Mali: peace process loses momentum

It is clear from the array of reports and commentaries over the last month that the Mali peace process has lost momentum, if it ever had any.

The Ouagadougou Agreement of 18 June 2013 stipulated that an ‘inclusive dialogue’ should begin 60 days after the naming of a new government. That has not happened. Since then, the Mouvement National pour la Libération de l’Azawad (MNLA) and the government have accused each other of reneging on agreements on security arrangements in Kidal.

There are two fundamental reasons.

First, the Bamako government has rarely shown much interest in its extreme northeast (Kidal), let alone most of its north (Azawad). It has never had more than a fleeting political or economic inclination to get to grips with the extremely taxing and deep-rooted problems of the region, and looks even less likely to do so today than it did this time last year.

Second, much blame must be placed on that vast, enigmatic entity, the ‘international community.’ It embraces the United Nations (and all its many agencies), the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States, the European Union, a host of NGOs, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and many other largely unaccountable entities, including NATO – not to mention the plethora of so-called experts, many of whom have little more than a passing acquaintance with the region or its people.

A month or so ago, most analysts recognised that the northern region of Kidal remained an MNLA stronghold. Also in the area are the French army, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, and troops of the Mali army. But they are not enough to secure the vast area. 

Many politicians and commentators in Bamako have been arguing that the French army should step aside and let a strengthened Mali army step in. But in 2013, the MNLA warned one reporter that ‘to plant a Malian flag in Kidal is an act of war.’

That remains pretty much the case today, except for one thing. The MNLA itself is now fragmenting into what appear to be at least three parties. While this may be a temporary state of affairs, it makes any sort of overall deal almost impossible in the near future.

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

© 2014 Menas Associates

Algeria: UN Mediator for the Sahara on New Tour in North Africa

The UN mediator for the Sahara, Christopher Ross, undertook a two week tour of North Africa (March 20 – April 3) in another attempt to persuade the parties to the Western Sahara conflict to sit at the table of direct negotiations.

 

After visiting a month or more ago the capitals of the Group of Friends of Western Sahara (Washington, Moscow, Paris, Madrid, London), as well as Germany and Switzerland, to seek international support for his approach, Ross resumed contacts over the last two weeks with the parties directly involved in the conflict: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario Front.

 

UN deputy spokesman, Eduardo del Buey, told reporters in New York that the purpose of this new North African tour was to prepare the ground for a “possible resumption of direct talks” on the Sahara conflict, as a settlement of this issue “becomes more urgent than ever” in view of the “growing risk of instability in the Sahel.” He said that Ross's trip was“to prepare for the next phase in the negotiating process and a possible resumption of direct talks to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution.”

 

For more news and expert analysis about Algeria, please see Algeria Focus and Algeria Politics & Security.

 

© 2013 Menas Associates

Libya: Militias are destabilising the country

According to Amnesty International at least 12 detainees held by militias have died after being tortured for over six months. The report carried out by the human rights group is being published to coincide with the anniversary of the revolution, which toppled former Libyan leader Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi.

Last month, the UN estimated that about 8,000 of Qadhafi loyalists are being held by militia groups. The National Transitional Council (NTC) has been trying to get the militias to disarm, but with little success.

Amnesty International is worried as it believes that some Qadhafi loyalist are committing human rights violations without consequences or intervention by the NTC.

The forthcoming report cites witnesses' statements saying some detainees were repeatedly tortured, beaten with whips, cables, plastic hoses, metal chains and bars, and given electric shocks with live wires and taser-like electroshock weapons. Speaking to AP news agency, Amnesty International's senior crisis response adviser said: “Nobody is holding these militias responsible."

The group also said that in one detention centre in Tripoli investigators found tortured detainees concealed by their interrogators. The group added that among those detained were African migrants and refugees, who were suspected to be "mercenaries" for Qadhafi during the eight month conflict.

The report is based on research conducted in Libya in January and February.

Sources: BBC News, AP, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

President Mills lauds Ghana's progress at UN

President John Atta Mills reiterated his commitment to credible and violence-free elections in 2012 when he addressed members of the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“Ghana's democratic credentials stand tall and we intend to maintain the standards we have achieved,” he said, adding that the Ghana's Electoral Commission (EC) has the necessary resources to conduct the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.

He invited the international community to monitor the 2012 poll, as it did in 2008.

