Friday 2 November 2007.
November 1, 2007 (LONDON) — Sudan Security forces detained 36 people from Otash Camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Darfur on the evening of 29 October. In a press statement issued today, Amnesty International said they are in danger of being tortured in detention.
Displaced Sudanese women walk from Kalma camp near Nyala, in South Darfur in Sudan, September 29, 2004. (Reuters)
Following fighting between different ethnic groups in Kalma camp, on 18 October a large number of IDPs fled Kalma Camp, which is near Nyala. Most of those that fled the fighting went to Otash Camp, which is24km from Kalma Camp.
During the afternoon of 29 October police and soldiers went into Otash Camp to remove the recent arrivals and forcibly relocate them to a village named Amakisara, 23km from Nyala.
Members of the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), including military personnel, observers and AMIS police, went to the camp, but were ordered to leave by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) colonel conducting the operation.
They saw the camp residents fleeing while tents were destroyed and property was carried away in trucks. According to the UN, IDPs were being threatened by soldiers and police wielding sticks and rubber hoses.
The rebel Justice and Equality Movement spokesperson, Ahmed Hussein Adam, who condemned the forced relocation, said Sudanese authorities have taken the children of these displaced and demanded the parents to follow them to Amakisara .
While the leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdelwahid al-Nur, condemned this “heinous and abject crime” committed against Darfur innocent people. He urged the UN Security Council to sanction Sudan this forced relocation which is clear violation of the international law.
According to UN figures 2.2 million people in Darfur are now gathered in IDP camps. They were driven out of their homes when, in response to attacks by rebel groups, the government armed and supported local militias, known as the Janjawid, as a proxy force.
The government and the Janjawid attempted to suppress the insurgency by deliberately targeting civilians of the same ethnicity as the rebel groups. About 95,000 people have been killed, and more than 200,000 have died over the past four years as a result of conflict-related hunger or disease.
Vast areas of Darfur have been emptied of farmers, and hundreds of villages have been razed to the ground. The UN has issued a statement expressing alarm at the violence against IDPs and the attempted forcible relocations in Otash Camp.
IDPs feel safer in the camps and have consistently resisted government pressure to move out of them into areas which are still dominated by armed members of the Janjawid militias who killed and displaced them. Forcible relocation is prohibited by international standards.
(ST)
Friday, November 2, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Darfur camp eviction 'fabricated'
Sudanese diplomats have dismissed as "fabrications", reports that hundreds of people were forcibly evicted from a camp near Nyala in southern Darfur.
Sudan's UN envoy, Abdelmahmood Abdelhaleem Mohamed, told the BBC that eyewitness accounts were "irrelevant, unfortunate and unconfirmed".
An un-named UN official on Sunday saw the forced relocation of refugees at gunpoint from Otash camp to Amakassara.
The UN says this "dangerous precedent" could jeopardise Darfur peace talks.
Some 200,000 people are estimated to have died and more than two million displaced during the four-year war.
UN emergency relief coordinator Sir John Holmes said a UN official witnessed Sudanese security forces with sticks and rubber hoses coercing hundreds of refugees, including women and children, to leave Otash refugee camp on the outskirts of Nyala.
Other witnesses told the BBC they saw 10 vehicles with heavy machine guns surrounding people, while eight trucks were loaded with their belongings.
The refugees have been moved into an area where the UN says it is known that the Janjaweed militia operate.
"We are making a fuss because... this is a very dangerous precedent in an area where there are very many thousands of people in camps, where there are security problems," Sir John told the BBC.
He said the UN wanted to send a message to Khartoum that this was not acceptable behaviour and must not happen again.
'No go areas'
Sudanese diplomats contacted by the BBC rejected the reports.
Mr Abdelmahmood said the allegations were "more than fabrications" aimed at "distracting attention from the Sudanese government's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire to accompany the peace talks".
Asked if he was suggesting the UN emergency relief coordinator would make up the reports, Mr Abdelmahmood said: "We do not want to question his credentials but the way he... the timing leaves a lot to be desired."
And in London, Ambassador Khalid al Mubarak said it was for the Sudanese government to make an official statement "after they make their own investigations on the ground".
He said there were armed men in some of the refugee camps which have become "no go areas" for the authorities and aid workers alike.
The governor of South Darfur told the UN it is his intention to close the camps around Nyala, which are home to as many as 90,000 people.
Otash camp alone has an estimated 60,000 refugees, swollen by numbers of people fleeing violence at the Kalma camp, Darfur's largest, a week ago.
Darfur peace talks
This renewed tension comes as international mediators struggle to save peace talks which opened at the weekend in the Libyan town of Sirte with none of the key rebel groups present.
Organisers are striving to avoid defeatism, and are sending African Union and UN envoys to meet absent rebel groups to try to persuade them to get on board.
Leaders of the two main rebel forces - the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) and the faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement headed by Abdul Wahid el Nur - have called for the talks to be cancelled for the time being.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7068544.stm
Published: 2007/10/30 09:40:58 GMT
Sudan's UN envoy, Abdelmahmood Abdelhaleem Mohamed, told the BBC that eyewitness accounts were "irrelevant, unfortunate and unconfirmed".
An un-named UN official on Sunday saw the forced relocation of refugees at gunpoint from Otash camp to Amakassara.
The UN says this "dangerous precedent" could jeopardise Darfur peace talks.
Some 200,000 people are estimated to have died and more than two million displaced during the four-year war.
UN emergency relief coordinator Sir John Holmes said a UN official witnessed Sudanese security forces with sticks and rubber hoses coercing hundreds of refugees, including women and children, to leave Otash refugee camp on the outskirts of Nyala.
Other witnesses told the BBC they saw 10 vehicles with heavy machine guns surrounding people, while eight trucks were loaded with their belongings.
The refugees have been moved into an area where the UN says it is known that the Janjaweed militia operate.
"We are making a fuss because... this is a very dangerous precedent in an area where there are very many thousands of people in camps, where there are security problems," Sir John told the BBC.
He said the UN wanted to send a message to Khartoum that this was not acceptable behaviour and must not happen again.
'No go areas'
Sudanese diplomats contacted by the BBC rejected the reports.
Mr Abdelmahmood said the allegations were "more than fabrications" aimed at "distracting attention from the Sudanese government's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire to accompany the peace talks".
Asked if he was suggesting the UN emergency relief coordinator would make up the reports, Mr Abdelmahmood said: "We do not want to question his credentials but the way he... the timing leaves a lot to be desired."
And in London, Ambassador Khalid al Mubarak said it was for the Sudanese government to make an official statement "after they make their own investigations on the ground".
He said there were armed men in some of the refugee camps which have become "no go areas" for the authorities and aid workers alike.
The governor of South Darfur told the UN it is his intention to close the camps around Nyala, which are home to as many as 90,000 people.
Otash camp alone has an estimated 60,000 refugees, swollen by numbers of people fleeing violence at the Kalma camp, Darfur's largest, a week ago.
Darfur peace talks
This renewed tension comes as international mediators struggle to save peace talks which opened at the weekend in the Libyan town of Sirte with none of the key rebel groups present.
Organisers are striving to avoid defeatism, and are sending African Union and UN envoys to meet absent rebel groups to try to persuade them to get on board.
Leaders of the two main rebel forces - the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) and the faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement headed by Abdul Wahid el Nur - have called for the talks to be cancelled for the time being.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7068544.stm
Published: 2007/10/30 09:40:58 GMT
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Congo rebel fighters fail to turn in as promised
By Joe Bavier
KINSHASA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - A renegade Congolese general said on Wednesday he would disband some of his rebel soldiers to help bring peace to an eastern province, but U.N. officials said there was no sign of his fighters turning themselves in.
General Laurent Nkunda had said he would send more than 500 of his Tutsi soldiers on Wednesday to a specially prepared camp in Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, for them to be integrated into the national army.
His announcement appeared to signal that he was willing to participate in the demobilisation process demanded by President Joseph Kabila, who has given the go ahead for an army offensive to forcibly disarm Nkunda's men if they fail to disband.
But as night fell over North Kivu, where Nkunda has fought battles against the army since August when his soldiers abandoned a January peace deal, United Nations officials said there was no sign of Nkunda's fighters coming in from the bush.
"It's getting dark here and unfortunately no combatants have come in," Sylvie Van Den Wildenberg, a spokeswoman in North Kivu for the U.N. mission in Congo (MONUC), told Reuters.
"We're starting to worry that General Nkunda will not live up to the promise he made in a public statement to international media that he would send more than 500 of his men to Kirolirwe integration centre," she added.
There was no immediate word from Nkunda as to why he had failed to send his men for integration as he had promised.
Earlier, the insurgent general, who has led a rebellion since 2004 in defence of the Tutsi community in Congo, said he was in contact with MONUC. He said U.N. peacekeepers had prepared the logistics to receive his men.
"I'm doing this to show the international community that we Congolese want peace ... because civilians are continuing to die without reason," Nkunda said, referring to civilian casualties in recent fighting.
"SEEING IS BELIEVING"
Diplomats said Nkunda had previously made similar public promises to disband his men without following through.
