Briefing Notes Group 62 - Information Centre for Asylum and Migration - ecoi.net
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Group 62 – Information Centre for Asylum and Migration
Briefing Notes
7 January 2019
Egypt
Tourist bus bombing
A bus carrying a group of Vietnamese tourists was hit by a roadside bomb which exploded close to the Giza
pyramids outside Cairo on 28 December 2018, killing four persons and wounding ten. Egyptian security
forces carried out raids at two locations on the outskirts of Giza the day after the blast, allegedly killing 30
insurgents. The Egyptian Ministry of the Interior did not make any direct link to the bomb blast the previous
day but referred to terrorists who had been planning several attacks, inter alia, on tourists and Christian
churches.
New Coptic cathedral opened
Egypt's largest Coptic-Orthodox cathedral was opened in Cairo on 6 January 2019, the eve of Coptic
Christmas. The mass was attended by the Coptic Pope Tawadros II, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who told
worshippers in his opening speech that Muslims and Coptic Christmas “are one”. The newly-built cathedral
is located around 45 km east of Cairo in an area of the future capital. It is the largest Christian church in the
Middle East.
Ethiopia/Eritrea
Ethiopian media: assassination attempt against Eritrean Minister and officers arrested
According to Ethiopian media reports, an assassination attempt was made on General Sebhat Efrem on 19
December 2018 which he managed to survive, albeit with severe injuries. The incident occurred in front of
his home in Asmara. Those carrying out the assassination attempt have allegedly been arrested. The Minister
for Energy and Mining is currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital in the United Arab Emirates.
No further details have emerged about the attack although speculation is rife that there is a link with the
reported detention of several Eritrean troops several days earlier who are accused of planning a coup against
President Isaias Afwerki. General Sebhat is said to have provided the crucial tip-off leading to the officers’
arrest.
Eritrea closes border crossings with Ethiopia
Eritrea has reportedly closed the two border crossings in Zalambessa and Rama that had been opened in Sep-
tember 2918 following the normalisation of relations with Ethiopia. According to other media reports, Eri-
trean border officials are now asking Ethiopian travellers to provide a travel document issued by federal au-
thorities. No reasons were indicated.
Afghanistan
Serious suicide bombing in Kabul
A suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the Ministry of Public Works in Kabul on 25 December 2018.
Armed gunmen subsequently stormed a nearby office building belonging to the Ministry of Labour, Social
Affairs, Martyrs and the Disabled. At least 43 persons were killed and at least 20 were wounded in the
subsequent gunfire with security forces which lasted several hours.
1Presidential election once again deferred
The presidential election that was originally to be held in April 2019 has been postponed for three months. It
has now been scheduled for 20 July 2019. The election has been postponed as there is evidence to suggest
there were major irregularities during the parliamentary election held in October 2018 (cf. Briefing Notes of
10 December 2018).
Afghan refugees returning voluntarily from neighbouring countries
The number of Afghan refugees who returned voluntarily to Afghanistan, in particular from the neighbouring
countries of Pakistan and Iran, is lower than ever since the UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation programme
was launched. Whereas 58,817 persons seized the opportunity to return to their homeland with the help of
the UN in 2017, only 15,699 persons returned in 2018, a substantial 73 percent less. The majority of refugees
who returned came from Pakistan (13,584). By contrast, the number of Afghan refugees who returned
voluntarily to Afghanistan from Iran rose slightly to 1,964 compared to 1,202 in 2017. The main destinations
of the returnees were the provinces of Kabul (26 percent) and Nangarhar (14 percent). Please refer to the
Briefing Notes of 10 December 2018 for figures on Afghan refugees who returned at their own risk or who
were deported, at over 800,000 a much higher number than in 2017. Some of these so-called
“undocumented” returnees received assistance from the IOM. It is not known what their final destinations in
Afghanistan were.
