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Central and Eastern Africa: IRIN Weekly Round-up 6-98 covering the period 30 Jan-5 Feb 1998
SUDAN: Rebels pressing ahead with Bahr el Ghazal offensive
A spokesman for the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) admitted they had lost control of the airport and military garrison at Wau in Bahr el Ghazal state, but said the installations were within striking range of rebel artillery. Opposition radio on Monday said the SPLA was pressing ahead with its "full-scale offensive" in northern Bahr el Ghazal, launched last week. The rebels remained at their postions within Wau, the radio said, stating that the government's claim it had recaptured the town was untrue. The SPLA also maintained its forces were in control of Aweil town, where fighting was continuing around the military garrison. The Aweil-Wau road was under the "full control" of the SPLA, according to the radio. Fighting was also underway in Gogrial town, after the rebels launched an attack on Saturday. According to Sudanese television, first Vice-President Lieutenant-General Zubayr Muhammad on Monday said security was being maintained in Wau and flights were still bringing in essential goods.
OLS, WFP refused permission to drop food
The Sudanese government refused permission for Operation Lifeline Sudan and WFP to drop food to some 150,000 people displaced by fighting in Bahr el Ghazal. "WFP and Operation Lifeline Sudan have been denied flight access by the government of Sudan on security grounds," said WFP spokeswoman Brenda Barton. This would be reviewed once the security situation changed, she added. However specific requests to meet acute humanitarian needs would be considered on a case-by-case basis. WFP on Tuesday had announced the start of a planned daily operation to drop food to two locations in the state.
UGANDA: Army kills ADF rebels
The Ugandan army killed nine members of the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the western districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo, the 'Sunday Nation' reported. It said there had been a series of clashes recently between soldiers and rebels in the Rwenzori mountains. Meanwhile, the ADF warned it would "crack down" on those responsible for the deaths of its members. In a press release, ADF chairman Frank Kithasamba called on President Yoweri Museveni to arrest the "killers" and told people in Kasese to "be on the lookout for politicians who kill, intimidate opponents and voters for their own interests".
Rebel activity in north on the increase
The state-owned 'New Vision' on Saturday said rebels in northern Uganda had abducted over 80 people in the Kitgum area over the last two weeks. It said rebel groups belonging to the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) had been "terrorising" villages in the area, abducting people and ambushing vehicles on the Kitgum-Lira road. The LRA had been stepping up its activities since early January, forcing residents to flee their homes, the newspaper added.
BURUNDI: Rwanda considering lifting embargo
Rwanda said on Tuesday it was considering lifting regional trade sanctions on Burundi. In an interview with AFP, Emmanuel Gasana, an adviser to Vice-President Paul Kagame, said the conflict in Burundi "is a power struggle of a few individuals who unfortunately do not think about the future". He said a forthcoming regional meeting in Kampala to review the sanctions, should begin a process "where rationality prevails". A final decision should be taken in Kampala, Gasana added. He said Burundi had largely satisfied international demands for negotiations with Hutu rebels and admitted the sanctions had failed because of loopholes used by neighbouring countries. He denied Rwanda was involved in illegal merchandising. "The accusations have concerned more Tanzania," he said, according to AFP.
Food prices more than double
The latest FAO market price survey indicated that on 30 January the total cost for a weekly food basket of selected items was 11,690 FrBu whereas the price for the same products before the embargo imposed in July 1996 stood at 5,228 FrBu. (The official exchange rate stands at 412 FrBu to the US dollar). FAO reported that, due to the poor harvest, prices continued to rise during January, a month when prices normally drop. UNICEF currently estimates the total number of daily beneficiaries in feeding centres supported directly and indirectly via WFP at 17,000 per day.
NGO forced to halt activities
Humanitarian sources reported that following the theft of a radio receiver from a a major international NGO vehicle on loan to a local partner, the Ministry of Defence confiscated all 18 radio receivers and 10 hand-held radios owned by the NGO on 22 January and accused the NGO of illegally having lent their radio-equipped vehicle to another organisation. Field activities have since not been possible due to lack of communications equipment required for security reasons.
ACF slowly restart programme
Meanwhile, ACF is slowly restarting its programme at the Maramvya feeding centre. Operations were curtailed when an ACF vehicle went over a mine on the way to the centre on 11 January and the area remained off limits to international staff. ACF reports that they are currently treating 600 severely malnourished patients in the therapeutic feeding unit while the supplementary feeding programme remains on hold.
RWANDA: WFP reports drop in food deliveries
WFP reported that owing to disruptions in transport routes, less than 3,000 mt of food have arrived in Rwanda since 21 December, and distributions are being limited to priority programmes such as refugee camps and selected nutritional centres. It added that, although various programmes are affected by these measures, the recent January harvest should help offset any serious negative impact on the food situation. During February, WFP expects to deliver only 2,500 to 3,000 mt, down from a monthly average of 7,000 to 8,000 mt.
Dallaire to testify before ICTR this month
General Romeo Dallaire, the former force commander of the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR), will appear as a witness in the trial of genocide suspect Jean-Paul Akayesu on Monday 23 February. According to a press release from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Dallaire's testimony is of particular importance. Three defence witnesses have already testified in the case of Akayesu, a former mayor of Taba in Gitarama prefecture. Dallaire's immunity was partially waived by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan last month. The ICTR is also expected to deliver its first three verdicts in June.