"We'll believe it when we see it. We've seen these promises before," one Western diplomat in Kinshasa said. Experts estimate Nkunda's total forces may number at least 4,000.
MONUC has called on Nkunda's men to make the short trip out of the bush and report to special camps so they can be integrated into the national army as part of a nationwide peace process that followed the country's 1998-2003 war.
Kabila, who has vowed to pacify all of his vast, mineral-rich country since winning elections in the former Belgian colony last year, said last week he had given a "green light" for the armed forces to move against Nkunda.
But the president, who is currently visiting the United States, declined to say when the offensive would start.
Nkunda says he is defending Congo's Tutsi ethnic community against attacks by Rwandan Hutu rebels he says are supported by Kabila's army. The Congolese leader denies such support and says he also plans to disarm the Hutu rebels, who are accused of involvement in Rwanda's 1994 genocide killings of Tutsis.
U.N. relief agencies fear an all-out army offensive will sharply worsen the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, where 370,000 people have fled fighting this year. (Additional reporting by Themistocle Hakizimana in Kigali)
AlertNet news
KINSHASA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - A renegade Congolese general said on Wednesday he would disband some of his rebel soldiers to help bring peace to an eastern province, but U.N. officials said there was no sign of his fighters turning themselves in.
General Laurent Nkunda had said he would send more than 500 of his Tutsi soldiers on Wednesday to a specially prepared camp in Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, for them to be integrated into the national army.
His announcement appeared to signal that he was willing to participate in the demobilisation process demanded by President Joseph Kabila, who has given the go ahead for an army offensive to forcibly disarm Nkunda's men if they fail to disband.
But as night fell over North Kivu, where Nkunda has fought battles against the army since August when his soldiers abandoned a January peace deal, United Nations officials said there was no sign of Nkunda's fighters coming in from the bush.
"It's getting dark here and unfortunately no combatants have come in," Sylvie Van Den Wildenberg, a spokeswoman in North Kivu for the U.N. mission in Congo (MONUC), told Reuters.
"We're starting to worry that General Nkunda will not live up to the promise he made in a public statement to international media that he would send more than 500 of his men to Kirolirwe integration centre," she added.
There was no immediate word from Nkunda as to why he had failed to send his men for integration as he had promised.
Earlier, the insurgent general, who has led a rebellion since 2004 in defence of the Tutsi community in Congo, said he was in contact with MONUC. He said U.N. peacekeepers had prepared the logistics to receive his men.
"I'm doing this to show the international community that we Congolese want peace ... because civilians are continuing to die without reason," Nkunda said, referring to civilian casualties in recent fighting.
"SEEING IS BELIEVING"
Diplomats said Nkunda had previously made similar public promises to disband his men without following through.
"We'll believe it when we see it. We've seen these promises before," one Western diplomat in Kinshasa said. Experts estimate Nkunda's total forces may number at least 4,000.
MONUC has called on Nkunda's men to make the short trip out of the bush and report to special camps so they can be integrated into the national army as part of a nationwide peace process that followed the country's 1998-2003 war.
Kabila, who has vowed to pacify all of his vast, mineral-rich country since winning elections in the former Belgian colony last year, said last week he had given a "green light" for the armed forces to move against Nkunda.
But the president, who is currently visiting the United States, declined to say when the offensive would start.
Nkunda says he is defending Congo's Tutsi ethnic community against attacks by Rwandan Hutu rebels he says are supported by Kabila's army. The Congolese leader denies such support and says he also plans to disarm the Hutu rebels, who are accused of involvement in Rwanda's 1994 genocide killings of Tutsis.
U.N. relief agencies fear an all-out army offensive will sharply worsen the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, where 370,000 people have fled fighting this year. (Additional reporting by Themistocle Hakizimana in Kigali)
AlertNet news
Six Darfur rebel factions to boycott peace talks
October 23, 2007 (JUBA, Sudan) — A prominent Darfur rebel figure and five other smaller factions will not attend peace talks due to start this weekend in Libya, leaders said on Tuesday, casting doubt on prospects for a settlement.
Ahmed Abdelshafi
Ahmed Abdel Shafi told reporters at a Darfur rebel meeting in south Sudan’s capital Juba that African Union and United Nations mediators had not heeded rebel requests for a delay to allow them to form a united position and agree on a delegation.
"I was really shocked when people here are talking about unity and the United Nations started distributing invitations," he said.
"It’s ... a matter of sabotaging the process of unity," he said, adding unity talks were going well with more factions joining but more time was needed to complete negotiations.
Without all rebel groups present at the talks which begin in Sirte on Saturday, hopes for a ceasefire look slim.
Mediators had hoped as many rebels as possible would go to negotiate a comprehensive ceasefire in Darfur as a first step towards resolving the conflict.
Since a peace deal signed by only one of three rebel negotiating factions last year, the insurgents have split into more than a dozen groups.
Around 70 rebel delegates are in Juba for talks intended to produce a unified delegation. Lounging under umbrellas in the gardens of the Home And Away cafe to the plangent tones of U.S. Country & Western music, some wore pristine suits while others sported camouflage mesh head wraps and khaki uniforms.
Esam al-Hajj, another SLM rebel figure in Juba, said five other factions from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) would also not be going to the talks.
"Six factions ... and field commanders ... have agreed not to participate in the current negotiations," he said.
Added to SLM founder and popular leader Abdelwahid Mohamed al-Nur’s earlier refusal to attend the Libya talks, this would mean no rebels representing Darfur’s largest tribe, the Fur, will be negotiating with Khartoum in Sirte.
International experts estimate 200,000 have died and 2.5 million have been driven from their homes in 4-1/2 years of violence, but Khartoum puts the death toll at 9,000.
Abdel Shafi also said African Union and United Nations mediators had taken key decisions without consulting the rebels. They objected to the choice of Libya, a country which has been directly involved in the conflict, as the venue for the talks.
"We have a lot of reservations actually about the mediation," he said. On Libya, he said: "The people of Darfur feel ... that the neutrality is not there."
He said it could take at least a month before the rebels were ready to attend peace talks.
Hajj said another worry was the withdrawal this month of the former southern Sudanese rebels, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), from the national coalition government.
"The government at the moment is not the legal government," he said.
The SPLM has a 28 percent share of government but suspended its ministers, saying the dominant northern National Congress Party was stalling on the 2005 north-south peace deal.
The standoff threatens to derail that peace deal and could also hinder the Darfur talks in Libya.
(Reuters)
Ahmed Abdelshafi
Ahmed Abdel Shafi told reporters at a Darfur rebel meeting in south Sudan’s capital Juba that African Union and United Nations mediators had not heeded rebel requests for a delay to allow them to form a united position and agree on a delegation.
"I was really shocked when people here are talking about unity and the United Nations started distributing invitations," he said.
"It’s ... a matter of sabotaging the process of unity," he said, adding unity talks were going well with more factions joining but more time was needed to complete negotiations.
Without all rebel groups present at the talks which begin in Sirte on Saturday, hopes for a ceasefire look slim.
Mediators had hoped as many rebels as possible would go to negotiate a comprehensive ceasefire in Darfur as a first step towards resolving the conflict.
Since a peace deal signed by only one of three rebel negotiating factions last year, the insurgents have split into more than a dozen groups.
Around 70 rebel delegates are in Juba for talks intended to produce a unified delegation. Lounging under umbrellas in the gardens of the Home And Away cafe to the plangent tones of U.S. Country & Western music, some wore pristine suits while others sported camouflage mesh head wraps and khaki uniforms.
Esam al-Hajj, another SLM rebel figure in Juba, said five other factions from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) would also not be going to the talks.
"Six factions ... and field commanders ... have agreed not to participate in the current negotiations," he said.
Added to SLM founder and popular leader Abdelwahid Mohamed al-Nur’s earlier refusal to attend the Libya talks, this would mean no rebels representing Darfur’s largest tribe, the Fur, will be negotiating with Khartoum in Sirte.
International experts estimate 200,000 have died and 2.5 million have been driven from their homes in 4-1/2 years of violence, but Khartoum puts the death toll at 9,000.
Abdel Shafi also said African Union and United Nations mediators had taken key decisions without consulting the rebels. They objected to the choice of Libya, a country which has been directly involved in the conflict, as the venue for the talks.
"We have a lot of reservations actually about the mediation," he said. On Libya, he said: "The people of Darfur feel ... that the neutrality is not there."
He said it could take at least a month before the rebels were ready to attend peace talks.
Hajj said another worry was the withdrawal this month of the former southern Sudanese rebels, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), from the national coalition government.
"The government at the moment is not the legal government," he said.
The SPLM has a 28 percent share of government but suspended its ministers, saying the dominant northern National Congress Party was stalling on the 2005 north-south peace deal.
The standoff threatens to derail that peace deal and could also hinder the Darfur talks in Libya.
(Reuters)
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Darfur force brings hope, new threats to aid effort
October 18, 2007 (LONDON) — Aid agencies working in Sudan’s Darfur hope incoming United Nations and African Union peacekeepers will help protect them, but there are also fears they could spark new violence against unarmed relief staff.
The 26,000-person hybrid force is due to arrive in Darfur in the coming months against a backdrop of escalating violence targeting the world’s largest humanitarian relief operation.
