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(Reuters) - Scores of Libyan army vehicles have crossed the desert frontier into Niger in what may be a dramatic, secretly negotiated bid by Muammar Gaddafi to seek refuge in a friendly African state, military sources from France and Niger told Reuters on Tuesday.
The convoy of between 200 and 250 vehicles was given an escort by the army of Niger, an impoverished and landlocked former French colony to the south of Libya, and might, according to a French military source, be joined by Gaddafi en route for neighboring Burkina Faso, which has offered him asylum.
It was not clear where the 69-year-old former leader was. He has broadcast defiance since being forced into hiding two weeks ago, and has previously vowed to die fighting on Libyan soil.
Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, the heir apparent before the uprising which ended his father's 42 years of personal rule two weeks ago, also was considering joining the convoy, the French source added. France played a leading role in the war against Gaddafi and such a large Libyan military convoy could hardly have moved safely without the knowledge and agreement of NATO air forces.
Sources told Reuters that France may have brokered an arrangement between the new Libyan government and Gaddafi.
But a spokesperson for the French foreign ministry in Paris could not confirm the report of the convoy's arrival in the northern Niger desert city of Agadez nor any offer to Gaddafi, who with Saif al-Islam is wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court at The Hague.
Officials in other Western governments and in Libya's new ruling council were not immediately available for comment.
The sources said the convoy, probably including officers from army units based in the south of Libya, may have looped through Algeria rather than crossing the Libyan-Niger frontier directly. It arrived late on Monday near the northern city of Agadez. Algeria last week took in Gaddafi's wife, daughter and two other sons, angering the rebels who ended his 42-year rule.
"HIGH SPIRITS"
NATO warplanes and reconnaissance aircraft have been scouring Libya's deserts for large convoys of vehicles that may be carrying the other Gaddafis, making it unlikely that it could have crossed the border without some form of deal being struck.
Libya's new rulers have said they want to try Gaddafi before, possibly, handing him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has charged him with crimes against humanity.
Earlier on Monday, Gaddafi's fugitive spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said he was in good health and good spirits somewhere in Libya. "Muammar Gaddafi is in excellent health and in very, very high spirits," Ibrahim said in remarks broadcast on television.
"He is in a place that will not be reached by those fractious groups, and he is in Libya," Ibrahim told Arrai TV.
The head of Gaddafi's security brigades, Mansour Dhao, along with more than 10 other Libyans, crossed into Niger on Sunday, two Niger officials had said earlier on Monday.
The French military source said he had been told the commander of Libya's southern forces, General Ali Khana, may also be in Niger, not far from the Libyan border.
He said he had been told that Gaddafi and Saif al-Islam would join Khana and catch up with the convoy should they choose to accept Burkina Faso's offer of exile.
Burkina Faso, also once a French colony and a former recipient of large amounts of Libyan aid, offered Gaddafi exile about two weeks ago but has also recognised the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya's government.
Burkinabe Foreign Minister Yipene Djibril Bassolet said that Gaddafi could go into exile in his country even though it is a signatory of the ICC treaty.
Gaddafi has said he is ready to fight to the death on Libyan soil, although there have been a number of reports that he might seek refuge in one of the African nations on whom he once lavished some of Libya's oil wealth.
His spokesman Ibrahim said: "We will prevail in this struggle until victory ... We are still strong, and we can turn the tables over against those traitors and NATO allies."
BESIEGED TOWN
Last week, a senior NTC military commander said he believed Gaddafi was in Bani Walid, 150 km south of Tripoli, along with Saif al-Islam. Libyan forces have massed outside the town -- that has refused to surrender -- building a field hospital in preparation for a possible last stand.
Some NTC officials said they had information that Saif al-Islam had fled Bani Walid on Saturday for the southern deserts that lead to the Niger and Algerian borders.
On-off talks involving tribal elders from Bani Walid and a fog of contradictory messages in recent days, have reflected the complexities of dismantling the remnants of Gaddafi's rule and building a new political system.
