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IRIN-WA Daily Media Update 62-97 of Events in West Africa, 13 October 1997
[As a supplement to its weekly round-ups of main events in West Africa, IRIN-WA will produce a daily synopsis of international media reports on the region. IRIN issues these reports for the benefit of the humanitarian community but accepts no responsibility as to the accuracy of the original source.]
SIERRA LEONE: AFRC claims capture of 400 Nigerian peacekeepers
The AFRC claimed that 400 Nigerian soldiers, including senior officers, have been taken hostage in the past few days. The AFRC claimed that ECOMOG soldiers surrendered to the People's Army after fierce battles at Jui, 20 km from Freetown, on Friday. A local newspaper told AFP that more than 100 Nigerians, including six top officers, were captured in Kenema, 240 km east of Freetown, by the second-in-command of the former rebel group, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), Sam Bokarie. ECOMOG Force Commander General Victor Malu denied these allegations in a communique issued yesterday, calling them "cheap propaganda". Malu said that although the AFRC had attacked Jui, ECOMOG was in firm control of the situation. The communique said this was a ploy by the AFRC to "lure" Sierra Leoneans to fight. Referring to AFRC attacks on ECOMOG-protected areas in Lungi and Kossoh on Thursday and Friday respectively, the communique said such attacks would "only aggravate the crisis and would bring hardships on civilians."
According to eyewitnesses, over 1,000 people had abandoned their homes in Jui because of the fighting. No official casualty figures were released. MSF said that at least 15 people were wounded in Wellington, near Jui. AFP said that the strategic highway in Jui leading to the interior remained blocked, forcing incoming and outgoing vehicles to use a detour route. Meanwhile, reports from Kenema said that the Sierra Leone army regional headquarters had beenbombarded by an ECOMOG warplane on Saturday.
ECOMOG warns of AFRC hostage-taking
An ECOMOG press release said on Friday that the AFRC planned to take Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) citizens hostage to use them to bargain for the release of RUF leader Foday Sankoh, who is detained in Nigeria. The statement said that the decision had been finalised on Thursday by the AFRC.
ECOWAS Group of Five calls for talks with AFRC
The ECOWAS Group of Five ministers meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, called for renewed talks with the AFRC on Saturday. The committee mandated Nigerian Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi to make the "appropriate arrangement". It said that talks would go ahead provided the AFRC sent official representatives who were allowed to negotiate. In a statement, ECOWAS ministers warned against anyone violating the UN embargo and said that they had a "useful meeting" with RUF leader Sankoh, AFP reported. The ECOWAS committee meeting got under way on Friday, a day later than planned, with only three ministers in attendance. Ivorian Foreign Minister Amara Essy had to cut his stay short and his Liberian counterpart, Monie Captan, was unable to attend for unknown reasons.
CAMEROON: Incumbent expected to win
Cameroonian President Paul Biya is widely expected to win yesterday's (Sunday) presidential polls. There was no report of violence or any noted disruption during the polling. 'Cameroon Tribune', the pro-government daily, said the poll took place in an calm atmosphere. Biya told a political rally on Saturday in Bouea, south-eastern province, that preventing the electorate from voting was a "human rights violations".
There is controversy over voter turnout. According to various news sources, the voting pattern varied from region to region. Local sources told IRIN that the government claimed an 80 percent turnout of registered voters, while the opposition claimed that only 20 percent had done so. In the capital, Yaounde, the economic capital, Douala, the English-speaking provinces and other large cities, few people cast their votes, local sources said. Well-informed sources have said that voter participation had to be above the 72 percent turnout of the 1992 presidential elections for a credible ruling party victory. In rural areas and the south-eastern region, where Biya comes from, voters apparently turned out in large numbers.
In a last-minute development on Saturday, a special Cameroon television announcement said that a statement signed by the three opposition leaders had called on Cameroonians to vote. John Fru Ndi, leader of the Social Democratic Front, rejected the allegation and described the statement as a "downright forgery".
The three main opposition parties, the SDF, the Union Nationale pour la Democratie (UDC) of Amadou Ndam Njoye, the Union Nationale pour la Democratie et le Progres (UNDP) led byBello Bouba Maigari called on their supporters to boycott the elections. Only one international election monitor group, a US foundation, accepted the government's invitation for foreign monitors to observe the poll, Reuters reported.
Tension in English-speaking provinces
In Bamenda, the SDF headquarters, the local authorities banned all movement in the area yesterday, preventing those intending to vote from doing so, according to AFP. The situation was tense on Saturday, the eve of the presidential elections, in Bamenda, the heart of the English-speaking province. Helmeted and heavily armed soldiers patrolled the town of Bamenda, Reuters reported. Ndi called on his supporters to remain calm but said that people had the right to act in self-defence.
Opposition strike threat
If Biya's victory is confirmed, analysts believe that his term in office could be fraught with difficulties. The same boycotting parties have said that they would plan a "ghost town" campaign paralysing the state and the economy. Several investment projects have already been delayed for a number of months as investors waited to see if the elections would pave the way for stability. The multi-million dollar pipeline project from Chad through Cameroon to the coast was reportedly postponed to early next year.
LIBERIA: Amnesty urges government to punish rights abusers
Amnesty International, on Friday, called on the Liberian government to punish those who abused human rights. AI African programme director in London, Roger Clark, said that the future of Liberia must be founded on human rights and recommended the establishment of a South-African style truth and reconciliationcommission with powers and resources to investigate all human rights issues. Other concerns which need to be addressed are the restructuring of the national army, police and other law enforcement bodies as well as the training of personnel to uphold international human standards, PANA reported.
NIGERIA: Abacha puts election decision in God's hands
Nigerian head of state General Sani Abacha said on Saturday that his decision on whether to run in next year's presidential elections was in God's hands. Meeting with traditional chiefs, Abacha said that he was undecided about his candidacy. Referring to allegations of ill health, he said that he was "hale and hearty".
Abidjan, 13 October 1997
[ENDS]
[Via the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa (IRIN-WA) Reports mailing list. The material contained in this communication may not necessarily reflect the views of the UN or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts from this report should be attributed to the original sources where appropriate. For further information: e-mail irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci, Tel: +225 217367 Fax:+225 216335.]
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19971013203507.006b73d0@pop.africaonline.co.ci> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 20:35:07 +0100 From: UN DHA IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci> Subject: IRIN-WA Daily Media Update 62-97, 13 October 1997 10.13.97
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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