Gunman killed three U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) drivers in the last week, while agency compounds have been raided, staff abducted and equipment stolen.
The new peacekeepers — mainly African infantry with a handful of troops from other nations — will replace a much smaller African Union force that has largely failed to halt violence in a region the size of France.
Aid agencies — some of whom have lobbied for years for U.N. peacekeepers — say their situation now is so bad that they have to withdraw from some areas and cut back operations. Some reports suggest malnutrition rates are rising as a result.
"The way it is now for humanitarian agencies cannot continue," former U.N. undersecretary general Jan Egeland, one of the strongest advocates for the force, told Reuters last month.
"When the humanitarians or the refugees themselves say they are threatened, the force has to deploy protectively and defend. And fight, if necessary."
International experts say some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have fled their homes in Darfur since 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government, which in turn mobilised predominantly Arab militias to squelch the revolt.
Khartoum, which long resisted demands for a U.N. force, says only 9,000 are dead and the crisis has been exaggerated.
While many aid workers accuse the government of trying to frustrate their work, they blame most attacks on rebel groups and bandits intent on stealing equipment and vehicles, a practice experts say has become almost an industry in Darfur.
Aid groups hope more peacekeepers might reduce that risk. But at the same time, if the larger force takes more aggressive action than its AU predecessor it may make enemies — either militia or rebels — who may hit aid workers as a soft target.
KEEPING SEPARATE
"Of course it is possible and you can expect anything," said Francois Grignon, Africa project director for the International Crisis Group. "It is a risk with all peacekeeping operations. They will have to co-operate in terms of security."
He said the new force risked simply being too weak to change the situation on the ground, particularly if peace talks in Libya later this month failed to produce a concrete peace deal.
Former U.N. aid chief Egeland said there had been incidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere in West Africa where aid workers had been attacked or compounds burnt in retaliation for action by peacekeepers.
"We have been discussing that risk for years," he said. "Generally, it has been exaggerated. ... In the short term it may decrease security but in the long-term hopefully it will help."
Experts say it is important the aid effort maintains its distance from the peacekeepers if it is to maintain any impression of neutrality and work with all sides.
After the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Western and U.N. aid agencies sent in large missions. Later that year, a truck bomb attack on the U.N. compound killed 22. Other attacks, kidnappings and killings forced most aid groups out.
"I think our mistake our was to send in so many people so fast on the back of an invasion force who looked just like us," Egeland said. "That is one of the reasons it is so important that the force in Darfur looks and feels African."
A much better equipped European Union force will be deployed across the border in neighbouring Chad and Central African Republic, but will not be authorised to cross into Darfur.
Subject to eventual Sudanese approval, there will be a small Western component to the Darfur force, primarily a battalion of 400 Norwegian and Swedish army engineers.
Their main remit will be building camps and bases for the main force. Their commander said they could help with sanitation and construction in refugee camps but would not do so unless asked by the main aid effort for fear of blurring the lines.
" We can’t just walk in and take over their missions," said Lieutenant Colonel Anstein Aasen in Oslo. "They have to to ask us and not the other way around."
(Reuters)
The 26,000-person hybrid force is due to arrive in Darfur in the coming months against a backdrop of escalating violence targeting the world’s largest humanitarian relief operation.
Gunman killed three U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) drivers in the last week, while agency compounds have been raided, staff abducted and equipment stolen.
The new peacekeepers — mainly African infantry with a handful of troops from other nations — will replace a much smaller African Union force that has largely failed to halt violence in a region the size of France.
Aid agencies — some of whom have lobbied for years for U.N. peacekeepers — say their situation now is so bad that they have to withdraw from some areas and cut back operations. Some reports suggest malnutrition rates are rising as a result.
"The way it is now for humanitarian agencies cannot continue," former U.N. undersecretary general Jan Egeland, one of the strongest advocates for the force, told Reuters last month.
"When the humanitarians or the refugees themselves say they are threatened, the force has to deploy protectively and defend. And fight, if necessary."
International experts say some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have fled their homes in Darfur since 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government, which in turn mobilised predominantly Arab militias to squelch the revolt.
Khartoum, which long resisted demands for a U.N. force, says only 9,000 are dead and the crisis has been exaggerated.
While many aid workers accuse the government of trying to frustrate their work, they blame most attacks on rebel groups and bandits intent on stealing equipment and vehicles, a practice experts say has become almost an industry in Darfur.
Aid groups hope more peacekeepers might reduce that risk. But at the same time, if the larger force takes more aggressive action than its AU predecessor it may make enemies — either militia or rebels — who may hit aid workers as a soft target.
KEEPING SEPARATE
"Of course it is possible and you can expect anything," said Francois Grignon, Africa project director for the International Crisis Group. "It is a risk with all peacekeeping operations. They will have to co-operate in terms of security."
He said the new force risked simply being too weak to change the situation on the ground, particularly if peace talks in Libya later this month failed to produce a concrete peace deal.
Former U.N. aid chief Egeland said there had been incidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere in West Africa where aid workers had been attacked or compounds burnt in retaliation for action by peacekeepers.
"We have been discussing that risk for years," he said. "Generally, it has been exaggerated. ... In the short term it may decrease security but in the long-term hopefully it will help."
Experts say it is important the aid effort maintains its distance from the peacekeepers if it is to maintain any impression of neutrality and work with all sides.
After the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Western and U.N. aid agencies sent in large missions. Later that year, a truck bomb attack on the U.N. compound killed 22. Other attacks, kidnappings and killings forced most aid groups out.
"I think our mistake our was to send in so many people so fast on the back of an invasion force who looked just like us," Egeland said. "That is one of the reasons it is so important that the force in Darfur looks and feels African."
A much better equipped European Union force will be deployed across the border in neighbouring Chad and Central African Republic, but will not be authorised to cross into Darfur.
Subject to eventual Sudanese approval, there will be a small Western component to the Darfur force, primarily a battalion of 400 Norwegian and Swedish army engineers.
Their main remit will be building camps and bases for the main force. Their commander said they could help with sanitation and construction in refugee camps but would not do so unless asked by the main aid effort for fear of blurring the lines.
" We can’t just walk in and take over their missions," said Lieutenant Colonel Anstein Aasen in Oslo. "They have to to ask us and not the other way around."
(Reuters)
Armed groups carry out daily attack on Darfur Kalama displaced
Friday 19 October 2007.
October 18, 2007 (NYALA) — Khartoum backed armed groups carry out daily attacks inside Darfur biggest camp in order to spread violence and force internally displaced persons to evacuate the camps, reports received from South Darfur say.
A Sudanese woman refugee arriving from Labado protects herself from the wind at Kalma Camp, near Nyala in Sudan’s South Darfur region 09 January 2005. (AFP).
Kalma camp is the most volatile one, but also the biggest IDPs camps. It is seen as supporting the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Movement founder and chairman Abdelwahid Mohamed al-Nur, who refuse to take part in the ongoing peace process demanding security for Darfur civilians before talks.
Since two days armed groups enter to the camp of Kalma in South Darfur state and attack habitants of the camp. Armed militia elements killed on Wednesday a displaced called Mahmoud Ishac, Sudan Tribune has learnt.
Asked by telephone, al-Nur confirmed the reports. He further accused Sudanese government of organizing regular attacks against civilians. "Civilians fear attacks and they are terrorized" he said.
The rebel leader urged the international community to accelerate the deployment of the 26, 000 peacekeepers in the region. He also urged pressures on the Sudanese government to stop the killing of Darfur civilian.
Up to last year, the government backed janjaweed militia attacked the IDPs particularly women who go out the camp to collect wood. The militia were always present out side the camps.
Sudanese forces surrounded and attacked Darfur’s most volatile camp on Tuesday August 21 to flush out rebels they say are behind attacks on two police posts.
International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003.
Khartoum agreed to a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-AU force which will absorb the AU mission and try to stop violence which has hampered the world’s largest aid operation in Darfur. Some 500,000 people are out of reach of relief workers.
(ST)
October 18, 2007 (NYALA) — Khartoum backed armed groups carry out daily attacks inside Darfur biggest camp in order to spread violence and force internally displaced persons to evacuate the camps, reports received from South Darfur say.
A Sudanese woman refugee arriving from Labado protects herself from the wind at Kalma Camp, near Nyala in Sudan’s South Darfur region 09 January 2005. (AFP).
Kalma camp is the most volatile one, but also the biggest IDPs camps. It is seen as supporting the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Movement founder and chairman Abdelwahid Mohamed al-Nur, who refuse to take part in the ongoing peace process demanding security for Darfur civilians before talks.
Since two days armed groups enter to the camp of Kalma in South Darfur state and attack habitants of the camp. Armed militia elements killed on Wednesday a displaced called Mahmoud Ishac, Sudan Tribune has learnt.
Asked by telephone, al-Nur confirmed the reports. He further accused Sudanese government of organizing regular attacks against civilians. "Civilians fear attacks and they are terrorized" he said.
The rebel leader urged the international community to accelerate the deployment of the 26, 000 peacekeepers in the region. He also urged pressures on the Sudanese government to stop the killing of Darfur civilian.
