cfc: mediterranean basin review, 20 march 2012

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C I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E

Mediterranean Review

In Focus 1HoA: Land & Sea 2North Africa 4Northeast Africa 6Syria 8

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ABOUT THE CFC

CONTACT THE CFC

This document provides an overview of developments in the Mediterranean Basin and other regions of

interest from 13 March19 March, with hyperlinks to source material highlighted and underlined in

the text. For more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to the region, please contact

the members of the Med Basin Team, or visit our website at www.cimicweb.org.

20 March 2012

In Focus: Syrian Refugees in LebanonBy Amber Ramsey

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is now reporting that the number

of registered Syrian refugees has reached 34,000. As the number of Syrians seeking shelter in

neighbouring countries grows, some groups are concerned that past regional tensions will be ag-

gravated and violence and insecurity might erupt. An August 2011 report by the Jamestown Foun-

dation notes that Lebanon, in particular, is vulnerable to a spill-over of violence and instability

from Syria as a result of the sectarian divide within the country. According to the report, Lebanon

has been home to a vibrant Syrian community for many years, with between 500,000 and 600,000

Syrian migrant workers already settled in the country. Similarly, Syria has a history of hosting

Lebanese refugees during years of civil strife and following the Israeli bombing of Lebanon in

2006. Recently, with the uprising in Syria and predominately Sunni refugees fleeing over the bor-der into Lebanon, concerns over a resurgence of sectarian violence are rife.

Since the beginning of the Syrian uprising in March 2011, Lebanon has seen its own share of

demonstrations in support of and against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al -Assad. The Syr-

ian opposition largely comprises Sunni Muslims, who are fighting against the ruling Alawite mi-

nority, headed by President Bashar al-Assad. Many Syrians fleeing violence in their country have

been hosted by Lebanese communities near the shared border with Syria situated along the north -

east border of Lebanon; others have sought refuge in the large urban cities of Tripoli and Beirut.

Five thousand unregistered individuals that have fled Syria over the past year are believed to be

living in Lebanon on the hospitality of local communities, while nearly 8,000 Syrianshave been

registered with UNHCR and the Lebanese authorities. According to an assessmentof the humani-

tarian situation of refugees in Lebanon conducted by Islamic Relief, many Syrians fear that regis-

tering with UNHCR and the governments Higher Relief Commission (HRC)

(continued on page 10)
https://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-syria-refugees-idUSBRE82F0L820120316http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-syria-refugees-idUSBRE82F0L820120316http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlhttp://www.democracynow.org/2006/7/13/israel_launches_heaviest_bombing_of_lebanonhttp://www.democracynow.org/2006/7/13/israel_launches_heaviest_bombing_of_lebanonhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_2866.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_2866.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Mission%20report%20on%20Humanitarian%20situation%20as%20a%20result%20of%20confict%20in%20Syria%20external.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Mission%20report%20on%20Humanitarian%20situation%20as%20a%20result%20of%20confict%20in%20Syria%20external.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Mission%20report%20on%20Humanitarian%20situation%20as%20a%20result%20of%20confict%20in%20Syria%20external.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_2866.pdfhttp://www.democracynow.org/2006/7/13/israel_launches_heaviest_bombing_of_lebanonhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-syria-refugees-idUSBRE82F0L820120316http://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/


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C I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E P R E S E N T S

Horn of Africa: Land & SeaBritta Rinehard [email protected]

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20 March 2012

Djibouti

Reuters reports that Dijboutis port authority is close to finalising a deal that would secure USD 4.4 billion from international banksin order to build five new portsover the next four years. The project comes, in part, because of growing demand for trade access by

land-locked South Sudan. Currently land-locked Ethiopia accounts for 70% of Dijboutis port traffic. New port locations include

Tadjourah, located on the north coast and Port of Goubet. In addition to port development, funds will be used to develop dry dock

and free zone capabilities.

EritreaThe Eritrean Ministry of Information reports that a dam projectworth approximately USD 530,000 that began on 27 January in Em-

beito, Central region is more than 80% complete. According to Eritrean Shabaitnews, water shortagesand sub-standard water quali-

ty have been an issue for residents of Dura Lailai, located in the Gogne sub-zone; however, residents now are provided potable wa-

ter functioning with solar energy with similar efforts to construct additional distribution points underway in the area.

Oil and wheat seeds will be distributed to farmersby the Halhale Agricultural Research Institute, says Shabait. Studies have shown

that these types of seeds are very productive and are suitable for the climate in Eritrea. It is believed that the seeds could producemore than 40,000 kg of wheat per hectare and require only four months to yield.

EthiopiaReuters reports that the Ethiopian government launched two attacksinside Eritrea, one in the Southeast and a later one in the North.

A 15 March attack targeted Ethiopian rebels training in Eritrea and BBCreports that Ethiopia justified its actions, claiming that Eri-

trea was trainingsubversive groups to carry out attacks inside Ethiopia. Additionally, authorities claim this is the same rebel group

that was responsible for the attack on a tourist camp site in the Afar region in February (see 13 March CFCMediterranean Basin

Review). On 17 March, Ethiopias Foreign Ministrys public diplomacy and communications director, Getachew Reda, dismissed the

Reuters report that Ethiopian troops carried out the second attackinto northern Eritrea, according to Bloomberg. In response to the

attacks within its borders, Eritrea urged the United Nations to get involved and take actionagainst Ethiopia, according to Reuters.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged both sides to find a peaceful resolutionand to exercise maximum restraint. Eri-

trea said that it would not retaliate against Ethiopia, according toBBC. Eritrean Information Minister, Ali Abdu, claims that the Unit-

ed States has instigated the Ethiopian attacks on Eritrea and is destabilising the region. Despite Abdus assertions that Eritrea is not

supporting rebel groups, over the last decade, Ethiopia has launched aggressive actsagainst them, saysAgence France-Presse (AFP).

A bus traveling near Bonga in Gambella, was attacked by gunmen, killing 19 passengers and injuring eight, according to the Associ-

ated Press(AP). Gambella is a region of Ethiopia bordering South Sudan that has been impacted by refugee flows and conflicts over

water and land. Sudan Tribune indicates that five female passengerswere kidnapped during the attack on the bus and Gambella secu-

rity forces are still looking for the hostages.

UNHCR reports that local communities in Matar, have been sharing their food and waterwith approximately 15,000 displaced per-

sons from the Lou Nuer tribe of South Sudan (see Northeast Africasection). The influx of South Sudanese has stretched water and

sanitation facilities beyond capacity. The World Food Programme (WFP) is extending food distribution to this area to benefit both

local and South Sudanese residents. UNHCR has pre-positioned additional relief items to the Fugnido refugee camp where the asy-

lum-seekers will eventually be located.

Shabelle Media Network(SMN) reports that Somali President Sheik Sharif Ahmed and Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi metin Addis Ababa to discuss Somalias current security situationand their views of lasting peace and stability for the country. Ethiopi-

an troops in Somalia, who came last year to fight al Shabaab, will soon be replaced by troops from Burundi, Djibouti and Uganda.

