africom related news clips 21 december 2011

8/3/2019 AFRICOM Related News Clips 21 December 2011

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U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs Office +49(0)711-729-2687 [email protected]

United States Africa CommandPublic Affairs Office21 December 2011

USAFRICOM - related news stories

Good morning. Please find attached news clips related to U.S. Africa Command andAfrica, along with upcoming events of interest for December 21, 2011.

Of interest in todays clips:

Top rebel leader in South Sudan, a former army deputy chief of staff, killed byarmy, VP says (AP)

Shabab-held Somali village hit by air strikes. (Al Jazeera) Amnesty: UN Did 'Nothing' to Protect Civilians in Sudan's Abyei. (Voice ofAmerica) War crimes court leaves Gadhafi probe to Libya (CNN)

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U.S. Africa Command Public AffairsPlease send questions or comments to:[email protected] (+49-711-729-2687)

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Top News related to U.S. Africa Command and Africa

Top rebel leader in South Sudan, a former army deputy chief of staff, killed byarmy, VP says (AP)http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.html20 December 2011

JUBA, South SudanSouth Sudans military forces killed the countrys highest-profilerebel leader, a man who posed a significant security threat to peace inside the worldsnewest country, an official said Tuesday.

Shabab-held Somali village hit by air strikes. (Al Jazeera)http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/20111220235656572511.html21 December 2011
mailto:[email protected]://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/20111220235656572511.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/20111220235656572511.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/20111220235656572511.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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At least a dozen civilians reportedly killed when al-Shabab-occupied town of Hosungowis struck by unidentified planes.

Amnesty: UN Did 'Nothing' to Protect Civilians in Sudan's Abyei. (Voice ofAmerica)

http://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.html20 December 2011By Gabe JoselowAmnesty International says United Nations peacekeepers failed to protect civilians duringfighting this year in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan. Therights group is calling for the new U.N. peacekeeping force currently deploying to thearea to do a better job.

Hunting Kony: Why Musevenis agenda with America is running out of time. (TheIndependent)

http://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/5020?task=view20 December 2011By Haggai MatsikoFaradje, a small town of 250,000 people on the edge of the Garamba Forest in north eastDR Congo is this December marking the third anniversary since Joseph Kony ransackedit on December 25, 2008 and slaughtered over 900 people.

War crimes court leaves Gadhafi probe to Libya (CNN)http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c220 December 2011By Nic RobertsonU.N. war-crimes prosecutors are leaving an investigation into the death of ousted Libyanstrongman Moammar Gadhafi to Libyan authorities for now, they said Tuesday.

Congo president sworn in for another term; opposition leader plans his owninauguration. (AP)http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.html20 December 2011KINSHASA, CongoThe president of sub-Saharan Africas largest nation was swornin Tuesday for another term, pledging to unify the country after an election that wascriticized by international observers.

Somalia: Djibouti Bolsters Peacekeepers. (ALLAFRICA.COM)http://allafrica.com/stories/201112201437.html20 December 2011The AMISOM Deputy Force Commander today received the first Djiboutian soldiersjoining the African Union Mission in Somalia.
http://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.htmlhttp://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.htmlhttp://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.htmlhttp://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/5020?task=viewhttp://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/5020?task=viewhttp://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201112201437.htmlhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201112201437.htmlhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201112201437.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.htmlhttp://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/5020?task=viewhttp://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.htmlhttp://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.html


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Nigeria: Country Launches Another Satellite (ALLAFRICA.COM)http://allafrica.com/stories/201112201106.html20 December 2011By: Zakariyya Adaramola

For the third time in six months, Nigeria yesterday launched another satellite in its bid tocatch up with technologically advanced nations.

U.S. Considers Combating Somali Militants Twitter Use. (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.html19 December 2011By Jeffrey GettlemanThe United States government is increasingly concerned about the Twitter account of theShabab militant group of Somalia, with American officials saying Monday that they werelooking closely at the militants use of Twitter and the possible measures to take in

response.

Ethiopia injects US$4 billion into sugar factories (The Africa Report)http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.html20 December 2011In its bid to become a major sugar exporter, Ethiopia is constructing 10 sugar factoriesfollowing the injection of a US$4.6 billion investment.

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UN News Service Africa Briefshttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICA

New UN financing aims to help rural farmers in Lesotho boost production20 DecemberThe United Nations agency that works to improve the lives of the worldsrural poor is providing $10 million to help small farmers in Lesotho boost agriculturalproduction.

Egypt: UNESCO chief voices concern over fire damage at historic research centre20 DecemberThe head of the United Nations agency tasked with safeguarding theworlds cultural heritage has voiced concern over fresh violence in the Egyptian capital,Cairo, that left 10 people dead at the weekend and resulted in a fire at a historic researchcentre that destroyed about 70 per cent of a valuable collection of manuscripts.

South Sudan: UN begins airlifting relief supplies for refugees fleeing Sudan20 DecemberThe United Nations refugee agency today launched a massive airlift ofrelief supplies from Kenya to neighbouring South Sudan where an estimated 50,000Sudanese refugees are in need of assistance after fleeing conflict in their country.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201112201106.htmlhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201112201106.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.htmlhttp://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.htmlhttp://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.htmlhttp://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.htmlhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/region.asp?Region=AFRICAhttp://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.htmlhttp://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.htmlhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201112201106.html


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Security Council extends mandate of UN political mission in Burundi20 DecemberThe Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nationspolitical mission in Burundi, stressing that the country must continue to make progress onprotecting human rights, fighting corruption, reforming its security sector and boostingeconomic development.