Briefing the General Assembly on the government's development initiatives, he said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration continued to invest heavily in young people by improving education and skills training, instituting anti-drug campaigns, and using the oil and gas industry to create new opportunities.

He said his government had also taken measures to strengthen the rule of law by implementing legislation to promote accountability and good governance, protect human rights, and ensure the independence and integrity of the judiciary and the freedom of the media.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Video of suspected bomber who attacked Abuja UN headquarters circulating around Nigeria

It has been reported that a video message featuring a suicide bomber who allegedly carried out the attack on UN headquarters last month is circulating within Nigeria. Islamist group Boko Haram claimed the attack, which killed 23 people and injured more than 80 others.

The video obtained by AFP news agency is yet to be verified. It contains 25 minutes of speech by the alleged UN bomber holding an AK-47 automatic rifle, with two other people in the background. It also reportedly shows the alleged bomber pleading with his family to appreciate his actions, meant to teach the US “and other infidels” a lesson.

In the 26th August attack; a suicide bomber drove his car through the Abuja headquarters' security barriers crashing into the reception area before the explosion. The blasts brought down parts of the structure, where about 400 UN staff worked, also shattering the widows of nearby buildings.

A man claiming to be a spokesman for Boko Haram reportedly told AFP the suspected bomber was Mohammed Abul Barra, a 27 year-old married man from Maiduguri. The video also contains a reference to the UN headquarters as a "forum of all the global evil", and praise for former Al-Qa'ida leader Osama Bin Laden.

Boko Haram is fighting for the establishment of Sharia law across Nigeria, it has alleged to have connections with the Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, which operates in North Africa and Al-Shabab in Somalia.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, AP

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

More than 50 killed in Sana'a over last two days

According to a number of sources, explosions all over Sana'a were heard throughout the night. It is thought that at least two people died during clashes with security forces, who continue firing shells at protester camps in Yemen's capital.

The country's security troops launched an offensive on protesters on Sunday 18th September, killing more than 50 people in two days. Congregations of anti-government activists have occupied various corners of Sana'a during the course of the year, calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

Saleh, who has been in power for over three decades, is currently in Saudi Arabia. He fled to the neighbouring country in June after sustaining various injuries when a rocket hit his presidential compound. Despite a number of calls for Saleh to step down, the Yemeni president remains in power and has continually vowed to return to Yemen.

The ongoing violence has been exacerbated in the last couple of days by security forces shooting at protesters from the rooftops. Government officials, however, have continued to deny that soldiers are targeting civilians, saying the unrest has been incited by Al-Qa'ida elements within the opposition.

More protests and deadly clashes between security forces and civilians have been reported in the cities of Taiz and Aden. Yemen has been plagued by internal problems and poverty for decades, as well as rampant terrorism.

On Monday 19th September, UN and Gulf Cooperation Council envoys landed in Yemen in a bid to sort out a ceasefire deal and stop the violence. It is yet to be seen whether or not the mission will be successful.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.

Sudan threatens to shoot a UN helicopter

UN Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping, Alain Le Roy, has said that Sudan threatened to shoot a helicopter trying to evacuate UN peacekeepers wounded by a landmine in the disputed Abyei region. Le Roy added that the three wounded soldiers died amid negotiations.

The peacekeepers were sent to Abyei earlier this month. Shortly after their arrival from Ethiopia, their convoy hit a landmine in Mabok, south-east of Abyei town. One of the men died instantly, the other three later.

Speaking about the incident, Le Roy said: “"We didn't get the clearance for the Medivac helicopter to take off immediately…They prevented us from taking off by threatening to shoot at the helicopter."

According to various reports, seven other peacekeepers were injured in the blast. The village where the landmine exploded had been occupied by troops loyal to the government in Khartoum, which has signed the Ottawa Treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, Voice of America

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

Iran installing “better quality” centrifuges

Iran's Foreign Ministry has released a statement, saying the Islamic Republic is installing centrifuges with "better quality and speed" to improve the uranium enrichment process at its nuclear sites.

Despite Western fears about the country's nuclear programme, Iran is pressing on as planned. According the statement, the UN atomic watchdog had "full supervision" of the centrifuges. The West believes that Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, a claim that Tehran has continually denied, saying it is refining uranium for electricity generation and other civil uses.