At a military checkpoint some 60 km (40 miles) north of the town on the road to the capital, Abdallah Kanshil, who is running talks for the interim government, told journalists a peaceful handover was coming soon. Nevertheless, a dozen vehicles carrying NTC fighters arrived at the checkpoint.
"The surrender of the city is imminent," he said on Monday. "It is a matter of avoiding civilian casualties. Some snipers have surrendered their weapons ... Our forces are ready."
Similar statements have been made for days, however. With communications cut, there was no word from inside Bani Walid.
But 20 km closer to the town, NTC forces built a field hospital and installed 10 volunteer doctors to prepare for the possibility that Gaddafi loyalists would not give up.
"The presence of pro-Gaddafi forces in Bani Walid is the main problem. This is their last fight," said Mohamed Bin Dalla, one of the doctors. "If Bani Walid is resolved peacefully then other remaining conflicts will be also be resolved peacefully."
Forces loyal to the National Transitional Council are also trying to squeeze Gaddafi loyalists out of his home town of Sirte, on the coast, and a swathe of territory in the desert.
(Reporting by Mohammed Abbas and Alex Dziadosz in Tripoli, Sherine El Madany in Ras Lanuff, Emma Farge in Benghazi, Marie-Louise Gumuchian, Barry Malone and Alastair Macdonald in Tunis, Sami Aboudi, Amena Bakr and Omar Fahmy in Cairo, Abdoulaye Massalatchi and Nathalie Prevost in Agadez and Richard Valdmanis in Dakar; Writing by Barry Malone; Editing by Alastair Macdonald and Michael Roddy)
Monday, September 05, 2011
The Toubou and Qaddafi
The Toubou (Old Tebu: "Rock People;"[1] also written Tibu, Tibbu, Tebu, Tubu, Tebou, Umbararo) are an ethnic group that live mainly in northern Chad, but also in Libya, Niger and Sudan.
Many of Chad's leaders have been Toubou, including Presidents Goukouni Oueddei, Hissène Habré and Idriss Déby.
The Toubou minority in Libya suffered persecution under the Gaddafi regime. In a report released by the UNHCR, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) reported "massive discrimination" against the Toubou minority, which resides in the southeastern corner of the country around the oasis town of Kufra.
The majority of Toubou live in the north of Chad around the Tibesti mountains (Old Tebu: "Rocky Mountains," whence the Toubou's own name.) Numbering roughly 350,000, they are mostly Muslim. Most Toubou are herders and nomads, though many are now semi-nomadic. Their society is clan-based, with each clan having certain oases, pastures and wells. They are divided in two closely-associated people, the Teda and the Daza.
Many of Chad's leaders have been Toubou, including Presidents Goukouni Oueddei, Hissène Habré and Idriss Déby.
The Toubou minority in Libya suffered persecution under the Gaddafi regime. In a report released by the UNHCR, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) reported "massive discrimination" against the Toubou minority, which resides in the southeastern corner of the country around the oasis town of Kufra.
- In December 2007, the Gaddafi government stripped Toubou Libyans of their citizenship, claiming that they were not Libyans, but rather Chadians.
- In addition, local authorities denied Toubou people access to education and healthcare.
- In response, an armed group called the Front for the Salvation of Toubou Libyans staged an uprising in November 2008 which lasted for five days and claimed 33 lives before being crushed by government security forces.
- Despite resistance and public condemnation, the Gaddafi regime continued its persecution of the Toubou minority in Libya.
- Beginning in November 2009, the government began a program of forced eviction and demolition of Toubou homes, rendering many Toubou homeless.
- Several dozen who protested the destruction were arrested, and families who refused to leave their homes were beaten.[2]
French Weapons Given to NTC in LIbya in AQIM Hands
New reports coming out of Libya say that the US and NATO are pressing the National Transitional Council (NTC), the would-be rebel government, to start doing something to safeguard the country’s massive stockpile of weapons.
