Meles Zarkawi’s latest book

[Attn: illiterate Woyannes. This is just a satire]

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By Mohamed Olad Hassan
ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A 30-minute gunbattle rocked the capital in the hours before a long-awaited Somali peace conference was set to begin Thursday. At least two people were killed, officials said.

The battle between government soldiers and suspected insurgents broke out late Wednesday near Mogadishu’s Bakaara Market.

“It was the worst gunbattle I have ever heard. They used all sorts of weapons, heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades,” said Mohamud Ibrahim, who watched the gunbattle from the rooftop of a hotel.

A government soldier and a civilian were killed, police said.

The national reconciliation conference, aimed at helping the country heal the wounds of 16 years of conflict, opened briefly Sunday but was postponed after eight mortar rounds landed near the venue. The meeting has been delayed several times due to violence in the capital and infighting.

Abdirahman Mohamud Shift, a spokesman for the conference, refused to comment on the new violence.

The conference is to serve as a forum for Somali elders to deal with clan grievances.

Over the weekend, Islamic militants threatened to disrupt the gathering, saying anyone who takes part “is sentenced to death.” The threat came from the Shabab, the militant wing of an Islamic group that ruled much of southern Somalia for six months last year. The group was driven from its strongholds in December but has vowed to launch an Iraq-style insurgency until Somalia is ruled by an Islamic theocracy.

Mogadishu has seen little peace since government troops backed by Ethiopian forces drove Islamic hard-liners out of the city in December. Bombs, attacks on government installations, assassination attempts and gunbattles have become common, with civilians caught in the crossfire.

The government has said the Shabab’s threats would not disrupt the conference. Somali and Ethiopian troops patrolled the streets and dozens of checkpoints were set up along roads.

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From The Economist print edition

AN ATTEMPT at national reconciliation finally sputtered into life this week in Somalia’s battered capital, Mogadishu. Insecurity had delayed proceedings several times before. The place is as dangerous as ever, but the transitional government sounds more determined. Somalia’s internationally recognised but hitherto ineffective president, Abdullahi Yusuf, declared that “not even a nuclear bomb” would distract Somalia’s tribal elders from their task of finding a way forward. But few people are betting on success.
AFP Come back tomorrow, maybe

Indeed, after opening speeches on July 15th, work was promptly adjourned; the organisers said they needed to wait for more participants. But mortars landing around the bullet-riddled garage serving as a conference hall did not help. An insurgency led by the Shabab (“young men”), a hardened jihadist remnant of the militias loyal to the Islamic Courts Union that briefly ran most of Somalia until it was overthrown by an Ethiopian-led force earlier this year, says it will kill anyone who takes part. Somalia’s authorities, backed by Ethiopian troops, have sealed off large parts of the city.

Tribal elders have chattered their way through dozens of reconciliation meetings since Somalia’s central government collapsed in 1991. This time there may be a slightly better chance of groping towards a peace deal leading to elections proposed for 2009, especially if the elders can agree on some relatively simple issues, such as policing, taxation and schools, among other things.

The Shabab know their cause will be in jeopardy if they cannot scotch this latest attempt at reconciliation. Al-Qaeda, which is devoting a lot of rhetoric and resources to turning the Horn of Africa into a new battleground, is equally keen to prevent it from getting anywhere. Much will depend on whether Mr Yusuf and his prime minister, Mohammed Ghedi, can be persuaded to invite moderate Islamists and elders from the Hawiye clan, which predominates in Mogadishu and has been broadly hostile to the government.

In its confusion and scope, there are similarities between what is being tried in Somalia and the setting up of the loya jirga (“grand assembly”) to draft a new constitution in late 2003 in Afghanistan. The difference is that rich and powerful countries have promised virtually nothing towards rescuing Somalia—and Mogadishu is far more dangerous than Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, was three years ago, particularly for foreigners. Moreover, elsewhere in north-east Africa the mayhem in the Sudanese region of Darfur has grabbed far more attention in international forums.

The African Union, too, has failed to address Somalia effectively. Only Uganda has so far sent peacekeepers, while other African countries make increasingly feeble excuses for their refusal to help out. Diplomats whose governments have been paying for Somalia’s reconciliation conference are unlikely to attend, for fear of being blown up or shot.

Meanwhile, many Somalis are dying of diseases worsened by malnutrition and drowning in overloaded smugglers’ boats in large numbers as they seek a better life elsewhere. The economy is still a wreck. In recent weeks Somali businessmen have been flying back to the safety of Nairobi, the capital of neighbouring Kenya, along with their money. Mogadishu’s big Bakara market has been closed for days; when it is open, grenades and gunfire take the fun out of shopping. And as the reconciliation conference fails to take off in earnest, the danger grows that Mogadishu will soon slide back into anarchy.

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Congressman Donald Payne, Tenth District – New Jersey

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry McKenney (202) 225-3436

Washington, DC (July 18, 2007) – The US House of Representative’s Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health today approved HR 2003, the Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act which was introduced by Congressman Donald M. Payne, Chairman of the subcommittee, on April 23, 2007. The bill encourages human rights reform in Ethiopia.

“I was dismayed to learn of the hundreds of people killed and the thousands arrested as they attempted to exercise their right to protest the outcome of the May 2005 elections in Ethiopia,” Payne remarked during the hearing. “No one has been held liable for those crimes and political prisoners have been languishing in jail for two years. If the government was serious about democracy, rule of law and accountability, it would hold accountable the security forces responsible for killing citizens and it would free the political prisoners who are only guilty of running for office and winning.”