Speaking about the latest move, an Iranian government representative Ramin Mehmanparast said: "By installing the new centrifuges progress is being made with more speed and better quality." He added that this particular development showed Iran's success in pursuing its "peaceful nuclear activity".

A number of world powers have been in talks with Iran over its nuclear programme, but with little success. Iran remains resolute to carry on its nuclear activities despite being subject to United Nations Security Council's sanctions over its refusal to cease uranium enrichment.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran is moving its nuclear programme to a new facility

Reports have emerged that Iran is moving its nuclear programme to a new facility located inside a mountain near Qom, which can withstand air and missile strikes. Iran disclosed the Fowrdow facility's location after Western intelligence sources reported its existence.

Speaking about the developments in the Islamic Republic to The Daily Telegraph, former head of UN nuclear inspections Olli Heinonen, said: “We see Iran moving in the direction of becoming a nuclear weapons capable state.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern over the move, and Iran's plans to start operation enrichment centrifuges at Fordow "by this summer".

UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague said Iran would need less than three months to turn the enriched uranium into weapons grade material at Fordow. He warned that the country's claims to "allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring is not a safeguard," because "Iran has a persistent record of evasion and obfuscation with the IAEA."

In a bid to counteract Western fears, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the country has disavowed its nuclear weapons. He noted: "Our Supreme Leader has explained that the production and use of atomic weapons is wrong, not only in terms of foreign policy but on religious grounds.”

Iran says it needs 20 per cent uranium to make fuel for a medical re-search reactor near Tehran after the failure of talks on a deal that would have seen foreign countries supply the material.

Sources: PressTV, The Daily Telegraph, Voice of America

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Libya remains in a vicious spiral of confrontation

Libya remains caught in a vicious spiral of military and political confrontation which is defying resolution by the peace-makers. The most favoured candidates to settle the matter, when the two sides are ready to be brought together, are the Arab League and the AU. So far, the League has been muted. Its secretary general, Amr Moussa, who supported the UN Resolution 1973 for intervention in Libya, made a public stance against the continuance of the war in late June. He called for immediate talks to bring about a ceasefire, and suggested that a political solution was bound to be needed in the end.

Given that he is a strong potential Libyan presidential candidate his views have to be taken seriously. South Africa finds itself equally uncertain of a way forward but, like Moussa, takes the view that Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi should not necessarily be driven into exile. They are not enthusiastic about the Leader holding onto power, especially if it continues to obstruct an early political settlement.

The comparative ineffectiveness of the two armies in the last two months would lead to a conclusion that stalemate now prevails. The situation is, however, more complex than this because the revolutionary national army has become increasingly well-equipped following France's air lifting of new weapons for the Berber community which is resisting the drive from Zintan by Qadhafi's forces.

One of the rebels' basic problems is the capture of new territory at a high price of human life which would spell recurrent problems in the future and help to recruit groups in Tripolitania to Qadhafi's side. Whether the older heads in the TNC can keep control of the formations of young volunteer soldiers fighting at the fronts is unlikely. The latter on the battle fronts would not accept that Colonel Qadhafi, his family or henchmen remains in Libya. This single objective gives a unity to the insurrection against the Qadhafi clan which will not to be given up lightly.

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Sudan leaders agree “full demilitarisation” of Abyei

Leaders from north and south Sudan signed an agreement pledging to end fighting in the disputed border region of Abyei, on Monday 20th June.

The agreement was reached after days of mediation by former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, in the Ethopian capital of Addis Ababa.

The deal requires both northern and southern troops to leave Abyei, to be replaced by Ethiopian peacekeepers, in an agreement that Mbeki has said will provide for the "full demilitarisation" of Abyei.

Both north and South Sudan claim the oil-rich border region of Abyei, and northern forces seized the town last month, causing over one hundred thousand people to flee, mostly to the south.

Violence in the northern border state of Southern Kordofan has also led to 60,000 people being displaced.

Some 4,000 Ethiopian troops are expected to be brought in after the Sudanese army has left, although the UN will determine the exact troop numbers and their mandate.

With South Sudan planning to declare independence on 9th July, 2011, Mbeki said in his announcement of the deal, it was crucial that the peacekeepers were brought in as soon as possible. He urged the UN Security Council to authorise their deployment without delay.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the agreement and pledged “the full support of the United Nations to the parties in facilitating its implementation.”

