Rival rebel militia factions exchanged gun and rocket fire in capital Brazzaville 13 and 18 December. Police announced 3 month crackdown on “trouble makers” in capital.

Three Rwandan media executives convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity by International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda for inciting slaughter of Tutsis in 1994. Two jailed for life, other for 27 years.

Government troops on alert to prevent Liberian militias moving weapons into Sierra Leone to escape disarmament process in Liberia. Interpol issued warrant for arrest of ex-President Taylor at request of Special Court for Sierra Leone. Unlikely to be accepted by Nigeria, where Taylor remains in asylum.

More than 60 killed and thousands displaced in fighting between rival clan militias in central Somalia mid December. UN Security Council to set up unit to investigate breaches of arms embargo. Increased tension between self declared autonomous republic Somaliland and self declared autonomous region Puntland over territory claimed by both.

Civil war approaching end, but western Sudan conflict continued to worsen. Positive development in continuing negotiations to end 20 year civil war, with government and rebels reaching agreement 20 December on sharing of oil wealth. Remaining issues include administration of 3 disputed central regions and representation in transitional government. But other conflict continues in western Darfur region, with alarming deterioration in human rights and humanitarian situation and international community yet to take action.

Signs that government may launch offensive against LRA soon. Government to amend amnesty law to exclude leaders of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. Law currently provides immunity and resettlement for all rebels who surrender.

Further deterioration. Withdrew from Commonwealth after leaders extended suspension of Zimbabwe for additional 18 months 7 December. IMF moved to expel Zimbabwe 3 December, official inflation now 619.5%. Police shut down independent Daily News day after court allowed it to resume publication. Government backed militias committing widespread rapes and other human rights abuses. South Africa’s President Mbeki met with President Mugabe 18 December to urge negotiations with opposition MDC, but no evidence of progress.

Constitutional Loya Jirga assembled 13 December in Kabul amid security fears. Intense debate followed on presidential/parliamentary power balance and regional-ethnic representation – final vote on draft constitution repeatedly delayed, now not until 1 January at earliest. President Karzai, largely supported by Pashtuns, insisting delegates approve draft giving extensive powers to presidency, but opposed by Northern Alliance representatives. Suicide bombing in Kabul 29 December killed 5 Afghan intelligence officers; Taliban claimed responsibility and threatened further attacks. Afghan UN worker killed, several injured in Farah province 4 December; 15 children killed in two separate U.S. airstrikes; Kandahar shopping area blast 6 December injured 18. NGOs reducing work and personnel as foreign workers continue to be targeted: 2 Indian, 2 Turkish, and 1 Afghan worker on Kandahar-Kabul road kidnapped. Safety issues delaying voter registration and education efforts. Disarmament and reintegration pilot scheme achieved first disarming of defence minister’s militia and control over some heavy weapons near Kabul, as well as first regional disarming of 1000 former combatants in Kunduz and Gardez.

Government issued wanted list of separatist Muslim individuals and groups, accusing them of using terror in pursuit of independent state in Xinjiang. Pakistan said Hasan Mahsum, leader of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and one of China’s most wanted, killed in October raid on militant hideout near Afghan border.

Continuing violence in northeast spread into neighbouring Bhutan where military claimed to have wiped out 30 anti-Indian insurgent camps. 150 deaths of mainly ULFA and NDFB Bodoland separatists reported. ULFA separatists blamed for previous month’s violence in Assam: ULFA founder captured in Bhutan, but military chief vowed to fight on. Kuki and Karbi tribal clashes 3 December claimed another 5 lives. Bodoland Territorial Council created allowing Bodo self-rule in parts of state. On 6 December, eleventh anniversary of Ayodhya mosque razing, Hindu-Muslim clashes in Hyderabad left 6 dead. PM Vajpayee’s BJP party made significant electoral gains, unseating Congress-led governments in 3 of 4 states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh.