Genocide Monitor: Aug. 6, 2008

• DARFUR: Security remains poor as a reauthorized UNAMID still lacks the proper equipment and personnel to carry out its mandate. While President Bashir attempts to secure domestic support against the ICC, international leaders are expressing concern over the world court's effect on the peace process.
• SOMALIA: Civilians continue to be targeted by insurgent groups and Ethiopian soldiers, as political infighting threatens to doom the peace process.
• EASTERN BURMA: Expanded US sanctions on Burma attempt to further deprive the junta of its export earnings. Villagers in the east fled their homes in anticipation of a new offensive by government-backed militias.
• IRAQ: Despite recent car bombings, civilian casualties in Iraq continue to fall.

Spotlighted Conflict: Darfur

Situation on the Ground

Another bombing attack against civilians was reported in Darfur as the Government of Sudan allegedly attacked the village of Karbala, killing three and injuring eight.¹ The bombing, reported by SLM rebels, is currently under investigation by the UN.²

Another UNAMID peacekeeper was assaulted in El Fasher as Sudanese military personnel abducted and beat the soldier while he was performing routine mission operations.³ 

Continued banditry and attacks against humanitarians caused Doctors Without Borders to withdraw staff from North Darfur, leaving nearly 65,000 people without medical care.⁴ So far this year, nine humanitarians have been killed with a further 145 kidnapped.⁵

Status Of UNAMID

The UN Security Council renewed UNAMID's mandate for another year despite a push from some members to make the renewal contingent upon a suspension of the ICC proceedings against President Bashir. The renewal did note the AU's request for a suspension because of possible effects on the peace process, which caused the United States to abstain from the renewal vote.⁶

UNAMID continues to suffer from lack of equipment and personnel.⁷ A recent report, "Grounded: The International Community's Betrayal of UNAMID,"⁸ highlights the urgent need for helicopters to carry out UNAMID's mission, a state that former Darfur mediator Salim Salim castigates as "peacekeeping on the cheap."⁹

In addition to helicopters, UNAMID lacks equipment such as helmets and trucks. Despite the arrival of 126 Egyptian engineers, the force remains woefully short of its mandated strength.¹⁰

In positive news, UNAMID conducted its first air patrols over IDP camps¹¹ and continues its other patrols despite the worsening security situation in Darfur.¹²

ICC Proceedings

In an attempt to stave off ICC prosecution of its President and other officials, Sudan is exploring the idea of creating national courts to try war criminals and has asked the international community for assistance in this effort.¹³

Members of the international community continue to support President Bashir, with Ethiopia,¹⁴ Rwanda,¹⁵ Egypt and South Africa¹⁶ either advocating a suspension of the proceedings or condemning the court as a new form of colonialism.

A Sudanese government official issued a veiled threat against humanitarian workers and peacekeepers if an arrest warrant for President Bashir was issued.¹⁷ Bona Malwal was quoted saying "If we say Darfur has become a contested territory between us and the ICC, we can only look after the security of the territory and not the security of international personnel."¹⁸

A recent interview with Luis Moreno-Ocampo, prosecutor of the ICC, indicated that Sudan may have been ready to hand over Ali Kushayb and Ahmed Haroun in exchange for no further prosecutions.¹⁹

Area of Concern: Somalia

Continued Violence

Violence continues in Somalia, highlighted by the recent roadside bomb that killed at least twenty people in Mogadishu.²⁰ Roadside bombs are an increasing feature of the Somali conflict, as another one killed an AU peacekeeper.²¹

Recent battles between Islamist forces and Ethiopian troops killed at least 18 civilians in Beledwenye,²² a town 350 kilometers from Mogadishu. Fighting in Beledwenye delayed local aid distribution, adding to the humanitarian crisis.²³

Attacks on humanitarians continue, as a World Health Organization staffer was shot and left for dead in southern Somalia.²⁴ Violence has killed at least five aid workers in Somalia during July.²⁵

Deployment Of Peacekeepers

While many, including the AU²⁶, are now calling for the deployment of UN peacekeepers, members of the hard-line opposition threatened the safety of UN troops if deployed.²⁷

Additionally, the outgoing head of UN peacekeeping operations warned about the danger of deploying peacekeepers without a legitimate peace to keep.²⁸

Area of Concern: Eastern Burma

Continued Displacement

Civilians continue to suffer in eastern Burma as fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) forced nearly 300 villagers to flee over the Thai border.²⁹ The DKBA, widely considered a proxy of the Burmese Army, has committed numerous human rights violations against the Karen population.

Increased Sanctions

The Block Burmese JADE Act was signed into law, prohibiting the import of Burmese gems into the United States via third-party countries.³⁰ The law makes it more difficult for Burmese jade and rubies to find their way into the United States through other countries.³¹ Burma is the source of ninety percent of the world's rubies.³²

Despite the act, Burma still receives a large amount of its foreign exchange from trade with neighboring countries, limiting the effectiveness of US and EU sanctions.³³ Activists in London are attempting to close further loopholes in EU sanctions, including one that allows Lloyd's of London to insure the aircraft and shipping of the Burmese junta.³⁴

Area of Concern: Iraq

Decreasing Violence

Civilian casualties in Iraq continue to decline. Despite this positive move, civilian deaths remain at unacceptable levels, with approximately 387 killed in July, down from 448 in June.³⁵

Even with security gains, bombings continue in Iraq.³⁶ Recent suicide bombings in Kirkuk and Baghdad killed at least 61 people and injured over 250.³⁷ Another car bombing in Baghdad killed at least 12 people over the weekend.³⁸