Murder in Burundi

By ELOGE WILLY KANEZA and RODNEY MUHUMUZA
Associated Press

   BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) - Satellite images, video footage and witness accounts show that dozens of people allegedly killed by Burundian security forces in December were later buried in mass graves, Amnesty International reported Friday.

   The report came as unrest in Burundi escalated with the arrest of 17 people in a security sweep, including two foreign journalists who were released later Friday.

   The rights group reported five possible mass graves in the Buringa area on the outskirts of the capital, Bujumbura, which has been wracked by violence as the security forces go into neighborhoods seen as opposition strongholds. Two journalists on assignment for the French newspaper Le Monde were among 17 people swept up in a military operation Thursday, said Moise Nkurunziza, a deputy spokesman for Burundian police.

   Journalists Jean-Philippe Remy of France and British photographer Philip Edward Moore were released on Friday afternoon, Le Monde said.

   Witnesses described how police and local officials scoured Nyakabiga and other neighborhoods in Bujumbura to retrieve the bodies of those who were killed late last year and took them to undisclosed locations, according to Amnesty International.

   "The imagery, dating from late December and early January, shows disturbed earth consistent with witness accounts. Witnesses told Amnesty International that the graves were dug on the afternoon of Dec. 11, in the immediate aftermath of the bloodiest day of Burundi's escalating crisis," the group said.

   Earlier this month, U.N. human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein also called for an urgent investigation into the alleged existence of mass graves following the violence in December. Zeid said the "increasing number of enforced disappearances, coupled with allegations of secret detention facilities and mass graves is extremely alarming."

   Burundi's government has dismissed those allegations, saying they were based on false information supplied by the regime's opponents.

   In coordinated attacks, gunmen stormed three military installations in Burundi on Dec. 11. The next day, 28 people were found shot dead in three Bujumbura neighborhoods. An witness told The Associated Press that some of the dead had their hands tied behind their backs. Another witness blamed government security forces, saying they went after the victims in door-to-door searches.

   President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek re-election to a third term last April touched off street protests that led to a failed coup in May and a rebellion that has left the central African country on the brink of civil war.

   The Burundian government has rejected the proposed deployment of African Union peacekeepers in Burundi, saying they will be treated as an invading force.

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Viongozi wa Afrika Wawe na Umoja

 Ni Ubaguzi au...? Kwa Nini Viongozi wa Afrika ndio wanaitwa huko Mahakamani?

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - The African Union urged its members to "speak with one voice" against criminal proceedings at the International Criminal court against sitting presidents, according to a statement Saturday.

   The 54-nation organization said it was disappointed that a request to the U.N. Security Council to defer the trials of Kenya's leaders "has not yielded the positive result expected."  The African Union also has sought the deferral of criminal proceedings against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who has been charged with genocide in Darfur.

   Only Botswana has opposed the stand taken by the African Union, made in a statement received Saturday after a summit in Ethiopia attended by 34 leaders.

   "African states parties should comply with African Union decisions on the ICC and continue to speak with one voice," the statement said, adding "There is an imperative need for all member states to ensure that they adhere to and articulate commonly agreed positions ..."

   Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto face charges of crimes against humanity at the international court at The Hague for allegedly orchestrating post-election violence that killed more than 1,000 people following a disputed presidential election in late 2007. Both men deny the charges.

   The International Criminal Court has recently come under strong criticism from African leaders who accuse it of racism in indicting only Africans. Countries such as Uganda have suggested they may decide to sever ties with the court in solidarity with Kenya. Some Africans also argue that the Kenyan leaders need to concentrate on governing their countries to ensure stability as the region faces unprecedented terrorist challenges.

   Ruto's trial continues at The Hague but the case against Kenyatta may collapse. Kenyatta's trial was to start in November but was postponed to February after the prosecution and defense teams said they needed more time to prepare. The prosecutor in December asked for an additional three-month adjournment after one witness withdrew and another said they gave false evidence.

   A Kenyan court on Friday refused to stop the arrest of a journalist wanted by the international court for allegedly interfering with prosecution witnesses in the case against Ruto.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (l) & his Deputy William Ruto

African Union is Against Trial of President Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya

 By TOM ODULA
Associated Press
   ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - The African Union's executive council condemned the International Criminal Court's charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya as "totally unacceptable," Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Saturday.

   Kenyatta faces crimes against humanity charges for Kenya's 2007-2008 postelection violence in which more than 1,000 people died.

   The African Union council feels the Kenyatta's trial will hinder Kenya's fight against terrorism, said Dina Mufti. The AU's council proposed that Africans should deal with cases of genocide through an AU-backed court, and should not be forced to resort to the ICC in The Hague.

   These points will be presented to African heads of state attending a special summit on Saturday to discuss Africa's relationship with the ICC.

   Some African leaders have indicated their countries may sever ties with the ICC in solidarity with Kenya. Some African leaders accuse the ICC of disproportionately targeting Africans. The international court has indicted only Africans so far.