congress during the current Congressional recess.

Please Donate Now

Other Areas of Concern

UN Special Rapporteur Recommends Commission of Inquiry

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, has recommended that the UN establish a Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Burma.

2010 Burmese Elections

The Burmese government has already begun to issue guidelines concerning this fall's elections, including limitations on candidate participation and the content of political advertisements.

These limitations appear to have contributed to a newly announced boycott of the elections by the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The newly issued guidelines also led the United States to condemn the elections as already "devoid of credibility."

Tensions in Shan State on the Rise

It appears that the Burmese government has moved an additional 70,000 soldiers into areas of the eastern Shan State near the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the United Wa State Army (USWA), ethnic ceasefire militias operating in Shan State. The government hopes to integrate both the KIO and the USWA into a proposed border guard force, but both groups resist the idea.

Continued LRA Attacks

Lord's Resistance Army rebels remain a threat to civilians in northeastern DR Congo. According to the Enough Project's recent report, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," the rebels continue to operate across the Haut and Bas-Uele regions of northeastern Congo.

On Sunday, March 28, Human Rights Watch released evidence of a large-scale massacre carried out last December by LRA fighters in the Niangara region of the DR Congo. At least 321 people were beaten or hacked to death by the LRA over four days, one of the largest incidents since the Christmas massacres of 2008.

More recently, the LRA attacked the towns of Bangadi, Duru and Dungu between March 11 and 14, killing at least 11 civilians.

Progress of Operation 'Amani Leo'

According to the Congolese Army, the anti-FDLR operation code-named Amani Leo has reportedly resulted in the death or capture of nearly 600 FDLR rebels operating in North and South Kivu.

Linkages Between Minerals and Conflict

Global Witness has accused former members of the CNDP, previously integrated into the Congolese Army, of operating extortion rackets in mineral-rich areas of eastern DR Congo. Former members of the CNDP are reportedly earning thousands of dollars from illegal taxes extracted from civilians living in mineral-rich parts of North and South Kivu.

SUDAN: New fighting is reported in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur, even as Sudan prepares for landmark elections in April.

BURMA: Troops begin to concentrate in Shan State and the NLD announces a boycott of this fall's elections.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Brutal Lord's Resistance Army attacks are reported in the Haut- and Bas-Uele region of the DR Congo.