UNESCO condemns killing of Somali television reporter20 DecemberThe head of the United Nations agency charged with defending pressfreedom today condemned the murder of a Somali television journalist in Mogadishu.

Somalia: UN and partners urge leaders to end stand-off over Speaker19 DecemberA joint delegation of the United Nations, the African Union and aregional organization has urged Somalias transitional institutions to quickly resolve apolitical stand-off triggered by last weeks passing by Parliament of a vote of no-confidence against the Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden.

(Full Articles on UN Website)

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Upcoming Events of Interest

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Whats new onwww.africom.mil

U.S. Marines and Djiboutian GIGN forces exchange "Warrior Ethos"http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=019 December 2011By Supunnee Ulibarri

CHEIK MOUSSA, DjiboutiFor a small contingent of U.S. Marines assigned to the22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5), a respite from themetal confines of the ship allowed for an exchange of warrior skills and tactics withmembers of Djibouti's premier reactionary force, the Groupe d'Intervention de laGendarmerie Nationale (GIGN), at Cheik Moussa, Djibouti, November 13 to December

2, 2011.

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Top rebel leader in South Sudan, a former army deputy chief of staff, killed byarmy, VP says (AP)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7502&lang=0http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/http://www.africom.mil/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gsygP6CZzX47_AILipvStEzf5pgrYRYT5ZzyoxZjzVY/story.asp?NewsID=40773&Cr=somalia&Cr1=


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http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.html20 December 2011

JUBA, South SudanSouth Sudans military forces killed the countrys highest-profilerebel leader, a man whoposed a significant security threat to peace inside the worldsnewest country, an official said Tuesday.

Rebel leader George Athor was a former lieutenant general in South Sudans militaryduring the 1983-2005 civil war with Sudan. But Athor launched a rebellion after losingan April 2010 election for governor of Jonglei state, a vote he maintained was rigged.

Troops loyal to Athor fought repeatedly with South Sudanese forces over the last year,resulting in hundreds of deaths.

South Sudanese officials on Tuesday leveled serious charges against Athor, saying he hadbeen making contacts with the regions most insidious rebel group the LordsResistance Army, or LRAand that officials in Sudans capital Khartoum had beenfinancing him.

South Sudan has repeatedly accused its northern neighbor, Sudan, with providing supportand assistance to Athor and other rebel groups. Sudan has denied those accusations.

South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar, in announcing Athors death on Tuesday,said Athor had been in Rwanda, Congo and Uganda recently in a drive to recruit fighters.Col. Philip Aguer, South Sudans military spokesman, said Athor was making militantcontacts in preparation for a Christmastime attack.

Aguer said one South Sudanese soldier and one of Athors men were also killed duringthe exchange on Monday evening.

Aguer said Athors death was a major victory for the people of South Sudan which hasdeprived Khartoum of an important tool.

Athor was the last major rebel leader still active in South Sudan.

South Sudan has tried repeatedly to broker peace with Athor. During South Sudansindependence ceremony from Sudan in July, President Salva Kiir offered amnesty to allrebels fighting in the country, including Athor.

Machar said Tuesday that the deal still stands.

I call on all who rebelled against the government to lay down their arms and join theprocess of peace and development, he said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/top-rebel-leader-in-south-sudan-a-former-army-deputy-chief-of-staff-killed-by-army-vp-says/2011/12/20/gIQAsT4u6O_story.html


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Even as South Sudan faces the threat of military action from its northern neighbor, JohnPrendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, an advocacy group that does work inSudan, said Athors death highlights the urgent need to address divisions within SouthSudan.

Another Athor will emerge tomorrow unless real progress is made in providing politicaland economic opportunities that feel marginalized in the process of independence,Prendergast said.

Athors death will likely be seen as a victory for South Sudan, which has been plagued byrebel movements for years. But Jonah Leff, a Researcher for the Small Arms Survey, asecurity analysis group working in South Sudan, said he does not believe Athors deathwill solve the rebel problem.

I do not believe that an SPLA policy of assassinating rebel militia leaders is an effectiveone, said Leff. The killing of Athor is likely to embolden many of his followers as well

as other militias, including the SSLA and the Shilluk rebels in Unity and Upper Nile,respectively.

The South Sudan Liberation Army, or SSLA, is comprised of forces formerly loyal torebel leader Gatluak Gai, who was killed in July by his own men, weeks after acceptingSouth Sudans offer of amnesty.

The SSLA operates in South Sudans oil-rich Unity State, and could become a majorproblem for the government.

In fact, said Leff, the SSLA has been in serious unification talks with Athor, whosedeath is certain to create a vacuum of power in Jonglei, allowing the SSLA to rise toprominence.

Athors death comes just days after the SSDM and SSLA issued a joint statementaccusing South Sudan of attempting to assassinate him. The statementissued Dec. 13said a man dressed as a priest and a woman were found carrying guns as theyattempted to meet Athor. According to the statement, the two alleged assassins claimed torepresent the Anglican Church, which has attempted to broker peace between Athor andthe government of South Sudan.

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Shabab-held Somali village hit by air strikes. (Al Jazeera)http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/20111220235656572511.html21 December 2011

At least a dozen civilians reportedly killed when al-Shabab-occupied town of Hosungowis struck by unidentified planes.
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A warplane bombed a Somali village held by al-Shabab fighters near the border withKenya on Tuesday, killing several civilians, a Somali military official said.