SomaliaAl Shabaab launched several mortar attacks on the presidential palace in Mogadishu, and in one instance missing their target and

killing six civilians in a nearby refugee camp, reportsBBC. Reuters reports that the mortars launch location is unknown, and that the

presidential palace is usually beyond the rangeof mortars launched from outside Mogadishu. The attack is al Shabaabs second

attempt to strike the compound in less than a week. Meanwhile, an African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) press release

from 16 March, states that AU troops had advanced 4 km towards the outskirts of Mogadishu. According to the press release,

AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) now control the capital.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EDAH720120314?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EDAH720120314?sp=truehttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8830-dam-worth-more-than-8-million-nakfa-under-construction-in-embeitohttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8830-dam-worth-more-than-8-million-nakfa-under-construction-in-embeitohttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8769-provision-of-potable-water-in-dura-lailai-ensuredhttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8769-provision-of-potable-water-in-dura-lailai-ensuredhttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8839-halhale-agricultural-research-institute-to-distribute-select-oil-and-wheat-seeds-http://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8839-halhale-agricultural-research-institute-to-distribute-select-oil-and-wheat-seeds-http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EH08C20120317?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EH08C20120317?sp=truehttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/17/ethiopia-eritrea-attack-idUSL5E8EH07N20120317http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/17/ethiopia-eritrea-attack-idUSL5E8EH07N20120317http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17386161http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17386161http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17386161https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttp://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-17/ethiopia-denies-report-that-it-made-more-attacks-inside-eritreahttp://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-17/ethiopia-denies-report-that-it-made-more-attacks-inside-eritreahttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EG13C20120316http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EG13C20120316http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41563&Cr=Ethiopia&Cr1=Eritreahttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41563&Cr=Ethiopia&Cr1=Eritreahttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17397091http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Eritrea+says+will+not+retaliate+against+Ethiopia/-/1066/1367534/-/7urb5oz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Eritrea+says+will+not+retaliate+against+Ethiopia/-/1066/1367534/-/7urb5oz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20163605/ethiopia-official-19-shot-dead-bus-attackhttp://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20163605/ethiopia-official-19-shot-dead-bus-attackhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-Gunmen-kill-19-in-attack,41908http://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-Gunmen-kill-19-in-attack,41908http://www.unhcr.org/4f5f4b4c6.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/4f5f4b4c6.htmlhttp://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=16184http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=16184http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17429146http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8EJ0OO20120319?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8EJ0OO20120319?sp=truehttp://amisom-au.org/2012/03/au-mission-in-somalia-amisom-forces-capture-new-areas-outside-mogadishu-city/http://amisom-au.org/2012/03/au-mission-in-somalia-amisom-forces-capture-new-areas-outside-mogadishu-city/http://amisom-au.org/2012/03/au-mission-in-somalia-amisom-forces-capture-new-areas-outside-mogadishu-city/http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8EJ0OO20120319?sp=truehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17429146http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=16184http://www.unhcr.org/4f5f4b4c6.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-Gunmen-kill-19-in-attack,41908http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20163605/ethiopia-official-19-shot-dead-bus-attackhttp://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Eritrea+says+will+not+retaliate+against+Ethiopia/-/1066/1367534/-/7urb5oz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17397091http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41563&Cr=Ethiopia&Cr1=Eritreahttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EG13C20120316http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-17/ethiopia-denies-report-that-it-made-more-attacks-inside-eritreahttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17386161http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17386161http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/17/ethiopia-eritrea-attack-idUSL5E8EH07N20120317http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EH08C20120317?sp=truehttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8839-halhale-agricultural-research-institute-to-distribute-select-oil-and-wheat-seeds-http://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8769-provision-of-potable-water-in-dura-lailai-ensuredhttp://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/8830-dam-worth-more-than-8-million-nakfa-under-construction-in-embeitohttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8EDAH720120314?sp=truemailto:[email protected]


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Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohammed Ali hosted a high level delegationfrom the European Union (EU) in Mogadishu, says

Shabelle News. The discussion included Somalias current security situation. The EU has committed USD 550 million for develop-

ment and aid, making it the biggest donor thus far, according to an EUpress statementfrom 15 March.

Drought and violence have caused displacementfor thousands of Somalis, reports the International Council of Voluntary Agencies

(ICVA) and also aggravated the humanitarian crisisthat continues to ravage the Horn of Africa, says UNHCR. Certain regions in

Somalia are still in crisisand in need of assistance. The APconcluded, after a three-month investigation, that large food deliveries

sent to Mogadishu by the WFP last year never reached their intended destination. One Somali government official is accused of

stealing roughly 74 metric tonnes of food. WFP says it is addressing the issue to avoid disruption of future deliveries.

Somali PiracyInternational Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) reports that six pirates attackeda container ship about 520

nautical miles northeast of Mogadishu on 19 March. The onboard security team successfully deterred the attack and no crew mem-

bers were injured.

NATO Allied Command Operations (ACO) reports that the MV Trans Catalonia sent a distress call afterbeing attackedby pirates

on 17 March in the Gulf of Aden. The on-board security team successfully deterred the pirates from further attacks. Additionally,

two NATO warships responded to the distress call and the Turkish TCG GIRESUN was able to identify 7 pirates on board and

boarding equipment.

Somalia Report provides the most recent developments the status of the hijacked MV Leila (see 13 MarchMediterranean Basin

review). Somali pirates had requested a ransom of USD 2 million for the release of the ship and its crewmembers. Ransom negotia-

tions fell through when the owner of the cargo vessel indicated they would not pay any ransom for the cargo and the crew.

Independent, an Irish news source, reports that EU NAVFORinvited Irelandto support Operation ATALANTA. Ireland is consider-

ing the request and if they join, Ireland would provide an autonomous vessel protection detachment (AVPD) to protect WFP vessels.

Currently, seven Irish soldiers support the European Union Training Mission ( EUTM) Somalia, but the number will soon increase to

10 soldiers. In August 2011, the EUTM was extendedthrough December 2012. EU NAVFOR also states that the French Navy will

provide a Falcon 50 maritime surveillanceaircraft.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) hosted the 23rdShared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) meeting in Bahrain, which was

attended by 145 representatives from international militaries, governments, law enforcement and the shipping industry. Updates on

current counter- piracy operations, improvements and success stories were presented. Deputy Commander of CMF, Commodore

Simon Ancona, warned that while some improvements have been made, if we remove the pressure then the problem will flare

again.

The US Department of State reports that the United States will expand its partnershipwith the private sector to address the Somalipiracy issue. The focus will be on security, deterrence, diplomacy, and prevention. The United States continues to oppose the pay-

ment of ransom to pirates for the release of vessels and crewmembers.

The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) Working Group (WG) 2held its 10thmeeting in Copenhagen, Den-

mark on 15 March, reports the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO). Approximately 130 attendees from about 40

countries gathered at the meeting, which included the review of BIMCOs GUARDCON. Lloyds Listreports that the standard con-

tractconcerns the relationship between the master and the head of the security team on board a vessel and is scheduled to be pub-

lished on 26 March.

Global Piracy/Armed RobberyFor a current look at recent piracy incidentsplease visit the Live Piracy and Armed Robbery Report, updated by that International

Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

In West Africa, Maritime OPINTEL Report from 15 March recorded one robberyat the Boma port while a ship was at anchorage.

Ten robbers boarded the ship and pilfered the cargo.
mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topicmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=16326http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=16326http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/128974.pdfhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/128974.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/node/483093http://reliefweb.int/node/483093http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4e1ff4b06.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/pages/4e1ff4b06.htmlhttp://www.wfp.org/countries/somaliahttp://www.wfp.org/countries/somaliahttp://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/AP_Exclusive_How_Somalia_famine_aid_went_astray.shtmlhttp://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/AP_Exclusive_How_Somalia_famine_aid_went_astray.shtmlhttp://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-report/details/71/102http://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-report/details/71/102http://aco.nato.int/nato-disrupts-suspected-pirate-group-in-the-gulf-of-aden.aspxhttp://aco.nato.int/nato-disrupts-suspected-pirate-group-in-the-gulf-of-aden.aspxhttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3087/MV_Leila_Ransom_Negotiations_at_Impassehttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3087/MV_Leila_Ransom_Negotiations_at_Impassehttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttp://www.independent.ie/national-news/ireland-may-join-eu-mission-to-help-fight-somali-pirates-3053885.htmlhttp://www.independent.ie/national-news/ireland-may-join-eu-mission-to-help-fight-somali-pirates-3053885.htmlhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/eu-operations/eu-somalia-training-mission?lang=enhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/eu-operations/eu-somalia-training-mission?lang=enhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/missionPress/files/Fact%20sheet%20EUTM%20-%20version%2010_ENrev3.pdfhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/missionPress/files/Fact%20sheet%20EUTM%20-%20version%2010_ENrev3.pdfhttp://www.eunavfor.eu/2012/03/french-surveillance-jet-aircraft-provides-a-boost-in-capability-to-eu-counter-piracy-forces-in-somalia/http://www.eunavfor.eu/2012/03/french-surveillance-jet-aircraft-provides-a-boost-in-capability-to-eu-counter-piracy-forces-in-somalia/http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/03/16/combined-maritime-forces-host-23nd-shade-meeting/http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/03/16/combined-maritime-forces-host-23nd-shade-meeting/http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/185697.htmhttp://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/185697.htmhttp://www.thecgpcs.org/work.do?action=workSub2http://www.thecgpcs.org/work.do?action=workSub2https://www.bimco.org/Home/News/2012/03/19_WG_2_report.aspx?ResumePage=truehttps://www.bimco.org/Home/News/2012/03/19_WG_2_report.aspx?ResumePage=truehttp://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/regulation/article393280.ecehttp://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/regulation/article393280.ecehttp://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/regulation/article393280.ecehttp://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-reporthttp://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-reporthttp://www.register-iri.com/userfiles/file/ONI_WTS.pdfhttp://www.register-iri.com/userfiles/file/ONI_WTS.pdfhttp://www.register-iri.com/userfiles/file/ONI_WTS.pdfhttp://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-reporthttp://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/regulation/article393280.ecehttp://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/regulation/article393280.ecehttps://www.bimco.org/Home/News/2012/03/19_WG_2_report.aspx?ResumePage=truehttp://www.thecgpcs.org/work.do?action=workSub2http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/185697.htmhttp://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/03/16/combined-maritime-forces-host-23nd-shade-meeting/http://www.eunavfor.eu/2012/03/french-surveillance-jet-aircraft-provides-a-boost-in-capability-to-eu-counter-piracy-forces-in-somalia/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/missionPress/files/Fact%20sheet%20EUTM%20-%20version%2010_ENrev3.pdfhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/eu-operations/eu-somalia-training-mission?lang=enhttp://www.independent.ie/national-news/ireland-may-join-eu-mission-to-help-fight-somali-pirates-3053885.htmlhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(13-Mar-12).pdfhttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3087/MV_Leila_Ransom_Negotiations_at_Impassehttp://aco.nato.int/nato-disrupts-suspected-pirate-group-in-the-gulf-of-aden.aspxhttp://www.icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-report/details/71/102http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/AP_Exclusive_How_Somalia_famine_aid_went_astray.shtmlhttp://www.wfp.org/countries/somaliahttp://www.unhcr.org/pages/4e1ff4b06.htmlhttp://reliefweb.int/node/483093http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/128974.pdfhttp://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=16326http://www.cimicweb.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topic


4/10


North AfricaErin Foster [email protected]

AlgeriaThe head of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Abdelmalek Droukdel, was handed a death sentence in absentiaby Algeriancourts on 13 March 2012, says BBC. He was found guilty on charges of murder, membership of a terrorist organisation and attacks

using explosives, along with 17 others accused in bomb attacks committed in Algiers in 2007. Droukdel, also called Abou Mossab

Abdelwadoud, is credited for introducing suicide bombings to Algeria following his return from fighting in Afghanistan.

On 18 March, Algeria celebrated 50 years since the signingof the Evian Accordsand the end of the Algerian-French war, according

toAgence France-Presse (AFP). Tension between France and Algeria has risen in recent months. Both countries will hold elections

this year, sparking debates on the war, which have focused primarily on the refusal of France to apologise for war atrocities and the

treatment and killing of Algerians serving in the French army (known as Harkis) during the French withdrawal from Algeria.

LibyaThe BBCreports that Abdullah al Senussi, the Libyan intelligence chief under Gaddafi, was detainedafter arriving to Nouakchott

airport in Mauritania on a flight from Morocco. The Libyan transitional government has requested the extradition of Senussi from

Mauritania, to stand trial for overseeing an untold numbers of atrocities during the Gaddafi regime. In addition to Libya, France and

the International Criminal Court (ICC) are also seeking his extradition for a 1989 attack on a French plane, and war crimes respec-

tively. Senussi has been referred to as a black boxof information about atrocities committed by the Gaddafi regime; however,

some analysts say he may have incriminating evidence against members of the National Transitional Council (NTC) which could

jeopardise the ability for a fair trial to be conducted in Tripoli. In an effort to secure the extraditionof Senussi, Libyan Deputy Prime

Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour flew to Mauritania 19 March to meet with local officials, reports Reuters.

A new report from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) argues that the foreign military intervention in Libya did not set a

precedent for future operations but rather was a one-time military engagement within unique circumstances. The RUSI reportsug-

gests that future operations to protect civilians will be less likely due to the manner in which the UN Security Council Resolution

was utilised in Libya, which they suggest went beyond protection to regime change, says the Guardian. RUSI director Michael

Clarke, commented that all military victories come at some diplomatic price and the costs of this one are becoming evident as sub-

sequent events unfold, referring to recent events in Syria. In related news, officials from Amnesty International say that despite ef-

forts to minimise civilian casualties from 2011 air strikes, an estimated 55 people, including women and children, were killedby the

NATO operations. According to Amnesty, NATO has said that with the conclusion of Operation Unified Protector on 31 October

2011, it no longer has the mandate to conduct investigations in Libya; responsibility for investigations now lies with the NTC.

AFPreports that one of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)s senior leaders, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, is currently in Libya at-

tempting toprocure weaponsfor the group. Belmokhtar is said to control a battalion based in the desert areas of Algeria, Chad, Ni-

ger, Mali and Mauritania. The AQIM leader told an unnamed Mauritanian news source in November 2011 that the group took ad-

vantage of the uprising in Libya to take weapons from the country in 2011 (see CFC Report, Unsecured Libyan Weapons: Regional

Impact and Possible Threats).

The Libyan constitution has been amended forgreater regional inclusionin decision making, judicial committee chairman Salwa al

Deghili toldAFP. According to the article, the Constituent Assembly set to be elected in June 2012 will appoint 60 experts to draft

the new Libyan constitution. The recent reforms are intended to ensure an equal representation of experts from the Tripolitana, Cyre-

naica and Fezzan regions of the country.

The Libyan stock exchange was officially re-openedon 15 March, nearly a year after its closure, says BBC. The exchange traded

USD three billion with 10 registered companies on its first day. General Manager Ahmed Karoud told reporters that the exchange is

modelled after Abu Dhabis stock market, and that he plans to open a second branch in Benghazi. The market is expected to diversi-fy into oil companies, telecommunications and property firms in the future. Commenting on the opening day of trading, one broker

from Economic Group Libya Ahmed Mejburi, told Reuters people are afraid of falling prices and explained that the market would

slowly gain momentumwith further trading.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Chief of Mission in Libya, Emmanuel Gignac, says that the organi-

sation is still waiting for authorisationfrom Libyan authorities to resume its refugee status determination and registration documenta-

tion. Internal displacement in the country peaked at 400,000 in August and September 2011, with an estimated 93,000 people still in

need of assistance. Gignac says he is also concerned about Tabu and Tuareg children born in southern Libya, who were not issued a

birth certificate from Libyan or Malian officials and may now be stateless. Further, the agency is seeing a rise in mixed migration

flows of people seeking to cross Libya and the Mediterranean to reach Europe, with entry points in Sabha (southwestern Libya) and

Kufra (southeastern Libya).

