Genocide Monitor: Jul. 23, 2008

• DARFUR: The ICC prosecutor asks for an indictment of President Omar Bashir, while security in Darfur deteriorates even further.
• SOMALIA: Aid workers are increasingly targeted in the country, which may cause an even wider food crisis.
• ZIMBABWE: Violence against opposition supporters continues, dampening the recent announcement of negotiations between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.
• DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Continued targeting of civilians results in 200 deaths and hundreds of rapes.

Spotlighted Conflict: Darfur

Situation on the Ground

Security on the ground in Darfur remains poor as attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers and aid workers continue. On July 8, unidentified armed men ambushed UNAMID troops in North Darfur. The attack killed seven peacekeepers and left twenty wounded.¹

The UN launched an investigation into the incident,² but this has not stopped allegations that the Sudanese government was behind these attacks. The British government is seeking international condemnation of the attack and warned that future attacks could be considered war crimes.³

One week later, another peacekeeper was killed while on patrol in West Darfur.⁴ The attack reportedly happened during a carjacking.⁵ 

In response to increasing insecurity and concerns over the impact of the ICC proceedings, the UN relocated non-essential staff from Darfur to Ethiopia and Uganda.⁶

The evacuation of 200 staff members does not signal a UN pull-out.⁷ According to a spokesperson from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, "UNAMID is not pulling out. All the forces are going to be on the ground and humanitarian operations are continuing."⁸

ICC Indictment Request

On July 14, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, chief prosecutor of the ICC, officially requested an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Bashir.⁹

Moreno-Ocampo charged that President Bashir committed crimes against humanity, murder and genocide in Darfur.¹⁰ The request was formally submitted to a three-judge panel in The Hague with a ruling expected in a few months time. 

In other ICC news, chief prosecutor Ocampo may pursue war crimes charges against Darfur rebels in connection with an attack on AU peacekeepers last fall.¹¹ 

Mixed International Reaction To ICC

In Sudan, the government challenged the ICC's legality, orchestrated rallies supporting President Bashir¹² and issued a veiled threat of increased violence in Darfur if the court proceeds along its present path.¹³ The Sudanese opposition argued that the move may destabilize the country,¹⁴ while Darfur's rebels pledged to support the ICC's actions.¹⁵

China, Russia and the Arab League expressed "serious concern" over the indictment request,¹⁶ reiterating their belief that a political settlement will best bring justice to Sudan and that the ICC proceedings jeopardize peace talks.

The AU echoed these concerns, saying the charges could lead to "a lot of danger."¹⁷

Western governments responded with cautious support of the ICC, with French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner stating that the government of Sudan must abide by the ICC findings.¹⁸ 

China's Relationship With Sudan

The BBC alleged that China is fueling the war in Darfur by providing the Sudanese government with military equipment and training.¹⁹ China rebuffed these allegations and reiterated that it follows the UN arms embargo on Sudan.²⁰

Peace Process

The new joint AU-UN mediator for Darfur, Djibril Bassolet met with the Sudanese foreign ministry on a fact-finding mission to Sudan.²¹ Bassolet expressed optimism about the peace process and stated that he will officially take his post as chief mediator in August.²²

While governments are highlighting the court's move as a blow to the peace process, international human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and ENOUGH argue that the move may bring peace to Darfur.²³ The ability of the UN to suspend prosecution for one year under Article 16 of the Rome Statute may be used as an incentive to construct a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Darfur,²⁴ mirroring the effects of similar indictments in Liberia and Kosovo.

Area of Concern: Somalia

Dire Humanitarian Situation

Security in Somalia continues to deteriorate at a furious pace, with another World Food Program staffer killed while making humanitarian deliveries.²⁵ Three Somali elders were also shot dead while assisting with food aid outside of Mogadishu.²⁶

The disruption of aid, coupled with drought, increasing commodity prices, and poor harvests may lead to a food crisis affecting up to half the Somali population.²⁷

More Fighting In Mogadishu

Islamist militias and Ethiopian troops continue to fight in Mogadishu.²⁸ The latest battle began as an artillery duel and reportedly killed at least four civilians.²⁹ 

Area of Concern: Zimbabwe

Situation On The Ground

Violence against the MDC continues, with at least 113 opposition supporters killed since the first round of presidential elections.³⁰

The economic collapse of Zimbabwe continues, with inflation exceeding 2.2 million percent as the majority of citizens struggle to survive.³¹

Ongoing Negotiations

The MDC and ZANU-PF agreed to a framework for talks to end the crisis in Zimbabwe.³² This is a first step towards a possible political solution which may include constitutional changes to shift executive power from the president to the prime minister.³³

Sanctions Still Possible

A proposal to enact sanctions, including a comprehensive arms embargo as well as worldwide travel and financial restrictions on senior ZANU-PF politicians was defeated at the United Nations.³⁴

Despite this setback, the United States and European Union are still considering increasing existing sanctions on the ruling ZANU-PF party.³⁵ On July 22, the EU widened its sanctions on Zimbabwe to cover 138 senior party members and four companies, freezing financial assets and banning them from traveling to the EU.³⁶ 

Area of Concern: Democratic Republic of Congo

Continued Targeting Of Civilians

Human Rights Watch reported over 200 civilian deaths and hundreds of rapes that took place in eastern Congo since the signing of the January peace accord.³⁷ Violence is concentrated in the Bukombo region of North Kivu, where Mai Mai, FDLR and CNDP militias battled the Congolese government for control.

In order to bring harmony to the country, the DRC's government is prepared to offer amnesty to rebel signatories of the January ceasefire.³⁸ The amnesty would be granted upon surrender and would not provide immunity from crimes under ICC investigation.