It was not immediately possible to identify who carried out the attack in the village ofHosungow, which is near the area of Dhobley - itself under the control of Somali

government and Kenyan troops, as well as a militia allied to Somalia's government.In-depth coverage of the regional political crisis

But neighbouring Kenya, which sent troops across the border into Somalia to crush theal-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab fighters, has intensified air strikes in recent weeks since theground and air offensive began in October.

"The jet first dropped bombs on the outskirts of the village ... but then returned in theafternoon, dropping bombs in the village's centre. Parts of the village, especially shops,are now burning," Mohamed Gelle, a Hosungow resident, told the Reuters news agency.

Another resident, Bakar Hussein, described a similar sequence of events, saying a jet firstbombed the outskirts thenlater returned to strike the village centre.

The residents gave different numbers for those dead, saying between 12 and 14 civilianshad been killed.

"Casualties were taken to their homes since there are no hospitals," Hussein said.

Targeting fighters

A Kenyan military spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Mahmud Farah, the spokesman for Somalia's government forces in Dhobley confirmedan air strike took place not far from the fighter-controlled Hosungow.

"The target was a military base and training camp for al-Shabab. We do not know the lossbut there was big damage," Farah said.

Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, an al-Shabab spokesman, said a jet had targeted the groupin the village. He denied suffering any casualties but said nine civilians had been killed.

Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia in October after a wave of kidnappings and cross-border raids it blamed on the rebels, who control large swathes of southern and centralSomalia.

Its forces initially advanced smoothly on militant towns in Somalia's southern borderregions but have since become bogged down by heavy rains and a lack of clear strategy.


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The fighters have adopted a strategy of melting into the population from where they canlaunch hit-and-run attacks on Kenyans, rather than confront the army head on.

Kenya wants its forces in Somalia to be integrated into the African Union's AMISOMforce that has peacekeepers in Mogadishu.

On Tuesday, the first of a 900-strong Djiboutian force arrived to augment the Africanpeacekeeping force.

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Amnesty: UN Did 'Nothing' to Protect Civilians in Sudan's Abyei. (Voice ofAmerica)http://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Amnesty-UN-Did-Nothing-to-Protect-Civilians-in-Sudans-Abyei--135952283.html20 December 2011

By Gabe Joselow

Amnesty International says United Nations peacekeepers failed to protect civilians duringfighting this year in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan. Therights group is calling for the new U.N. peacekeeping force currently deploying to thearea to do a better job.

In May of this year, Sudanese armed forces and allied militias stormed Abyei, set homeson fire, looted stores and forced anybody healthy enough, to flee for their lives. Morethan 100,000 people were displaced.

All of this violence is reported to have place in the presence of a U.N. peacekeeping forcecalled UNMIS.

They did nothing, for whatever reason. Whether it was because they had a lack of staffor insufficient equipment, you know, we don't know. But what is clear is that theyallowed that to happen -- the entire population of Abyei to be driven out, AmnestyInternational Senior Crisis Response Advisor Donatella Rovera said.

In a new report, Amnesty alleges that UNMIS failed in its mandate to protect the civilianpopulations of Abyei. Citing former UNMIS staff, the report says, in the days after theSudanese forces overran the area, UNMIS could only undertake limited patrols underSudan military escort and without leaving the vehicles.

Officials from the former peacekeeping force could not be reached for comment.

A new U.N. peacekeeping force is deploying to Abyei. Known as UNIFSA, the missionhas a similar mandate, instructed to use all necessary means to protect civiliansthreatened by violence. At full strength, the force will employ 4,200 peacekeepers.
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Rovera says Amnesty hopes UNIFSA will be more successful than its predecessor for thesake of those displaced by fighting. People are desperate to go back to Abyei to rebuildtheir lives. For that to happen, they need some security. And that's why we're calling onthe U.N., whose peacekeepers are there, to step up efforts to provide the security that thecivilian population will need to go back, she stated.

Rovera and other Amnesty officials recently visited the camps where Abyei's formerresidents are living. The group says some people have started to go back to Abyei tocheck on conditions there, but that most do not feel it is safe enough to returnpermanently.

Reports that land mines having been planted there, both by Sudanese and SouthernSudanese allied forces, pose another serious concern.

The dispute about Abyei, claimed by both Sudans, is one of the major unresolved issuesbetween the two nations, following the South's declaration of independence, earlier this

year.

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Hunting Kony: Why Musevenis agenda with America is running out of time. (TheIndependent)http://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/5020?task=view20 December 2011By Haggai Matsiko

Faradje, a small town of 250,000 people on the edge of the Garamba Forest in north eastDR Congo is this December marking the third anniversary since Joseph Kony ransackedit on December 25, 2008 and slaughtered over 900 people.

The fugitive Ugandan rebel leader had just eluded a joint attack by Ugandan andAmerican forces codenamed Operation Lightning Thunder on December 14, 2008.

The next year, on December 14, 2009, Kony attacked again. This time he hit Makombovillage in Niangara about 300km (Approx. Kampala to Mbarara) killing over 300 people.

Will he strike again this December?

Once again it depends on how a joint attack on Kony by Ugandan and American forcesgoes.