Bangladesh
Parliamentary election
According to the Bangladeshi Election Commission, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the current Prime Minister and
her party, the Awami League (AL), won the parliamentary election on 29 December 2018. The election was
overshadowed by serious clashes between government supporters and anti-government protestors. According
to media reports, 17 persons were killed and over 20 persons were wounded. Bangladesh Nationalist Party
(BNP) and its allied Islamist Jamaat e-Islami party have announced their refusal to recognise the result of the
election. A spokesperson for the Election Commission said it had received “several” complaints about vote
rigging.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Growing civil unrest
Since March 2018, more and more Bosnian nationals have become involved in anti-government protests
under the slogan “Justice for David”. Each day, several hundred people have been gathering on the main
square of the city of Banja Luka. Things came to a head when the police arrested the leaders of the
movement in late December 2018. According to media reports, police officers cracked down on protesters
and arrested additional activists. New Year’s celebrations were cancelled because of the ongoing protests.
The EU delegation in Bosnia expressed its concern over the situation. It has urged the Ministry of the Interior
of the Republika Srpska to explain the arrests.
The movement was triggered by the violent death the 21-year-old student David Dragicevic whose father has
accused the police and judiciary of attempting to cover up his murder. There is in fact evidence to support his
view. The case has become the symbol of resistance against the leadership of the Republika Srpska. The
protestors have complained about intimidation attempts by the police and are meanwhile calling not just for
clarification of the death of David Dragicevic but also for comprehensive political reforms.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delay in announcing the results of the presidential election
On 6 January 2019, the chairperson of the national Election Commission CENI, Corneille Nangaa,
announced that the preliminary final result of the presidential election held on 20 December 2018 would not
be announced as planned on 6 January 2019 but later on in the week. He said that so far only 53 percent of
2the poll results of the around 75,000 polling stations have been counted. On 3 January 2019, the Catholic
Church, an influential voice in the heavily Catholic nation, said that data reported by its 40,000 election
observers deployed in polling stations show a clear winner. The chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CENCO), Abbé Donatien Nshole, has urged CENI to publish the
election results showing “respect for the truth and justice”.
India
Mass protests over opening of Hindu temple for women
Protests led by strict Hindus and members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lasting several days erupted in
the state of Kerala in southern India on 2 January 2019 after two women entered the Sabarimala temple,
breaking with a long-standing tradition. During the mass protests, shops were ransacked, government
buildings were raided and roads were blocked with burning tires and cement blocks. According to the
authorities, one person was killed, a large number of civilians and police officers were wounded and
hundreds of persons were arrested throughout the entire state of Kerala. Since India’s Supreme Court lifted
the ban on women aged between ten and 50 entering the temple in September 2018, protests have broken out
repeatedly. Another woman entered the temple in the early hours of 4 January 2019.
Iraq
Casualties in December 2018
According to UNAMI, 32 civilians were killed and another 32 were wounded in December 2018. The
province most badly affected was Nineveh where seven persons were killed and 19 were wounded, followed
by Baghdad where 17 persons were killed and three were wounded and Salahaddin where three persons were
killed and three were wounded.
Security situation
According to “Musings on Iraq”, the number of security incidents in Iraq has decreased since the summer of
2018. It says ISIS pulled most of its fighters out of the provinces of Anbar, Baghdad und Salahaddin at the
end of 2018 adding that ISIS has reorganised itself in the province Diyala, the southern part of Kirkuk
province and the southern part of Nineveh.
Green Zone under fire in Baghdad
On 27 December 2018, artillery grenades were fired at the “Green Zone” in Baghdad. There were no
casualties. Ministries, the Parliament building and the highly-secure US Embassy are some of the buildings
located in the Green Zone. No further details were revealed.
Minister of Education tenders resignation
According to a press release issued on 30 December 2018, Iraq’s newly appointed Education Minister Sha-
ima al-Hayali submitted her resignation on Sunday following accusations that her brother has links to ISIS.
She is from Mosul.
Israel/Palestinian Autonomous Territories
Re-election to be held in April
Israel’s government coalition announced on 24 December 2018 that re-election is to be brought forward to 9
April 2019. After the coalition came close to being dissolved a month previously (cf. Briefing Notes of 19
and 26 November 2018), it was ultimately brought down by a bill involving the recruitment of ultra—
Orthodox men for military service.
Israeli minor under suspicion of being terrorists
The Israeli Security Agency Shin Bet announced on 6 January 2019 that five young Israeli men had been
arrested in connection with the murder of a Palestinian woman (cf. Briefing Notes of 15 October 2018). The
3five minors are Yeshiva students from the Rehelim settlement in the occupied territories. They are under
investigation for terrorist activity and murder. Activists close to the settler movement were protesting against
the use of administrative detention and delayed access to legal aid.