Ban also urged the two sides to resolve "all outstanding issues related to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and post-secession arrangement, and to reach an immediate cessation of hostilities in Southern Kordofan State and provide their full co-operation to humanitarian agencies in meeting the needs of the affected population."

The violence, which started on 5th June, continues in Southern Kordofan state. US permanent representative to the UN, Susan Rice, spoke of reports that alleged that forces aligned with the north had “searched for southern forces and sympathisers, whom they arrested and allegedly executed.”

Mbeki said political leaders from Southern Kordofan would be arriving shortly in Addis Ababa to hold talks on ending the conflict.

Violence broke out after residents in the state's Nuba Mountains, many of whom fought for the south during the country's decades-long civil war, were ordered to disarm by the new Khartoum-allied governor, Ahmed Haroun, who has been indicted for war crimes in Darfur by the International Criminal Court.

South Sudan voted overwhelming in favour of independence in a January referendum, prescribed by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which brought civil war to an end.

Abyei was meant to have its own referendum on whether it would stay in the north or join the south, however the vote was postponed indefinitely over disagreements on voter eligibility, to do with the nomadic, Khartoum-backed Misseriya Arab tribespeople.

Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states are clearly in the north, however many of their residents fought with the south during the civil war, and tension has been high as the South prepares to separate.

Sources: BBC News, the Guardian, RTT News

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

NATO regrets any “possible loss of life"

NATO has said that a suspected “weapons systems failure” during an air strike in Tripoli may have led to civilian casualties. The strike, carried out on Sunday 19th June, was intended to hit a missile site but "it appears that one weapon" did not strike the target.

NATO is working to enforce UN's resolution to protect Libyan civilians, but on Sunday evening commander of operation, Unified Protector, Lt Gen Charles Bouchard, said: "NATO regrets the loss of innocent civilian lives and takes great care in conducting strikes against a regime determined to use violence against its own citizens…Although we are still determining the specifics of this event, indications are that a weapons system failure may have caused this incident."

A statement released by the alliance noted that more than 11,500 sorties had already been conducted and that "every mission is planned and executed with tremendous care to avoid civilian casualties".

In its own statement released earlier, the Libyan government said that NATO bombed a residential neighbourhood, killing nine people including two infants and injuring 18 others. The number of casualties and those injured has not been verified by an independent body.

Libya's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said NATO's attack on Sunday represented a "deliberate targeting of civilian houses". The alliance counteracted the statement saying, it "regretted any possible loss of life".

NATO's mission to protect Libyan civilians and enforce the no-fly zone has just been extended for a further 90 days due to the on-going political deadlock within the country. The mission was initially set to end on 27th June, after a 90 day period.

The situation in the country seems to fluctuate from day to day, and while at one point it seemed as though the rebels were making considerable headway they are now struggling to keep-up the fight due to a lack of finances.

On Sunday, several senior officials from the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) issued an urgent plea for foreign financial aid. It is estimated that they will need more than £1.9 billion to sustain the campaign against Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi's forces for the next six months.

Sources: BBC News, The Independent, The Guardian

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

Sudan bombs Darfur village

According to the UN, Sudan has carried out an air strike mission on a village in the western region of Darfur. A number of the group's officials are trying to make their way to the Sukamir area in north Darfur to gauge the situation.

The UN believes that pro-government Arab militias are trying to cleanse the region of non-Arab residence. It is estimated that as many as 300,000 people have been killed in the strike.

UN's deligation in Darfur, Unamid, released a statement on Wednesday 18th May, saying jet planes struck Sukamir, located near Kuma, on Tuesday. It also said a team had been sent to the area "to collect information on possible casualties and newly displaced persons". The statement confirmed that UN flights to the regions of Shangil Tobaya, Fanga Suk and others in north Darfur have been suspended.

Khartoum has denied knowledge of the strike, which was similar to the one on Sunday 15th May when the town of Labado and the village of Esheraya in southern Darfur came under bombardment.

Head of Unamid Ibrahim Gambari has voiced concern about the situation, saying: "I call upon all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in the use of lethal force."

Citing “security threats,” the Sudan's government restricted all movement of peacekeepers in South Darfur state beyond a 15 km radius from Nyala, the state capital.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, Bloomberg

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

Ahmed Zewail appeals for help to fund Egypt's reforms

Egypt's most distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1999, Ahmed Zewail, has appealed for help to fund Egypt's reforms. In an article in the UK's Financial Times, he said that Egypt needed to change not just its leadership but its entire system. Echoing the successive UN-sponsored Human Development reports, he says that what Egypt needs above all is a decent education system.