On Oct. 14, U.S. President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 100 AmericanSpecial Forces troops to Uganda to aid in removing Kony. This is the biggestAmerican deployment in Africa since 2003. By the time Obama made the announcementin a letter to the U.S. Congress, the first team of combat-equipped U.S. soldiers hadarrived in Uganda on Oct.12.
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Unlike in past operations, however, Obama said some of the American soldiers will bemilitary advisers expected to deploy in the field to the DR Congo, the Central AfricaRepublic (CAR) and South Sudan.

Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, the head of the U.S. militarys Africa Command, said in aninterview with the Washington Post that the troops will stay until Kony is killed orcaptured.

If we can help apply pressure constant pressureI think we have a reasonablechance of success, Ham said. Its moving in the right direction. Is it going to besuccessful next week or the week after? Unlikely, unless theres the proverbial luckyopportunity.

According to the Post, Ham and other U.S. officials have said they believe Kony and hissenior deputies are in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Invisible Children, an NGO campaigning for the end of the Lords Resistance Armyconflict in Uganda and runs a digital real-time tracker of Konys atrocities also reportedhim to be in CAR and reportedly summoned his commanders to meet there.

It says this year, the largest number of LRA attacks; 50, were six months ago in June. Thetracker shows that October was the quietest month. LRA killed 0 civilians and abductedjust 3 people in the region.

This marks the lowest levels of killings and abductions per month seen in the in the last23 months from its peak at the Makombo Massacre in December 2009, the Tracker says.

Is this a good sign?

The LRA tracker says Konys commanders started heading south to the DRC from CARin September.

It also shows that all 11 of the attacks reported in October reportedly took place in HautUele a vast administrative district in DRC that borders Uganda and is home [LRA LeaderJoseph Kony] to the Garamba Forests.

Earlier, between July and September, 32 of the 43 reported attacks occurred here. Most ofthe attacks were in the Napopo- Benghadi area about 500Kms from the Uganda border.Apart from Benghadi, the only other area to witness numerous LRA attacks over thisperiod is Faradje.

This town is just 100km away from Ugandas northern border and a new report by theInternational Crisis Group (ICG) says Kony is once again operating in the area and caneasily march to Uganda. Its a haunting specter that officers of the Uganda army, UPDF,flatly reject.


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Kony is not 500km near Uganda, says the Uganda Army Spokesman Col. FelixKulayigye, If he is in Faradje why hasnt he returned, doesnt he know Uganda?

Col. Phinehas Katirima, a former UPDF spokesman and army representative in

Parliament also dismisses the report.

As you know he is not in Congo as a tourist, he was defeated and fled to take refuge, hesays, over the last few years, he has not forgotten his way back, he is simply aware thatwe can finish him in a few days.

But the UN Office for the Cordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) estimates that inJune alone, the LRA made 53 attacks, killed 26 and kidnapped 21 around Bangadi,Ngilima and Faradje.

Before that, from January to May 2011, the LRA made 117 attacks and killed 62 people

in the DRC.

Before these attacks which are closer to Uganda, Kony had been operating in farawayCentral African Republic (CAR) and inland DRC.

On 24 February 2011 an estimated 50 well-armed LRA fighters attacked Bamangana onthe border between Hautand Bas-Ul Districts, DRC, and burned the Congolese armyoutpost, killing six of its seventeen soldiers. They took 28 prisoners, but released eighteenlater the same day.

On 13-14 March 2011, 20 to 25 LRA attacked a gendarmerie and Central AfricanRepublic (CAR) army post at Nzako, Mbomou Prefecture.

Since 2008, the report notes, the LRA has killed more than 2,400 civilians, abductedmore than 34,005 and caused an estimated 440,000 to flee their homes in fear.

Despite the frequent attacks in DRC, CAR, and South Sudan and the lingering threat offresh attacks on Uganda by Kony, the ICG report indicates that all the regional leaders,including President Museveni, are not acting decisively to finish off the Kony threat.

President Museveni who had sent a 4,500 strong-force to finish Kony in 2009, has sinceordered a significant drawdown of troops. At some point, the remaining force consistedof one battalion of about 500 soldiers. This severely reduced Ugandan ability to track,engage, capture or kill LRA fighters, free abductees and protect civilians. Yet Despitethis drawback, Musevenis 500 soldiers remain the biggest force hunting Kony insometimes hostile territory.

But UPDF military top brass who spoke to The Independent defend the limiteddeployment.


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We have committed soldiers; we cant be expected to commit the whole force, to fightwho? Kulayigye asks. He says Kony, at most, has about 400 men.

Kulayigye says people need to understand that the UPDF is not fighting a conventionalwar, where you know exactly where the enemy is but that this in itself does not mean that

UPDF is not interested in finishing LRA.

Kulayigye describes the findings of the ICG report as false and a lazy effort byarmchair researchers.

Why dont they question why it took Britain over 100 years to fight IRA; why it tookAmerica a decade to find Osama Bin Laden, he said.

Col. Katirima agrees: When we were in Congo from 1998 2001, we captured airportsthat were being used by fugitives and wiped him (Kony) out of the safe havens but nowhunting him in the thick forests is like looking for a needle in a granary of grass, it is not

very easy.

Politics of war

Apart from the operational military difficulties, capturing or killing Kony and finallyending the three decade long-rebellion that has sucked in four regional states has thrownup myriad political challenges for various leaders involved from President Museveni ofUganda, to Joseph Kabila of DR Congo, Francois Bozize of Central Africa Republic andeven Barack Obama of America.