Up to last year, the government backed janjaweed militia attacked the IDPs particularly women who go out the camp to collect wood. The militia were always present out side the camps.
Sudanese forces surrounded and attacked Darfur’s most volatile camp on Tuesday August 21 to flush out rebels they say are behind attacks on two police posts.
International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003.
Khartoum agreed to a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-AU force which will absorb the AU mission and try to stop violence which has hampered the world’s largest aid operation in Darfur. Some 500,000 people are out of reach of relief workers.
(ST)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Sudan rivals try to resolve split
South Sudan's leader Salva Kiir is travelling to meet the president in an effort to resolve a crisis that has threatened to tear the country apart.
Mr Kiir's ex-rebel group withdrew its ministers from government last week saying elements of a 2005 north-south peace pact were being ignored.
President Omar al-Bashir agreed in part to a request for a cabinet reshuffle.
But border demarcations and redeploying northern troops from the south are some of the things yet to be implemented.
The BBC's Amber Henshaw in the capital, Khartoum, says tensions have been brewing for months between the southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the governing National Congress Party.
The two signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) two years ago that ended the 21-year civil war.
Under the CPA, the SPLM controls the southern regional government and participates in the national government in Khartoum.
But the enemies in war have struggled to become partners in peace, our reporter says.
Deadline
Mr Kiir - who is also the country's national vice-president - is travelling to Khartoum for the meeting.
Our correspondent says it is hoped the men can stop the crisis from escalating further.
On Wednesday, Mr Bashir reshuffled his cabinet removing Lam Akol as foreign minister.
Mr Akol, although a southerner, was seen as too close to the NCP.
But the SPLM says not all their suggestions for ministers from the south were agreed to.
After meeting Mr Bashir on Tuesday, Sudan Vice-President Riak Machar told the BBC that parts of the CPA that had not been implemented included:
The redeployment of northern troops from the south, especially from Unity and Upper Nile states
Issues of oil management and marketing
The final border demarcation which means the division of oil wealth cannot be completed
Issues to pave the way for a census in 2011, when the south could decide to split from the north.
Mr Riak said the north had until 9 January 2008, the third anniversary of the signing of the CPA, to resolve these issues.
Some 1.5m people died in Sudan's conflict - Africa's longest civil war - which pitted the mainly Muslim north against the Animist and Christian south before the CPA was agreed.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7050351.stm
Mr Kiir's ex-rebel group withdrew its ministers from government last week saying elements of a 2005 north-south peace pact were being ignored.
President Omar al-Bashir agreed in part to a request for a cabinet reshuffle.
But border demarcations and redeploying northern troops from the south are some of the things yet to be implemented.
The BBC's Amber Henshaw in the capital, Khartoum, says tensions have been brewing for months between the southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the governing National Congress Party.
The two signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) two years ago that ended the 21-year civil war.
Under the CPA, the SPLM controls the southern regional government and participates in the national government in Khartoum.
But the enemies in war have struggled to become partners in peace, our reporter says.
Deadline
Mr Kiir - who is also the country's national vice-president - is travelling to Khartoum for the meeting.
Our correspondent says it is hoped the men can stop the crisis from escalating further.
On Wednesday, Mr Bashir reshuffled his cabinet removing Lam Akol as foreign minister.
Mr Akol, although a southerner, was seen as too close to the NCP.
But the SPLM says not all their suggestions for ministers from the south were agreed to.
After meeting Mr Bashir on Tuesday, Sudan Vice-President Riak Machar told the BBC that parts of the CPA that had not been implemented included:
The redeployment of northern troops from the south, especially from Unity and Upper Nile states
Issues of oil management and marketing
The final border demarcation which means the division of oil wealth cannot be completed
Issues to pave the way for a census in 2011, when the south could decide to split from the north.
Mr Riak said the north had until 9 January 2008, the third anniversary of the signing of the CPA, to resolve these issues.
Some 1.5m people died in Sudan's conflict - Africa's longest civil war - which pitted the mainly Muslim north against the Animist and Christian south before the CPA was agreed.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7050351.stm
Sunday, October 14, 2007
SUDAN: Darfur attack "targeted women and children"
NAIROBI, 10 October 2007 (IRIN) - The recent attack on Muhajiriya town in South Darfur, in which 45 people died and thousands fled their homes, mainly targeted women, children and the elderly, a rebel faction said.
"The government moved forces into the town two days earlier," Mohammed Bashir, spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), said from Khartoum, the capital. "With air cover, they attacked the town, burnt down half of it and killed mainly children, women and the elderly."
The Sudanese army denied involvement in the 8 October attack, saying violence in Muhajiriya was a result of "tribal fighting between the citizens of the area".
Bashir said residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled their homes were in desperate need of assistance. "They fled into [the bush]," he told IRIN by telephone on 10 October. "Although the town is calm now, they are still scared of going back to their homes."
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 45,000 internally displaced people were being assisted in and around Muhajiriya.
National and international aid workers from two NGOs were temporarily relocated after the attack, disrupting humanitarian operations.
"There are 20 wounded civilians who need to be taken to hospital," Bashir said. The SLA faction of Minni Minnawi, who signed a May 2006 peace deal and joined the Khartoum government, controls the area.
Amnesty International said the attack was supported by an Antonov, which had been painted in white UN colours. Since 2005, Sudan has been prohibited from offensive flights over Darfur and has been criticised for painting aircraft white, it said.
But spokesman Brigadier Osman Mohamed Al-Aghbash said the army had nothing to do with the incidents at Muhajiriya, adding that its planes had only conducted reconnaissance missions in Haskanita area under an arrangement with the African Union (AU).
"If these kinds of attacks continue, we will not sit without defending ourselves," the SLA spokesman warned. "It will also destroy trust ahead of the Libya talks."
The talks due to start in Sirte on 27 October are expected to bring together Darfur's armed factions and the Sudanese government to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in the region. Fears have, however, arisen that recent attacks could force some of the groups to boycott the event.
Amnesty, in a statement, warned that more attacks were imminent in northern Darfur. Sudanese forces, it added, were gathering in large numbers in at least six towns, including Tine, Kornoy, Um Baru, Kutum.
"The northern area of North Darfur is under the control of armed opposition groups and it looks as though the Sudan Armed Forces want to attack this area before peace talks scheduled to take place in Libya before the end of the month," according to Tawanda Hondora, deputy director of Amnesty's Africa Programme.
"We fear that civilians will once more suffer killing and displacement, with no force able to protect them."
The Muhajiriya attack followed an earlier one on Haskanita on 29 September. Ten AU peacekeepers were killed. Aid workers said that attack was carried out by an armed opposition group, but the town was occupied by Sudanese forces afterwards.
A UN assessment mission later found Haskanita had been burnt down. Sudanese authorities said the team had exaggerated its findings, adding that only the market was destroyed by a fire. The AU is investigating.
"The gathering of forces in the north, the burning of Haskanita last week, and yesterday's attack on Muhajiriya show the vital importance of ensuring that UNAMID [proposed UN-AU peacekeeping force] is deployed as soon as possible and has the resources available to protect civilians," said Hondora.
Preparations to deploy the force are ongoing, but the mission still lacks ground transport, light tactical helicopters and transport helicopters, according to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Affairs, Jean-Marie Guéhenno.
Aid workers fear the upsurge in violence will further restrict the ability of the few humanitarian workers left in Darfur to reach thousands of vulnerable civilians.
"The government moved forces into the town two days earlier," Mohammed Bashir, spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), said from Khartoum, the capital. "With air cover, they attacked the town, burnt down half of it and killed mainly children, women and the elderly."
The Sudanese army denied involvement in the 8 October attack, saying violence in Muhajiriya was a result of "tribal fighting between the citizens of the area".
Bashir said residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled their homes were in desperate need of assistance. "They fled into [the bush]," he told IRIN by telephone on 10 October. "Although the town is calm now, they are still scared of going back to their homes."
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 45,000 internally displaced people were being assisted in and around Muhajiriya.
National and international aid workers from two NGOs were temporarily relocated after the attack, disrupting humanitarian operations.
"There are 20 wounded civilians who need to be taken to hospital," Bashir said. The SLA faction of Minni Minnawi, who signed a May 2006 peace deal and joined the Khartoum government, controls the area.
Amnesty International said the attack was supported by an Antonov, which had been painted in white UN colours. Since 2005, Sudan has been prohibited from offensive flights over Darfur and has been criticised for painting aircraft white, it said.
But spokesman Brigadier Osman Mohamed Al-Aghbash said the army had nothing to do with the incidents at Muhajiriya, adding that its planes had only conducted reconnaissance missions in Haskanita area under an arrangement with the African Union (AU).
"If these kinds of attacks continue, we will not sit without defending ourselves," the SLA spokesman warned. "It will also destroy trust ahead of the Libya talks."
The talks due to start in Sirte on 27 October are expected to bring together Darfur's armed factions and the Sudanese government to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in the region. Fears have, however, arisen that recent attacks could force some of the groups to boycott the event.
Amnesty, in a statement, warned that more attacks were imminent in northern Darfur. Sudanese forces, it added, were gathering in large numbers in at least six towns, including Tine, Kornoy, Um Baru, Kutum.