“The so-called 'Children of Facebook' who fomented the revolution know Egypt was once ahead of South Korea in scientific research and development. They know that in the 30 years Mubarak sat in his palace and Egypt deteriorated, China has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, sent astronauts into space, built mega cities and high-speed trains, and brought its students up to world standards. They ask why Egypt cannot do the same thing.”

He says this will all take time but it is imperative to start now. “Of Egypt's many problems, the three most urgent to address are governance, economy and education. The army's Supreme Council, now the ruling political entity, has to ensure swift political changes. Egypt badly needs national unity and reconciliation. But to take the critical long-term steps to transform society it needs financial support. While Egyptians themselves must fashion the new nation, they need help in rebuilding sustainable institutions. The place to start is with the pivotal project, 'renaissance in education and development', whose acronym is the first command of the Koran: read.”

He is now calling for a global partnership of private and government organisations to establish a fund to finance a revolution in education. This should be directed by a board of trustees from renowned Egyptians and world leaders in cooperation with the Egyptian government.

Such an effort, he believes, would need an initial US$1 billion from private and government sources. “Further funds could then come from other nations and be deployed by the World Bank, the Arab Bank and the Islamic Development Fund. Repudiation of debt will redirect national resources to this and other vital projects.”

The money he asks for does not seem very much. But, he is making his appeal to the donor community at a time when it feels stretched by financial pressures at home.

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Libyan government promises UN access to Tripoli

According to the UN, Libyan government has promised aid workers access to areas under its control. Under the agreement, humanitarian workers would be permitted into Tripoli and would be granted access to all of the capital.

UN aid workers have already established a base in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi in eastern Libya, where recently around 1,000 people arrived from Misrata seeking humanitarian aid. Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi's forces have been attacking Misrata for days, it is yet to be estimated the number of people that have been killed in the attacks. The International Organisation for Migration, shipped the evacuees to Benghazi but thousands more remain in wait of rescue.

The World Food Programme has shipped 240 tonnes of wheat flour and high-energy biscuits acrossed from Tunisia through a humanitarian corridor into western Libya.

It has been reported that rebel forces have been making headway in Misrata, however, civilians are running short of basic food and medical supplies. In order for the UN to deliver both medical care and food supplies to civilians, fighting would have to halt but the Libyan government is reluctant to agree to a ceasefire.

Qadhafi is standing firm and seems resolute not to yield to international pressure or be forced to step-down by the rebels, who have been fighting to end his 41 year rule since February.

Sources: BBC, CNN International, Asia Times Online, Xinhua

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

Libya being shun by most of EU

The situation in Libya has reached a point where the Colonel Qadhafi's regime will no longer be tolerated in any form by the protestors who now make up the majority, but certainly not all, of the Libyan population.

Violence in Tripoli has waxed and waned over the last week. Overall, Qadhafi has tightened his grip on the capital, making public appearances and sending his troops onto the streets. Some estimates suggest that up to 80 per cent of Libya is in anti-government hands.

On 26th February, the UN Security Council issued a statement, demanding an end to the violence. Resolution 1970 called for member States to secure delivery of humanitarian assistance. A committee has been established to monitor the situation. The Resolution also imposed Sanctions comprising of an arms embargo, a travel ban and an asset freeze. The freeze only applies to the Leader and five of his children. The travel ban, however, applies to 16 individuals associated with the regime. The UN has also referred the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Fighting has been ongoing with reports of clashes in the Tripoli suburb of Tajura. Key towns, Zawiya and Misurata, are understood to be surrounded by government forces but remain in rebel control. On 2nd March, it appeared that Brega was re-captured by the regime but has since been lost again with the rebels now in control.

The EU continues to condemn the violence. EU Foreign Policy Chief, Catherine Ashton, confirmed on 28th February that the EU was adopting the UN sanctions including a wider travel ban affecting a total of 26 people connected to the regime.

France was the first country to confirm that it had sent medical aid to Libya. Two planes went into Benghazi, carrying nurses, doctors, medicines and medical equipment. Italy, on the other hand, has suspended its Friendship Treaty with Libya, reasoning that the government with which it signed the treaty no longer exists as an entity. With the lifting of the treaty, Italian bases could now be used for military aircraft including NATO forces to take off for Libya. Under the terms of agreements, Italy had agreed not to allow its territory to be the base for any attack on Libya.

