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INSIDE AFRICA
Somali Refugee Speaks Out; Kenyans Run for Peace; United Nations and Darfur
Aired June 21, 2008 - 12:30:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Isha Sesay.
Welcome to a special World Refugee Day edition of INSIDE AFRICA.
On the program this week, a former child refugee from Somalia describes what it's like to be displaced and disabled. The Save Darfur Coalition prods the U.N. Security Council to keep its promise to Darfur. And hundreds of young Kenyans raise the peace and running shoes.
We'll have much more on World Refugee Day in just a few moments, but first we want to update you on developments in Zimbabwe. The Movement for Democratic Change Party says its supporters are facing escalating state- sponsored violence in the last few days before a presidential runoff. The MDC says at least eight more of its activists and the wife of Harare's mayor-elect were found dead, and it blames the ruling ZANU-PF party for their deaths.
Well, a government spokesman says ZANU-PF had nothing to do with the death, and he says Harare doesn't even have a mayor.
The government continues to take legal action against MDC officials. It has formally charged MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti with treason. He could face the death penalty.
Zimbabwe's neighbors had been reluctant to criticize the Mugabe government, but Kenya's prime minister, Raila Odinga, recently called Zimbabwe, quote, "an eyesore on the African continent." I had a chance to ask him about his strong words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAILA ODINGA, KENYAN PRIME MINISTER: People are being beaten up, people are being killed, are being maimed. I don't think that free elections can be held, and I think that it's time for the international community to take a very (inaudible) stand against Zimbabwe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SESAY: Well, voters are scheduled to choose between President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday, and CNN will, of course, continue to closely follow developments there.
Next Saturday, Inkapolia Mabute (ph) hosts a special edition of INSIDE AFRICA from the Zimbabwe-South Africa border. That at 16:30 GMT. That's 22:30 Johannesburg time.
We turn now to the plight of the world's displaced people, millions of whom wait in camps across Africa, hoping for a better life. The United Nations marked World Refugee Day on June 20th, as it does every year. This time, the focus was on protection, something many refugees live without.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: From South Africa to Sudan, the white tents of refugees an all-too familiar site across the continent. But not in London's Trafalgar Square, where a mock refugee camp was set up as part of the U.N. World Refugee Day.
CLAUDIA GONZALEZ, UNHCR: It's four tents, trying to actually provide a journey and experience for people to be able to feel and see with their own eyes and feel with their own, you know, like, senses what people in Darfur live every day.
SESAY: For the more than 30 million displaced people worldwide under U.N. care, this is often the scene every day. Forced from their homes, totally reliant on others for their most basic of needs.
Overall, Africa accounts for 30 percent of this total, around 10 million people. And a quarter of a million of those are Darfur refugees living outside of Sudan. After a five-year decline in the total amount of refugees, the agency's chief says those numbers are increasing.
ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N.HIGH COMM. FOR REFUGEES: I think we're witnessing a changing pattern. There are new patterns of forced displacement in the world, and that's a very challenging thing for us.
SESAY: Extreme poverty, high food, energy costs, even climate change -- they're all factors Guterres said have helped account for 56 percent increase in the amount of people under its care.
GUTERRES: These things are more and more interconnected. And it's sometimes difficult to know why people move, why people are forced to move. But the problems are there, the people is there, the people is suffering, so we must do something.
SESAY: Although Guterres said his agency will continue to provide refugees with basic immediate needs, ultimately it rests with the international community to provide the necessarily political pressure to create lasting change.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: It's been almost a year since the U.N. Security Council authorized a peacekeeping force to Darfur. Coming up, the Save Darfur Coalition and the Enough project call on member states to follow through on that forces deployment.
And still ahead, a former refugee tells us what it's like to be both disabled and displaced.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SESAY: Welcome back to INSIDE AFRICA'S World Refugee Day show. The Save Darfur coalition and Enough Project have teamed up on a new report about the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force to Darfur. It is entitled "Keeping Our Word: Fulfilling the Mandate to Protect Civilians in Darfur." And it can only be described as a scathing indictment of the U.N. Security Council.
The reports denounces the sluggish pace of the forces deployment and the Security Council's unwillingness to hold the Sudanese government accountable for obstructing the mission. The authors say, quote, "The world promised Darfur protection, but has failed to deliver it."
Jerry Fowler of the Save Darfur coalition is one of the authors. I went through the report with him and asked him about the way forward.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JERRY FOWLER, SAVE DARFUR COALITION: I think now the Security Council really has its credibility at risk. The Sudanese government is basically writing a textbook on defiance that future rogue regimes are going to use, unless the Security Council gets serious and gets the UNAMID force deployed, pursues peace in Sudan and ensures accountability.
SESAY: It's not just the boots on the ground, though, in terms of the UNAMID force. It's also about helicopters, and it's the hardware. That doesn't seem to be forthcoming.
FOWLER: The key problems with UNAMID, in addition to Sudanese obstructionism, which has really slowed things down, is that key resources are missing, and the Security Council can take action to make sure those resources are provided.
SESAY: Like what, Jerry? What can they do?