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20 March 2012
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17359310http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17359310http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/No-formalities-to-mark-end-of-Algerian-war-20120313http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/No-formalities-to-mark-end-of-Algerian-war-20120313http://www.aps.dz/Evian-Accords-put-end-to-132-years.htmlhttp://www.aps.dz/Evian-Accords-put-end-to-132-years.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17414121http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17414121http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17413626http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17413626http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17419575http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17419575http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E8EJ3Z620120319http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E8EJ3Z620120319http://www.rusi.org/publications/whitehallreports/ref:O4F631FBA20DF9/http://www.rusi.org/publications/whitehallreports/ref:O4F631FBA20DF9/http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/WHR_1-12.pdfhttp://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/WHR_1-12.pdfhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/19/libya-un-missions-civilianshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/19/libya-un-missions-civilianshttp://www.amnesty.org/en/news/libya-civilian-deaths-nato-airstrikes-must-be-properly-investigated-2012-03-19http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/libya-civilian-deaths-nato-airstrikes-must-be-properly-investigated-2012-03-19http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/aqim-chief-buying-arms-in-libya-report-1.1255315http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/aqim-chief-buying-arms-in-libya-report-1.1255315https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/20120118_CFC__MedBasin_Thematic_Unsecured_Libya_Weapons.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/20120118_CFC__MedBasin_Thematic_Unsecured_Libya_Weapons.pdfhttp://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gDiuxFy_lu3VRQ_ZBCEcmOqLJx0A?docId=CNG.6d361e3a2dcab799764a934b0b09cf8d.171http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gDiuxFy_lu3VRQ_ZBCEcmOqLJx0A?docId=CNG.6d361e3a2dcab799764a934b0b09cf8d.171http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17381885http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17381885http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17381885http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17381885http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E8EF12P20120315http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E8EF12P20120315http://www.unhcr.org/4f637acc6.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/4f637acc6.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/4f637acc6.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E8EF12P20120315http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17381885http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gDiuxFy_lu3VRQ_ZBCEcmOqLJx0A?docId=CNG.6d361e3a2dcab799764a934b0b09cf8d.171https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/20120118_CFC__MedBasin_Thematic_Unsecured_Libya_Weapons.pdfhttp://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/aqim-chief-buying-arms-in-libya-report-1.1255315http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/libya-civilian-deaths-nato-airstrikes-must-be-properly-investigated-2012-03-19http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/19/libya-un-missions-civilianshttp://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/WHR_1-12.pdfhttp://www.rusi.org/publications/whitehallreports/ref:O4F631FBA20DF9/http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E8EJ3Z620120319http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17419575http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17413626http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17414121http://www.aps.dz/Evian-Accords-put-end-to-132-years.htmlhttp://www.news24.com/Africa/News/No-formalities-to-mark-end-of-Algerian-war-20120313http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17359310mailto:[email protected]


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20 March 2012

Have a question on North Africa?Submit an RFI or recommend a topic for future In Focus coverage.



MaliThe United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says there are now 195,000 people displaced

within Mali and in neighbouring countries. UNHCR has deployed assessment teamsto Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania to map

the protection needs of displaced populations and find safe locations to relocate populations. The organisation has also launched an

information sharing portalfor humanitarian assistance to the displaced Malians. According to AFP, a convoy of International Com-

mittee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles wasprevented from enteringthe city of Tessalit, which was seized by Tuareg rebels on 11

March. ICRC says they were attempting to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population which has been trapped for

weeks due to fighting in and around the city.

MauritaniaA CNNspecial report on slaveryin Mauritania shows that 10

-20% of the population currently lives in slavery, though this is denied

by government officials. According to the article, Mauritania was the last country in the world to abolish the practice of slavery in

1981; however, the practice was not criminalised until 2007 and only a single prosecution is on record. Abolitionists interviewed in

the country say it is a hidden crime which people are fearful of openly discussing, noting that the shackles of slavery are mental as

well as physical. Slavery is also not always easy to identify with many living in between states of slavery and freedom, and others

not able to recognise they are being exploited.

MoroccoHuman rights activists in Morocco are calling for the removal of article 475of the countrys penal code, which allows a kidnapper

or rapist of a minor to avoid criminal action if they marry the victim, reports BBC. In a recent case, a 16 year old girl, Amina Filali,

was raped and later forced to marry the perpetrator to preserve family honour, after a local judge advised the victims father to

arrange the marriage contract. The girl subsequently committed suicide following months of continued abuse by her husband. The

International Business Times reports that 41,098 marriagesof underage females were performed in 2010, an increase of 23.59%

over 2009. Moroccan officials say they plan to seek harsher sentences against rapists andto debate the reformof article 475, saysReuters.

After a three-day dialoguewith officials from Western Sahara and Morocco, the UN Secre-

tary-Generals Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, has announced that he

will travel to Western Sahara and the greater region in mid -May, according to a UN press

statement. Ross revealed that both Morocco and the Frente Polisario have stated their readi-

ness to cooperate to find a solution. Morocco has introduced a plan for autonomy, whereas

the Frente Polisario wants a referendum of self-determination, where independence as an

option is incorporated. In related news, the Carnegie Endowments Anouar Boukhars says

the danger ofdestabilisation in Western Sahara is real, with groups such as AQIM able to

smuggle weapons, drugs and contraband in the neighbouring regions. Boukhars further ex-

plains that there are growing links between the terrorist group and refugee camps in Tindouf,

Algeria both for smuggling and recruitment of fighters. AQIM is seen to have targeted the

camps, although it is suggested that the Polisario do not share AQIM ideology.

NigeriaReuters reports that Nigerian officials are in the midst of indirect talks with Boko Haram

leaders in an effort to bring a ceasefire to northern Nigeria. Boko Haram is calling for the division of Nigeria between the North and

South, with the group seeking to form a government based on sharia or Islamic law in the North. Boko Haram has asked for the

release of all its members from prison in return for a ceasefire. However, Bloombergreports that current talks are now in jeopardy

with mediator Datti Ahmad withdrawing from discussions citing the disclosure of confidential information to media outlets . Ahmad

said the leaked information caused embarrassment to mediators and warned that all parties need to respect confidentiality during

talks to achieve meaningful outcomes. He expressed his dismayto reporters stating an opportunity to negotiate and terminate this

cycle of violence is being missed.

Regional MigrationItalian coast guard officials say 57 migrants aboard a dingy seven metres long became strandedclose to Lampedusa, an Italian is-

land close to North Africa; 52 survived of which 19 required urgent medical attention, says BBC. According to UNHCR estimates,nearly 60,000 migrants from Somalia and other parts of Africa arrived to Italy in 2011, with 1,500 recorded deaths. Improved

weather conditions could see a rise in the number of rescue missions by coast guard officials prompting aid agencies to call on Ital-

ian officials to prepare Lampedusa for new arrivals.