Approved by a voice vote, the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health endorsed the legislation which stipulates that the Ethiopian government foster accountability and support democracy or risk losing security assistance. In particular, it requires the withholding of assistance until the President of the United States can certify to Congress that political prisoners are freed, those responsible for the violence related to the 2005 protests are held accountable, freedom of speech and information are respected, and Ethiopian human rights groups are allowed to operate without being harassed. It also authorizes $20 million to support democracy, human rights and economic development in Ethiopia.

On June 16, 2007, the Ethiopian courts sentenced 35 of the jailed political leaders to life in prison for inciting violence and attempting to overthrow the government. The defendants were also denied the future right to vote and to hold public office. Since that time, there have been reports that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi requested that the Pardon Board review the sentences and either recommend amnesty or pardon. “I hope the prisoners are granted full amnesty which includes the restoration of the right to hold public office and vote,” Payne stated.

After the subcommittee met, Payne stated, “I am glad that we are one step closer to the passage of this important bill. With the US government using its influence, we could make major strides toward rectifying the unfortunate events of 2005.”

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By David Monti

On the first day of the athletics competition at the 9th African Games in Algiers, Meseret Defar took the gold medal in the 5000m, crossing the finish line in 15:02.72, a Games record. Her teammate Meselech Melkamu finished second in 15:03.86, while Kenya’s Silvia Kibet took the bronze in 15:06.39.

“It was not very difficult today, because I didn’t run alone,” said Defar referring to the help she received from her compatriots who helped her control the pace.

Defar was the leader at the first kilometer (2:57.95), then traded the lead with Melkamu and the third Ethiopian in the race, Ayano Workitu. Workitu fell back at 3600m, but Melkamu was still running strong, staying with Defar. The three medalists were still in contention for the win with 200m to go when Defar launched two attacks to seal her victory. The first dropped Kibet, and the second Melkamu.

In today’s other final, Willy Komen of Kenya won the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 8:15.11, over compatriot and reigning Olympic gold medalist, Ezekiel Kemboi (8:16.93). Nahom Mesfin of Ethiopia finished third in 8:17.21.

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By Dan Robinson, VOA

A U.S. congressional panel has approved legislation aimed at supporting democracy and human rights in Ethiopia, sending the bill to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. VOA’s Dan Robinson has this report from Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers concerned about Ethiopia have faced the choice of taking steps to pressure the government in Addis Ababa, or waiting for Ethiopia’s leaders to act on their own to improve the human rights and political atmosphere there.

Last year, legislation to pressure the Ethiopian government failed to reach the full House, as the Bush administration pressured Congress to hold off.

On Wednesday, Congressman Donald Payne referred to news reports that a clemency decision may be imminent for 38 opposition figures, including journalists, sentenced to life in prison and lesser terms.

While he hopes clemency is granted, Payne believes passage of this year’s bill is important. “We want to see Ethiopia move back as it has been in the past, a good ally of the U.S, but we can no longer sit by and allow these issues to go without us mentioning them.”

The United States, along with European governments and human rights groups, has condemned the sentencing of opposition leaders, and urged political reconciliation in Ethiopia.

State Department human rights official Barry Lowenkron testified this week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “To this day, the crackdown casts a shadow over the Ethiopian government.”

While underscoring Ethiopia’s cooperation in what President Bush calls the global war on terror, the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act calls for the release of political prisoners.

It calls on the State Department to fund human rights, democracy, civil society and rule of law groups and those helping victims of torture.

Although Payne describes the measure as not punitive in nature, it would prohibit non-humanitarian aid to Ethiopia if the government obstructs U.S. human rights and democracy training efforts.

It would also restrict security assistance until the Ethiopian government releases prisoners, holds those in the security forces accountable for human rights abuses related to the crackdown following 2005 demonstrations, respects freedom of speech, and allows human rights groups to operate without harassment.

Other provisions include prohibiting members of security forces from receiving U.S. training, a visa ban for officials accused of gross human rights violations, and support for identifying and extraditing former Mengistu regime members living in the U.S.

Republican Congressman Christopher Smith hopes the legislation will get a vote in the House this year, and asserts that the Bush administration has not pushed Ethiopia’s government hard enough on human rights issues. “The war on terrorism is very important, we all know that. But no regime that terrorizes its own citizens can be a reliable ally in the war on terror. Terrorism isn’t just a military issue, it is also a human rights issue,” he said.

But others have reservations with the wording of the bill.

Republican Michael McCaul says while the Ethiopian government is far from perfect it has shown a willingness to move in the right direction. “I am concerned that the passage of this bill as it is currently written will do more harm than good to the Ethiopian democratic movement, and will hurt our strategic partnership with Ethiopia in combating terrorism. I am also concerned it will have a negative effect on the current negotiations between the government and the opposition,” he said.

“It really does appear that we are taking sides. There is no recognition of the fact that there have been significant advances since the ruling party came to power in 1991,” said Republican Congressman John Boozman shares the concerns.

Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee believes the legislation will be helpful. “I am concerned about the military assistance, but I am listening to how it is to be instructive, because right now although we are about to release a number of prisoners, we still have a series of individuals who are still incarcerated. The question becomes what will happen to them?,” she said.

To become law, the Ethiopia bill would have to be approved by the House and Senate, but would still face potential opposition from the White House.

A spokesman for the House Africa subcommittee told VOA it is hoped the measure will be considered by the Foreign Affairs Committee before the end of July.

As currently written, the measure gives the president authority to ignore the ban on security assistance if doing so is in the interests of U.S. national security, including joint counter-terrorism efforts, and Ethiopian contributions to U.N. peacekeeping.

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