FOWLER: The Security Council has the diplomatic influence to -- and the capacity to either contribute these units themselves or work diplomatically with other countries that have the units to get them to volunteer. But I think one thing that is keeping other countries from volunteering is they don't sense any seriousness of purpose on the part of the Security Council. They're not sure that this mission is going to succeed.
SESAY: The International Criminal Court has warrants out for two members, two former members of the Khartoum government. Khartoum shows absolutely no sign of being willing to hand those people over, to take them into custody. What should be the bite that's applied to the resolutions and all the speeches?
FOWLER: Right now, key leaders in the Sudanese government, for example, have never had any consequences applied to them. There should be visa bans, there should be asset freezes. There should be a denunciation by the Security Council of the individuals who are making the decisions that are causing so much suffering on the ground in Darfur.
SESAY: Given China's refusal to sanction -- or its unwillingness, should we say -- to sanction Khartoum, should we be looking at putting more pressure on China? I know that that that's -- that's a path that Mia Farrow would certainly like to see more people go down.
FOWLER: Well, I think it's very important in this run-up to the Olympics to shine a spotlight on China's very, very negative role in this situation. They have basically been Khartoum's heat shield in the United Nations, and it's way past time for China to really stop and think what does it mean to be a responsible world power. And if they want the Olympics to be a successful coming out party as a world power, they need to act responsibly in connection to Darfur.
SESAY: Well, while we wait for the United Nations Security Council to put more pressure on the government of Khartoum, we're seeing shareholders of mutual funds passing resolutions calling for action to be taken. Tell us about what you're seeing and how much impact that's likely to make?
FOWLER: People are responding (inaudible) frustration, and they don't see the Security Council acting, they don't see the governments acting. And so they're doing what they can, and what they can do is make sure that their money is not invested in -- in what we call high-offending companies. And one of the highest offending is PetroChina, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, has Western investors, depends upon Western investors, but has an affiliate company that is very deeply involved in the Sudanese oil industry.
I think the next move is to continue what has been happening, which has been remarkable, which is -- is growing a worldwide constituency of conscience that is putting pressure on governments to act. This -- this issue is only as high as it is on the government -- on the agenda of the U.S. government, because of this constituency of conscience. And so now is no time for us to let up our efforts, and we won't let up our efforts.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: For more information about the report and news on Darfur, visit the SaveDarfur Coalition's Web site at www.savedarfur.org.
You may remember last week, we heard from Sudanese rapper and former child soldier Emmanuel Jal about the conflict that tears his country apart. Due to the time constraints of television, we were only able to show a few key highlights from that conversation. Jal had so many interesting things to say that we wanted to give you, our viewers, a chance to watch more of it. So, starting this week, INSIDE AFRICA will be making longer versions of some of our interviews available on our Web page. All you have to do is visit cnn.com/inside Africa.
It's hard enough to be far from home, dependent on humanitarian aid. Up next, a former refugee from Somalia describes a struggle he faced as a disabled child in a refugee camp. And still ahead, running for peace and shoes in Kenya.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Making business news in Africa this week.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Central Bank is reportedly revising the country's expected growth rates upward. The bank's director tells Reuters news agency that booming investment in the DRC's mining sector will push growth to 12 percent this year. The bank (inaudible) goal of 8 percent. The DRC's mining industry accounts for a tenth of the world's copper and a third of its cobalt reserves.
And Volkswagen, South Africa said it has been awarded a 12 billion rand contract that will create more than 100 new jobs in Eastern Cape. The company said it will manufacturer diesel engine filters for Volkswagen, International for the next five years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: You're watching INSIDE AFRICA. Welcome back to our special World Refugee Day show.
About 3.5 million displaced people live with disabilities. That's according to the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children. The group has just released a report evaluating the services available to disabled refugees. Among the key findings, refugees with disabilities are among the most hidden, neglected and socially excluded of all displaced people. They don't have access to mainstream assistance programs due to physical or social barriers. And they're even more isolated after being displaced than they were in their home communities.
Abdi Salah knows firsthand of challenges of being disabled and displaced. He contracted polio at the age of one, and the disease left his right leg partially paralyzed. When the war broke out in his native Somalia, he and his family were forced to flee. He was separated from his parents during the exodus and hasn't seen them since. Salah spent the next 14 years in two camps in Kenya, where medical care was sorely lacking. Then in 2005, the U.N. Refugee Agency resettled him here in the United States. He now lives in Atlanta and was kind enough to stop by our studios to share his experience.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ABDI SALAH, FORMER REFUGEE: That was very hard for me especially, because the camp is a place where -- where the life was very hard. And on everything that a person's supposed to do, you needed physical strength. And whoever didn't have enough physical strength, could not support his life perfectly.
For example, and when it comes to fetching water, you have to have a wheelbarrow with at least eight liters of water to go to the water tap, get water and bring home, as well as going to food. There is a food distribution center where you have to go, collect your food, bring back.
And the other thing is, firewood. You have to go and walk at least 10 miles to get firewood, to use (inaudible). So all of those things were impossible for me.
SESAY: So, what happened to you? Who helped you?
