Global Political News

Photo credit for "Africa" graphic, above: © 2005 Jennifer Lewis

 

MASSIVE EXPLOSIONS FROM MILITARY ARMS DEPOT IN MAPUTO
BLASTS IN MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE, CAUSE PANIC, DOZENS OF CIVILIAN DEATHS
24 March 2007

A series of blasts in the center of Maputo, capital of Mozambique, left the population shaken. The explosions occurred in a massive military arms depot located near residential areas, in the Malhazine neighborhood. The government was immediately confronted with serious security concerns, but assured the public the explosions were the result of an accidental fire.

Still, there were natural fears that the explosions could signal the first salvo of a return to the chaos of civil war, which for decades had left the country in a state of paralysis and instability. The government has insisted the inferno at the arms storage facility was ignited accidentally, probably as a result of intense heat exposure.

The explosions caused military projectiles to be strewn into the surrounding neighborhood, showering homes and buildings with explosive shells. Witnesses have been cited as saying projectiles were launched into several barrios, including Hulene, Benfica, 25 de Junho, and others. Some homes were reported damaged or destroyed.

Initial reports suggested that thirteen people were killed, but the death toll continued to mount over the first 24 hours, reaching well over 50 killed, with the count increasing seemingly by the hour. Early concerns centered not only on the blasts themselves, and who might be responsible, or whether they were accidental, but on whether there would be any accountability for government involvement or incompetence. [s]

MORE AFRICA NEWS:
ZIMBABWE OPPOSITION LEADER TSVANGIRAI KIDNAPPED, TORTURED, SKULL CRACKED

MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, LEADER OF ZIMBABWE'S OPPOSITION TO THE REGIME OF ROBERT MUGABE, WAS HELD INCOMUNICADO, BEATEN TO UNCONSCIOUSNESS
14 March 2007

This week, Zimbabwe's supreme court ordered the government to provide the detained opposition leader with legal counsel, access to family and aid groups, and immediate medical treatment. His wife described his condition as being unable to walk or see. The government denied him treatment for several days, and he is now in hospital with a cracked skull. [Full Story]

FIRST JUDGES, NOW LAWYERS ON STRIKE AGAINST GOV'T AGGRESSION IN UGANDA
NATIONAL LAYWERS UNION HAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO EXTEND JUDICIAL STRIKE IN PROTEST AGAINST POLICE ASSAULT ON HIGH COURT
7 March 2007

On 1 March 2007, Ugandan security forces under the control of President Yoweni Museveni stormed the offices of the High Court, assaulted civilians, lawyers and judges, and re-arrested 6 suspects that had only just been granted bail. The action showed not only disrespect for the peaceful process of adjudication, but also for the legal independence of the judiciary in making its rulings. [Full Story]

DARFUR REFUGEE CRISIS WORSENS, STABILIZATION FORCE NEEDED
CRISIS SWELLS AMID VIOLENCE, IMPUNITY, HUNGER, DELAYS
5 January 2007

The peace agreement signed between the main rebel faction in Darfur and the Khartoum government last May was tenuous at best from the outset, and seems in serious jeopardy of failing. The desperate situation in Darfur is now deteriorating, as violence against civilians not only continues but appears to be escalating, and foreign forces remain ineffectual. [Full Story]

WAR TO UNDERMINE SOMALI FOOD, AID SUPPLIES
MASS REFUGEE FLOW FEARED AS COMBAT INTENSIFIES ACROSS STRIP FROM BAIDOA TO MOGADISHU
30 December 2006

After Ethiopia admitted to placing at least four thousand ground troops into Somalia, to aid the powerless 'transitional government' based in Baidoa, it became apparent that full-blown war had broken out between Somalia's neighbor and the militia of the Union of Islamic Courts, governing most of the country since early June. Now, aid groups say the fighting will disrupt efforts to get food and other aid to the millions of poor Somalis in need in the anarchic political and economic situation. [Full Story]

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