Africanews

WAR AND PEACE

ALGERIA On 2 October, 1996 Algerian security forces shot dead eight Muslim guerrillas, members of the radical Armed Islamic Group (GIA) in a fierce gun battle in the Casbah, the ancient heart of Algiers. The forces were acting on a tip off when they stormed the guerrilla hideout killing GIA local leader Amara Yacine and five of his followers, the El Watan newspaper reported. On 9 October, 1996 African peace soldiers armed with tanks and heavy artillery headed for western Liberia to clear out rebels blocking highways to international relief workers. After an eight hour gun-battle around a villa used as a hideout 13 October, Algerian troops were reported to have killed 12 Muslim guerillas. At the same time Muslim guerillas are reported to have struck in the southern Algerian Laghouat province killing two people.

BURUNDI On 10 September, 1996 Tutsi rebels murdered a Tutsi Roman Catholic Bishop, Monsignor Joachim Ruhuna, the archbishop of Gitega region. Earlier at a funeral of 304 Tutsi victims of a massacre, the bishop alleged the existence of extremists among both Tutsi minority and Hutu majority. On 3 October, 1996 Burundian troops and Hutu rebels were engulfed in a fight for control of the Muramvya area leaving dozens dead and thousands displaced. Leading to the imposed sanction on Burundi 31 July, more effort is being made to restore peace through negotiable means. The African Representative to the National Council of the Defense of Democracy (CNDD) met in Dar es salaam 20 September, 1996 to negotiate peace among all parties including the Hutu rebels. Meanwhile at the end of a seven nation summit held in Arusha, Tanzania 13 October Tanzanias Foreign Minister announced the commencement of peace-talks to end Burundis three year civil war. In this meeting all factions inside and outside Burundi will be involved. Burundis warring factions agreed to open these talks within the next month.

CAMEROON On 23 September, 1996, the Cameroon government called for a summit between President Paul Biya and Nigerian leader General Sani Abacha to resolve their border dispute over the Bakassi peninsula which has been going on for the last two years. The meeting turned to failure due to the absence of General Abacha who had backed out at the last minute. They had proposed a demilitarization of the peninsula under international supervision and measures leading to an exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of those killed in the clashes.

SUDAN On 10 September, 1996 the Sudan and Uganda governments agreed to clamp down on a rebel activity on the border and set up a monitoring team of foreign observers as part of a deal to restore diplomatic relations. On 4 October, 1996 under, Iranian mediation, the Sudanese and Ugandan governments agreed to continue efforts to reach a peace settlement. The relations between Sudan and Uganda were severed in April 1995 after Kampala accused Khartoum of supporting rebels in northern Uganda.

ETHIOPIA On 23 September, 1996 fighting broke out between Ethiopian and Somali forces after shells slammed into the Ethiopian territory during heavy fighting between muslim fundamentalist Somali militiamen and the Somali National Front (SNF) movement. There were no causalities reported.

LIBERIA On 10 September, 1996 Liberian faction leader Mr. Charles Taylor and the country's newly sworn in head of state Ruth Perry held talks on the peace process. This was the first since Perry took the chair of the State Council.

NIGERIA On 18 September, 1996 supporters of the fundamentalist Shi'ite Muslim brotherhood group fought with police in the streets of Kaduna demanding the release of their arrested leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Yakub El-Zak-Lakay. Two police and five muslims were killed. Nigerian police said the preacher was arrested because of illegal publications and radio broadcasts.

SIERRA LEONE On 5 October, 1996 12 civilians were killed in attacks on villages in the eastern Kenema district by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels. About 20 people, including six children aged between 10 and 12 were seriously wounded in the fire attacks.

SOMALIA On 15 September, 1996 the Arab league called on rival Somali factions to take part in reconciliation talks scheduled to take place in Sanaa, capital of Yemeni on a date yet to be fixed. The meeting would be held with a view to setting up a national authority in Somalia. On 4 October, 1996 two officials of a faction leader opposed to Mr. Hussein Aideed were killed when their motorboat was sprayed with gunfire in Southern Mogadishu. 13 October, at least two people were killed and twelve others wounded when two rival faction groups clashed in the town of Kismayo. The violence was triggered by a disagreement over the sharing of revenues collected from arriving commercial vehicles. However, clan elders managed to broker a ceasefire after which the factions agreed to a truce.

SOUTH AFRICA On 1 October, the South African government banned the carrying of weapons at public meetings. The order extended a previous ban limited to volatile districts. The weapons banned are traditional spears, matchets, axes and guns. A meeting between US Secretary of State on 2 October, Warren Christopher and South African President Nelson Mandela centred on the resolution of conflict in the African region. The meeting however did not outline the key issues discussed towards the efforts of peace-building in Africa.

UGANDA On 27 September, 1996 thirty people including 28 civilians were killed when Ugandan rebels attacked Kitgum town in northern Uganda engaging the army in a fierce battle. The raiders were reported as belonging to a group of 250 Lords Resistance Army (LRA) fighters. On 4 October, 1996 more than 20 government soldiers were injured when a truck they were travelling in in the West Nile region of Uganda hit a landmine planted by rebels of the West Nile Bank Front (WNBF). On 11 October, 1996 Christian fundamentalist rebels of the Lords Resistance Army battling government troops in the north of the country abducted 150 school girls from St. Mary's School in Apach district in nothern Uganda. The rebels also killed two other unidentified people before retreating with their captives to their hideouts. The West Bank Nile Front (WNBF) is also reported to have attacked a missionary hospital and two High Schools in the same area. Two people were reportedly injured during this attack of 13 October.

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