Just weeks after his administration announced that Washington was sending 100 SpecialForces, Obama is under pressure to justify American involvement in fighting Kony who,many say, is not a direct threat to the homeland. The pressure is likely to escalate if anyU.S. troops are killed in the DRC.

With his own election looming in a year, the International Crisis Group report notes,President Obama is under pressure to prove the deployment can bear fruit quickly. If itdoes not, it will be called into question.

Loosely authorised by Congresss 2009 LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Act,the American involvement was boosted by the AUs formal designation of the LRA as aterrorist organization. However, behind this cloak are other motives including Americandetermination to support their biggest ally in the war against terror in the region,Museveni.

By September 2011 U.S had spent over US$38 million on Ugandas hunt against LRA,largely in logistics and intelligence support and offered training to the armies of the DRCand CAR. Its reward for Musevenis role in dealing with the Al-Shabaab militia in orderto protect Somalias fragile transitional government and counter the threat of terrorismand Islamist extremism in the Horn of Africa.


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Museveni has contributed the main strength of the 6,400-strong force and has pledged toboost Ugandas 3,400-strong African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with another3,000 troops. This, informed sources within the UPDF told The Independent, hasstretched the army and incapacitated it from addressing internal threats, including Kony.

Somalia is a priority for Museveni because, according to the ICG, beefing up Ugandascontribution to AMISOM presents Museveni with an opportunity to deflect internationalcriticism of his brutal crackdown on a series of opposition protests at home, receive moremilitary aid from Washington and gain political influence in the region.

Museveni also knows that Ugandan soldiers see more significant earnings by going toSomalia than in the Congo forests.

But if fighting the LRA is not a high priority for Museveni, the report cautions that heneeds to ensure Kony does not return to operate in Uganda.

Konys coming to Uganda would deal the government a big blow politically, saysNicholas Opiyo, an international law expert on the LRA,, It would be a sign of failureon Musevenis part whose support has surged because of peace in northern Uganda.

Already Musevenis withdrawal of forces has given Kony space and time to recruit morefighters at the same time maintaining his senior fighters and undermined efforts toencourage fighters to defect because there is less military pressure.

Fewer skirmishes mean fighters and their captives have less reason and feweropportunities to escape, the report adds.

Regional hostility

According to the ICG report, troop drawdown, reduced activity and insufficient disciplinehave contributed to deterioration in relations with locals in all three countries. Civilians,the report notes are frightened and angry that attacks continue while fewer Ugandans doless to protect them.

Ugandas role in the two Congo wars, including supporting rebels against Kabilasgovernment and illegally profiting from the countrys natural resources, underlies thismistrust. In 2005 the International Court of Justice ordered Uganda to pay the DRCreparations for violating its sovereignty, but this has not happened.

After Operation Lightning Thunder failed to finish off Kony, Uganda is under pressure toensure regional support for the current push. Fortunately, the AU has been consulting thefour main countries involved countries and donors to strengthen regional efforts. It wantsto launch an AU authorized mission, appoint a special envoy for the LRA issue, and setup new military structures to improve coordination between the armies of Uganda andthose of the three countries that unwillingly host the LRA.


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Barely a month after Americas deployment, the AU meeting in the Ethiopian capitalAddis Ababa on Nov. 22 succeeded in designating the notorious rebel outfit, a terroristgroup. The AU announcement means it is now forbidden for any state or individual tooffer LRA support or allow it to operate on its soil.

Taken together, these are major coups because, according to Opiyo, the rebel outfit hasbecome a mercenary force used by governments in DR Congo, Congo Brazzavile andNorthern Sudan as a well-funded mercenary.

Kabilas attendance at Musevenis inauguration for his fourth presidential term on 12May 2011 and relatively frequent meetings may speak of a cautious willingness to reapthe benefits of good neighbourliness, oil money in particular, the ICG report states, Buthaving the Ugandan army roving about on Congolese territory, in some placesunaccompanied and with no departure date in sight, is beyond the limit of Kabilasmagnanimity.

According to the report, on the ground, mid-ranking Congolese officers seeking toobstruct the Ugandan operation are in part following the political agenda set by Kinshasabut they could also be expressing their own frustration at having to keep step with thebetter-trained and equipped Ugandan army, their former enemies, in their own land.

The Congolese army and local authorities have ratcheted up a smear campaign to turnlocals against the Ugandans, whom they accuse of illegally exploiting natural resources,including ivory, gold and bush meat, and attacking civilians, the report notes.

On two occasions, the DRC has demanded that UPDF leaves its soil. In early 2011, DRCsaid Ugandan forces must leave by June. This demand was dropped, but on Sept. 30, at ameeting of the army chiefs of staff of Uganda, DRC, CAR, and South Sudan to evaluateoperations against the LRA, it again insisted on the withdrawal of all Ugandan troops,except intelligence teams. At that meeting it was estimated that Kony has between 210-240 fighters. However, it was noted that it is difficult to estimate the number of fightersKony has because they operate in small bands that are highly mobile.

In early October, the Congolese military commander at Dungu, Haut-Ul District,ordered all Ugandan troops to stop operations and remain on their bases in anticipation ofa formal political decision for their departure.

DRCs mistrust of Uganda has proved infectious, the report adds. In June 2009, Ugandaand the CAR signed a formal agreement, and initially Boziz readily let the Ugandanarmy into the country to hunt down the LRA, since his own army was incapable.