Disputed Western Sahara

Source: Carnegie Endowment
mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topicmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://reliefweb.int/node/483556http://reliefweb.int/node/483556http://reliefweb.int/node/482581http://reliefweb.int/node/482581http://data.unhcr.org/MaliSituation/regional.phphttp://data.unhcr.org/MaliSituation/regional.phphttp://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Red-Cross-convoy-blocked-in-Mali-20120314http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Red-Cross-convoy-blocked-in-Mali-20120314http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/03/world/mauritania.slaverys.last.stronghold/index.html?hpt=wo_c1http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/03/world/mauritania.slaverys.last.stronghold/index.html?hpt=wo_c1http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17379721http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17379721http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/315373/20120316/amina-filali-ripamina-child-marriage-nujood-ali.htmhttp://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/315373/20120316/amina-filali-ripamina-child-marriage-nujood-ali.htmhttp://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E8EF7LU20120315http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E8EF7LU20120315http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41534&Cr=western+sahara&Cr1http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41534&Cr=western+sahara&Cr1http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41534&Cr=western+sahara&Cr1http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41534&Cr=western+sahara&Cr1http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://af.reuters.com/article/nigeriaNews/idAFL5E8EF48Z20120315?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=nigeriaNews&rpc=401http://af.reuters.com/article/nigeriaNews/idAFL5E8EF48Z20120315?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=nigeriaNews&rpc=401http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-19/nigerian-mediator-says-leak-means-end-of-boko-haram-role-1-.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-19/nigerian-mediator-says-leak-means-end-of-boko-haram-role-1-.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/boko-haram-intermediary-pulls-talks-govt-233047069.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/boko-haram-intermediary-pulls-talks-govt-233047069.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17419310http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17419310http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17419310http://news.yahoo.com/boko-haram-intermediary-pulls-talks-govt-233047069.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-19/nigerian-mediator-says-leak-means-end-of-boko-haram-role-1-.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/nigeriaNews/idAFL5E8EF48Z20120315?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=nigeriaNews&rpc=401http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41534&Cr=western+sahara&Cr1http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E8EF7LU20120315http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/315373/20120316/amina-filali-ripamina-child-marriage-nujood-ali.htmhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17379721http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/03/world/mauritania.slaverys.last.stronghold/index.html?hpt=wo_c1http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Red-Cross-convoy-blocked-in-Mali-20120314http://data.unhcr.org/MaliSituation/regional.phphttp://reliefweb.int/node/482581http://reliefweb.int/node/483556http://www.cimicweb.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topic


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EgyptThere is debate within the United States over the Obama administrations plans to resume military aid to Egypt, reports the NewYork Times. The aid would be provided on national security grounds which would enable the Obama administration to sidestep a

new Congressional requirement that links military assistance to the protection of basic freedoms. According to the Washington

Post, human rights and democracy groupsobject to the administrations plans in light of the ruling militarys recent crackdown on

pro-democracy movements; however the Obama administration states that Egypt will not receive the full USD 1.5 billion in aid and

that the plan would allow for the continuation of US defence contracts and the maintenance of close cooperation with Egypts mili-

tary on counter-terrorism and regional security issues.

Reuters reports that an armed Sinai Bedouin group, who had surrounded the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) missions

camp, has lifted their siegeafter eight days following negotiations with the Egyptian army. The MFO force, a result of a 1979 peace

treaty between Egypt and Israel, includes military personnel from 12 countries, including Colombia, France, the United States and

Uruguay. According to theBBC, the Bedouin group complain ofunfair treatmentand neglect by the Egyptian government and often

stage protests, block roads and occasionally take tourists hostage in order to press their demands. The group has demanded the re-

lease of jailed tribesmen, hundreds of which have been imprisoned without trial.

TheBBCreports that 75 people, including 9 police officers, were charged with murderor negligence in relation to a riot that left at

least 74 people dead following a football match in Port Said, Egypt on 01 February. The attacks were committed in the midst of one

of the deadliest riots in football history and led to days of violence across the country, which resulted in an additional 16 deaths.

Following the announcement of charges, al Jazeera reports that thousands ofEgyptians marchedthrough central Cairo and protested

outside of the High Court against what they believed to be a lack of accountability for the deaths.

The head of the Coptic Church, Pope Shenouda III, died on 17 March at the age of 88, reports al Jazeera. Egypts Muslim leaders

and politicians issued their condolences as thousands of Egyptians gathered to mourn the leader who led the church since 1971. The

Copts are the largest Christian minority in the Middle East and make up 10% of Egypts population. Shenouda had traditionally sup-

ported Mubarak and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) however, when soldiers killed 26 Coptic protesters in Octo-

ber 2011, Shenouda blamed the military for the violence.Al Jazeera further reports that Shenoudas successor will play a central

role in defining the churchs position within the country as Islamists parties become a dominant political force.

South SudanFollowing Russias withdrawal of its helicopters and crew from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the UN is appealing to

member states to provide helicoptersto the mission, reports Reuters. UNMISS needs the helicopters to monitor the growing tribal

violence in various parts of the country, particularly in Jonglei state. UNMISS reported that a patrol and medical teams were dis-

patched to aborder areabetween Jonglei state in South Sudan and Ethiopia where unidentified raiders attacked several cattle camps

occupied by members of the Lou Nuer ethnic group. The casualty figures are still unknown. The UN High Commissioner for Refu-

gees (UNHCR) reported that some 15,000 Lour Nuer from South Sudan have fled to western Ethiopia to escape tribal clashesthat

have occurred in recent weeks. Most of those fleeing are women, children and elderly people and their presence is adding strain on

local Ethiopian resources (see Horn of Africa section). The Sudan Tribune reports that the UN Secretary-Generals Special Repre-

sentative for South Sudan, Hilde F. Johnson, expressed concerns about more ethnic violencein Jonglei state, as evidenced by tribal

militias and armed groups being seen with uniforms, in formation, with extremely advanced weaponry and very well organized.

She added that it is not cattle raiding any more, these are historical traditions that have [been] permeated with new and modern

technology. According to AlertNet, the government of South Sudan began a controversial disarmament campaignon 12 March in

Jonglei state in an effort to end the cycle of inter-ethnic violence. Communities in the state are weary of the campaign due to past

disarmament campaigns that resulted in violence against civilians including summary execution, torture, rape and armed theft.

The Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army of South Sudan (SPLA) signed an agreement, known as the action plan, with the United

Nations to release all childrencurrently within its ranks, reports the UN News Service. The plan establishes a disciplinary action sys-

tem against those in command who recruit children. AFPreports that since the civil war ended between South Sudan and Sudan in

2005, over 3,000 children have been demobilized, while, some 2,000 minorsstill serve within the ranks of the SPLA.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended the governments of Sudan and South Sudan for the progress they made during

talks to solve post-independence issues, reports the UN News Service. The two sides agreed on the demarcation of their common

boundary and the status of nationals in each others country. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that they