Officials have cautioned that the chaos in the past weeks has allowed people to loot weapons stockpiles and that many people are making off with significant weapons, including shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles.
Human Rights Watch added warnings that anti-tank missiles had also been looted in the west even before he rebels conquered the area, and that Libya was virtually awash in weapons after decades of build-up by the regime.
The influx of foreign weapons in the civil war didn’t help matters either.
Officials have cautioned that the chaos in the past weeks has allowed people to loot weapons stockpiles and that many people are making off with significant weapons, including shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles.
Human Rights Watch added warnings that anti-tank missiles had also been looted in the west even before he rebels conquered the area, and that Libya was virtually awash in weapons after decades of build-up by the regime.
The influx of foreign weapons in the civil war didn’t help matters either.
- French warplanes dropped weapons into Western Libya during the civil war, and already those weapons were turning up in the hands of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) fighters within a matter of days.
Jason Ditz, September 02, 2011
Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa (ASWJ) Boycots Somalia Consultation
Sep 05, 2011 -- Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a religious scholars in southern Somalia regions have said they will boycott the planned consultation meeting to discuss the situation in Somalia which is expected to be held in Mogadishu.
Caydurus Si'id Ahmad who is the Chairman of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a in Southern Somalia Regions contacted Shabelle and said they will not be attending the consultation meeting in Mogadishu. The chairman said these talks are not in the interests of the Somali people and accused the United Nations of handpicking five individuals whom he said are not representatives of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a to represent the group in the talks. He said they have since informed AMISOM [African Union's Mission in Somalia] troops that these delegates do not represent them.
Caydurus also urged the United Nations not to allow the delegates representing Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a from attending the talks saying that they are not the representatives of the group. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a is among the important administrations in the country who have been invited to take part in the consultation meeting. The government has so far not responded to the statement by this Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a official whose participation in the consultation meeting is important.
Source: Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali 05 Sep 11
Ethiopia to South Africa Human Trafficking RIng
Most Ethipians in this trafficking network were looking for work, but Some Ogaden Somali's may become part of the South African Islamist network unpon arrival. Some will likely have trained with al Shabaab, and may become militant trainers in planned future South African Islamist militias. This is how Boko Haram in Nigera, the recent UN bombers , were trained by AQIM.
Shimron Issacahr
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EAC urged to fight human trafficking
The man, who was found with the passengers in his lorry by Ethiopian police, is believed to be the mastermind of a human trafficking ring operating between the two countries. He operates between Isiolo and Moyale.
Eastern police boss Marcus Ochola said he was yet to be briefed on the arrests. He, however, said the Ethiopian authorities had been very cooperative in the war against human trafficking.
“They have a lot of information and for the last two months they have assisted us a lot in arresting the perpetrators,” said Mr Ochola.
The Counter Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010, spells out stiff penalties for such offences. Conviction carries a 30-year-jail term or a Sh30 million fine.
In Mombasa, police arrested 19 Ethiopians believed to be on their way to South Africa via Nairobi. The group was planning to enter Tanzania through panya routes, it was said.
Working on a tip-off, the police raided a bus booking office at Mwembe Tayari where the Ethiopians were waiting to board a morning vehicle for Nairobi.
The shocked foreigners were ordered to remove their luggage from the bus and accompany the officers to Central Police Station where they were locked up.
Speaking at the station, local police boss Kipkemoi Rop expressed concern over the number of Ethiopians passing through the country.
“Every week, we are arresting roughly between eight to 10 Ethiopians on transit and this is worrying,” he said adding they were liaising with their counterparts in Kilifi and Lamu to know the point of entry.
Meanwhile, sixty (60) street families arrested on Saturday night in Mombasa town will on Monday appear in court to answer different charges.
Police raided street families on Digo, Moi, Nyerere and Haile Sellassie roads.
