Genocide Monitor: May 28, 2008

• Sudan: The Sudanese government renewed its use of scorched earth tactics and continued to arrest suspected rebels in Khartoum. All sides have threatened increased violence in Darfur and central Sudan, while the shadow of a renewed North-South civil war looms on the horizon.
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Violence against civilians continues, but clashes between armed groups are declining. The presence of extremist Hutu militias and increasing scandal among UN peacekeepers threatens this promising progress.
• Somalia: The security situation is deteriorating as civilians are increasingly caught between government troops and rebel forces. Conflict parties have increased belligerent rhetoric as the prospective peace talks broke down.
• Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo: Former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba has been arrested on charges of war crimes committed in the CAR and DRC.

In Memoriam: Shining Moon

It is with great sadness that GI-Net reports the passing of Shining Moon, a relief team leader with the Free Burma Rangers. Shining Moon operated in the northern part of Burma's Karen State, bringing medical care to victims of attacks by the Burmese military and courageously documenting human rights abuses. As noted on the Free Burma Rangers website, "His images and reports have been broadcast all over the world. He was a fearless leader and was always at the front line helping people under attack."

Shining Moon died due to complications of malaria, he was 26 years old. For more information and to contribute to the work of the Free Burma Rangers, please visit their website.

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Spotlighted Conflict: Darfur

Situation on the Ground

Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno called recent security developments in Darfur "deeply disturbing". Last week, a Nigerian battalion serving as part of UNAMID was ambushed by over fifty armed men on horseback. The assault took place near El Geneina and resulted in the theft of rifles, ammunition and cash.

Ongoing Peace Process

Violence in Darfur may escalate as a result the recent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attack on Khartoum. In response to this threat, the Sudanese regime stated that it will not honor the ceasefire in Darfur. JEM's official position is that without a government ceasefire agreement, there will be all out war. SLM-Unity rebels also threatened attacks against central Sudan and Khartoum and vowed to continue until the overthrow of the central government.

The coming US presidency of the UN Security Council may also serve as an opportunity for the full implementation of the UNAMID peacekeeping force.  

Renewal Of 'Scorched Earth Tactics'

Human Rights Watch released a new report advocating increased UN sanctions on Sudan, due to a resumption of "scorched earth" counterinsurgency tactics. The report states that the February attacks on Jebel Moon illustrate a return to the tactics used by government and Janjaweed forces between 2003 and 2005.

Continuing Crackdown Against Suspected Rebels

Sudanese officials continue to arrest suspected JEM rebels, raising concerns about the mistreatment of suspects. Aegis Trust reports on the summary execution of Darfuri civilians at the hands of government security personnel. Exiled SLM rebel leader, Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, condemned the government's ethnically-motivated arrests.

EU Calls For ICC Cooperation

Members of the European Parliament condemned repeated delays by the Sudanese government to turn over indicted war crimes suspects. Parliament urged Sudan to comply with the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants and requests that further punitive measures be considered at the European Council meeting in June.

Violence In Abyei

Fighting broke out again in the disputed area of Abyei, as the SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army, the armed wing of the SPLM political party) and Government of Sudan met to discuss the region's status. Initial fighting died down within a few days, after the death of four Sudanese government soldiers and the destruction of nearly ninety percent of Abyei town. More than 30,000 people fled into the surrounding region and the UN withdrew non-essential personnel.

The UN began relief efforts, but these may be affected by more fighting in the area. This second round of violence led to the deaths of 22 government soldiers.

There are increasing fears that the resurgent violence in Abyei will cause the collapse of the North-South peace deal. US officials are trying to find a resolution to the situation, but could be hampered by recent SPLM statements that the country is on the "brink of civil war".

Area of Concern: Democratic Republic of Congo

Prospects For Peace And Security Improving

Security in North and South Kivu is improving. There are fewer clashes between armed groups, but atrocities against civilians are still being committed.

A Troubling Ideology

The presence of the rebel FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) movement in the Kivus is a major roadblock to peace. The FDLR has more than 7,000 fighters in the region, dedicated to the sole purpose of killing Tutsis.

Further Investigations Of Peacekeepers 

The UN opened another investigation into a peacekeeper sex abuse scandal in North Kivu. These allegations come on the heels of a similar scandal involving drugs and gold.

Accountability

Former DRC vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba was arrested on war crimes charges. Before his entry into politics, Bemba was a militia leader and is charged with committing atrocities against civilians in the Central African Republic and eastern DRC

Area of Concern: Somalia

Security Situation: Deteriorating

Over the past few weeks, one aid worker was killed and several more were kidnapped. Meanwhile, Somali civilians are still caught in the crossfire between government and insurgent forces. There are also increased attacks on Ethiopian occupying troops and African Union peacekeepers, including the use of roadside bombs. Some organizations attribute the rise in violence to the recent US airstrike on Somalia. Regardless of cause, violence in Somalia exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation, with the Food and Agriculture Organization saying that nearly 2.6 million people will require food assistance this year.

Aborted Reconciliation Talks  

Peace talks aimed at ending the fighting in Somalia were postponed on May 16, after the conflict parties refused to meet face-to-face. While initial success led to a joint statement calling for humanitarian access in Somalia, the talks may not succeed due to a lack of political unity and faith in the peace process.

A Hardening Of Attitudes

The presumed failure of the peace process coincides with an increase in belligerent rhetoric surrounding the fighting. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stated that his troops will remain in Somalia until the 'jihadists' are defeated. As a counter to this, the leader of the Islamic opposition stated that his group's mission was liberation and that violence would continue until Ethiopian troops were withdrawn. Another senior Islamist leader echoed these comments, saying there was "no solution but war".

Future For The Peace Process

In response to the deteriorating situation in Somalia, the African Union called for a 'major international endeavor' to bring stability to Somalia. In response, the UN called for the relocation of its Somalia political office to Mogadishu and set conditions for a possible deployment of peacekeepers.

Area of Concern: Zimbabwe

Note: The Genocide Intervention Network has not determined that large-scale atrocities are occurring in Zimbabwe. However, we are monitoring the situation closely and intend to take what action we can to help ensure that the current situation does not lead to large-scale violence against civilians.

Continuing Electoral Process

The presidential run off election was set for June 27th. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called the delay an attempt by the ZANU-PF ruling party to cling to power. The South African Development Community (SADC) stated that conditions in Zimbabwe currently preclude a safe and fair election.

Increasing Violence

Violence against supporters of the MDC continued in recent weeks. Recently, commentators raised allegations that the army and associated groups are kidnapping people to force MDC activists to return home, where they are tortured due to their political activism. The army also threatened further violence against MDC supporters, stating "if there is one MDC vote on your farm, there will be war".

The MDC alleged that there is a government conspiracy to kill its senior leadership. Additionally, the International Crisis Group warns that Zimbabwean security services may stage a coup d'etat to prevent an MDC government.

Further violence may result from President Mugabe's claim the MDC is on an 'evil crusade' to divide the Zimbabwean people. As of May 23, 43 people have died due to the disputed election.

Removal Of A Safe Haven 

Recent attacks on migrants in South Africa may unintentionally increase anti-MDC violence in Zimbabwe. The attacks make seeking refuge in South African more difficult, causing MDC members to seek less secure options in Zimbabwe.