Page 6

20 March 2012


Northeast AfricaAngelia Sanders [email protected]
http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/12/simmering-discontent-in-western-sahara/a2ahhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/world/middleeast/us-military-aid-to-egypt-to-resume-officials-say.html?_r=1http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/world/middleeast/us-military-aid-to-egypt-to-resume-officials-say.html?_r=1http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-funding-for-egyptian-military-to-resume-senior-administration-officials-say/2012/03/16/gIQAoMTeGS_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-funding-for-egyptian-military-to-resume-senior-administration-officials-say/2012/03/16/gIQAoMTeGS_story.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82F0C720120316http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82F0C720120316http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17398542http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17398542http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17382442http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17382442http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123161952989201.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123161952989201.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123189381735182.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123189381735182.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82F01220120316http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82F01220120316http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41529&Cr=south+sudan&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41529&Cr=south+sudan&Cr1=http://www.unhcr.org/4f5f4b4c6.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/4f5f4b4c6.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-risks-more-ethnic,41926http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-risks-more-ethnic,41926http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/ssudan-launches-controversial-jonglei-disarmamenthttp://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/ssudan-launches-controversial-jonglei-disarmamenthttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41512&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41512&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-2-000-child-soldiers-un-155815973.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-2-000-child-soldiers-un-155815973.htmlhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41546&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41546&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41546&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41546&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41546&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-2-000-child-soldiers-un-155815973.htmlhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41512&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/ssudan-launches-controversial-jonglei-disarmamenthttp://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-risks-more-ethnic,41926http://www.unhcr.org/4f5f4b4c6.htmlhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41529&Cr=south+sudan&Cr1=http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82F01220120316http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123189381735182.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123161952989201.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17382442http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17398542http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82F0C720120316http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-funding-for-egyptian-military-to-resume-senior-administration-officials-say/2012/03/16/gIQAoMTeGS_story.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/world/middleeast/us-military-aid-to-egypt-to-resume-officials-say.html?_r=1


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have transported nearly 2,300 returnees from Sudan to South Sudan by train from the Sudanese capital of Khartoum to the South

Sudanese town of Wau in Western Bar el Ghazal state. Returnees are being transported by plane, barge, road and train and are pro-

vided with food, water and medical attention on the journey. The Sudan Tribune reports that 1,000 South Sudanesearrived from

Khartoum by barge to Unity state in South Sudan. According to Inter Press Service (IPS), hundreds of South Sudanese gathered in

Tel Aviv, Israel on 17 March to protest the imminent expulsion of 700 Sudanese asylum seekersback to South Sudan, despite the

volatile security climate in South Sudan.

The World Bank reports that South Sudan received a USD 9 million grant to help increase employmentand to strengthen the private

sector by financing at least 50,000 small entrepreneurs. The grant is part of a larger USD 75 million transitional trust fund that was

activated by the World Bank in June 2011.

SudanDespite Sudans constitutional guarantee ofpress freedom, Sudanese security services confiscated the 13 March edition of the Com-

munist partys newspaper, reportsReuters. The paper was accused of ignoring a warning to refrain from covering the story about the

killing of a girl by police that led to protests. Sudanese journalists have reported that they face pressure when reporting on sensitive

topics. The Sudan Tribune reports that three newspapers had been closed earlier this year but two have since been allowed to re-

open.

Mdecins Sans Frontires (Doctors Without Borders) warns that the

lives of tens of thousands of displaced Sudanese living in South Sudan

depend on urgent humanitarian aid that must be delivered before the

rainy season begins in late April. Water and food are scarce in the re-

gion, and as such, humanitarian aid is an important source of survival.

The two border camps of Doro and Jaman have received over 80,000

people since November 2011 and continue to receive new arrivals as a

result of bombings and fighting in the Sudanese state of Blue Nile.

Peter Greste, an al Jazeera reporter, documented evidence ofdestroyed

villagesand crops and reported that thousands of people in the Sudanese

border state of South Kordofan have fled their homes in fear of attacks

by Sudanese forces. Greste states that what is concerning is the attempts

to drive a lot of the African tribes off their lands and to deprive them of

resources. Sudanese officials have denied the reports that the army is behind the attacks and has placed the blame on the Sudan Peo-

ples Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) rebel movement. The Sudanese government has recently accused the SPLM-N of pre-

paring to launch new attacksand has accused South Sudan of supporting the rebels, reports the Sudan Tribune.IPSreports that there

are thousands of civilians stranded in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan facing starvationas a result of the governments re-

striction on international humanitarian aid agencies accessing the region. A UN official stated in an interview with Reuters that theUN has made progress in talks with Sudan to allow more aidto reach South Kordofan but that more access was still needed. The

Sudan Tribune reports that the United States will send officials to the Middle East to seek help from other governments in the region

topressure Khartoum to allow more humanitarian aid to be delivered to the rebel held areas of the states of South Kordofan and Blue

Nile. In a hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, various political and social activists, including actor

George Clooney, stressed the need for more aid to reach the border areasof Sudan before it becomes the worst humanitarian crisis

in the world, reports al Jazeera.

Page 7

13 March 2012

Have a question on Northeast Africa?Submit an RFI or recommend a topic for future In Focus coverage.



Sudan and South Sudan Border Region

Source:PBSNews Hour
http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnAF/cache/offonce/lang/en?entryId=31583http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnAF/cache/offonce/lang/en?entryId=31583http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudanese-returnees-reach,41941http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudanese-returnees-reach,41941http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107113http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107113http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:23142339~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.htmlhttp://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:23142339~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82C07820120313http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82C07820120313http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-lifts-ban-on-daily,41938http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-lifts-ban-on-daily,41938http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-lifts-ban-on-daily,41938http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-lifts-ban-on-daily,41938http://www.msf.org/msf/articles/2012/03/south-sudan-window-of-opportunity-closing.cfmhttp://www.msf.org/msf/articles/2012/03/south-sudan-window-of-opportunity-closing.cfmhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/20123189523528780.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/20123189523528780.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/20123189523528780.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-says-South-Kordofan-rebels,41957http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-says-South-Kordofan-rebels,41957http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107073http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107073http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFL5E8EH03T20120317http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFL5E8EH03T20120317http://www.sudantribune.com/U-S-seeking-help-of-other,41915http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/201231616143222231.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/201231616143222231.htmlmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topicmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/03/george-clooney-on-sudan.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/03/george-clooney-on-sudan.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/03/george-clooney-on-sudan.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/03/george-clooney-on-sudan.htmlhttp://www.cimicweb.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/201231616143222231.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/U-S-seeking-help-of-other,41915http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFL5E8EH03T20120317http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107073http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-says-South-Kordofan-rebels,41957http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/20123189523528780.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/20123189523528780.htmlhttp://www.msf.org/msf/articles/2012/03/south-sudan-window-of-opportunity-closing.cfmhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-lifts-ban-on-daily,41938http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-lifts-ban-on-daily,41938http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82C07820120313http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:23142339~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.htmlhttp://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107113http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudanese-returnees-reach,41941http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnAF/cache/offonce/lang/en?entryId=31583


8/10

GovernanceUN

-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has ordered a team of UN expertsto Damascus to discuss a possible ceasefire and international

monitoring mission with representatives of both sides of the conflict, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). After briefing the UN

Security Council on his visit to Damascus and recognising that all countries in the Middle East are concerned about the possible

regional consequences of the conflict he said I will be sending in a team this weekend to pursue the discussions and the proposals

we left on the table. Annan told reporters, I am doing my best with the support of everyone to try and find a peaceful solution.

During his video conference with UN Security Council members, Annan said he had received a disappointing response from Pres-

ident Bashar al-Assad regarding several proposals offered for ending the conflict during his visit to Syria last week. Annan ex-

plained to members of the Security Council that a unified message would increase the possibility of shifting the conflict dynamics.

France submitted a draft presidential statement to the UN Security Council on 19 March supporting Annans peace efforts in Syria

and sending a strong message to Damascus that violence against protestors must end, reports Reuters. Unlike a UN Resolution, a

presidential statement is non-binding and requires a unanimous vote from the 15-member Security Council. It is not known when

the statement might be approved, but diplomats say they hope to get it through as soon as possible. Previous negotiations on a US -

prepared draft resolution calling on Syria to allow unhindered humanitarian access have been stalled in the Security Council, withRussia calling the draft unbalanced.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued an open lettercondemning armed opposition groups in Syria for serious human rights abuses.