Yemen
Fragile ceasefire in Hodeidah
The UN has accused both the Houthi rebels and pro-government forces of failing to observe the ceasefire
brokered by Sweden in December 2018. Since 18 December 2018, the day on which the ceasefire was to
enter into force, the sound of missiles and gunfire was heard throughout the city. According to the
agreements, the Houthi rebels were to renounce control over the port in Hodeidah. However, there is discord
about who control was to be handed over to.
Stolen food
According to the Associated Press news agency of the World Food Programme (WFP), Houthi rebels and
pro-government forces have stolen food meant for starving Yemenis. Two-thirds of the food was allegedly
diverted to areas controlled by the Houthi rebels and was sold at a profit. The WFP that is trying to bring
food to the 12 million Yemeni people is threatening to suspend some of its aid unless the problem is solved.
Libya
Leishmaniasis
The various outbreaks of the infectious disease leishmaniasis in the area surrounding Sirte (cf. Briefing
Notes of 17 December 2018) have led to a coordinated response by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the
Ministry of Health. As major outbreaks of leishmaniasis are rare, larger stocks of the necessary medicines
were difficult to obtain. Initially, 5,000 doses arrived in Libya, and further deliveries are expected shortly
through a cooperation with an Indian pharmaceutical company.
Local elections
Local elections are to be held in March 2019 in a total of 69 districts. Although elections at various levels
have been announced several times in recent years, but were only held in individual municipalities, the
announcement is being viewed with scepticism.
Madagascar
Presidential election
According to the preliminary result published on 27 December 2018, Andry Rajoelina won the run-off
presidential election of 19 December 2018 with 55.7 percent of the votes. His rival Marc Ravalomanana has
spoken of vote rigging. EU election observers did not find any relevant irregularities. Voter turnout was
around 50 percent. None of the candidates achieved the necessary majority in the first round held on 7
November 2018 (cf. Briefing Notes of 19 November 2018).
Malaysia
Abdication
Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan resigned as the 15th Agong, or Supreme Ruler of the federation, on 6
January 2019. This is the first time a King has abdicated since Malaysia achieved independence in 1957. No
official reasons were given.
4Moldova
Willingness to emigrate grows
Moldova has one of the highest emigration rates in Europe. According to a recent opinion poll, around 56
percent of Moldovans said they would leave their country if they had the opportunity to do so. Until 2014,
many Moldovans emigrated to the CIS countries, mainly to Russia but also to Western Europe. Since visa
liberalisation in April 2014, emigration to Western Europe has continued to increase primarily for economic
reasons. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. The average monthly salary of just under EUR
270 is not enough to live off. But political conditions have also deteriorated since 2014. Oligarchy power
structures, corruption and legal uncertainty are rife.
Mali
37 persons killed in armed raid
37 civilians were killed in an armed raid in the village of Koulogon (in Mopti region) on 1 January 2019.
Armed men reportedly raided the village in the early hours of the morning and burned several homes to the
ground. Malian security forces claim that Dogon (traditional hunters) are to blame for the attack and that
they killed persons belonging to the ethnic group of the Fula.
Seven suspects were arrested on 2 January 2019 without any further explanation. So far, no-one has claimed
responsibility for the attack.
Myanmar
Rebel attacks
According to media reports, 13 policemen and three rebels were killed in coordinated attacks by about 350
fighters of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in the western state of Rakhine on 4 January 2019.
The ARSA, which is also known as Harakah al-Yaqin (Faith Movement), is a rebel group operating in the
north of the Rakhine State and fighting for the rights of the Rohingya Muslim minority
Nigeria
Armed soldiers invade the offices of the Daily Trust newspaper
According to the managing director and editor-in-chief of the private newspaper publisher Daily Trust,
armed soldiers occupied the main office of the publishing company in Abuja for four hours on 6 January
2019. They searched the newsroom and confiscated dozens of computers. An employee of the production
department was temporarily imprisoned in a barracks. Previously, soldiers and security forces in civilian
clothes had searched the regional office in Maiduguri and had abducted the office manager and a reporter.
