CrisisWatch N°110, 1 October 2012
Here are the details about the African continent:
Conflict at risk
In
Mali
Islamist rebels in the north made further advances, seizing the
strategic town of Douentza. Meanwhile, the murder of a group of unarmed
Muslim preachers in southern town Diabaly mid-month risks sparking a
sectarian backlash and raises fears that the army, already showing signs
of deep divisions and instability, may be splintering. ECOWAS pledged
to send a 3,300-strong force to reclaim the north and secure the
transitional government. But without measures to reduce Mali's
inter-communal tensions and address northern grievances a military
approach could backfire. The upheaval in Mali threatens to escalate
further and endangers regional stability
Unchanged Situations
Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad,
Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania,
Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda,
Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara, Zimbabwe
More in details:
Horn of Africa
Ethiopia Tens of thousands 2 Sept attended state funeral for PM
Meles Zenawi. Acting PM Hailemariam Desalegn named successor
15 Sept, sworn in 21 Sept, vowed to maintain Meles’ legacy. Govt
10 Sept pardoned, freed 2 Swedish journalists arrested 2011 for
“supporting terrorism” after visiting rebel Ogaden region. Govt
delegates 6-7 Sept met with separatist Ogaden National Liberation
Front, agreed to further talks.
ƒƒ “Ethiopia’s new PM sworn into office”, Al Jazeera, 21 Sept. 2012.
Kenya Violence between Polomo, Oromo ethnic groups in Tana
River area continued with over 100 killed since mid-Aug: police 17
Sept announced discovery of mass grave in Garsen area; 38 killed
10, including 9 police, govt official; 4 killed 11 Sept in clashes;
2 junior ministers charged with hate speech, inciting violence.
At least 11 killed 27 Sept when residents clashed with suspected
members of Mombassa Republican Council in Kilifi forest. Police
14 Sept announced arms, ammunitions, explosives cache seized in
Nairobi raid, 2 suspects arrested; Abdimajid Yassin pleaded guilty
to bomb possession, al-Shabaab membership, sentenced 20 Sept to
59 years in jail. 2 killed, several injured 30 Sept in grenade attack
on Nairobi church; 2 police officers shot dead same day in Garissa.
Preacher Abubakar Shariff Ahmed, accused by U.S. of supporting
al-Shabaab militants, arrested 3 Sept, charged with inciting violence
following Aug assassination of fellow preacher Aboud Rogo.
Kenyan AMISOM soldier accused of deliberately killing 6 Somali
civilians arrested 24 Sept. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Mark
Bowden 19 Sept met with Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and other
military officials to discuss civilian protection in Kismayo, Somalia.
ƒƒ “Kenya tribal killings stain Tana River”, Al Jazeera, 21 Sept. 2012.
Somalia New President Hassan Sheikh, chairman of the Peace
and Development Party, elected 10 Sept. President Sheikh and
Kenyan FM Sam Orgeri 12 Sept escaped al-Shabaab bomb attack
on Mogadishu hotel, 8 others killed; MP Mistafa Maalim shot
dead by gunmen 22 Sept in Mogadishu. UNSC 18 Sept welcomed
end of transition, expressed concern over financial mismanagement.
AU/Kenyan advance on al-Shabaab stronghold Kismayo
continued throughout month; military spokesman 18 Sept said
al-Shabaab leaving town, al-Shabaab denied; Kenyan forces 28 Sept
claimed town captured. Some 200 al-Shabaab militants reportedly
surrendered to AU forces 23 Sept. 4 journalists, at least 12 others,
killed 20-21 Sept in Mogadishu; 2 journalists killed 27-28 Sept.
ƒƒ “Somalia’s fleeting opportunity for hopeful change?”, Al Jazeera, 18 Sept.
2012.
--
The whole issue of
CrisisWatch N°110 here:
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/publication-type/crisiswatch/2012/crisiswatch-110.aspx?utm_source=cw110sm&utm_medium=cw110&utm_campaign=cwemail