In applying UN sanctions, the UK has frozen substantial assets held inside its borders by the Qadhafi family. Libyan currency, printed in the UK, believed to be in the region of £900 million, has also been affected by the asset freeze. The UK Foreign Office has suspended its embassy in Libya, leaving a sole consular representative and placing consular affairs in the hands of the Turkish embassy.

On 25th February, the US Embassy in Tripoli was closed. It is understood that US$30 billion worth of Libyan assets in the US were then frozen. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, travelled to a meeting of foreign ministers in Geneva on 28th February. She issued a statement claiming that Administration would assist Libyan rebels in any way possible but officials later clarified that this did not mean supplying arms.

The regime is presenting itself as unharmed and unbowed. There have been promises of a US$400 handout for each family, as well as assurances that civil service wages could increase by up to 150 per cent. These would appear to be last ditch attempts to hold on to control as Libyan diplomats around the world continue to resign.

Regime spokesman Mussa Ibrahim and both Sa'adi Qadhafi and Saif Al-Islam Qadhafi have given interviews to foreign press claiming that problems have been grossly exaggerated. In an interview released by the BBC, Colonel Qadhafi demonstrated his determination to remain in power, claiming that he is loved by the Libyan people and condemning foreign governments for interference in the Jamahiriya.

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Ten killed in Abyei region

At least 10 people were killed in clashes between Arab nomads, militia fighters and police in Sudan's flashpoint Abyei region on 27th February, officials said, in the first report of significant violence since a tentative peace deal.

Both north and south Sudan claim the oil-producing area of Abyei, one of the most likely sources of potential conflict in the build-up to the secession of southern Sudan, due in July.

Fighting in Abyei between Misseriya nomads, linked to the north, and the south-linked Dinka Ngok people marred the start of voting in a referendum in January that saw the south vote for independence.

Later in the month, both sides reached a deal promising to pay blood money for earlier clashes and open up migration routes for livestock. Northern and southern leaders promised to hammer out a settlement on who owned Abyei.

Abyei's chief administrator Deng Arop Kuol , from the Dinka Ngok, told Reuters a group of Misseriya, backed by militia fighters, attacked the settlement of Todach in the early hours of Sunday morning, 27th February.

Kuol said the militia were part of the Khartoum-backed Popular Defence Forces .

" There are senior figures in the government who are inciting people to fight ... We don't know really what they are aiming at. Do they want to disrupt the (north-south border) demarcation process, or the process of the separation of the south? "

Senior Misseriya official Saddig Babo Nimr accused south Sudan's army of starting the fighting by attacking a nomadic camp north of Abyei, adding the fighting continued on Monday.

" You would have to ask the SPLA (southern army) why. From my perspective, they want to evacuate the area of Arabs ... I think the Misseriya are reinforcing ."

Spokesmen from Sudan's northern and southern armies and the north's ruling National Congress Party denied any involvement.

UN peacekeepers visited the site and confirmed attackers, reported to be Misseriya, opened fire twice on a police station on Monday 28th February, killing seven, according to UN spokeswomen Hua Jiang .

Kuol said three attackers were also killed on Sunday, adding he was still waiting for details of Monday's fighting in Todach.

Kuol said there had been little progress in rolling out January's Dinka-Misseriya peace deal. Sunday's clash came days after a meeting between Dinka and Misseriya leaders ended without agreement, he added.

Abyei was a battleground in the decades-long civil war between north and south Sudan that ended in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement - an accord that promised the southern secession referendum.

Abyei residents were promised their own vote on whether to join the north or south. That plebiscite never took place after disagreements over who was qualified to vote and the failure to agree on the members of an organising commission.

Northern and southern leaders were due to meet in the Ethiopian town of Debre Zeit this week to try to resolve other issues, including the division of national debts, the position of their shared border and payments for transporting southern oil through the north to Port Sudan.

Source: Reuters

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

Iran to legally pursue bombings of nuclear scientists

A senior Iranian official has said that the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) is going to take-up the case of the recent car bombings against two Iranian nuclear scientists with the UN.

