Genocide Monitor: Jul. 6, 2010

  • AFGHANISTAN: Violence is on the rise in Afghanistan, with June seeing the most fatalities for NATO troops since the beginning of the war.
  • SUDAN: As clashes continue in Darfur, the ICC is pressing for the arrest of two Sudanese indicted for crimes committed in Darfur.
  • DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: MONUC peacekeeping forces have begun to withdraw to make way for the MONUSCO mission, a force specifically focused on civilian protection.
  • SOMALIA: According to Foreign Policy magazine, Somalia retains the position of "most failed state" for the third year in a row.

Call Secretary Clinton

In just over six months, residents of South Sudan will vote in a referendum on whether to establish a independent state.  In the wake of April's national elections, the stalemated of U.S. policy and deteriorating situation on the ground, the coming referendum makes it imperative that the United States take a firm stance to ensure peace and justice in Sudan.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today and tell Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to apply effective pressure on those who abuse civil and human rights in Sudan.  Also ask her to hold to account those responsible for creating an environment where credible elections were not possible and ensure that the coming referendum will be free and fair.

Call 1-800-Genocide

Spotlighted Conflict:

Situation on the Ground

According to the United Nations, violence in Afghanistan is significantly higher in 2010 than in previous years. Roadside bombings have increased by 94% since last year and the rate of complex suicide attacks has doubled.  Despite an influx of coalition troops, most of the violence is concentrated in insurgent strongholds in the nation’s south and southeast.

The Pakistani militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, has reportedly expanded its operations in Afghanistan. The group is said to be operating in at least six Afghan provinces, where it targets local Afghans and Indian development workers.
 
There were 80 NATO fatalities this month, making June the deadliest month for the ISAF mission in the nearly nine-year long conflict.

Possibility of Peace Talks

Afghanistan recently concluded a national “peace jirga,” during which nearly 1,500 tribal elders, government officials, and religious leaders debated the merits of negotiating with the Taliban.

After three days of debate the group agreed to consider peace negotiations, an outcome welcomed by President Hamid Karzai, who had proposed an amnesty program for insurgents. It is unclear whether the Taliban will negotiate, due to their insistence on the withdrawal of all foreign forces in the country.

Leadership Changes

General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, resigned after a controversial interview criticizing senior U.S. administration officials. General McChrystal will be replaced by General David Petraeus, but there will be no change in policy.

Area of Concern: Somalia

Government Accused of Recruiting Child Soldiers

The Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been accused by the United Nations of recruiting children to serve in its armed forces. This development may limit U.S. financial and training support for the TFG's fight against the insurgents.

Fighting Displaces 30,000

Clashes between the government-aligned Ahlu-Sunna Wal-Jamma’a and al-Shabaab militants continued near Dhusamareb in central Somalia. According to eyewitnesses around 30,000 people have fled due to the fighting.

Top Position on the "Failed State" Index

Somalia’s sustained lawlessness and failure to address its pirating and terrorism crises have earned it the top spot on Foreign Policy Magazine’s annual “failed states” index for the third year running.