Europe Looks Into Possible War Crimes committed by Ethiopian troops in Somalia

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Also in the news:
[E-mail reveals EU worried about ties to Somali war crimes] - [Professor Alemayehu on the Kangaroo court's ruling] - [Somali opposition figures convene in Eritrea] - [Africa Has Other Zimbabwes] - [Ethiopia reinforces troops in Somali capital amid humanitarian crisis]

International:
[Pentagon: No Saddam-Al Qaeda Link] - [Florida's nonviolent felons regain rights to vote] - [Iran Held Some British Troops In Solitary] - [Manchester United blamed for Rome violences] and more of today's top stories!


Members of the Somali Red Crescent stand after laying bodies of dead Somalis for burial, in Mogadishu, Friday, April 6, 2007, who were among people killed in Mogadishu, Somalia fighting. Ethiopian and Somali forces may have committed war crimes in battles against insurgents and European Union countries could be considered complicit if they do nothing to stop them, according to an EU e-mail obtained by the Associated Press on Friday. The warning, by a senior security official, came in an urgent e-mail to Eric van der Linden, the EU ambassador based in Nairobi (AP Photo) More on this below
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Poem by Tewodros Abebe in observance of SiQlet Friday
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KANGAROO COURT RULES AGAINST PEACE ACTIVIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER PROFESSOR MESFIN W/MARIAM
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The Christmas War in the Horn of Africa Continues: What is the Way Out?

By professor Mammo Muchie (Ethiopia) & Osman Abdulkadir Farah (Somalia)
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Ersasu: Outrage in Addis
(A repressive government needs to count on the fear of its people to rule in perpetuity)
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Europe Looks Into Possible War Crimes committed by Ethiopian troops in Somalia

NewYork Times

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 5 — European diplomats said Thursday that they were investigating whether Ethiopian and Somali government forces committed war crimes last week during heavy fighting in Somalia’s capital that killed more than 300 civilians.

The fighting, some of the bloodiest in Somalia in the past 15 years, pitted Ethiopian and Somali forces against bands of insurgents and reduced blocks of buildings in Mogadishu, the capital, to smoldering rubble.

Many Mogadishu residents have complained to human rights groups, saying that the government used excessive force and indiscriminately shelled their neighborhoods.

On Thursday, Eric Van der Linden, chief of the European Commission’s delegation to Kenya, said that he had appointed a team to look into several war crime allegations stemming from the civilian casualties.

“These are hefty accusations,” Mr. Van der Linden said. “We are examining them very prudently.”(More...)

E-mail reveals EU worried about ties to Somali war crimes

CNN

Ethiopian and Somali forces may have committed war crimes in battles against insurgents and European Union countries could be considered complicit if they do nothing to stop them, according to an EU e-mail obtained by The Associated Press on Friday

The warning, by a senior security official, came in an urgent e-mail to Eric van der Linden, the EU ambassador based in Nairobi.

"I need to advise you that there are strong grounds to believe that the Ethiopian government and the transitional federal government of Somalia and the African Union (peacekeeping) Force Commander, possibly also including the African Union Head of Mission and other African Union officials have through commission or omission violated the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," the e-mail said.(More...)

Also see:
-Guardian: Possible War Crimes In Somalia
-Boston Globe: Diplomats to probe troops' acts in Somalia
-European Union official says war crimes may have been committed by forces in Somalia

Professor Alemayehu on the Kangaroo court's ruling

"..the aim of the so-called trial was not to serve the ends of justice. Zenawi wanted to put up a theatrical production for his Western aid donors.." - Professor Alemayehu G.Mariam
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I have said all along that the outcome of this kangaroo trial is a foregone conclusion. But the aim of the so-called trial was not to serve the ends of justice.

Zenawi wanted to put up a theatrical production for his Western aid donors and show them that he abides by the rule of law.

Over the past year and half, Zenawi has managed only to put on a circus freak show on the stage of justice. He has exhibited hundreds of perjurers and lairs in his kangaroo court, and caused the presentation of fabricated evidence against the prisoners of conscience.

But on the stage of his kangaroo court, he has managed to display for the world to see his own depravity and the monstrosity of his crimes. Zenawi should know no one is duped by his trickery. No one is fooled.(More...)

Africa Has Other Zimbabwes

Washington Post

Friday, April 6, 2007 -- In their March 29 op-ed commentary, "A Cry for Zimbabwe," Desmond Tutu and Madeleine Albright asserted the need to end "silent diplomacy." The assertion holds true for the entire African continent.

While the sovereignty of nations ought to be respected, the international community has the moral obligation to condemn despots who terrorize their citizens.

Beyond condemnation, international actors should distance themselves from such tyrannical African governments.

What is happening in Zimbabwe, unfortunately, is taking place in other parts of Africa. Many Ethiopians believe strongly that the country's ruling party stole the 2005 national elections. And many believe it has retained power in part by using military force against the civilian population and the political opposition.

Indeed, Africans are appealing to other nations and global entities not to prolong Africa's misery by catering to the needs of brutal dictators.

I thank Bishop Tutu and Ms. Albright for their thoughtful commentary; perhaps they and other prominent individuals will keep on lending their influential voices to alert the world through "A Cry for Africa." [TEWODROS ABEBE, Letter to the editor] (Source)

Somali opposition figures convene in Eritrea

ASMARA, Eritrea - Opposition Somali lawmakers living in Eritrea were joined by a Somali Cabinet minister and the Islamic Courts' executive chief this week, diplomatic sources said.

(picture - Hussein Mohamed Aideed)

Hussein Aideed, the transitional government's housing minister, arrived in Asmara on Thursday without notice. No reason was given for Minister Aideed's sudden departure to Eritrea, a country that has vehemently opposed the Somali government's pro-Ethiopian policies.

Inside sources said Aideed's relations with President Abdullahi Yusuf and his Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi, have been worsening since he was relocated from leading the interior ministry.(More...)

Ethiopia reinforces troops in Somali capital amid humanitarian crisis

MOGADISHU (AFP) - Ethiopian troop reinforcements Friday entered the Somali capital on the fifth day of a shaky ceasefire as thousands of displaced Mogadishu residents sought food and water to survive.

The deployment came after a four-day peak in fighting pitting Ethiopian troops against Islamist insurgents and clan fighters, that died down Sunday after killing hundreds and forcing tens of thousands to flee.

"I have seen seven Ethiopian military vehicles coming from Baidoa. They were heading to the presidential palace," said Abdul Kadir Muktar, a resident of southern Mogadishu, on Friday.(More...)

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