“The Human Rights Committee of Majlis will follow up the issue through the UN and the Human Rights Council,” said Chairwoman of Human Rights Subcommittee of Majlis, Zohreh Elahian.

Elahian insisted that Majlis will take the matter up with the relevant authorities and pursue it legally until it is resolved, in line with the country's efforts to defend its nuclear rights.

Suspected terrorists planted explosives in both Dr Majid Shahriari's and Prof Fereydoun Abbasi's cars on 29th November. Shahriari was killed instantly, while Abbasi and his wife escaped the bombing with minor injuries.

Iranian foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, said earlier that Tehran was going to send a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to lament the attacks and call on Ki-moon to put the matter on his agenda.

Earlier in the year, another Iranian scientist, Masoud Ali Mohammadi, was killed in a similar attack. Iran has accused the West and Israel of carrying out these assassinations, and criticised both for failing to condemn the attacks.

Source: PressTV

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran's uranium enrichment programme hit by computer virus

Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has said that the country's uranium enrichment programme has been sabotaged by its enemies. It is believed that the programme has been infiltrated by the Stuxnet computer virus, which attacked Iran's computers in September and was said to have had little to no effect on the technology.

Last week, the UN said that Iran has temporarily suspended its uranium enrichment programme at the Natanz nuclear plant, due to unspecified problems. The West fears that Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at building nuclear weapons, while Iran continues to insist that the programme is designed for peaceful energy use.

"They succeeded in creating problems for a limited number of our centrifuges with the software they had installed in electronic parts. Our specialists stopped that and they will not be able to do it again," said Ahmadinejad during a news conference.

Analysts say that the computer virus has been specially configured to damage motors commonly used in uranium enrichment centrifuges by sending them spinning out of control. The complexity of the virus code suggests it was created by a "nation state" in the West, rather than an organised crime group.

Ahmadinejad and a number of his senior officials say the virus is proof that an “electronic war” has been launched against the Islamic republic by Israel and the West.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Western Sahara talks on 8 - 9 th November

Christopher Ross, the UN's latest envoy to try and make headway in the Western Sahara dispute, has at least succeeded in getting the main parties to agree to attend talks to be held in New York on 8 - 9th November. The aim of the talks is to try and break the impasse over the future of the disputed territory, which Ross says is 'unsustainable'. The talks follow Ross' recent visit to the region. A UN spokesman, Martin Nesirky, said that it hopes the talks “will be productive and will allow parties to move beyond the impasse.” Few analysts believe any such progress will be made. The fundamental problem is that the dispute is over a 'winner takes all' outcome. Morocco, however, has time on its side.

There are two small matters which have gone against Algeria, however, in the last week or so. Whether they will have much bearing on the talks is doubtful, but they are seen as possibly strengthening the Moroccan position.

What has happened to Mustapha Salma?

One is the reports, as yet unverified, and which could still be nothing more than Moroccan 'propaganda', that the outspoken Sahrawi leader, Mustapha Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud, was shot dead, or at least seriously injured by his Algerian and/or Polisario captors who have apparently been holding him since 21st September despite promises by the Polisario on 16th October that he would released. Salma's 'crime' was that he had voiced support for Morocco's autonomy plan. At this moment, all the reports of his possible death are coming from Moroccan sources. They are unverified and have all the appearance of being a major propaganda ploy to discredit both the Polisario and Algeria prior to next week's talks. However, if the reports turn out to be true, they could be very damaging for both the Polisario and Algeria.

Ali Belhadj explains the Islamist position

The second matter relates to comments made this week by the former FIS leader, Ali Belhadj. The gist of Belhadj's comments is that the Western Sahara dispute is a fight between two regimes, not two peoples, and that while both regimes are 'bad', the Algerian one is by far the worst. In that sense, Belhadj might appear to be lending his weight more to the Moroccan position. However, his fundamental argument, as an Islamist, is that Islamists don't like states, and especially small ones (as the Western Sahara would become), because Muslims are all one people and should be part of one single entity. But, if the Western Sahara was to be incorporated in Morocco, perhaps also with Mauritania, it would at least create a bigger entity than if it becomes independent. Not surprisingly, Belhadj's somewhat convoluted argument has not been given much coverage in Algeria, apart from some comment in the Arab-language media, but has been seized upon by the Moroccan media.

For more news and expert analysis about Algeria please see Algeria Focus and Algeria Politics & Security.

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

© 2010 Menas Associates