But in August 2010, he demanded the Ugandans pull out of Sam Ouandja, a village in thenorth east, fearing they were helping themselves to diamonds there. In September andOctober 2010, after the Ugandans had left, the LRA attacked several villages in the area.


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Col. Kulayigye says that as far as UPDF is concerned, no one has chased them from theirterritories.

We have signed agreements with these governments and we have their support, hesays.

Col. Katirima says the countries affected by the LRA are in no position to antagoniseUgandas efforts to fight a common enemy.

They have lacked capacity to wipe Kony out, he says, as you know they are not fullyin charge of their territories.

Uganda Army Spokesman Col. Kulayigye also says Americas direct involvement is toolate. We are fighting a war that is at its tail end, he says, AU and the Americans knewthat Kony was a regional problem. We told them this in 2006, its now that they havedecided to come in; its rather too late.

But Col. Katirima says that since Kony is a regional problem, the joining of Americans iswelcome and with logistics Kony will be easy to hunt down. Support for Americas newinvolvement is obviously not unanimous. If it fails to kill or capture him, then Kony willmost likely celebrate with another massacre of hundreds in either Faradje, Makombo, oreven Uganda.

Important dates

14 October, 2011: U.S. President Barack Obama announces the deployment of 100Special Forces to assist UPDF put Joseph Kony out of action.

25 November, 2010: U.S. President Barack Obama outlines plans for Americanintervention in the hunt for Joseph Kony.

16 October, 2010: Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and DR Congo forma joint brigade to pursue Kony.

24 June, 2010: Enough Project, a Washington-based NGO announces that Kony wasalmost caught.

14 December, 2009: LRA attack Makombo village in Niangara, DR Congo killing over300 people in two days.

14 December, 2008: UPDF with rear-U.S. military support launch Operation LightningThunder; an attack on Joseph Konys camps in Garamba Forests in DR Congo. Konyescapes.

25 December, 2008: LRA rebels lauuch a revenge attack on Faradje town andsurrounding areas. Up to 900 people are massacred in two days.


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Troop Deployment

UPDF: 500

LRA Rebels: 200-400

American Special Forces: 100

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War crimes court leaves Gadhafi probe to Libya (CNN)http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/libya-gadhafi-death/index.html?hpt=iaf_c220 December 2011By Nic Robertson

U.N. war-crimes prosecutors are leaving an investigation into the death of ousted Libyanstrongman Moammar Gadhafi to Libyan authorities for now, they said Tuesday.

Gadhafi's daughter Aisha pressed the International Criminal Court's prosecution officelast week to look into the October death of her father and brother Mutassim. In a writtenresponse to her attorney, the prosecution office said it would decide whether it needed tomount its own probe next year.

"The Office of the Prosecutor will review such activities and make its findings public inMay 2012 during the prosecutor's second report to the United Nations Security Council,"the response read. "During this report, the OTP will present its strategy with regards tofuture investigations of alleged war crimes committed in Libya, including the killing ofMoammar Gadhafi."

Any International Criminal Court investigation "will depend on the activities of theLibyan national authorities and whether they are genuinely carrying out suchinvestigations," the letter states.

But Aisha Gadhafi's attorney, Nick Kaufman, said his client believes the ICC needs to beinvolved now to make sure a "professional investigation" takes place.

"Aisha Gaddafi questions to what extent an objective and effective investigation whichmeets international standards -- including ballistic and forensic analysis of the crimescene and preservation of other exhibits -- can take place if the prosecutor delays hisinvolvement until the next report to the UNSC," he said in a statement to CNN.

Gadhafi ruled Libya with an iron fist for nearly 42 years before being overthrown inAugust. Libya's transitional government said he was killed in the crossfire between its
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fighters and Gadhafi loyalists after he was captured in his hometown of Sirte on October20.

In a December 13 letter to prosecutors, Kaufman said Moammar and Mutassim Gadhafi"were captured alive at a time when they posed no threat to anyone," only to be

"murdered in the most horrific fashion" after their capture.

An autopsy determined the 69-year-old fugitive died from a gunshot wound to the head,but the pathologist who performed the procedure would not reveal whether the woundwas inflicted at close range or from a distance. The bodies of the ousted ruler, his son andhis longtime defense minister were put on display in a meat-market refrigerator forseveral days before being buried.

Aisha Gadhafi fled to Algeria along with several other family members as the regimecrumbled in August. She is a lawyer who assisted in the defense of ex-Iraqi dictatorSaddam Hussein, who was hanged in 2006, and a onetime U.N. goodwill ambassador.

Gadhafi's son and top aide, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, was captured in November, Libyanauthorities said. Senior Libyan military officials said they believed he was trying to makehis way to neighboring Niger, where a brother, Saadi, was granted asylum.

Gadhafi's youngest son, Saif al-Arab, was reported killed in a NATO airstrike in April.And son Khamis Gadhafi, who led an army brigade blamed for the massacre of prisonersin a warehouse outside Tripoli, was killed in a late-August battle in northwestern Libya,rebel commanders said.

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Congo president sworn in for another term; opposition leader plans his owninauguration. (AP)http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/congo-president-sworn-in-for-another-term-opposition-leader-plans-his-own-inauguration/2011/12/20/gIQAGXii6O_story.html20 December 2011

KINSHASA, CongoThe president of sub-Saharan Africas largest nation was swornin Tuesday for another term, pledging to unify the country after an election that wascriticized by international observers.