Mr Rop said the police would work with the Mombasa Municipal Council to rid the town of street families.
At the same time, police recovered two firearms and arrested two suspects in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Saturday morning.
Buruburu police boss Hassan Barua said police got information from the public that some people were hiding firearms in their house.
*************************
EAC urged to fight human trafficking
The man, who was found with the passengers in his lorry by Ethiopian police, is believed to be the mastermind of a human trafficking ring operating between the two countries. He operates between Isiolo and Moyale.
Eastern police boss Marcus Ochola said he was yet to be briefed on the arrests. He, however, said the Ethiopian authorities had been very cooperative in the war against human trafficking.
“They have a lot of information and for the last two months they have assisted us a lot in arresting the perpetrators,” said Mr Ochola.
The Counter Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010, spells out stiff penalties for such offences. Conviction carries a 30-year-jail term or a Sh30 million fine.
In Mombasa, police arrested 19 Ethiopians believed to be on their way to South Africa via Nairobi. The group was planning to enter Tanzania through panya routes, it was said.
Working on a tip-off, the police raided a bus booking office at Mwembe Tayari where the Ethiopians were waiting to board a morning vehicle for Nairobi.
The shocked foreigners were ordered to remove their luggage from the bus and accompany the officers to Central Police Station where they were locked up.
Speaking at the station, local police boss Kipkemoi Rop expressed concern over the number of Ethiopians passing through the country.
“Every week, we are arresting roughly between eight to 10 Ethiopians on transit and this is worrying,” he said adding they were liaising with their counterparts in Kilifi and Lamu to know the point of entry.
Meanwhile, sixty (60) street families arrested on Saturday night in Mombasa town will on Monday appear in court to answer different charges.
Police raided street families on Digo, Moi, Nyerere and Haile Sellassie roads.
Mr Rop said the police would work with the Mombasa Municipal Council to rid the town of street families.
At the same time, police recovered two firearms and arrested two suspects in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Saturday morning.
Buruburu police boss Hassan Barua said police got information from the public that some people were hiding firearms in their house.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Reports of Gaddafi Mercenaries
I fought for Gathafi and I came back injured and without a penny," says Silimane Albaka, one of hundreds of Niger's Tuaregs recruited by the Libyan regime to fight the rebels.
Albaka, a veteran of the Tuareg rebellions in 1990 and 2009, battled the anti-regime forces for four months before fleeing back to Niger three weeks ago.
The 56-year-old father of seven returned to the northern city of Agadez with a chest wound from the battle for Misrata and scarcely able to feed his family.
He says he was contacted in April by Agaly Alambo, a key player in the second Tuareg revolt who settled in Tripoli.
"Since the end of July, about 200 Tuareg mercenaries fled Libya for Agadez, about 500 are in Sirte, but I think all the others are dead," said Albaka.
A Tuareg source said that about 1,500 ex-rebels from Niger fought for Gathafi, most of whom were living in Libya after laying down arms in 2009.
The source said members of the strongman's regime came to Agadez in April with briefcases stuffed with cash and recruited "hundreds" of young people.
"We handed two million CFA francs (3,000 euros) to each recruit and took them on a short training session in the Libyan desert," said a Tuareg intermediary in Agadez who did not want to be named.
Almoudene Moha, another Tuareg ex-rebel who returned two weeks ago, said the intense NATO bombardments and heavy killings panicked the fighters.
"We organised an escape in our patrol vehicle," said the ex-mechanic "enrolled by force" by Gathafi loyalists.
Former Tuareg fighter Lamine Souleymane, 39, said he and three comrades ran more than 80 kilometres (50 miles) after deserting a Tripoli garrison.
"We pretended to hold prayers far away from the camp one time and we stole a vehicle which we had sold in Agadez," said Souleymane, who arrived back two days ago.