"The northern area of North Darfur is under the control of armed opposition groups and it looks as though the Sudan Armed Forces want to attack this area before peace talks scheduled to take place in Libya before the end of the month," according to Tawanda Hondora, deputy director of Amnesty's Africa Programme.
"We fear that civilians will once more suffer killing and displacement, with no force able to protect them."
The Muhajiriya attack followed an earlier one on Haskanita on 29 September. Ten AU peacekeepers were killed. Aid workers said that attack was carried out by an armed opposition group, but the town was occupied by Sudanese forces afterwards.
A UN assessment mission later found Haskanita had been burnt down. Sudanese authorities said the team had exaggerated its findings, adding that only the market was destroyed by a fire. The AU is investigating.
"The gathering of forces in the north, the burning of Haskanita last week, and yesterday's attack on Muhajiriya show the vital importance of ensuring that UNAMID [proposed UN-AU peacekeeping force] is deployed as soon as possible and has the resources available to protect civilians," said Hondora.
Preparations to deploy the force are ongoing, but the mission still lacks ground transport, light tactical helicopters and transport helicopters, according to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Affairs, Jean-Marie Guéhenno.
Aid workers fear the upsurge in violence will further restrict the ability of the few humanitarian workers left in Darfur to reach thousands of vulnerable civilians.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Violence forces MSF to evacuate team from Muhajariya, South Darfur
October 9, 2007
The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) evacuated a team of 16 aid workers from Muhajariya in South Darfur, Sudan, yesterday, following an intense attack on the town.
Shooting was first heard in Muhajariya in the morning on October 8. By 1 p.m., it had intensified, and patients started to flee the hospital. The MSF team sought shelter in their compound while shooting and mortar fire continued. One person reached the MSF compound and was treated for a gunshot wound. Some staff members fled in an attempt to get their families to safety.
Early on October 9, shooting started up again in the market area. When the team reached the hospital, the structure was completely deserted. Houses and huts in the neighborhood were also emptied as people gathered their possessions and fled.
Prior to the attack, there were 43 patients hospitalized, including pregnant women about to deliver, 15 children with severe pneumonia, and malnourished children in the feeding center.
An estimated additional 39 wounded people are among the thousands seeking refuge on the outskirts of Muhajariya and further away. MSF medical teams attempted to set up a small treatment center to provide care for the wounded, but with ongoing fighting and rumors of more attacks, it is too dangerous to keep a medical team on the ground.
Since MSF runs the only hospital in Muhajariya, the evacuation of the team means that people are urgently in need of medical care. MSF hopes to be able to return to the area as soon as possible to provide medical assistance.
Since July 2004, MSF has provided humanitarian medical assistance to the resident population and successive waves of displaced people in Muhajariya. With an average of 4,000 consultations a month this year, the hospital provides care for patients suffering from diarrhea and respiratory infections; ante- and post-natal services for women; emergency surgery; and a children's nutrition program for a population of 70,000. Today, Darfur is one of MSF's largest missions with 120 international and more than 1,800 national staff working throughout an area the size of France.
© 2007 Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) evacuated a team of 16 aid workers from Muhajariya in South Darfur, Sudan, yesterday, following an intense attack on the town.
Shooting was first heard in Muhajariya in the morning on October 8. By 1 p.m., it had intensified, and patients started to flee the hospital. The MSF team sought shelter in their compound while shooting and mortar fire continued. One person reached the MSF compound and was treated for a gunshot wound. Some staff members fled in an attempt to get their families to safety.
Early on October 9, shooting started up again in the market area. When the team reached the hospital, the structure was completely deserted. Houses and huts in the neighborhood were also emptied as people gathered their possessions and fled.
Prior to the attack, there were 43 patients hospitalized, including pregnant women about to deliver, 15 children with severe pneumonia, and malnourished children in the feeding center.
An estimated additional 39 wounded people are among the thousands seeking refuge on the outskirts of Muhajariya and further away. MSF medical teams attempted to set up a small treatment center to provide care for the wounded, but with ongoing fighting and rumors of more attacks, it is too dangerous to keep a medical team on the ground.
Since MSF runs the only hospital in Muhajariya, the evacuation of the team means that people are urgently in need of medical care. MSF hopes to be able to return to the area as soon as possible to provide medical assistance.
Since July 2004, MSF has provided humanitarian medical assistance to the resident population and successive waves of displaced people in Muhajariya. With an average of 4,000 consultations a month this year, the hospital provides care for patients suffering from diarrhea and respiratory infections; ante- and post-natal services for women; emergency surgery; and a children's nutrition program for a population of 70,000. Today, Darfur is one of MSF's largest missions with 120 international and more than 1,800 national staff working throughout an area the size of France.
© 2007 Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Influential rebel condemns Darfur attack on AU troops
01 Oct 2007 09:34:42 GMT
Source: Reuters
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Background
Darfur conflict
Sudan conflicts
More
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM, Oct 1 (Reuters) - An influential member of a rebel group blamed for the deadliest attack on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur condemned the assault and called on Monday for the group's leaders to withdraw from the area.
Eighteen AU soldiers were killed or injured and 40 were missing after a "deliberate and sustained" assault on the Haskanita base in Darfur on Saturday night by armed men in 30 vehicles, who looted and destroyed the base, the AU said.
It was the worst single attack on AU forces since the 7,000-strong mission was deployed in 2004.
Suleiman Jamous, a member of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) Unity faction which is one of two groups accused of the attack, said if his faction was involved it was a local decision, not ordered by the leadership.
"I have asked the leadership of SLA Unity to withdraw all the troops from the area, to where they can be under the direct control of the military command," Jamous said.
"And I have asked them to investigate to find out who, if any, SLA Unity commanders were involved. They have attacked the mediators and I offer my condolences to the families of the AU soldiers," said the elder rebel who is not in Darfur.
SLA Unity and a breakaway faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Bahr Idriss Abu Garda have forces in the Haskanita area. Other JEM commanders said Abu Garda and a SLA Unity commander had the stolen AU vehicles.
While AU convoys and individuals have been ambushed -- around 40 killed in the three years prior to the Haskanita attack -- this was the first time an entire base was targeted.
NO PLAN FOR DEFENCE
AU force commander Martin Luther Agwai said the mission was making contingency plans and reassessing security. But he said little more could be done without getting desperately needed additional equipment and troops into Darfur.
"We've come up with contingency plans, we have to improve," said Agwai, who took up his post only a few months ago. "We are reassessing everything and we have learned some lessons."
After a long day evacuating all the bodies, injured and traumatised survivors, Agwai defended the AU force, whose mission was to stem the violence in Darfur.
"People did deployment on the premise that there was an (peace) agreement and they were coming to inspect and act as observers -- there was no planning for people to be able defend themselves," he said.
The AU mediated a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels in May 2006 but only one of three rebel negotiating factions signed the deal. Since then, rebels have split into a dozen factions.
The violence, which includes militias and tribal conflicts, has severely curtailed the world's largest aid operation.
The AU has long complained of a lack of equipment, including attack helicopters and rapid response vehicles. They have also said their force was too small to contain the conflict in the vast and arid region.
"I don't know how they want us to do it without the facilities," Agwai said, adding driving normally it would take 4-1/2 hours to reinforce Haskanita and under attack, an entire day.
"We are just 5,000 plus military men scattered in an area as big as France with no roads," he added.
Agwai will command the joint U.N.-AU peacekeeping force of 26,000 troops and police due to absorb the AU mission and remedy the chaotic security situation in Darfur.
SECURE THE AREA
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in Darfur, with 2.5 million driven from their homes as mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003 accusing central government of neglect. Khartoum mobilised mainly Arab militias to quell the revolt.
Emphasising the AU's inability to deal with such an attack, it asked for Khartoum's help to secure the area and evacuate personnel using Sudan Armed Forces planes, the army said.
"We offered all the help we could. We have secured the area and moved the injured," a SAF spokesman said.
The attack is likely to overshadow AU-U.N.-mediated talks due to begin in Libya on Oct. 27. Mediators Salim Ahmed Salim and Jan Eliasson expressed "shock and dismay" at the attack.
"The Special Envoys urge all parties to the conflict to demonstrate a serious commitment to the peace process and to cease hostilities," they said in a statement.
The attack preceded a visit of "elders" to Sudan, including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter, veteran peace mediator Lakhdar Brahimi and womens and children's rights advocate Graca Machel.
On Monday they are due to meet Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The trip to Darfur and southern Sudan is the group's first public mission since its inception this year.
AlertNet news
Source: Reuters
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Background
Darfur conflict
Sudan conflicts
More
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM, Oct 1 (Reuters) - An influential member of a rebel group blamed for the deadliest attack on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur condemned the assault and called on Monday for the group's leaders to withdraw from the area.
Eighteen AU soldiers were killed or injured and 40 were missing after a "deliberate and sustained" assault on the Haskanita base in Darfur on Saturday night by armed men in 30 vehicles, who looted and destroyed the base, the AU said.
It was the worst single attack on AU forces since the 7,000-strong mission was deployed in 2004.
Suleiman Jamous, a member of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) Unity faction which is one of two groups accused of the attack, said if his faction was involved it was a local decision, not ordered by the leadership.