SALAH: I was living with friends, who were actually helping me with that. But it was really not -- I mean -- it was not happy for me that I should not do anything for them.
SESAY: You've gone from your home in Somalia. You've been separated from your parents. You can -- you're struggling to fend for yourself. What were your hopes for the future?
SALAH: My hope is in the future were really confusing at that time. And - - but I still didn't give up. I tried until -- I tried to attend school. I registered for grammar (ph) school. I tried to learn English, because it was important, English in Kenya. It was (inaudible) than my country.
And after learning English, I mean -- and while I was learning English, we have -- we moved to another camp called Dadap (ph). And when I get in Dadap, I kept on continuing my school until I finished the grammar. When I got (inaudible), I had a chance of communicating with the UNHCR. Because at that time, I was able to write my application. I was able to communicate with the officers in the UNHCR, and I kept writing applications telling them all my problems. And actually, they knew everything because they had everything in the record. And I was accepted to come to USA.
SESAY: You've been here now for three years. How is life for you now?
SALAH: Life is good for me now than before. When I get here, immediately. Because when I get here, I didn't know anything. I had to learn everything. I even have -- had to learn how to go to the office of the agents (ph) and how to go to school. Everything were really very hard for me. And here in USA, it's different where I'm from. Because where I'm from, you don't need a car, you don't need a ride, you just walk wherever you need. So ...
SESAY: It's very different.
SALAH: Yeah, I have to go and learn the bus, train, and then after that I have to go and get driver's lessons and learn the city and start driving.
SESAY: Do you feel like this is your home now? Is America your home now? Do you still long to go back to Somalia?
SALAH: Actually, I feel like it's my home. And -- because I didn't see my country for -- for a long time. I was in Kenya in the refugee camp. And actually, Kenya was a good country, better than my country, but still it was not my country. I was a refugee in Kenya. And -- and maybe one day I will go back to my country and visit when there would be peace.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: Salah will speak on behalf of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children in New York next week, when the group releases its full report on disabled refugees. For more information, just go to the Web site at www.womenscommission.org.
Turning now to a proud national tradition in Kenya. Champions of tomorrow run for peace. That's next on INSIDE AFRICA.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SESAY: Welcome back to INSIDE AFRICA. In the world of athletics, Kenya is known for producing more than its share of highly talented runners. The tradition is an enormous source of national pride.
The organization Shoe4Africa is trying to nurture that tradition in young people. It recently sponsored a peace run near El Doret, Kenya, which was, of course, the site of violent political and ethnic unrest earlier this year.
David McKenzie caught up with some of the young participants.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Toby Tanser, an elite (inaudible) runner, bounces through the dirt roads of western Kenya. He's been coming here for over a decade, forging a relationship between the affluent running communities in the West and the talented running communities in parts of Africa.
TOBY TANSER, SHOES 4AFRICA: Who is going to be number one?
There is a huge pool of talent in this area. Here you'll find the most talented, hard working people, but they're missing opportunities and they're missing facilities.
MCKENZIE: And missing the most basic pieces of equipment for running -- shoes. Barselius Kipyego borrowed shoes for the event, in the hope that he might win some. He is a mile specialist, and at 18 wants to be a champion.
BARSELIUS KIPYEGO, RUNNER (through interpreter): I want to be a champion in athletics so I can help my parents and help the community and my friends.
MCKENZIE: To help young athletes like Barselius, Shoes4Africa started with a simple mission -- put shoes on tomorrow's champions by getting donated shoes and sending them to Africa.
Today, the winners will get shoes and everyone else T-shirts, but normally the group gives shoes to as many promising athletes as it can.
This is the country of champions, from the 800 meters to the steeple chase, and of course, the marathon. And it's in this district in Kenya where most of those winners come from. But even here, at the epicenter of world athletics, kids just often don't have the right equipment.
Toby has linked up with some of the greats to inspire the children. Marathon champion Martin Lei believes that the children can be inspired to do great things
MARTIN LEI, MARATHON RUNNER: I need (inaudible) follow my footsteps to promote my country, my community and my school.
MCKENZIE: But this race was more than about giving shoes and T-shirts. It was a peace run to help heal the divisions caused by the election-related violence that killed over 1,000 earlier this year. But mostly, the children just want to win.
TANSER: The talent in this school is unbelievable. They will run like the wind.
MCKENZIE: So fast, in fact, that we couldn't even get close to the winners, only catching up to the younger kids, and they too were fast.
The cross-country race was far longer than a mile, but Barselius placed high enough to get those shoes he wanted, and the children got inspiration from the professional runners from this area. They hope to inspire the next generation of Kenyan champions right here, in the cradle of elite runners.
David McKenzie, outside El Doret, Kenya.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: And this reminder, before we go, if you see news happening on the continent, please let us know. Just go to our Web site, cnn.com/inside Africa, and click on the I Report logo. There you'll find instructions and how to upload photographs or video. But please, be careful gathering images. We don't want you, our viewers, to put yourselves in any danger.
And there we must leave this week show. As I mentioned, Inkapolia Mabute (ph) will host INSIDE AFRICA next week from the Zimbabwe-South Africa border. Thanks for watching.
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