IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 17-97, 10/10/97

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER

U N I T E D N A T I O N S

Department of Humanitarian Affairs

Integrated Regional Information Network

for West Africa

Tel: +225 21-63-35

Fax: +225 21-63-35

e-mail: irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci

IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 17-97 of Main Events in West Africa covering the period 3-10 October 1997

[The weekly roundups are based on relevant information from UN agencies, NGOs, governments, donors and the media. IRIN-WA issues these reports for the benefit of the humanitarian community, but accepts no responsibility as to the accuracy of the original source. Please note IRIN-WA's daily round-up for Friday is included in this report.]

SIERRA LEONE: AFRC retaliates following ECOMOG bombing

Fighting broke out late Thursday (9 October) and continued on Friday between the Sierra Leonean army and Nigerian ECOMOG forces at Jui, just outside the capital, Freetown.Unconfirmed reports say that twenty people were wounded and several killed when shells landed in a crowded market near the ECOMOG base.The fighting follows Wednesday's bombing of Sierra Leone's Cockerill army base by Nigerian fighter jets which partially destroyed the base and left an unconfirmed number of people dead and wounded, many critically. Some sources put the death toll as high as 15. Soldiers searched through the rubble yesterday for up to ten soldiers unaccounted for.

A senior military officer said on Wednesday that the air raid may have been prompted by a planned AFRC meeting at the base. The meeting, which was changed to another venue at the last minute, was to have been attended by AFRC chairman, Major Johnny Paul Koroma, who came to power in the May coup. The director of Sierra Leone's defence information described the attack as an "assassination attempt" on Koroma. AFRC spokesman, Allieu Kamara said that the incident "amounted to a state of war between Sierra Leone and Nigeria". Tensions increased in Freetown as residents braced themselves for further conflict. Ousted President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah's house in the capital was burned in reprisal for the air raid.

ECOMOG says gunship was the target

An ECOMOG statement said that the target of Wednesday's bombing was a helicopter gunship which the AFRC had used against civilians and ECOMOG forces. The statement said that the gunship had earlier fired on an ECOMOG supply helicopter and on ECOMOG positions at Lungi airport."The ECOMOG jet searched for and destroyed the gunship as it was parking in its hideaway at the junta's army headquarters," said the statement.

UN adopts sanctions, calls on AFRC to step down

Members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in Abuja, Nigeria today (Friday) - a day later than originally scheduled - to discuss Wednesday's decision by the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Sierra Leone. The Security Council voted unanimously to adopt a British-sponsored resolution imposing sanctions and empowered ECOWAS to enforce the embargo. The resolution includes a ban on the sale of or supply of petroleum and arms as well as a restriction on travel. Russia, in particular, expressed concerns about imposing open-ended sanctions and successfully sought humanitarian exemptions to the embargo. Among these, the Council agreed that exemptions to the oil embargo for humanitarian purposes will be decided on a case by case basis.

Although the sanctions aim to support the efforts of ECOWAS in trying to restore Kabbah, the measures imposed are less broad than the regional package of sanctions adopted by ECOWAS at the end of August.

AFRC says it will hand over power, but not to Kabbah

AFRC spokesman Allieu Kamara dismissed calls by the UN for the immediate reinstatement of president Kabbah, saying that the AFRC was prepared to hand over power to a civilian government but not to Kabbah. The Commander of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels and Deputy Chief of AFRC Defence Staff, Colonel Sam Bockari, said on Wednesday that the sanctions would not affect the AFRC but only "innocent civilians".

Fighting between AFRC and RUF

Fighting between the AFRC and the RUF was reported in eastern Sierra Leone last weekend, reportedly over a diamond mining concession. Radio stations said that security forces were dispatched to Tongo to quell the fighting which forced many civilians to flee.

Officer defects, detainees released

The AFRC Chief of Staff confirmed this week the defection of a top Sierra Leonean officer, brigade commander, Colonel Fallah Sewah. He was the highest ranking officer to defect to date. The AFRC, meanwhile, released on Tuesday a dozen people held under house arrest since July, following allegations of a countercoup.

Teachers continue boycott

Only 40 percent of teachers reported for work when primary schools re-opened on Monday, a month behind schedule. Many said that they would continue their four-month-old strike aimed at forcing the AFRC to step down. Sierra Leone's secondary schools are also scheduled to re-open soon. LIBERIA: Economic recovery plans

Liberian delegates presented the country's economic recovery plans to the international community at a UN sponsored conference in New York last week. In his opening address, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan reminded participants of the enormous task facing Liberia. Liberian foreign minister, Monie Captan appealed for a debt waiver and said the country did not have the capital to repay foreign debts and undertake a construction programme. Captan said that he was optimistic of United States support and added that Japan had promised to re-establish bilateral relations with Liberia. Another international conference on Liberia is expected to take place in New York next January.