"I have asked the leadership of SLA Unity to withdraw all the troops from the area, to where they can be under the direct control of the military command," Jamous said.
"And I have asked them to investigate to find out who, if any, SLA Unity commanders were involved. They have attacked the mediators and I offer my condolences to the families of the AU soldiers," said the elder rebel who is not in Darfur.
SLA Unity and a breakaway faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Bahr Idriss Abu Garda have forces in the Haskanita area. Other JEM commanders said Abu Garda and a SLA Unity commander had the stolen AU vehicles.
While AU convoys and individuals have been ambushed -- around 40 killed in the three years prior to the Haskanita attack -- this was the first time an entire base was targeted.
NO PLAN FOR DEFENCE
AU force commander Martin Luther Agwai said the mission was making contingency plans and reassessing security. But he said little more could be done without getting desperately needed additional equipment and troops into Darfur.
"We've come up with contingency plans, we have to improve," said Agwai, who took up his post only a few months ago. "We are reassessing everything and we have learned some lessons."
After a long day evacuating all the bodies, injured and traumatised survivors, Agwai defended the AU force, whose mission was to stem the violence in Darfur.
"People did deployment on the premise that there was an (peace) agreement and they were coming to inspect and act as observers -- there was no planning for people to be able defend themselves," he said.
The AU mediated a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels in May 2006 but only one of three rebel negotiating factions signed the deal. Since then, rebels have split into a dozen factions.
The violence, which includes militias and tribal conflicts, has severely curtailed the world's largest aid operation.
The AU has long complained of a lack of equipment, including attack helicopters and rapid response vehicles. They have also said their force was too small to contain the conflict in the vast and arid region.
"I don't know how they want us to do it without the facilities," Agwai said, adding driving normally it would take 4-1/2 hours to reinforce Haskanita and under attack, an entire day.
"We are just 5,000 plus military men scattered in an area as big as France with no roads," he added.
Agwai will command the joint U.N.-AU peacekeeping force of 26,000 troops and police due to absorb the AU mission and remedy the chaotic security situation in Darfur.
SECURE THE AREA
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in Darfur, with 2.5 million driven from their homes as mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003 accusing central government of neglect. Khartoum mobilised mainly Arab militias to quell the revolt.
Emphasising the AU's inability to deal with such an attack, it asked for Khartoum's help to secure the area and evacuate personnel using Sudan Armed Forces planes, the army said.
"We offered all the help we could. We have secured the area and moved the injured," a SAF spokesman said.
The attack is likely to overshadow AU-U.N.-mediated talks due to begin in Libya on Oct. 27. Mediators Salim Ahmed Salim and Jan Eliasson expressed "shock and dismay" at the attack.
"The Special Envoys urge all parties to the conflict to demonstrate a serious commitment to the peace process and to cease hostilities," they said in a statement.
The attack preceded a visit of "elders" to Sudan, including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter, veteran peace mediator Lakhdar Brahimi and womens and children's rights advocate Graca Machel.
On Monday they are due to meet Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The trip to Darfur and southern Sudan is the group's first public mission since its inception this year.
AlertNet news
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Eastern Congo: IRC Launches Response in North Kivu, Delivering Medicine to Desperate Village
Rutshuru, Congo 26 Sep 2007 - The International Rescue Committee’s emergency team has delivered medicine to a village in North Kivu’s Rutshuru District, launching a relief effort that aims to provide lifesaving assistance to tens of thousands of people hit by spiraling violence.
The IRC team brought a month’s worth of drugs to a clinic that had completely run out in the tiny village of Kabaya, where some 4,000 displaced people are seeking refuge—more than doubling the size of the already destitute hamlet.
“The displaced have crowded into the village’s school and church and others are staying with families who hardly have the means to care for themselves,” says Bob Kitchen, who is leading the emergency response operation.
“Aside from a clinic with no drugs and a squalid delivery room, we also found that there are no water points within Kabaya. The women have to walk out of the village to the closest water source, which is unprotected, dirty and also happens to be at the start of rebel-held territory. It’s risky any way you look at it,” Kitchen adds.
Female members of the team met with displaced women who spoke of sexual assaults by all armed forces in the conflict and no where to go for help.
The IRC initially plans to provide technical support and more medical supplies to the Kabaya clinic and similar assistance for two other clinics in the volatile district, as well as aid for sexual violence survivors. The IRC is also preparing to improve water supply and sanitation services in areas hosting displaced communities.
After a brief period of calm, clashes resumed this week between government troops and rebels groups, the largest made up of fighters loyal to General Laurent Nkunda.
Kitchen expressed concern that the fighting is leading to road closures which are severely hampering access to people in need of humanitarian aid.
The IRC team brought a month’s worth of drugs to a clinic that had completely run out in the tiny village of Kabaya, where some 4,000 displaced people are seeking refuge—more than doubling the size of the already destitute hamlet.
“The displaced have crowded into the village’s school and church and others are staying with families who hardly have the means to care for themselves,” says Bob Kitchen, who is leading the emergency response operation.
“Aside from a clinic with no drugs and a squalid delivery room, we also found that there are no water points within Kabaya. The women have to walk out of the village to the closest water source, which is unprotected, dirty and also happens to be at the start of rebel-held territory. It’s risky any way you look at it,” Kitchen adds.
Female members of the team met with displaced women who spoke of sexual assaults by all armed forces in the conflict and no where to go for help.
The IRC initially plans to provide technical support and more medical supplies to the Kabaya clinic and similar assistance for two other clinics in the volatile district, as well as aid for sexual violence survivors. The IRC is also preparing to improve water supply and sanitation services in areas hosting displaced communities.
After a brief period of calm, clashes resumed this week between government troops and rebels groups, the largest made up of fighters loyal to General Laurent Nkunda.
Kitchen expressed concern that the fighting is leading to road closures which are severely hampering access to people in need of humanitarian aid.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Eritrea insists Ethiopia implements border ruling
NAIROBI, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Eritrea maintains its demand that Ethiopia implement a border ruling agreed under a pact to end their 1998-2000 war, a minister said on Wednesday after Ethiopia threatened to call off the peace agreement.
In a letter to Eritrea's Foreign Minister on Tuesday, Ethiopia accused Asmara of violating the deal on several fronts including coordinating "terrorist activity".
Addis Ababa said as a result it was considering terminating or suspending all or part the Algiers agreement that ended the two-year border conflict that killed 70,000 people.
Eritrean Information Minister Ali Abdu said Asmara had no knowledge of any such letter and that it was Ethiopia's concern.
"That's not our business. It's up to them," he told Reuters by telephone.
"What we know is there has been a legal verdict and what we want is the implementation of that. No more, no less."
Relations between the Horn of Africa neighbours plummeted when Ethiopia initially rejected a 2002 ruling by an independent border commission, despite agreeing beforehand to accept whatever the commission ruled as final and binding.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia said its soldiers were just metres (yards) apart from Eritrean troops who moved into what is supposed to be a neutral buffer zone.
Analysts and diplomats say neither country wants to go to war, in spite of the inflammatory rhetoric on both sides. But they worry that an unplanned skirmish could trigger conflict.
The two countries are on opposite sides of the conflict in Somalia, with Ethiopia backing the government and Eritrea Islamists forced out of Mogadishu in December.
Eritrea denies Ethiopia's allegations of support for armed groups. This month, it accused Ethiopia of scuppering demarcation talks on their 1,000 km (620 mile) frontier.
Abdu ruled out any dialogue.
"There was not, there is not and there will not be any direct communication between us," he said.
AlertNet news is provided by Reuters
In a letter to Eritrea's Foreign Minister on Tuesday, Ethiopia accused Asmara of violating the deal on several fronts including coordinating "terrorist activity".
Addis Ababa said as a result it was considering terminating or suspending all or part the Algiers agreement that ended the two-year border conflict that killed 70,000 people.
Eritrean Information Minister Ali Abdu said Asmara had no knowledge of any such letter and that it was Ethiopia's concern.
"That's not our business. It's up to them," he told Reuters by telephone.
"What we know is there has been a legal verdict and what we want is the implementation of that. No more, no less."
Relations between the Horn of Africa neighbours plummeted when Ethiopia initially rejected a 2002 ruling by an independent border commission, despite agreeing beforehand to accept whatever the commission ruled as final and binding.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia said its soldiers were just metres (yards) apart from Eritrean troops who moved into what is supposed to be a neutral buffer zone.
Analysts and diplomats say neither country wants to go to war, in spite of the inflammatory rhetoric on both sides. But they worry that an unplanned skirmish could trigger conflict.
The two countries are on opposite sides of the conflict in Somalia, with Ethiopia backing the government and Eritrea Islamists forced out of Mogadishu in December.
Eritrea denies Ethiopia's allegations of support for armed groups. This month, it accused Ethiopia of scuppering demarcation talks on their 1,000 km (620 mile) frontier.
Abdu ruled out any dialogue.
"There was not, there is not and there will not be any direct communication between us," he said.