Belgium, US, UN, France bear responsibility for genocide, report says
A Belgian parliamentary enquiry into the 1994 genocide has stated that the Belgian authorities knew the mass killings were being prepared some three months before the slaughter began. The report says Belgium had a double responsibility: firstly for not trying to prevent the massacres and secondly for launching a diplomatic initiative aimed at withdrawing UN peacekeepers from Rwanda. But the US, UN and France share responsibility because they all knew a massacre was in the making, the report stresses. Interviewed by the French daily 'Liberation', Belgian parliamentarian Alain Destexhe of the Parti liberal said he believed France and the UN should also hold enquiries into their roles at the time of the Rwandan genocide.
Croatian priest murdered
A Croatian Roman Catholic priest, who had lived in Rwanda for 17 years, was shot dead in Kigali on Saturday, the Rwanda News Agency reported. Father Vjeko Curic was found dead in his car near the Sainte-Famille church, reportedly killed by a man who was travelling with him. The priest was based in Kivumu parish at Kabgayi in Gitarama prefecture. RNA quoted sources in Gitarama as saying he had received many death threats. Much of his work involved the construction of houses for genocide survivors and returnees in collaboration with Caritas, RNA said.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Kakudji warns Burundi, Rwanda rebels
Minister of State for Internal Affairs Gaetan Kakudji has accused rebels from Burundi and Rwanda of establishing rear bases in eastern DRC. Speaking on return to Kinshasa from a visit to Bukavu last week, he said he had been on a "pacification mission". "We have decided to ensure there is no more war as in the past," Kakudji told reporters. "It is intolerable that these elements should export their war to our country". President Laurent-Desire Kabila, who was also in Bukavu last week, accused France and two aid agencies of aiding Mai-Mai rebels in eastern DRC.
Kapalata camp to be closed
The DRC authorities last week announced the Kapalata military camp in Kisangani would be closed after some 300 deaths from cholera. Health Minister Jean-Baptiste Sondji told Reuters, after visiting the camp, he personally took the decision to close it. The camp houses young Mai-Mai fighters who have been living there in cramped and unsanitary conditions. They were due to be transferred to an unfinished hospital building in Kisangani.
Hundreds of Burundi refugees arrive
Some 400-500 hundred refugees from Burundi have arrived in the Uvira zone over the past few weeks, according to UNHCR. Of these, 200 arrived last Tuesday alone, but the numbers have now dwindled. UNHCR said most of the refugees were located in Sange and Kiliba, two areas north of Uvira, and many of them were being absorbed into the local communities which appeared to be working well. UNHCR added that in addition to the new arrivals, there were several hundred Burundians who had been in the Uvira area for over 30 years.
UNICEF concerned over demobilisation of child soldiers
UNICEF expressed concern over the demobilisation of an estimated 10,000-15,000 child soldiers enrolled in the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (ADFL) to fight the regime of ex-president Mobutu Sese Seko last year. A UNICEF spokeswoman in Kinshasa told IRIN that many child soldiers did not want to return to their families, preferring to stay together. "The demobilisation of child soldiers is a very delicate issue," she said. In addition, demobilised children were not welcomed by their peers when they returned home. "If proper basic education were provided, the children would be less attracted to the army," the spokeswoman said.
KENYA: Moi slaps curfew on parts of Rift Valley President Daniel arap Moi on Thursday slapped a curfew on key towns in Kenya's Rift Valley and ordered in security reinforcements after tribal attacks that have killed over 100 people. A report by the Presidential Press Service said all businesses in Nakuru district would have to close between nine p.m. and six a.m. and "anyone loitering ... will be arrested". Moi also cautioned that "businessmen of a particular community... who are funding the violent activities will have their business licences reviewed," the report said. The move by the head of state came as US ambassador Prudence Bushnell warned at a luncheon in Nairobi that the violence, if unchecked, "will destroy this nation," AFP reported. Moi made the curfew order at a meeting with community leaders in Nakuru, the main town in the Rift Valley.
Health ministry issues malaria alert
The Ministry of Health on Wednesday issued an alert over an expected increase in malaria cases as a result of the recent heavy rains. Director of Medical Services Dr James Mwanzia said reports from most districts countrywide indicated that there was an increase of malaria cases owing to the sudden arrival of warm temperatures. Meanwhile, the 'Daily Nation' newspaper reported eight more people had died of cholera in Mwea, Kirinyaga district in Central Province, raising the total death to 21 over the last two weeks.
Worst food crisis for 15 years
Food analysts have warned that Kenya is facing its worst food crisis in 15 years as months of torrential rain have battered crop production, Reuters reported. USAID's Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) estimated a maize deficit of 634,131 mt for 1997/98. News reports quoted sources at Mombasa port as saying Kenya was importing 25,000 mt of maize from South Africa, due in this week. The World Bank is to send a team to Nairobi later this month to assess the damage caused by torrential rain and flooding. Team members are expected to concentrate on the water situation and damaged road network across the country.
Meanwhile, the Mombasa-Nairobi road was reopened this week after a temporary bridge was installed at Thange where a section of the road collapsed over the weekend.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: 83 die from cholera in Pointe-Noire
An outbreak of cholera in the southern city of Pointe-Noire has claimed 83 lives out of a reported 445 cases. UNICEF said there were about 10 new cases every day since the disease broke out last November. Following an assessment mission by the health ministry and WHO last month, two hospitals were designated as cholera centres for the isloation and treatment of patients. UNICEF's representative in the country, Eric Laroche, said it was "dangerously inaccurate" to believe scarred buildings in Brazzaville were the only remnants of the civil war. "The conflict has virtually incapacitated the entire country's primary healthcare system," he said. He appealed for further aid to the country, saying lack of response to the UN's flash appeal "is an indication of scarce donor interest in the plight of the country and its people".
AFRICA: Ogata begins visit
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata on Thursday arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, on a 20-day visit to Africa. The trip will include Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC.
Nairobi, 6 February 1998
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