According information provided by army sources on 7 January 2019, the offices of the Daily Trust in Abuja,
Maiduguri, Lagos and Kaduna were searched because of a headline story published on 6 January 2019. It had
reported on a planned army offensive to recapture the cities of Baga, Doron-Baga, Kross Kawwa, Bunduran,
Kekeno and Kukawa, which had recently been seized by ISWA (Islamic State in West Africa) (see below).
According to army sources, secret security information had been published as a result. They say this violates
national security and constitutes a breach of the Official Secrets Act.
Several cities seized by ISWA terrorists
Between 28 December and 30 December 2018, heavy fighting erupted between soldiers in the military base
near the city of Baga on Lake Chad and fighters of the ISWA group split off from the terrorist organisation
Boko Haram. In the end, the army had to withdraw. This led to ISWA occupying the city of Baga and the
nearby towns of Doron-Baga, Kross Kawwa, Bunduran, Kekeno and Kukawa.
5Niger
Troops kill more than 200 Boko Haram rebels
According to sources at the Nigerian Ministry of Defence on 2 January 2019, more than 200 Boko Haram
fighters were killed in airstrikes and a further 87 were "neutralised" by ground forces. The mission had
begun on 28 December 2018 and focused on the shore area near Komadougou, which serves as a natural
border between Niger and Nigeria, and on islands in Lake Chad. No Nigerien troops were killed in the
process. The Nigerian armed forces are increasingly cracking down on the Islamist militia at Lake Chad. At
the beginning of the year, the army feared that Boko Haram could attack military bases in the border region.
More than 27,000 persons have been killed in attacks carried out by Boko Haram in the past nine years. 1.8
million persons have been displaced.
Russian Federation
New law against the participation of minors in unauthorised meetings
On 28 December 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law sanctioning persons and
organisers who persuade minors to participate in unauthorised meetings. Penalties range from 15-day prison
sentences to fines of 100,000 ruble (about EUR 1,260). In 2018, according to the Russian Ministry of the
Interior. 475 minors who had taken part in unauthorised protests were arrested. In recent years, thousands of
young people across Russia haven taken part in anti-government protests, including demonstrations
organised by opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
Blogger sentenced to six years in prison
On 26 December 2018, the Russian journalist and blogger Aleksandr Valov was sentenced by a court in the
city of Sochi to six years in prison and a fine of 700,000 ruble (about EUR 9,000). Valov was accused of
extortion. His lawyer explained that the verdict was politically motivated and that an appeal would be
lodged. In his blog, Valov had also reported extensively on local corruption in the run-up to the 2014 Sochi
Winter Olympics.
Serbia
Anti-government protests taking place weekly
On 5 January 2019, tens of thousands of Serbs once again took to the streets to demonstrate against political
violence and rampant corruption. For the fifth time in a row, demonstrations were held at the weekend in
Belgrade but also in other cities. Several opposition parties, united in the Alliance for Serbia, had called for
protests. They object to a strong restriction of democratic freedoms under President Vučić. They are accusing
him of controlling the media, among other things, and of attempting to silence critics.
The protests were fuelled by a number of incidents in which, among others, the leader of the opposition alli-
ance Alliance for Serbia had been brutally beaten up. The Alliance suspects that President Aleksandar's
Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) hired the thugs (cf. Briefing Notes of 10 and 17 December 2018).
The protests are considered to be the largest protest against the Serbian government to date.
Syria
Fighting in Idlib
According to the Syrian Human Rights Observatory, which supports the opposition, the militia Hajat Tahrir
al-Scham (HTS), which has close ties with Al Qaeda, has managed to expand its sphere of influence in
north-western Syria since fighting broke out with the National Liberation Front (NLF) on 2 January 2019.
The NLF is supported by Turkey. During the clashes, 75 persons, including six civilians, were killed within
the space of three days. In the south of the province of Idlib, the HTS has reportedly seized eleven villages.
The region around the town of Idlib is the last remaining large rebel area in Syria. The radical Islamic HTS
(formerly Al-Nusra Front) is one of the dominant forces in the area.
6US demands guarantees for Kurds from Turkey
According to US national security advisor John Bolton, the US is to demand guarantees from Turkey for the
Kurds in Syria before withdrawing from Syria. At the same time, Bolton assured Israel and other allies in the
region of continued support. He said the withdrawal from north-eastern Syria will not take place until ISIS
have been defeated and are unable to recover or become a threat again. The withdrawal of the 2,000 US
troops could thus proceed much more slowly had been indicated before Christmas.