AlertNet news is provided by Reuters
UNHCR welcomes resolution on Chad, Central African Republic
NEW YORK – UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres welcomed the adoption today of a UN Security Council resolution establishing a multi-dimensional UN mission in Chad and Central African Republic (MINURCAT) that will help strengthen security in the region.
He looks forward to an early decision of the European Union to send military troops so that MINURCAT can deploy in the coming weeks and months.
Improving the security of the refugees, IDPs and other civilians in danger as well as facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance will greatly contribute toward stabilizing the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad and may contribute to the return of displaced persons, Guterres said.
This is most urgent given that the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad is "very difficult and serious" and the fear of increasing violence, causing more people to flee, with the approaching end of the rainy season.
He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive and sub-regional approach to the conflicts in the Darfur region, eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR. In the longer term, UNHCR appeals to the international community to provide recovery and development assistance so that the displaced can return and restart their lives as well as rebuild communities, given the heavy burden the people of Chad and CAR face.
Since 2004, eastern Chad has hosted some 240,000 Sudanese refugees in 12 camps who have fled the fighting in Darfur. In addition, Chad is facing a surge in the number of internally displaced persons, now totaling more than 170,000.
North-eastern CAR hosts some 2,660 refugees from Darfur.
Today's resolution establishes MINURCAT for a period of one year, with a mandate focusing on the security and protection of civilians – particularly refugees, IDPs and civilians in danger – and on human rights and the rule of law in eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR.
MINURCAT will consist of three components:
- a UN multidimensional presence, composed of UN police, rule of law, human rights and other civilian officers;
- a special Chadian police/gendarmes unit (some 850) dedicated exclusively to maintaining law and order in refugee camps, sites with concentrations of IDPs and key towns, and assisting in securing humanitarian activities in eastern Chad;
- an EU military deployment (under Chapter VII).
The military contingent would have a mandate to contribute to the protection of civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons; to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operation; and to contribute to protecting UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and to ensuring the security and freedom of movement of its staff and UN and associated personnel.
UNHCR news
He looks forward to an early decision of the European Union to send military troops so that MINURCAT can deploy in the coming weeks and months.
Improving the security of the refugees, IDPs and other civilians in danger as well as facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance will greatly contribute toward stabilizing the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad and may contribute to the return of displaced persons, Guterres said.
This is most urgent given that the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad is "very difficult and serious" and the fear of increasing violence, causing more people to flee, with the approaching end of the rainy season.
He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive and sub-regional approach to the conflicts in the Darfur region, eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR. In the longer term, UNHCR appeals to the international community to provide recovery and development assistance so that the displaced can return and restart their lives as well as rebuild communities, given the heavy burden the people of Chad and CAR face.
Since 2004, eastern Chad has hosted some 240,000 Sudanese refugees in 12 camps who have fled the fighting in Darfur. In addition, Chad is facing a surge in the number of internally displaced persons, now totaling more than 170,000.
North-eastern CAR hosts some 2,660 refugees from Darfur.
Today's resolution establishes MINURCAT for a period of one year, with a mandate focusing on the security and protection of civilians – particularly refugees, IDPs and civilians in danger – and on human rights and the rule of law in eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR.
MINURCAT will consist of three components:
- a UN multidimensional presence, composed of UN police, rule of law, human rights and other civilian officers;
- a special Chadian police/gendarmes unit (some 850) dedicated exclusively to maintaining law and order in refugee camps, sites with concentrations of IDPs and key towns, and assisting in securing humanitarian activities in eastern Chad;
- an EU military deployment (under Chapter VII).
The military contingent would have a mandate to contribute to the protection of civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons; to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operation; and to contribute to protecting UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and to ensuring the security and freedom of movement of its staff and UN and associated personnel.
UNHCR news
Darfur: Three ACT-Caritas staff detained and released into police custody in Zalingei
GENEVA, September 26, 2007--Three ACT-Caritas staff have been released into police custody after they were detained by an armed group over the weekend in Zalingei, west Darfur. The three staff were held for close to 30 hours and work for ACT-Caritas through ACT member, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).
Immediately following the incident, all non-life saving ACT-Caritas operations in and around Zalingei were suspended and non-essential staff were sent home.
John Distefano, director of the ACT-Caritas Darfur Emergency Response, said, "We are very pleased that our three staff members are safe and we expect them to be in our care as soon as possible. A team is also currently investigating the entire matter."
"We have strict security protocols in place to safeguard our staff and ensure that we don't inadvertently put those we assist at risk, but security is very fluid in this area," added Mr. Distefano.
Over the past two months insecurity had already reduced the ability of the ACT-Caritas operation to provide humanitarian assistance in and around Zalingei.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in August that insecurity is negatively affecting the quantity and quality of aid to hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur.
Further details on the incident and future operations in Zalingei will be released in the near future.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/222031/119079222693.htm
Immediately following the incident, all non-life saving ACT-Caritas operations in and around Zalingei were suspended and non-essential staff were sent home.
John Distefano, director of the ACT-Caritas Darfur Emergency Response, said, "We are very pleased that our three staff members are safe and we expect them to be in our care as soon as possible. A team is also currently investigating the entire matter."
"We have strict security protocols in place to safeguard our staff and ensure that we don't inadvertently put those we assist at risk, but security is very fluid in this area," added Mr. Distefano.
Over the past two months insecurity had already reduced the ability of the ACT-Caritas operation to provide humanitarian assistance in and around Zalingei.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in August that insecurity is negatively affecting the quantity and quality of aid to hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur.
Further details on the incident and future operations in Zalingei will be released in the near future.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/222031/119079222693.htm
China sends 250 tons of aid materials to Darfur
Tuesday 25 September 2007.
September 24, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — A special train carrying 250 tons of aid materials donated by the Chinese government left the Khartoum Railway Station on Monday for Sudan’s restive western region of Darfur.
The aid materials, including generators, water tankers and medical equipment for 30 water stations and 25 rural hospitals, is expected to arrive in Nyala, capital city of the South Darfur State, in five days.
This is one part of a total of RMB 80 million Chinese support to the Darfur region, which have been delayed by anti-government riots and tribal clashes since February 2003.
Besides the humanitarian assistances, a Chinese engineer unit consisting of 315 soldiers will be deployed in Darfur region in early October, to take part in a hybrid peacekeeping operation run by the United Nations and the African Union.
While addressing at a ceremony held for the aid delivery, Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Awad Ahmed Mohamed al-Jaz expressed his country’s appreciation for the positions of China and its support for the projects of development and public services in Sudan, especially in Darfur.
He appreciated the Chinese support as critical for the peace and stability in Darfur, saying it would promote the services and encourage the return of the refugees and displaced people to their homelands.
"We will start with the projects of water and health then the ones of education, housing and electricity," the Sudanese minister said.
Ahmed Mohammed Harun, the Sudanese minister of state for humanitarian affairs, also thanks Chinese government for providing such comprehensive support which covered all the vital fields.
He said this support indicated "the depth and solidity of the relations between Sudan and China."
Thanks to the cohesion of the Sudanese people and the support of Sudan’s friends, the Darfur cause was moving steadily forward towards a final solution, said Harun.
This was the third batch provided by the Chinese government and the previous two had been delivered to the Darfur region.
Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Chengwen reiterated China’s support to the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to realize the social and political stability in Darfur for achieving a final and lasting peace in the region.
"We are desirous to push the development process, promote the production, enhance the services and provide the humanitarian assistance for the citizens in Darfur," Li said.
(Xinhua)
September 24, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — A special train carrying 250 tons of aid materials donated by the Chinese government left the Khartoum Railway Station on Monday for Sudan’s restive western region of Darfur.
The aid materials, including generators, water tankers and medical equipment for 30 water stations and 25 rural hospitals, is expected to arrive in Nyala, capital city of the South Darfur State, in five days.
This is one part of a total of RMB 80 million Chinese support to the Darfur region, which have been delayed by anti-government riots and tribal clashes since February 2003.
Besides the humanitarian assistances, a Chinese engineer unit consisting of 315 soldiers will be deployed in Darfur region in early October, to take part in a hybrid peacekeeping operation run by the United Nations and the African Union.
While addressing at a ceremony held for the aid delivery, Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Awad Ahmed Mohamed al-Jaz expressed his country’s appreciation for the positions of China and its support for the projects of development and public services in Sudan, especially in Darfur.
He appreciated the Chinese support as critical for the peace and stability in Darfur, saying it would promote the services and encourage the return of the refugees and displaced people to their homelands.
"We will start with the projects of water and health then the ones of education, housing and electricity," the Sudanese minister said.
Ahmed Mohammed Harun, the Sudanese minister of state for humanitarian affairs, also thanks Chinese government for providing such comprehensive support which covered all the vital fields.
He said this support indicated "the depth and solidity of the relations between Sudan and China."
Thanks to the cohesion of the Sudanese people and the support of Sudan’s friends, the Darfur cause was moving steadily forward towards a final solution, said Harun.
This was the third batch provided by the Chinese government and the previous two had been delivered to the Darfur region.
Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Chengwen reiterated China’s support to the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to realize the social and political stability in Darfur for achieving a final and lasting peace in the region.
"We are desirous to push the development process, promote the production, enhance the services and provide the humanitarian assistance for the citizens in Darfur," Li said.
