MAY 2020 COUNTRY UPDATES

ROHINGYA - BURMA/BANGLADESH

The first COVID-19 related death occurred in Cox’s Bazar in early May but the first case wasn’t confirmed in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh until May 13th. As of this writing (May 25) there are 29 confirmed cases in the camps. Some blocks in the camps, near the largest outbreaks, are on a strict lockdown. There are currently isolations beds for 2,000. Rohingya refugee Mayyu Ali wrote of his concerns of the virus and the challenges to combatting the outbreak with the current internet restrictions. On the Burma side of the border, there were two confirmed cases in Rakhine State this week.

A number of boats with Rohingya refugees have been spotted in the Bay of Bengal. Malaysia and other countries have turned boats away, citing fear of coronavirus. Australia and Indonesia are exploring the possibility of utilizing the Consultative Mechanism of the Bali Process to address the crisis. Some boats have either landed or been intercepted by Bangladesh. All of the Rohingya on those boats have been taken to Bhashan Char, where Bangladesh's Foreign Minister said all new Rohingya arrivals would be taken. UN Secretary General Guterres has called for Rohingya quarantined on Bhashan Char to be returned to the camps after their quarantine is complete. Cyclone Amphan made landfall days ago and mostly spared the Cox’s Bazar, with only minor damage to the Rohingya refugee camps. As Human Rights Watch has noted, the cyclone highlights concerns for any Rohingya to be on Bhasan Char. It is not yet clear the extent to which humanitarian agencies have access to Bhashan Char or how long Rohingya will remain there An earlier arrival of Rohingya that returned to Bangladesh after two months at sea in mid-April were released from quarantine and sent back to the camps, with more details of their harrowing ordeal emerging.

Myanmar submitted its first report to the International Court of Justice on May 23rd, following the requirements of the ICJ’s provisional measures in the case of The Gambia v. Myanmar. On January 23rd the Court issued four provisional measures: prevent future acts of genocide, ensure military and police and other forces within its control do not commit genocidal acts, preserve evidence of wrongdoing, and report on the steps it has taken to comply with these measures. Since January 23rd, there has been a spike in violence and human right violations in Rakhine State in Myanmar as reported by many reports including this one by a number of Rohingya organizations. In an attempt to create the perceptions that they are complying with the provisional measures, Myanmar has taken several actions. Hundreds of Rohingya prisoners were freed. The government issued directives on the prevention of genocide and preservation of evidence; and ordered civil servants to stop using hate speech on social media. Despite this, Myanmar has still not addressed the root causes behind the atrocities to be committed against the Rohingya. The government has cancelled immunization programs in conflict-affected areas of Rakhine and the Tatmadaw is implicated in burning nearly 200 homes in a Rakhine village.

Rohingya in Malaysia say that the spike in xenophobia towards Rohingya reminds them of why they fled Rakhine. Malaysia recently conducted a massive crackdown on illegal migrants; Rohingya and children were among those detained. The raids raise concerns that illegal migrants will not seek treatment for coronavirus symptoms if there is a risk they will be detained. A strong op-ed from Malaysia's former Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Defense, and Justice Minister and OIC Special Envoy to Myanmar, Syed Hamid Albar, asks how Malaysia went from an internationally-recognized advocate for Rohingya to a country sitting "in silence as similar hate and intolerance is perpetuated in our own country."

While there were reports that it was restored to the camps on Friday, it now appears the internet is still restricted in Cox's Bazar. Burma, meanwhile, restored internet access in Maungdaw township, though it remains blocked in seven other townships in Rakhine State as well as Paletwa in Chin State.

SUDAN

In late April, the Sudanese government signed a law, outlawing female genital mutilation. While this is being celebrated as a momentous change, it's also widely believed that more must be done to end the practice. It is thought that 9 out of 10 women between the ages of 15 to 49 have been subjected to the practice.