The countrys top opposition candidate, meanwhile, planned his own inauguration in amove that could spark political chaos.

Congos supreme court last week upheld the victory of President Joseph Kabila, who hasbeen in power for more than a decade. However, the second-place finisher EtienneTshisekedi insisted Sunday he was countrys democratically elected leader and wouldtake his own oath of office later in the week.
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The army deployed tanks in the streets of the capital, Kinshasa, ahead of Tuesdaysceremony amid fears of unrest if Tshisekedi orders his supporters to protest.

Kabila delivered a message of national unity, describing himself as the president of all

Congolese and vowing to create more jobs in his next five-year term. While Congo ismineral-rich, it has suffered through decades of dictatorship and civil war.

I want to reassure here all those whom I did not persuade to vote for me. I invite them tobelieve in my determination to truly be the guarantor of the Congolese nation in all itsdiversity, he said.

Voting officials extended the November election by several days after voting materialsarrived late in this vast nation with few paved roads. International observers also saidvoter turnout and Kabilas margin of victory and voter turnout were impossibly high insome districts.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland has said that the elections wereseriously flawed, lacked transparency and did not measure up to the democratic gainsseen in recent African elections.

In a statement issued Tuesday, organizations including the International Crisis Group,Enough and the Open Society Foundations had urged the government to delay theinauguration, citing a vote that was marred by widespread irregularities.

Presidential election results showed Kabila with 49 percent and Tshisekedi with 32percent of the nearly 19 million votes cast. Previously Kabila would have needed 50percent to have avoided a runoff, but he pushed electoral reforms through parliament thatincluded only one round of voting instead of two.

The November election was only the second democratic vote in Congos 51-year history,and the first to be organized by the Congolese government rather than by the internationalcommunity. The countrys east is still wracked by violence from a myriad of militias andrebel groups.

Kabila became president after his fathers 2001 assassination and later won a landmark2006 vote that was largely run by the United Nations, which still has some 19,000peacekeepers here nearly a decade after civil war ended.

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Somalia: Djibouti Bolsters Peacekeepers. (ALLAFRICA.COM)http://allafrica.com/stories/201112201437.html20 December 2011
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The AMISOM Deputy Force Commander today received the first Djiboutian soldiersjoining the African Union Mission in Somalia.

An advance party consisting of 100 troops, led by General Zakaria Sheikh Ibrahim,arrived at Mogadishu airport this afternoon. A further 800 troops will follow in the course

of the next week or so to bring the Djiboutian contingent up to strength.

Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, was there to welcome the Djiboutianforces as they landed at the Mogadishu airport.

Deputy Force Commander of AMISOM, Brigadier-General Audace Nduwumunsi, said,

"Today's initial deployment of the Djiboutian contingent is a great step forward for theAMISOM Force in Mogadishu and for building stability in the country. The nine hundredextra troops will initially be based at Al Jazeera IV as they undergo specific, in theatretraining."

Djibouti is the third country to send troops into Somalia under AMISOM. Uganda andBurundi troops, currently numbering 9800, are in Mogadishu in support of the Somalipeace process and the institutions it has generated. In August, they forced the terror groupAl Shabaab to withdraw from the capital.

ATTACKS IN KENYA

Somalia's neighbours like Djibouti are worried instability created by al Shabaab and alQaeda-trained foreign fighters taking refuge there will spill over their borders.

Kenya's military is already battling al Shabaab in the south. It sent its troops into Somaliamore than two months ago after a spate of kidnappings on Kenyan soil.Relevant Links

Since then, Kenya, the region's biggest economy, has been plagued by a wave of low-level attacks in areas close to its porous frontier with Somalia.

For the second straight day, a roadside bomb exploded in Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp,the world's largest, now home to more than 440,000 mostly Somali refugees.

No one was killed in the blast but the ongoing attacks have restricted the movement ofaid workers in the camp. A provincial police commander said some suspects had beenarrested in connection with the attacks.

On Monday night, two people selling khat, a mild natural stimulant, were shot dead inKenya's eastern town of Garissa in a raid the police blamed on al Shabaab.

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Nigeria: Country Launches Another Satellite (ALLAFRICA.COM)http://allafrica.com/stories/201112201106.html20 December 2011By: Zakariyya Adaramola

For the third time in six months, Nigeria yesterday launched another satellite in its bid tocatch up with technologically advanced nations.

The country in July this year had launched two earth observation satellites - NigeriaSat-2and NigeriaSat-X. The third and latest one is a communication satellite.

Named Nigcomsat 1R, the new satellite replacing the one de-orbited on November 10,2008 due to a technical fault, was successfully replaced in China yesterday in thepresence of some top Nigerian government officials including Ministers ofCommunication Technology and Science and Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson andProf Okon Ewa Bassey as well as Managing Director of Nigerian Communications

Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Engr Timansaniyu Ahmed Rufai.

The communication satellite, which was launched at 5:40 pm yesterday on a Long March3B (LM-3B) launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, located in South WestChina, would among others help the country to solve its numerous security issues as it iscapable of monitoring all the country's landscape.

The Managing Director of Nigcomsat Limited, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai simplysaid "this is mission fulfilled.'

The project was carried out in conjunction with over 50 Nigcomsat engineers who spentthe last 31 months in China, the agency spokesman, Mr Sonny Aragba-Akpore, said.