The public letter was sent to the Syrian National Council, the leading opposition group in Syria, and other leading Syrian opposition

groups. HRW denounced the useof various tactics including kidnappings, detention and torture of security force members, govern-

ment supporters and members of pro-government militias. HRW calls on Syrian opposition groups to condemn the use of all such

tactics, with HRWs Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson insisting that [t]he Syrian governments brutal tactics cannot justify

abuses by armed opposition groups.

The head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdullatif al-Zayani, announced on 16 March that Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qa-

tar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have all agreed to close their embassiesin Damascus. According to al-Zayani, the

move is meant to demonstrate a rejection of the Syrian regimes continuing killing and tormenting of the unarmed Syrian people,

its insistence on the military option and ignoring all efforts for a way out of the tragic situation.

According to an AFP report, a Saudi diplomat indicated his country has started delivering arms to Syrian rebels through Jordan,

which was denied by Amman, while rival Iran is suspected of sending weapons to its Syrian regime allies.

SecurityTwin bombsrocked the capital city of Damascus on 17 March, killing at least 27 people and wounding 100 others. Syrian state tele-

vision said the attacks targeted police headquarters in the Duwar al -Jamarek area and air force intelligence offices in Al -Qasaa dis-

trict. Several international leaders spoke outagainst the attacks, with Egypts Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr affirming

Cairos fixed position against terrorism in any form, regardless of the reasons behind it, as reported by AFP. Another bombing

took place in Aleppo on 19 March, killing two people and wounding 30 others, says the Guardian. According to al-Baath newspa-

per, a publication released by Assads Baath party, the bombings were carried out by terrorists supported by foreign powers which

finance and arm them, saysAFP. However, the Syrian National Council has accused the Assad regime of staging the bombings.

Thousands ofanti-government protestorsgathered in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on 16 March calling for foreign military

intervention in Syria, reportsAFP. According to the article, the protests were planned using a Facebook page titled Syrian Revolu-

tion 2011 that urged protestors to demand immediate military intervention by the Arabs and Muslims, followed by the rest of the

world. Others rallied in the provinces of Homs and Daraa and in parts of the capital Damascus. In an effort to counter anti -regime

protests,pro-Assad rallieswere held in Damascus on 15 March, marking the one -year anniversary of the Syrian uprising. State -run

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) showed thousands of Syrianswaving Syrian flags and pictures of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus,

Aleppo, Latakia, Suweida and Hasaka, calling the gatherings a global march for Syria.

The Turkish government has called for its nationals to leave Syria due to the serious security risks and announced that it is consid-

ering withdrawing its ambassador from Damascus. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan also announced that the country is con-

Page 8

20 March 2012


SyriaAmber Ramsey [email protected]
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iW0AYCof39fJl3jbNtM9yG-t2l7Q?docId=CNG.cc1f0a0def2357600fe7ce8952046eeb.101http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iW0AYCof39fJl3jbNtM9yG-t2l7Q?docId=CNG.cc1f0a0def2357600fe7ce8952046eeb.101http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/E91FE169720AEDBAC12579C3005E5003?OpenDocumenthttp://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/E91FE169720AEDBAC12579C3005E5003?OpenDocumenthttp://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/western-powers-draft-new-un-council-statement-on-syria/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/western-powers-draft-new-un-council-statement-on-syria/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/05/us-syria-russia-idUSTRE8240X620120305http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/05/us-syria-russia-idUSTRE8240X620120305http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/open-letter-leaders-syrian-oppositionhttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/open-letter-leaders-syrian-oppositionhttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/syria-armed-opposition-groups-committing-abuseshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/syria-armed-opposition-groups-committing-abuseshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-syria-gcc-idUSBRE82F08V20120316http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-syria-gcc-idUSBRE82F08V20120316http://news.yahoo.com/two-bombings-rock-damascus-state-tv-062022362.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/two-bombings-rock-damascus-state-tv-062022362.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/two-bombings-rock-damascus-state-tv-062022362.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/two-bombings-rock-damascus-state-tv-062022362.htmlhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41571&Cr=Syria&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41571&Cr=Syria&Cr1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/18/syrian-city-hit-car-bombhttp://www.smh.com.au/world/syria-accuses-arab-states-of-role-in-new-bomb-attacks-20120319-1vfuc.htmlhttp://www.smh.com.au/world/syria-accuses-arab-states-of-role-in-new-bomb-attacks-20120319-1vfuc.htmlhttp://reliefweb.int/node/483386http://reliefweb.int/node/483386http://reliefweb.int/node/483386http://reliefweb.int/node/483386http://news.yahoo.com/pro-assad-rallies-revolt-enters-second-042434609.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/pro-assad-rallies-revolt-enters-second-042434609.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/pro-assad-rallies-revolt-enters-second-042434609.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/pro-assad-rallies-revolt-enters-second-042434609.htmlhttp://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/03/16/406315.htmhttp://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/03/16/406315.htmhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-274548-turkey-calls-on-citizens-to-leave-syria-as-refugees-flood-turkish-border.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-274548-turkey-calls-on-citizens-to-leave-syria-as-refugees-flood-turkish-border.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.todayszaman.com/news-274548-turkey-calls-on-citizens-to-leave-syria-as-refugees-flood-turkish-border.htmlhttp://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/03/16/406315.htmhttp://news.yahoo.com/pro-assad-rallies-revolt-enters-second-042434609.htmlhttp://reliefweb.int/node/483386http://www.smh.com.au/world/syria-accuses-arab-states-of-role-in-new-bomb-attacks-20120319-1vfuc.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/18/syrian-city-hit-car-bombhttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41571&Cr=Syria&Cr1=http://news.yahoo.com/two-bombings-rock-damascus-state-tv-062022362.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/two-bombings-rock-damascus-state-tv-062022362.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-syria-gcc-idUSBRE82F08V20120316http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/syria-armed-opposition-groups-committing-abuseshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/open-letter-leaders-syrian-oppositionhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/05/us-syria-russia-idUSTRE8240X620120305http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/western-powers-draft-new-un-council-statement-on-syria/http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/E91FE169720AEDBAC12579C3005E5003?OpenDocumenthttp://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iW0AYCof39fJl3jbNtM9yG-t2l7Q?docId=CNG.cc1f0a0def2357600fe7ce8952046eeb.101


9/10

sidering setting up a security orbuffer zonealong its border with Syria to protect populations fleeing the conflict, according to

Voice of America (VOA). A senior Foreign Ministry official said the buffer zone could extend as far as 10 km inside Syria.

Humanitarian AssistanceThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports that some 12,000 individuals are in urgent needof assistance in the

town of Al-Zaafaraneh after fleeing violence in Homs province. According to first -hand accounts by ICRC workers, [b]uildings in

Rastan and Talbisseh have been severely damaged in the fighting and the displaced are in need of food, milk for infants, blankets,

mattresses and medicine. In related news, ICRC President Jakob Kellenbergervisited Moscowfor talks with Russian Foreign Min-

ister Sergei Lavrov. Discussions addressed ICRCs concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria and the work being un-

dertaken by ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The ICRC is leading the effort to institute a daily two-hour ceasefire

to allow for the evacuation of wounded people and the delivery of humanitarian supplies.

Technical experts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations arrived in Syria on 16 March to conduct

a joint assessment on the humanitarian situation. According to OIC assistant secretary general Atta al -Mannan Bakhit, the mission

will travel to 15 cities throughout Syria and submit a report to both the OIC and the UN on the humanitarian needs of the Syrian

population. A spokeswoman for UN Humanitarian Relief Coordinator (OCHA), Valerie Amos, told AFP that the government-led

mission departedfrom Damascus on the morning of 18 March and would begin its assessment in Homs. In a statement released by

the OIC, the organisation requests respect for the neutrality and impartialityof personnel accompanying the government-led human-

itarian needs assessment mission.

