Main warlords and politicians signed peace agreement 29 January. Deal provides for creation of appointed parliament which would elect president – but remains to be seen if political will exists to implement deal. Self-declared autonomous republic Somaliland not party to agreement. Inter- clan conflict killed at least 21 in central Somalia mid-January. Somaliland warned self-declared autonomous region Puntland to withdraw its forces from disputed region of Sool. Puntland accused neighbouring Djibouti of arming Somaliland.

Worsening conflict in western region of Darfur received increased international attention. UN estimates some 600,000 displaced people in Darfur and 100,000 refugees in neighbouring Chad. Humanitarian groups unable to get to Darfur to deliver aid. Government commenced daily bombing raids 9 January, killing hundreds of civilians. Peace talks with southern SPLA rebels adjourned till 17 February. Accord on wealth sharing signed 7 January, but agreement yet to be reached on power sharing and control of disputed territories, despite pressure from U.S..

Amnesty for rebels extended for further 6 months 15 January, reduced to 3 months on 22 January. Information minister Buturo claimed amnesty program overwhelmed by rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) fighters signing up. Army killed LRA army commander Yadin Nyeko 19 January in significant blow to rebels – but war continues to impose devastating humanitarian toll in north. International Criminal Court announced 29 January launch of formal investigation into LRA.

South Africa’s President Mbeki announced 22 January that President Mugabe had agreed to formal negotiations with opposition MDC – but MDC says Mugabe not serious. Trial of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai for alleged plot to assassinate Mugabe resumed 19 January. Police banned MDC from launching its new economic program 29 January. Parliament amended land acquisition law to speed up land seizures. Government finally allowed Daily News to publish, after further court order. Official inflation dropped 20% to 599%; drop queried by analysts.

New constitution adopted 4 January after 21 days of often acrimonious negotiations. President Karzai’s bid to retain strong presidency largely successful. Presidential elections scheduled for June but UN said unlikely as security concerns meant only 3% of voters registered. Violence worsened after Loya Jirga lull. Over 70 deaths, mainly around Kandahar. Canadian peacekeeper, British soldier killed in suicide blasts 27, 28 January in Kabul. 29 January 7 U.S. soldiers killed in apparently accidental weapons cache blast in Ghazni. Sixteen Afghan civilians killed, 57 wounded in 6 January strike aimed at Provincial Reconstruction Team’s office. In 18 January bombing U.S. claimed to have killed 5 militants; Saghatho village officials claimed 11 civilians were killed.

Thousands marched through streets of Hong Kong 1 January calling for full democracy in former British colony.

Bhutanese military claimed to have wiped out all 30 anti-Indian insurgent camps in Bhutan. Chief ministers in Indian northeast called for Myanmar and Bangladesh to do same. ULFA insurgents retaliated with 3 attacks on oil pipelines in upper Assam. PM Vajpayee announced early elections for April to seek new mandate. Government’s decision to abolish 9 municipal districts in Uttar Pradesh 14 January resulted in 4 days of violent demonstrations, over 60 arrested. Karbi and Kuki ethnic clash in Assam killed 3 on 19 January. 

Breakthrough announcement of bilateral India-Pakistan 16-18 February talks after 6 January meeting between Indian PM Vajpayee and Pakistan’s President Musharraf. All Parties Hurriyat Conference (Kashmir separatist alliance) met Vajpayee in New Delhi 23 January and confirmed their commitment to peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue. Violence continued between hardline Kashmiri separatists and Indian forces. Grenade thrown by suspected militants at mosque in Jammu 8 January wounded 18. Separate clashes between Indian troops and Kashmiri militants claimed 3 soldiers, 22 militants including several separatists leaders. Pakistan proposed March talks to discuss bus service between Kashmir capitals Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, opposed by Kashmiri militants.

Violence continues in Aceh after Free Aceh Movement (GAM) called for 2 day ceasefire to facilitate release of 80 hostages. Indonesian military (TNI) agreed on condition GAM formally renounce tactic of civilian hostage taking. Total of 143 captured separatists to be transferred to detention centres on Java. Explosion in cafe 10 January in South Sulawesi town of Palopo killed 4. Police questioned and released 7 people in relation to blast. Cache of weapons found in Poso by authorities, suspected links to Jemaah Islamiah. Supreme Court upheld Bali bomber Amrozi’s death sentence. Trial commenced 27 January of Mohammad Rais accused of recruiting Marriot hotel suicide bomber. Threat of state of emergency being declared in West Papua ahead of elections. Tensions rising on border with East Timor (see East Timor section). National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to be given broader powers after President Megawati signed decree authorising agency to open offices in all provinces, regencies and municipalities across Indonesia.

Pyongyang offered ‘bold concession’ 6 January after plans for 6-way talks stalled in December: U.S. economic aid, end to sanctions and removal from ‘axis of evil’ list in return for suspended nuclear power program and halt to nuclear weapon construction. Unofficial U.S. delegation visited Yongbyon nuclear site, noted empty spent-fuel facility. North Korea claimed the 8,000 fuel rods had been reprocessed to extract plutonium. Visit seen as North Korean effort to show nuclear capabilities. Gestures to Japan indicated attempts to normalise relations before new talks.