The transitional government has confiscated assets valued at $4 billion from former President Omar al-Bashir, his family members and associates. On May 18, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated a lower court ruling that ordered Sudan to pay $4.3 billion in punitive damages to some of the victims of the 1998 embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar el Salaam carried out by al-Qaida. The attacks killed 224 people and injured thousands more. A deal put before Congress would unilaterally release the claims owed by US nationals in an arrangement similar to the terror settlement agreement with Libya during the Bush administration. If passed it would put Sudan closer to removing the State Sponsors of Terrorism designation, which Sudanese officials see as a key obstacle in emerging from decades of economic isolation.

Following an attack last week by Rapid Support Forces, over 2,000 people have fled the village of El Berdab in the Nuba Mountains after at least 200 homes were burned to the ground. The surrounding area has seen several recent attacks. On May 12, at least 26 people were killed in clashes between people of different ethnic background in Kadugli. A day later, nine RSF militiamen were killed in an attack by army soldiers near Kadugli. At least 16 other people were wounded.

There has been an increase in violence in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan. 4 people were wounded in the most recent attack that took place on May 4. Radio Dabanga reports, "Since the secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011, both countries claim the border area of Abyei. The region is inhabited primarily by members of the South Sudanese Dinka Ngok clan. It is also the seasonal home of the Sudanese Arab Misseriya herder tribe. The Abyei status referendum, in which the residents of the region would decide either to remain part of Sudan or become part of South Sudan, was planned to be held simultaneously to the South Sudanese independence referendum in January 2011, but was postponed indefinitely because of disagreements over the process. Since the most recent attacks, both governments have said they would address the deteriorating security situation. 

As of May 25, there were 3820 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country and 165 deaths. The government banned communal Eid prayers in attempt to curb the spread. Darfur has seen a disproportional number of cases with 79 deaths reported in one week. A full lockdown has been imposed in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

SOUTH SUDAN

COVID19 is making life in the world's newest country even more tenuous. The pandemic is exacting a toll upon the political leaders of South Sudan, as well as upon the country's citizens.  On May 22, it was reported that President Salva Kiir was flown to Egypt for treatment, after being confirmed as having the coronavirus.  Earlier in the month it was revealed that Vice President Riek Machar and his wife, Defence Minister Angelina Teny, plus some bodyguards and other staff also have the virus. In mid May, the authorities announced the virus had reached a UN refugee camp in the capital, Juba, where some 30,000 people have sought  shelter and protection.  South Sudan has one of the most fragile health systems of any country, with 40% of the population having no access to even primary health care. NGO's run many of the healthcare systems, and there is a critical shortage of doctors and nurses. The conflict in South Sudan, which formally ended on February 28, has left six million people – half the population – short of food and with compromised immune systems. Some 1.7 million people are displaced with 180,000 sheltering in six overcrowded UN-protected sites. As of May 24, 809 cases of COVID 19 were confirmed in the country. Incoming aid workers now must remain in quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.  Schools and universities are closed, no fans may attend sporting events, and social distancing is encouraged. The first case of COVID-19 in the country was in a UN worker, which has led to the unfortunate backlash against "foreigners" and UN personnel.  

The World Food Programme warns that in South Sudan, as well as all of East Africa, food insecurity is a constant problem, only made worse by the triple threat of locust plagues, damage from floods, and COVID-19. Mature swarms of locusts have started to appear in southeastern South Sudan. The start of the long rains is sustaining conducive conditions for breeding which is likely to result in the formation of new swarms by June-July.   The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), reports that right now is an especially bad time for a pandemic to occur, as it is the beginning of the planting season. The FAO is working hard to implement a flexible plan to get seeds to farmers, get livestock vaccinated and try to deal with the locust infestation. 

In the midst of all the concern about a looming pandemic, some fighting is still occurring between government forces and a holdout rebel group, the National Salvation Front, led by Gen. Thomas Cirillo. In a sign that allegiances are switching, the former rebel group, the SPLM-IO, has thrown their support to the government of President Salva Kiir, disavowing their former support of Vice President Riek Machar. In fighting in the Central Equatoria state, SPLM-IO forces were seen fighting alongside government army soldiers. Both sides accuse the other of being the aggressor.