Refugees appeal for assistance

Liberian refugees stranded in Sierra Leone have appealed to the Liberian government for assistance to return home. A spokesman for the refugees, who are in Bo, say they lack food, medicine and shelter. Refugee operations were suspended shortly after the Sierra Leone coup. Many of the 2,700 ex-combatants who fled to Cote d' Ivoire are also reported to want to return home.

Fighters cross border

Kamajor fighters from Sierra Leone are reported to have crossed the border into Liberia, raising concerns about national security. Authorities in Tongo say they have already detained five Kamajor.

Taylor announces army restructure

Taylor announced earlier his week that he would soon begin restructuring the national army and said that the plan would include massive recruitment of able bodied men and women. Taylor backed away from a similar plan in September following a warning by ECOMOG commander Major General Victor Malu that restructuring was the sole responsibility of the regional peacekeeping force.

China closes Liberian consulate

China ordered the closure of the Liberian consulate in Hong Kong on 9 October. Formal ties between the two countries were severed in September following Taylor's decision to recognise both China and Taiwan. Liberia's ousted consul told reporters that Liberia had recognised Taiwan in exchange for financial aid.

CAMEROON: Boycott expands

On 9 October, a fourth party joined the opposition boycott of the Cameroonian presidential elections scheduled for Sunday, 12 October. Hubert Kamgang's Union de Peuple Africain said his party was rallying to the boycott called by Cameroon's three main opposition parties because the rules of the game were "unfair" and favoured the incumbent candidate, reported Reuters. Although he refrained from joining the boycott, the leader of the Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progres (MDP), Samuel Eboua, called on Wednesday for a postponement and a "national dialogue committee" to resolve the electoral crisis. Calls for a postponement also came from some 100 Cameroonians who began a sit-in on Tuesday at their embassy in Cote d'Ivoire. However, a government spokesman, on Thursday, said the elections would go ahead as planned. A postponement was not legally possible under the constitution, which requires that elections be held before 13 October, he said. Alluding to the opposition's principle demand, he said there was no way an independent electoral commission would be created between now and Sunday.

Earlier in the week, the government banned an opposition rally scheduled for Tuesday. Opposition leaders denounced the ban as illegal and called for a "ville mort" protest on Sunday.

On Monday, the French Foreign Minister appealed for transparency in the elections and indirectly criticised the opposition's decision to boycott the elections, reported AFP. An embassy official told IRIN that the French government would support a postponement only to allow the opposition time to reconsider their position. The boycott is expected to ensure the victory of current President Paul Biya for a further seven-year term of office.

Opposition warns of violence

On Thursday, one of the three main opposition leaders, Fru Ndi of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), warned the government against an "explosion of violence" if the presidential elections went ahead. Speculation that Cameroon could become another Zaire became even more pronounced in the last week of campaigning. Pro-government press have frequently hinted at a possible coup by former army officer Captain Guerandi Mbara, who is in exile in Chad. They claimed that Mbara had met at least once with the SDF in France, reported Reuters. According to unconfirmed reports arms also continue to trickle into the country. Diplomatic sources downplayed the comparison to Zaire. They said that growing apathy towards the elections and beefed up security forces would discourage widespread rioting.

[Refer to IRIN-WA Special Briefing on Cameroonian Elections 10 October 1997]

SENEGAL: Rebel death toll rises

Unconfirmed reports say that some 100 Mouvement des Forces Democratiques de Casamance (MFDC) rebels were killed and three more bases destroyed by government troops in southern Senegal over the last two days during the largest military campaign launched since the signing of the 1995 ceasefire. A force of some 2,500 soldiers was mobilised last Friday to conduct a massive manhunt near the Guinea-Bissau border in Casamance. The military claimed to have killed 22 separatists and destroyed two bases in the first round of attacks at the weekend. The Senegalese press has reported the mass flight of armed rebels and refugees into Guinea-Bissau as a result of the military operation.

MFDC officially denied that its military leader, Salif Sadio, was killed in a previous army attack in September. The movement's number two leader, said he had received a message from the rebel chief denying that any member of the rebel command had been killed.

CHAD: Peace agreement signed with rebel groups

The Chadian government signed a peace agreement with four Tuareg "political-military movements" on Wednesday, said a joint communique. The agreement includes a general amnesty for the rebels, a proviso permitting the groups to form political parties, assistance for the reintegration of returning refugees and the reinstatement of public service workers and former military personnel who left their jobs for political reasons. The four rebel groups include the Front National du Tchad (FNT), the Front Nnational du Tchad Renove (FNTR), the Mouvement pour la Justice Sociale ey la Democratie (MJJSD) and the Counseil Democratique Revolutionnaire (CDR-Volcan).