"Gathafi's soldiers came into our apartments and recruited 110 of us. They dangled about one million CFA francs (1,500 euros) in front of us, a house and Libyan nationality," said Abdoulaye Ahmadou, 36, who was unemployed when recruited by pro-Gathafi forces in April.
"It was hellish. One evening I hid in a supply truck. Once in town, I rejoined the immigrants who were returning home," he said, adding that many weapons were abandoned in the desert.
The "Mourtazak" (Arabic for mercenaries) are currently coming back unarmed but their return is causing concern in Niger where about 211,000 people have fled from the violence in Libya since February.
In Mali locals have warned that the Tuaregs' return with Libyan heavy weaponry might benefit Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which originated in Algeria and operates in several countries.
Albaka, a veteran of the Tuareg rebellions in 1990 and 2009, battled the anti-regime forces for four months before fleeing back to Niger three weeks ago.
The 56-year-old father of seven returned to the northern city of Agadez with a chest wound from the battle for Misrata and scarcely able to feed his family.
He says he was contacted in April by Agaly Alambo, a key player in the second Tuareg revolt who settled in Tripoli.
- Thousands of Tuaregs took refuge in Libya following the rebellions which shook Mali and Niger over the past two decades.
- "There were 229 of us ex-fighters who left. They promised each of us an advance of 3.2 million CFA francs (about 5,000 euros), but I haven't seen a penny," said Albaka."They said that after the victory, Gathafi was going to shower us with gifts but all I saw was the hail of NATO aircraft fire," said the heavy weapons expert.
"Since the end of July, about 200 Tuareg mercenaries fled Libya for Agadez, about 500 are in Sirte, but I think all the others are dead," said Albaka.
A Tuareg source said that about 1,500 ex-rebels from Niger fought for Gathafi, most of whom were living in Libya after laying down arms in 2009.
The source said members of the strongman's regime came to Agadez in April with briefcases stuffed with cash and recruited "hundreds" of young people.
"We handed two million CFA francs (3,000 euros) to each recruit and took them on a short training session in the Libyan desert," said a Tuareg intermediary in Agadez who did not want to be named.
Almoudene Moha, another Tuareg ex-rebel who returned two weeks ago, said the intense NATO bombardments and heavy killings panicked the fighters.
"We organised an escape in our patrol vehicle," said the ex-mechanic "enrolled by force" by Gathafi loyalists.
Former Tuareg fighter Lamine Souleymane, 39, said he and three comrades ran more than 80 kilometres (50 miles) after deserting a Tripoli garrison.
"We pretended to hold prayers far away from the camp one time and we stole a vehicle which we had sold in Agadez," said Souleymane, who arrived back two days ago.
"Gathafi's soldiers came into our apartments and recruited 110 of us. They dangled about one million CFA francs (1,500 euros) in front of us, a house and Libyan nationality," said Abdoulaye Ahmadou, 36, who was unemployed when recruited by pro-Gathafi forces in April.
"It was hellish. One evening I hid in a supply truck. Once in town, I rejoined the immigrants who were returning home," he said, adding that many weapons were abandoned in the desert.
The "Mourtazak" (Arabic for mercenaries) are currently coming back unarmed but their return is causing concern in Niger where about 211,000 people have fled from the violence in Libya since February.
In Mali locals have warned that the Tuaregs' return with Libyan heavy weaponry might benefit Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which originated in Algeria and operates in several countries.
Friday, September 02, 2011
BeltechExport Cataloge in Qaddafi's Headquarters
Among Qaddafi's Intelligence Papers in LIbya, a Beltech Export weapons catlaogue. The Belorus Arns Dealer has exported arms to most African Countries, It is guarded by armed people; however, nobody is responsible for the intelligence archive now, notes nn.by. Photo reporters have noticed a catalogue of “Beltechexport” among the other documents – this Belarusian company exports weapons. Let us remind you that Uladzimir Peftsiyeu’s company is affected by the economic sanctions imposed on the Belarusian authorities by the European Union.
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