Given the fact that fighting is still occurring, and that South Sudan is awash in armaments, it isn't surprising that there are calls for a renewal of the UN arms embargo that is supposed to be in place in South Sudan. The country has continued to import and conceal arms despite the arms embargo, Amnesty International said in a new report on April 30. In 2018, the United Nations Security Council imposed an arms embargo against South Sudan over violence, and renewed it in 2019 in order to stop the flow of weapons to armed groups. Next month the UN Security Council is set to vote on a resolution that would renew the embargo, which currently expires on May 31, 2020. 

A group of human rights activists have urged the government and the international community to investigate circumstances under which 11 women were allegedly raped in parts of Yei River County between January and March. Paul Yoana Bonju, a lawmaker representing Yei River County in the national legislative assembly, urged the relevant authorities to take punitive measures against the perpetrators of violence against women in Yei. A local administrator confirmed the incident, revealing that four SSPDF soldiers were arrested and are in a military prison awaiting trial, although he added, “However, the suspects who raped six women in Rubeke village have not been arrested till now”. It can be hoped that the victims of these heinous acts will see some justice. 

Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC has seen over 2200 cases, and 67 deaths from COVID-19 so far. The virus has led to additional food insecurity in the world’s second most food insecure country (the price of tomatoes recently doubled overnight). Price gouging for food and supplies is believed to be driven by panic buying, increased transportation costs, and trader speculation. Congolese authorities have raided warehouses and say that they are attempting to regulate food stocks and prices. The country anticipates a recession later this year for the first time in two decades. Most of the COVID-19 cases are located in or near Kinshasa, which has only recently loosened lockdown restrictions. The border town of Kasumbalesa was locked down in late April in efforts to trace the contacts of a case that passed through there. The town is a main exit point for exports of copper and cobalt out of the DRC. The governor announced that the borders would remain open and exports would not be severely impacted by the lockdown.

The World Health Organization reported on May 16th that the last patient being treated for Ebola has been released from care. The WHO African Region tweeted a video of health care workers celebrating, while stating that response teams will remain available during the following 42 day observation period. Ebola has killed 2,279 people in the DRC since this outbreak began in August 2018. In addition to developing both a vaccine and a treatment for ebola, DRC and world health officials have learned a lot through this outbreak that can help guide future responses to international health emergencies.

Six civilians and twelve rangers were killed in an ambush by FDLR rebels in Virunga National Park. The rangers were returning to the park when they came upon a civilian vehicle that had been ambushed, killing the driver and several passengers. The park has previously been used by kidnappers to target tourists and execute conservationists, but this is considered the worst massacre in the park’s recent history. 

Continued violence between DRC soldiers and ADF rebels in Ituri province has led to the deaths of more than 43 people over three days in late April. The surge began when the ADF rebels, armed with guns and knives, attacked and killed 21 civilians in Mahagi. The ongoing inter-ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu people in the Ituri province has killed more than 150 since early March. There is increased concern that if security forces are not able to successfully defend civilians, the groups may raise their own militias to protect themselves which could escalate the violence considerably. 

The government will begin disarming the FPRI militia in Ituri province on May 5th, following the peace agreement signed on February 28th. The demobilization and disarmament of the 1,000+ member group was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. It is hoped that the agreement will bring an end to two decades of insecurity in Irumu territory. In exchange for amnesty for its members and the release of political prisoners, the group also released several children and handed over a list of its weapons. The UN’s Stabilization Mission has pledged to support the demobilization efforts and help reintegrate the former combatants.

Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, said to be the inspiration for the movie “Blood Diamond,” is working on skirting US sanctions aimed to end his money laundering and asset-flipping practices. Many years ago, Gertler paid former DRC President Laurent Kabila $20 million (which was used to buy weapons) for a monopoly on Congo’s diamond exports. He then leveraged his relationship with the president and later with President Joseph Kabila to make hundreds of millions of dollars in profit through corrupt mining and oil deals in the DRC, purchasing mines for low prices and flipping them for hundreds of millions of dollars more. Under the Global Magnitsky Act, Gertler was one of the first targeted two years ago with sanctions for corruption and human rights violations. He has now hired former FBI Director Louis Freeh and high-profile attorney Alan Dershowitz to lobby for him, suggesting that the sanctions are having some effect.