He said the satellite with service lifespan of over 15 years was designed to meet the needsof telecommunications, maritime, defence, broadcast media in Africa, particularlyNigeria, parts of Europe and Asia. It has 28 active transponders, and quad band of Ku,ka,C-Band and L-band.

Two ground stations located in Abuja, Nigeria and Kashi, China owned by Nigcomsatparticipated fully in the launch, he said.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that the successful launching ofthe new Nigerian communications satellite yesterday in Xichang, China is another greatstep forward for the country towards the development of a modern, knowledge- drivensociety.

In a congratulatory statement to the nation, President Jonathan said that with thesuccessful launching of the new satellite, Nigeria had kept up with the time-frame ofactivities contained in the country's 25-year National Space Development Road-map.
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U.S. Considers Combating Somali Militants Twitter Use. (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/world/africa/us-considers-combating-shabab-militants-twitter-use.html

19 December 2011By Jeffrey Gettleman

The United States government is increasingly concerned about the Twitter account of theShabab militant group of Somalia, with American officials saying Monday that they werelooking closely at the militants use of Twitter and the possible measures to take inresponse.

American officials would not disclose what action they were considering. But someAmerican officials said the government was exploring legal options to shut down theShababs new Twitter account, potentially opening a debate over the line between free

speech and support for terrorism.

Over the past two weeks, the Shabab, brutal Islamists known for chopping off hands andstarving the famine-stricken populace, have been firing off pithy Twitter messagesreferring to their attacks and taunting the Kenyan military, which sent troops into Somaliain October to battle the Shabab.

Your inexperienced boys flee from confrontation & flinchin the face of death, said aShabab post addressed to the Kenyan Army.

Most of the Shababs Twitter messages are in English, not Somali, and are clearly meantfor an outside audience. American officials said they were worried that the Shabab mightbe using Twitter to reach potential recruits in the West.

Officials across the American government, from the State Department to local lawenforcement, have said one of the top terrorism threats to the United States is thepotential for American militants to travel to Somalia to fight with the Shabab and thenreturn home to wreak havoc.

Already, several Americans have killed themselves as suicide bombers in Somaliaworking for the Shabab, who have claimed hundreds of victims with such attacks. Thegroup has been fighting Somalias transitional federal government, which is theinternationally recognized authority and a recipient of millions of dollars from the UnitedStates government.

American officials say they may have the legal authority to demand that Twitter close theShababs account, @HSMPress, which had more than 4,600 followers as of Mondaynight.
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Twitter, based in San Francisco, has about 100 million users. A company spokesman,Matt Graves, said on Monday, I appreciate your offer for Twitter to provide perspectivefor the story, but we are declining comment on this one.

The Shabab have pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda, and in 2008 the State Department

listed the group as a specially designated global terrorist and said it posed a significantrisk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or thenational security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.

A State Department spokesman said, We are looking closely at the facts of this situationto determine what the appropriate next steps might be.

The Shabab have imposed a draconian version of Islam in the areas of southern Somaliathat they control, yanking out gold teeth, beheading shopkeepers, sawing off arms andstoning adulterers. Yet, at the same time, they have shown technological savvy,showcasing their work through slick propaganda videos, Web sites and electronic chat

rooms.

The State Department said federal law enforcement agencies had taken action in the pastagainst individuals using Web hosting and related services.

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Ethiopia injects US$4 billion into sugar factories (The Africa Report)http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-injects-us$4-billion-into-sugar-factories-50177916.html20 December 2011

In its bid to become a major sugar exporter, Ethiopia is constructing 10 sugar factoriesfollowing the injection of a US$4.6 billion investment.

Ethiopia wants to become one of the world's top 10 sugar exporters to the internationalmarket/Photo/Reuters

Ethiopia wants to become one of the world's top 10 sugar exporters to the internationalmarket/Photo/ReutersEthiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, while inaugurating the Fincha Amerti NesheHydropower project at the weekend, said construction of the 10 factories across thecountry was progressing well.

The multi-purpose Fincha project, with a capacity to generate 97 MW of electricity, willsee the expansion of the Fincha sugar factory by 6000 hectares of land, a 40 percentincrease.

"The sugar development project will bring about technology transfer thereby creatingjobs," Zenawi said.
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U S Africa Command Public Affairs Office +49(0)711 729 2687 AFRICOM PAO@africom mil

"The irrigation development as well as the design of the factories has a special place inthe country's history as it is done by local professionals".

The development of the sugar factories is part of Ethiopia's five year Growth and

Transformation Plan, which aims to undertake a multi billion investment on variousdevelopment projects to reduce poverty, setting the pace for Ethiopia's quest to become amiddle income country by 2025.

The sugar factories are currently being constructed in Beles in the central Amhara region,Wolkait in the northern Tigray area, Kesem in the north eastern Afar regional state and inthe South Omo Zone of the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples' region.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation, the state-owned company, said theconstruction of the sugar factories will help Ethiopia become one of the world's top 10sugar exporters to the international market.

The corporation said foreign investment is being sought to develop other projects on 5million hectares of land that has been identified for sugar production.

According to available information, Ethiopia imported 150,000 metric tons of sugar lastyear.

The government aims to become a self-sufficient sugar producer by the end of 2013 andincrease production eightfold to 2.3 million tons by mid 2015, creating a surplus of 1.25million tons for export.

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END OF REPORT

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