Togo
Parliamentary elections
The ruling party l'Union pour la République (UNIR) won 59 of the 91 seats in the parliamentary elections of
20 December 2018, according to the preliminary results published on 24 December 2018. Candidates from
twelve parties as well as independent candidates stood in the election. The opposition alliance C14,
consisting of 14 parties, boycotted the election. It had demanded in the run-up to the election, among other
things, a reform of the Election Commission and for a constitutional reform to limit the President's term of
office. Turnout was around 60 percent. The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS had
mediated in vain between the government and the opposition. Election observers sent by ECOWAS and the
African Union (AU) did not object to the election.
Tunisia
Unrest towards the end of the year
After the self-immolation of journalist Abderrazek Zorgui on 24 December 2018, violent protests took place
in the West Tunisian town of Kasserine in the early hours of 25 December 2018. Protestors threw stones,
burned car tires and blocked streets. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. According to various
media reports, up to 22 persons were arrested by security forces. In his previously published video, the
journalist cited socio-economic hardship as the reason for the self-immolation.
In the following nights between 25 December 2018 and 29 December 2018, there was an increase in protests
in other Tunisian cities. During demonstrations in Tunis on 29 December 2018, there were attempted
lootings and violent destruction of property. The security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Despite
democratic reforms after the topping of the ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia continues to suffer from
major economic problems, including a high rate of unemployment.
State of emergency extended by one month
The state of emergency declared in 2015 has been extended for a further month until 4 February 2019
following consultations with Tunisian President Béji Caïd Essebsi, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and
President of the Parliament Mohamed Ennaceur. The extension was decided after two jihadists who had been
hiding in a house in Jelma were killed during a mission undertaken by the Tunisian anti-terrorist unit on 3
January 2019. The state of emergency was originally declared in November 2015 when ISIS attacked a
coach carrying presidential guards. During the state of emergency, protests can be banned and security forces
can be given more extensive rights.
Ukraine
Russian fighter jets in the Crimea
According to reports issued by the Russian news agency Interfax on 17 December 2018, the Russian military
is transferring ten fighter jets to the annexed Crimean peninsula. The Suchoi-Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets are
to be stationed permanently at the Belbek airbase.
Ukrainian sailors still in Russian custody
The Ukrainian sailors who have been detained in Russia since the end of November 2018 remain in custody
in Russia. The crew were detained by Russia after Russian warships fired on and seized three Ukrainian
naval ships near the Kerch Strait. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the release jointly demanded by
Germany and France as unacceptable and stressed that Russian law was being observed.
7New ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine
A fresh, indefinite ceasefire entered into force on 29 December 2018 in the conflict-ridden area in Ukraine.
However, only a few hours after the ceasefire began, the sides involved in the conflict were already accusing
each other of ceasefire violations.
Venezuela
Supreme Court judge Christian Zerpa flees
The Supreme Court judge Christian Zerpa, who was a member of the Electoral Chamber of Venezuela’s
Supreme Court of Justice, appears to have fled to the US at the end of 2018. In an interview, he commented
on the election held in May 2018, in which President Maduro was re-elected, stating that the election “was
not free and competitive”. Maduro is due to be formally inaugurated for a second term on 10 January 2019.
In response, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice said that Mr Zerpa had been under investigation for
sexual harassment of female employees. Observers do not, however, consider this to be the reason for his
defection.
The opposition-controlled parliament, which has effectively been stripped of its powers by Supreme Court
decisions, declared Maduro’s second term illegitimate on 5 January 2019.
Belarus
Court cancels opposition party spokeswoman’s expulsion
On 19 December 2018, a court in Minsk reversed a decision by Belarusian migration officials to expel the
press secretary of the opposition United Civil Party (AHP), Anna Krasulina, from Belarus. In addition to her
role as press secretary, Krasulina is actively involved in the political opposition and is a champion of human
rights in Belarus. According to Krasulina, the Belarusian authorities cited her participation in two
unapproved demonstrations in 2016 and 2017 and one instance of travelling without a valid ticket as the
grounds for her imminent deportation (cf. Briefing Notes of 19 November 2018).
Group 62 – Information Centre for Asylum and Migration
Briefing Notes
informationsvermittlungsstelle@bamf.bund.de
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