Genocide Monitor: Sep. 11, 2008

• DARFUR: The Sudanese government offensive in North Darfur continues, with the Zamzam IDP camp under attack. This comes as security conditions for IDPs and humanitarians in Darfur remain poor
• SOMALIA: Violence continues in Somalia, as the UN rules out the deployment of peacekeepers until conditions improve.
• DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The peace process grows increasingly fragile as new fighting between the government and CNDP rebels is reported.
• SRI LANKA: The government continues its offensive against the LTTE while it bars relief organizations from operating in rebel-held territory.

Spotlighted Conflict: Darfur

Situation on the Ground

Fighting still rages in the northern and western parts of Darfur as the Sudanese army is on the offensive against rebel positions near Disa, North Darfur¹ and in West Darfur's Jebel Marra region.² The government is allegedly attacking rebel-held towns with aircraft and ground troops. So far, twenty civilians were reported killed as the government continues its brutal counterinsurgency campaign.³ The government also went on the offensive against the Zamzam IDP camp near El Fasher, reportedly killing six civilians after storming the camp.⁴

This recent offensive adds weight to the statement of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Sudan, who accused the government of repeatedly bombing civilian areas.⁵

Camp Insecurity

UNAMID released its official casualty totals from last month's Sudanese government attack on the Kalma IDP camp, stating that 31 civilians were killed when Sudanese police stormed the camp looking for weapons.⁶

Police suppressed a protest against the violence at Kalma by IDPs in Mercheim camp, resulting in the deaths of four demonstrators.⁷ In another protest, this time against food ration cuts at the Um Shalaya IDP camp, one civilian was accidentally killed as the police forcefully dispersed the gathering.⁸ 

Assaults on Aid Workers

The World Food Program announced that continued insecurity in Darfur may cause a halt of its humanitarian operations in the region.⁹ So far this year, at least 100 WFP trucks have been attacked in Darfur.

The WFP statement comes on the heels of aid group German AgroAction's announcement that it was pulling out of Darfur due to repeated assaults on its staff. Between January and July of this year, ten aid workers have been killed and seventy-four aid compounds have been attacked in Darfur.¹⁰

ICC Proceedings

Despite continued Sudanese pressure for a UN-sponsored deferment of the ICC prosecution of President Omar al-Bashir, there are no indication that the issue is on the UN Security Council agenda for September.¹¹ A recent statement by US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, indicates that the warrant may be issued in October.¹² Responding to Sudanese entreaties, the Chinese government has hinted that it may not overtly use its influence to stop the issuance of an arrest warrant for President al-Bashir.¹³

Area of Concern: Somalia

Continued Fighting

Violence remained high throughout the country. In Mogadishu, African Union peacekeepers once again came under fire from militia members.¹⁴ Also in Mogadishu, continued insecurity forced the closure of an MSF hospital, further straining the city's medical facilities.¹⁵

Outside of Mogadishu, it was reported that members of the Islamist opposition groups were battling each other for control of the southern port of Kismayo.¹⁶ Members of the Islamic Courts Union and the Al-Shabaab militias have fought each other over the administration of the city since Al-Shabaab took control of Kismayo three weeks ago.¹⁷

Heavy fighting between Somali militias, the Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopian troops will continue through the coming Muslim holy month of Ramadan.¹⁸

Targeting of International Staff

Despite the release of the kidnapped head of UNHCR's country operations, Mohamed Ali Keynan,¹⁹ aid personnel continue to be targeted throughout Somalia, with a World Food Program driver injured south of Mogadishu.²⁰

In addition to humanitarians, armed groups have targeted other international workers, including two journalists who were kidnapped while reporting on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia.²¹

Peace Process

Despite the official signature of the Djibouti agreement, peace in Somalia still appears elusive. Even though the UN welcomed the approval of the Djibouti agreement, it ruled out the deployment of peacekeepers until conditions in the country improve.²²

Possible Ethiopian Withdrawal

In an interview with the Financial Times, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that his country may withdraw troops from Somalia despite continued instability.²³ "We will try everything in our capacity to create an environment where our withdrawal would not seriously disrupt this [peace] process in Somalia, but that is not necessarily precondition for our withdrawal."²⁴

Area of Concern: Democratic Republic of Congo

Renewed Conflict

The Congolese armed force and General Laurent Nkunda's rebel militia are once again fighting in North Kivu.²⁵ The renewed clashes put additional strain on the already fragile peace process in the eastern part of the country.²⁶

Riots Against MONUC

Residents of the Rutshuru area of North Kivu rioted against MONUC peacekeepers, resulting in the injury of one civilian and the destruction of a MONUC vehicle.²⁷

The roots of the riot appear to lie with local dissatisfaction with MONUC's deployment and performance. Many residents of North Kivu are unhappy with MONUC's enforcement of a buffer zone between FARDC and CNDP rebels and perceive that MONUC is allowing the reoccupation of territory from which rebels were previously expelled.²⁸

ICC Trial of Thomas Lubanga

Accused war criminal Thomas Lubanga will remain in ICC custody in The Hague until a final decision regarding his appeal is reached.²⁹ Lubanga's trial was suspended earlier this year because of questions about the fairness of his trial, due to restrictions on sharing classified evidence.

Area of Concern: Sri Lanka

Continuing Warfare

The government of Sri Lanka continues its offensive aimed at military victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)³⁰ Despite its recent capture of the northern town of Mallavi and advances on the LTTE's de facto capital of Kilinochchi, there is still no guarantee that Sri Lanka will achieve victory over the Tigers.³¹ One LTTE response to military defeat may be an increased in terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan urban centers.

The government barred aid organizations from operating in rebel-held areas, stating that it could not guarantee the safety of humanitarians.³² This limits access and assistance to the nearly 80,000 people displaced by the recent government offensive.