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Barómetro issue 19, January - March 2009
To read the full document click here. (in Spanish) Armed conflicts
- The joint military operations between DR Congo and Rwanda in the east of DR Congo, as well as between Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo in the northeast did not result in the dismantling of the FDLR neither in the capture of LRA's leader, Joseph Konny.
- Al-Shabab militia's attacks against the AMISOM and the Transition Federal Government's militias increased the level of violence in Somalia.
- ICC's warrant order against the Sudanese president led to tensions in the international community as well as to the expulsion of international organisations in Sudan by its regime.
- The insurgency in Swat (northwest Pakistan) announced an indefinite ceasefire, preceded by an agreement with the Government to implement the Islamic law.
- Thousands of people died and other 150,000 got trapped in areas of clashes following the advance of Sri Lanka's Army in the north of the country.
- The severe Israeli offensive of three weeks left a death toll of 1,500 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, as well as the destruction of 5,000 houses in the Gaza Strip.
Tensions
- Intercommunal violence in southern Sudan left a death toll of around a thousand people in the first quarter of the year.
- Instability in Africa increased following the violent changes of Government that took place in Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.
- Several clashes took place in Peru between Shining Path and the Army, with the latter declaring that it had seized one of the armed group's strongholds.
- The president of Republika Srpska of Bosnia and Herzegovina maked his support to a new Constitution conditional to the inclusion of self-determination right for the Serbian entity.
- Political violence increased notably in Aceh few weeks ahead of the legislative elections, which are the first opened to the running of local political parties.
- The severe Israeli offensive against Gaza increased regional tensions, especially in the Israeli-Lebanese border, as well as it prompted the suspension of Israeli-Syrian talks.
Peace processes
- Peace talks between Somalia's Federal Transitional Government and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia's moderate faction (ARS) took place in Djibouti under UN facilitation.
- In Darfur (Sudan), the opposition armed group JEM reached the beginnings of an agreement with the Government under Qatar's mediation, although combats continued.
- In Afghanistan, chief of Saudi Arabia's secret services, prince bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, gathered with Afghanistan's Government representatives, in what could be seen as a mediation attempt between the Taliban insurgency and Afghan authorities.
- The prime minister of China expressed the willingness of its Government to begin talks with Taiwan on political and military issues with the aim of achieving a peace agreement between both sides.
- In Cyprus, the leaders of both communities reached a comprehensive agreement on the harmonization and cooperation between the Federal Government and constituent states.
Humanitarian crisis
- The expulsion of 16 international NGOs in Darfur put at risk the life of 4'7 million people according to United Nations.
- 150.000 people remained trapped in cross-fire areas in Sri Lanka, in what constitutes a serious violation of humanitarian law.
- The attacks against humanitarian staff in Pakistan increased after being targeted by Taleban groups which accused them of being anti-Islamic and pro-Governmental.
- Joint operatives against the Ugandan LRA and the Rwandese FDLR in the Great Lakes region caused the displacement of several thousand people and worsened the humanitarian crisis.
- Myanmar recovered its farming production after Nargis cyclone thanks to the effectiveness of response programmes.
Gender issues in peace building
- Liberia's Government presented its National Action Plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325.
- Sierra Leona's Special Court sentenced three former RUF leaders accused of crimes against humanity, including forced marriage, which has been considered as such for the first time by an international court.
- Afghan activists demanded women's participation to be guaranteed in negotiations with the Taleban insurgency.
- 250 Ugandan and international organizations reclaimed the signature of a final peace agreement and the release of women and children abducted by the LRA.
- Women's organization demand that gender advisors are appointed in all United Nations peace processes mediation teams.
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