Genocide Monitor: June 25, 2008

• DARFUR: The situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate contributing to a rise in banditry and increasing food insecurity and activists continue to call for increased pressure on the Sudanese government.
• ZIMBABWE: Election violence continues, forcing MDC candidate Morgan Tsvangirai out of the race as the international community steps up its condemnation of the Zimbabwean government.
• DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The trial of accused war criminal Thomas Lubanga was temporarily suspended due to questions of fairness, casting doubt on the future of Lubanga's case.
• EASTERN CHAD: A rebel offensive aimed at overthrowing President Deby has been checked, but not before rebels captured several towns.

Spotlighted Conflict: Darfur

Situation on the Ground

Security in Darfur remains insufficient, with carjackings and attacks on humanitarians increasing and the recent abduction of a UN peacekeeper near El Geneina. The present security situation limits the UN's ability to distribute food aid, leading to an increasing food crisis in Darfur, which may be exacerbated by recent cutbacks in aid flights. 

Compliance With UN Resolutions

Darfur activists appeared before the UN Security Council to urge increased international pressure on the Sudanese government and to call for increased sanctions on Sudan if the government continues to ignore UN resolutions.

Cooperation With The ICC

The EU warned Sudan about the possibility of further sanctions if it does not cooperate with the ICC. The Sudanese continue their refusal to hand over suspects to the ICC or try them in Sudan, though a comment by an anonymous official to the Sudan Tribune claims that they are in fact willing to hand them over. It is unclear whether this represents differences within the regime, a change of position or misinformation intended to hedge against international pressure and condemnation, particularly as a round of new indictments are expected from the ICC Chief Prosecutor in several weeks.

Continued Effects Of The JEM Attack On Khartoum

39 people were placed on trial in connection with last month's JEM rebel raid on Khartoum. International observers question the possibility of receiving a fair trial and raised concerns about the detention conditions of the accused.

International Mediation For Abyei

The disputed Abyei boundary will be referred to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in order to prevent a resumption of the North-South civil war.

Area of Concern: Sudan

MDC Pullout Of The Election

Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of the presidential run-off election, citing continuing attacks on his party's supporters. Despite the MDC pull-out, the Zimbabwean government said that elections will proceed as scheduled. Experts state that the run-off's failure will cause continued political instability in the country. 

The government continued its belligerent propaganda campaign with the Vice-President stating that "a vote for the MDC is a vote for war." Going further, President Robert Mugabe stated that only God will oust him from office and that the war of liberation would be restarted if the MDC was elected. 

At the beginning of June, South African President Thabo Mbeki broached the subject of a unity government, but according to Mr. Tsvangirai, violence must stop before negotiations begin.

Continued Arrests Of Opposition Members 

The Zimbabwean government continues to assault opposition members and has once again raided MDC headquarters in Harare. The government has focused its campaign against senior opposition politicians, including the MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti, who remains in jail on trumped-up charges of treason. Due to threats to his life, Morgan Tsvangirai recently sought refuge in the Dutch embassy.

International Reaction

The international community strongly condemned the violence in Zimbabwe, with the President of Zambia saying the situation was "of tremendous embarrassment to all of us," while the UN Security Council determined that it was "impossible for a free and fair election to take place." 

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Jendayi Frazier said, "We cannot, under these conditions, recognize the outcome if, in fact, this run-off goes forward." The British accused six senior Zimbabwean officials of orchestrating the violent campaign against opposition members. This could lead to tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe. Some of the options for further sanctions include wider travel bans on relatives of ZANU members involved in human rights abuses, freezing the overseas assets of senior officials, a complete trade embargo and pressuring China to cut its support to Zimbabwe.

Area of Concern: Eastern Chad

Rebel Offensive

Chadian rebels announced a new offensive aimed at toppling President Idriss Deby. The rebels, allegedly backed by Sudan, initially captured several eastern towns, but were repulsed by government forces claiming decisive victory. Fighting has temporarily ceased, but the rebels pledged to continue their campaign until President Deby agrees to negotiations.

Area of Concern: Eastern Burma

Continued Atrocities Against Ethnic Minorities

The Burmese army continues its offensive against ethnic minorities in eastern Burma, perpetuating a conflict that has displaced over 1.3 million people, destroyed more than 3,200 villages and caused the rape and murder of thousands. You will find more information about the atrocities committed against civilians in eastern Burma, in our Areas of Concern.

Reports indicate that the Burmese army has again attacked villages in the northern part of Karen state. It has also displaced 3,500 people in Shan state to build a hydroelectric dam using forced labor.

These atrocities highlight the brutal and oppressive nature of the Burmese authorities, which led the US government to enact punitive measures through the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act (BFDA), a set of comprehensive economic sanctions on Burma. The United States Congress is currently considering whether to renew these sanctions for another year.

Area of Concern: Democratic Republic of Congo

ICC Proceedings

In a step towards ending impunity in the DRC, the International Criminal Court began its first trial this month as Thomas Lubanga faced charges of war crimes committed in Ituri province during the Second Congo War.

After deliberations over the fairness of the proceedings, the ICC called an indefinite halt to Lubanga's trial and is considering whether to release him from custody.

Redefinition Of Rape As A Security Issue

Endemic sexual violence in regions such as the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo caused the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution warning nations that widespread use of rape during conflict will be considered a military tactic.

Area of Concern: Somalia

Continued Violence

Despite the recent peace agreement between the transitional government and rebels, fighting continued in Somalia. At least 38 people have been killed since the June 9th signing of the ceasefire, casting doubts on its effectiveness.

Targeting Of Aid Workers

Another Somali NGO worker was assassinated and the head of UNHCR in Somalia was kidnapped, highlighting the difficulty in performing humanitarian work in Somalia.