Opposition calls for national conference

The leader of the opposition party Rallie National pour la Democratie et le Progres (RNDP), Kassire Koumakoye, called on the Chadian government to organise a national round-table conference with opposition leaders and political and rebel movements in order to restore peace. Speaking on Chadian National Radio on 4 October, Kassire accused the government of "disastrous" leadership. He said a multiparty political system did not exist in Chad where the policy of divide and rule reigned and created only "fake" opposition.

MALI: President meets radical opposition

Malian President Alpha Oumar Konare and representatives of the 19-member collective of radical opposition parties agreed on 6 October to make concrete proposals and undertake negotiations aimed at ending the current crisis, reported the state-owned 'Television de Mali Radio'. Ten radical opposition leaders were conditionally released from prison on 3 October pending trial. They were being held on charges link to the killing of a police officer during an opposition rally in mid-August. Violence marred several opposition protests following their electoral boycott and refusal to accept the results of the July 1997 legislative elections.

Bleak future for returning refugees

Tuareg refugees returning to Mali face a bleak future. According to Refugees International (RI), the economic and environmental viability of the Tuareg resuming their previous lifestyle is questionable. Their herds have been decimated and agricultural production is only feasible in a few of the settled areas. UNHCR said integration efforts were impeded by the poor response to the May 1997 donor appeal for US$ 15 million. Only $6.5 million has been pledged leaving a 56% shortfall.

NIGER: Thirteen killed by rebels

Tuareg rebels from the Armed Revolutionary Forces of the Sahara (FARS) said they had killed 13 soldiers and taken five hostages in a Wednesday attack on a convoy in northern Niger. However, the Ministry of Defence said only one soldier had been killed and four civilian drivers taken hostage in the attack near Agadez on a military-escorted convoy. The rebels, from the Toubou ethnic group, were one of the few groups that refused to sign the 1995 peace accord.

Aid resumes

The German government announced a US$ 30 million aid package for Niger with a further million earmarked for aid to Tuareg refugees in the north, reported AFP. Most international donors had suspended assistance to the Niger government following the January 1996 military coup and the subsequent controversial elections. The EU has also resumed assistance to the government.

Public sector cleanup operation

Nigerien leader, General Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, promised a rigorous cleanup of public enterprises, which he said were plagued by "poor management" and fiscal waste. He said the Bretton Woods financial institute, which was supporting Niger's economic readjustment programme, placed great emphasis on the proper management and administration of the public sector. Only 76 million FF of the pledged 153 million FF for the structural adjustment programme has been released to date. The rest will be released when Niger meets performance criteria established by the donors.

First journalist condemned under new press law

In the first application of the new press laws, a journalist was tried and sentenced to three months in prison on Tuesday for the publication of government correspondence. The July 1997 law, which was condemned by international press groups, forbids the publication of all documents and information pertaining to ministerial correspondence.

MAURITANIA: Boycott and elections to go ahead

A government decree issued on Wednesday confirmed that the first and second rounds of the presidential election would go ahead on 12 and 26 December despite an opposition boycott, reported AFP. Six candidates, including current President Maayouyia Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, have already announced their candidacy. Main opposition parties, who have demanded the creation of an independent electoral commission, reconfirmed their intention to boycott the elections. According to local source, their absence will guarantee a second term of office for Taya. In what many believe was an effort to broaden its representation, the government recently promoted leading black Mauritanians to the head of the Foreign Ministry and to key ambassadorial posts. The ruling Partie Republican Democratique et Social (PRDS) derives most of its membership from Mauritanians of Arab decent. However, repeated attempts to silence the press has led to continued criticism of the government.

NIGERIA: Plot to kill Abiola

Radio Kudirat claimed on Tuesday that the Nigerian government was plotting to "kill" Chief Moshood Abiola in prison. Speculation that Abiola has died in detention is already rife, as not even his doctor has seen him since earlier in the year. The military government in 1994 imprisoned Abiola, who is widely believed to have won the annulled 1993 elections.

GAMBIA: Ministers free to move

Ministers of the Gambian ousted civilian government of President Dawda Jawara have regained the right to work and unrestricted travel. However, they are still banned from participating in political activity. The ministers were barred from holding jobs and forced to restrict their movements to the capital, Banjul, following Yahya Jammeth's 1994 military coup.

Abidjan, 10 October 1997

[ENDS]

[Via the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa (IRIN-WA) Reports mailing list. The material contained in this communication may not necessarily reflect the views of the UN or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts from this report should be attributed to the original sources where appropriate. For further information: e-mail irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci, Tel: +225 217367 Fax:+225 216335.]

Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19971010192946.006baffc@pop.africaonline.co.ci> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 19:29:46 +0100 From: UN DHA IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci> Subject: IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 17-97, 3-10 October 1997 97.10.10

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

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