The United Nations now estimates that 34,000Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries, while another 200,000 are believed to be

displaced within Syria, according to the SARC regional coordinator. The updated numbers show an increase of 4,000 Syrians since

13 March 2012. Reuters reports that approximately 14,700 Syrians are being sheltered in eight camps in Turkey, with a total of23,000 people believed to have sought protection in the country since April 2011. The Turkish government is in the final stages of

preparing a container city in Kilis province where it intends to move most of the Syrian refugees. Lebanon is now believed to have

around 5,000 Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley and UNHCR reportsthat 7,913 refugees have been registered by the UN Agency

in northern Lebanon and Tripoli (see In Focussection). Jordan has registered 5,391 refugees over the past year, and some 2,000

individuals are still said to be awaiting registration.

Page 9

20 March 2012

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(In Focus continued from page 1)

would expose them to danger if the Lebanese government, which is aligned with the Assad regime, shares their information with the

Syrian authorities. As a result, many Syrians have chosen to forego registering with UNHCR to receive much-needed humanitarian

assistance.

According to an article by Chris Doyle in The Guardian, the Lebanese government has sought to discourageSyrians from seeking

refuge in Lebanon. Doyle claims that the situation of Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon has been downplayed by the Lebanese

government, with President Michel Suleiman saying [t]he influx of some Syrian families [into Lebanon] as a result of the turbu-

lence in Syria does not constitute a major problembecause they can stay with their relatives. Suleiman further stated that Lebanonis bound with Syria by very deep social ties. There are blood ties between the Lebanese and Syrians. During talks with Czech Presi-

dent Vaclav Klaus in Prague, Suleiman claimed that Lebanese state and humanitarian organisations are providing refugee families

with assistance and these families are being treated as relatives rather than as refugees. However, Doyle notes that Syrian refugees

in Lebanon are given few rights, as they are not permitted to seek employment or travel throughout the country, adding that there has

been little effort by the Lebanese government to establish an official refugee camp. The coordinator of the follow -up committee for

Syrian refugees in the north, Sheikh Abdel-Rahman al-Akkari, told The Daily StarinNovember 2011that [t]he Lebanese state con-

tinues to treat [Syrian refugees] with caution and hesitation and shows no willingness to help by recognising them as refugees.

Support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon has been divided, with Lebanese Sunnis offering the majority of support for fleeing Syrians.

According to Islamic Relief, Sunnis fleeing violence in Syria typically seek shelter in Sunni -dominated areas of Lebanon; however,

out of necessity some have been pushed to larger cities with religiously mixed communities. The intense rivalries between religious

groups has already played out in violent clashes between Lebanese Sunnis and Alawites in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.

Clashes that took place in February 2012left three people dead, after Sunni and Alawite militias took up arms against each other.Tripoli, the countrys second largest city, has been a flashpoint for sporadic sectarian clashes and other political violence in recent

years due to its mixed community and historical grievances. Tripoli is composed of a predominately Sunni community, which sup-

ports Syrias opposition. However, the minority Alawite Muslims, an offshoot of Shia Islam, are loyal to a Hezbollah-led alliance

backed by Iran and Syria. Such emotionally charged sectarian and political divides have many concerned that Tripoli stands as a

powder keg for sectarian clashes, which are easily aggravated by regional events.

Despite these political sensitivities, the Lebanese Government has kept its borders open and has provided a certain degree of medical

support to wounded refugees. The Governments Higher Relief Committee, however, reportedly has limited capacityto deal with a

large influx of Syrian refugees, according to Islamic Relief. Recent reports highlight the dire living conditionsof many Syrian refu-

gees in Lebanon, particularly in the border area of Wadi Khaled, where refugees complain that they are living in buildings with no

electricity and have no blankets or food for their children. Of the refugees crossing the border into Lebanon, up to 40 individuals

were recently arrested and returned to Syria by the Lebanese authorities, reports The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Meanwhile,

Islamic Relief warns that the open support for the Assad regime by some political groups in Lebanon may prevent the government

from offering clear support to Syrian refugees, as it does not want to be seen as supporting any one side. As indicated by a Human

Rights Watch researcher on Lebanon and Syria, Nadim Houry, the Lebanese state has not taken a clear positionon the status of

Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This means they cant know where they stand.

As efforts continue to assist the growing number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the Governments Higher Relief Commission,

which has been working with UNHCR to register and provide assistance to Syrian refugees in some parts of Lebanon, announced on

16 March that it would be forced to stop all assistanceto Syrian refugees by 23 March if it did not receive additional financial sup-

port from the Lebanese government. UNHCR has called the decision to halt funding the cause of considerable concern, while not-

ing the UN agencys efforts to expand its operations to reach unregistered refugees spread elsewhere throughout the country.

It has become evident from recent reports that the Syrian uprising has already aggravated political and sectarian sensitivities in Leba-

non. The recent sectarian clashes in Tripoli illustrate that sectarianism in Lebanon remains a major concern. As Syrian refugees con-

tinue to flood across the border these tensions are only expected to rise. Some individuals call on the Lebanese government to treatthe current refugee situationstrictly in humanitarian terms. However, as indicated by the Jamestown Foundation, competing fac-

tions in Lebanon and beyond appear keen to enter the fray through local and transnational proxy forces eager to resort to violence

and other forms of hostility to further their respective agendasat each others expense, and in this case it is the refugees that will

pay the biggest price.

Amber Ramsey is the current Complex Coverage Desk Officer, former Desk Officer on the Afghanistan and Anti-Piracy Teams at

the CFC.

ENGAGE WITH US Civil-Military Fusion Centre [email protected] www.cimicweb.org
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/04/syrian-refugees-homs-lebanonhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/04/syrian-refugees-homs-lebanonhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/07/syria-refugees-tensions-lebanonhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/07/syria-refugees-tensions-lebanonhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-14/153955-thousands-of-syrian-refugees-face-dire-living-conditions.ashx#axzz1paWqxh00http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-14/153955-thousands-of-syrian-refugees-face-dire-living-conditions.ashx#axzz1paWqxh00http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/12/three-dead-in-sunni-alawite-clashes-lebanon-security.htmlhttp://www.dawn.com/2012/02/12/three-dead-in-sunni-alawite-clashes-lebanon-security.htmlhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Mission%20report%20on%20Humanitarian%20situation%20as%20a%20result%20of%20confict%20in%20Syria%20external.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Mission%20report%20on%20Humanitarian%20situation%20as%20a%20result%20of%20confict%20in%20Syria%20external.pdfhttp://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/03/13/report-shown-syrian-refugees-living-in-dire-conditions-in-lebanon/http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/03/13/report-shown-syrian-refugees-living-in-dire-conditions-in-lebanon/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-refugees-lebanon-ii-beyond-wadi-khaledhttp://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-refugees-lebanon-ii-beyond-wadi-khaledhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Mar-17/166981-hrc-warns-of-halt-to-syrian-refugee-aid.ashx#axzz1paWqxh00http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Mar-17/166981-hrc-warns-of-halt-to-syrian-refugee-aid.ashx#axzz1paWqxh00http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_2866.pdfhttp://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_2866.pdfhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-14/153955-thousands-of-syrian-refugees-face-dire-living-conditions.ashx#axzz1paWqxh00http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-14/153955-thousands-of-syrian-refugees-face-dire-living-conditions.ashx#axzz1paWqxh00http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,THE_JF,COUNTRYNEWS,LBN,,4e3b95352,0.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/https://ww