(Xinhua)
Cooperation with China reached "outstanding" stage - Ethiopia
Tuesday 25 September 2007.
September 24, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Monday the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and China has reached an "outstanding" stage.
During his talks with Li Ruogu, chairman of China Exim Bank, Meles said Ethiopia is keen to step up its current relationship with China.
China has been providing support to Ethiopia in various sectors, Meles said, adding that the cooperation in the areas of development projects should further be strengthened.
He also underlined China has been cooperating with African countries, particularly Ethiopia, in various sectors.
Li told journalists after the talks that the cooperation between Ethiopia and China has been gaining momentum from time to time.
The Chinese banker said his country is keen to beef up the development cooperation underway between the two countries.
Li arrived here on Sunday for a working visit.
(Xinhua)
September 24, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Monday the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and China has reached an "outstanding" stage.
During his talks with Li Ruogu, chairman of China Exim Bank, Meles said Ethiopia is keen to step up its current relationship with China.
China has been providing support to Ethiopia in various sectors, Meles said, adding that the cooperation in the areas of development projects should further be strengthened.
He also underlined China has been cooperating with African countries, particularly Ethiopia, in various sectors.
Li told journalists after the talks that the cooperation between Ethiopia and China has been gaining momentum from time to time.
The Chinese banker said his country is keen to beef up the development cooperation underway between the two countries.
Li arrived here on Sunday for a working visit.
(Xinhua)
Serious abuse continuing in Darfur - UN experts
Tuesday 25 September 2007.
September 24, 2007 (GENEVA) — A group of UN experts monitoring Darfur said Monday that serious human rights violations appeared to be continuing in the strife-torn western Sudanese region.
Sudanese Darfur survivor Ibrahim scratching through the dust where he says the remains of 25 of his friends and fellow villagers lie, at the site of a mass grave on the outskirts of the West Darfur town of Mukjar, Sudan, April 23, 2007. (AP)
In a report to the UN’s Human Rights Council, the experts said the Sudanese government was implementing some of their recommendations to prevent violations in the region, although progress on the ground so far appeared to be limited.
"The group of experts reiterates its concern about reports of ongoing serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by various parties to the conflict," the report said.
It called on Khartoum to address the issue of impunity and ensure that all perpetrators of abuses are brought to justice. The experts did not list the reported incidents.
UN human rights chief Louise Arbour issued a similar warning last week, saying that human rights violations in Darfur were still "of the same nature and largely on the same scale."
She also said there was little indication that the Sudanese government was willing to respond to arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
UN envoy Walter Kaelin, a member of the group, on Monday praised Khartoum’s "excellent cooperation" and its efforts to implement measures to stop abuse in Darfur.
But he told the 47-nation Council: "The group reiterates that the ultimate measure of the government’s implementation of the recommendations compiled by the group has to be concrete improvement in the human rights situation on the ground in Darfur."
"It is possible to note at this time that while certain recommendations have been at least partially implemented, it is not in a position to report that a clear impact on the ground has been identified yet," he added.
Kaelin said the experts wanted to give Khartoum "the maximum possible time" to fulfill its undertakings and promised a comprehensive evaluation in December.
Sudan’s delegation at the Council described the report as "very constructive."
In June the experts laid out more than 30 detailed "recommendations" or targets that Sudan should meet — including clear orders to stop attacks on civilians, disarming militia and full cooperation with the ICC.
They also included indicators — such as the numbers of attacks in Darfur or the number of people handed over to the ICC — that would allow an assessment of progress.
The report acknowledged that the multiplication of the number of warring parties was hampering efforts on the ground, but it cautioned that they "cannot be invoked as obstacles" in stopping violations.
Rebels in Darfur have split into different factions, with some rejecting a peace agreement, and are divided over further talks with Khartoum next month.
More than two million people have fled their homes and at least 200,000 have died from the combined effects of famine and conflict since Khartoum enlisted militia allies to put down a local revolt in 2003, according to the United Nations.
(AFP)
September 24, 2007 (GENEVA) — A group of UN experts monitoring Darfur said Monday that serious human rights violations appeared to be continuing in the strife-torn western Sudanese region.
Sudanese Darfur survivor Ibrahim scratching through the dust where he says the remains of 25 of his friends and fellow villagers lie, at the site of a mass grave on the outskirts of the West Darfur town of Mukjar, Sudan, April 23, 2007. (AP)
In a report to the UN’s Human Rights Council, the experts said the Sudanese government was implementing some of their recommendations to prevent violations in the region, although progress on the ground so far appeared to be limited.
"The group of experts reiterates its concern about reports of ongoing serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by various parties to the conflict," the report said.
It called on Khartoum to address the issue of impunity and ensure that all perpetrators of abuses are brought to justice. The experts did not list the reported incidents.
UN human rights chief Louise Arbour issued a similar warning last week, saying that human rights violations in Darfur were still "of the same nature and largely on the same scale."
She also said there was little indication that the Sudanese government was willing to respond to arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
UN envoy Walter Kaelin, a member of the group, on Monday praised Khartoum’s "excellent cooperation" and its efforts to implement measures to stop abuse in Darfur.
But he told the 47-nation Council: "The group reiterates that the ultimate measure of the government’s implementation of the recommendations compiled by the group has to be concrete improvement in the human rights situation on the ground in Darfur."
"It is possible to note at this time that while certain recommendations have been at least partially implemented, it is not in a position to report that a clear impact on the ground has been identified yet," he added.
Kaelin said the experts wanted to give Khartoum "the maximum possible time" to fulfill its undertakings and promised a comprehensive evaluation in December.
Sudan’s delegation at the Council described the report as "very constructive."
In June the experts laid out more than 30 detailed "recommendations" or targets that Sudan should meet — including clear orders to stop attacks on civilians, disarming militia and full cooperation with the ICC.
They also included indicators — such as the numbers of attacks in Darfur or the number of people handed over to the ICC — that would allow an assessment of progress.
The report acknowledged that the multiplication of the number of warring parties was hampering efforts on the ground, but it cautioned that they "cannot be invoked as obstacles" in stopping violations.
Rebels in Darfur have split into different factions, with some rejecting a peace agreement, and are divided over further talks with Khartoum next month.
More than two million people have fled their homes and at least 200,000 have died from the combined effects of famine and conflict since Khartoum enlisted militia allies to put down a local revolt in 2003, according to the United Nations.
(AFP)
Lack of security may force Oxfam to stop Darfur’s operation
Tuesday 25 September 2007.
September 24, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Oxfam could withdraw from Darfur if security worsens, its country director said on Monday, amid reports of 10 attacks in the past four days in Sudan’s violent and remote west.
Despite a peace deal signed last year by the government and one rebel faction and intense international focus on ending the conflict, Darfur has descended into chaos forcing the world’s largest aid operation to evacuate some areas and work at high risk in others to provide assistance to some 4 million people.
"It’s certainly a strong possibility that if things get any worse Oxfam would have to withdraw," the British aid agency’s country director Caroline Nursey told Reuters.
"Oxfam is operating at the limits of what it can tolerate as an organisation. In most circumstances if the security situation were as bad as it is in Darfur we would withdraw.
"The only reason we are still there is that we are aware of very large numbers of people who are totally dependent on us for services," said Nursey, who has worked on Sudan for four years — the last 18 months based in Khartoum.
Oxfam provides water and sanitation to 500,000 people in Darfur and neighbouring Chad, where the conflict that began in Darfur in early 2003 has spilled across the border.
Two weeks ago an Oxfam vehicle was taken in broad daylight by armed men in South Darfur’s massive and volatile Kalma camp. Nursey said the driver overheard the men debating whether to kill the two Oxfam staff members.
Last year an Oxfam driver was killed in North Darfur and staff faced mock executions in an attack in Gereida, South Darfur.
CHAOTIC SCENARIO
Since the conflict began when mostly non-Arabs revolted, accusing the government in Khartoum of neglect, some 200,000 people have died in Darfur and 2.5 million have fled their homes for sprawling camps run by aid groups.
Around 7,000 African Union police and troops have failed to stem the violence, and have been accused of bias for mediating the 2006 deal which many in Darfur’s makeshift camps reject as inadequate. Only one of three rebel factions signed the deal.
Since the peace deal rebels factionalised into more than a dozen rival groups and mostly Arab militias began fighting each other or the government which had mobilised them to quell the revolt, creating a chaotic security scenario.
Rebels, government-backed militias and bandits have all been blamed for recent attacks. Some violence has also been tribal.
Between Sept. 19-22, a U.N. statement reported eight attacks on aid convoys, compounds and police by unknown armed men in Darfur, a vast, arid area the size of France.
On Monday a government official in West Darfur told Reuters Nertiti, in the central Jabel Marra area, was attacked two days ago. One civilian was killed and four injured.
On Sunday nearby Suloo was also attacked. Four policemen were injured.
After months of negotiations and threats, Khartoum accepted a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-African Union force to absorb the struggling AU mission.
But U.N. officials in New York have said Khartoum and the AU have rejected non-African infantry battalions for the force.
Rebels say they prefer non-Africans as the AU had not managed to control the crisis. They took up arms in early 2003 accusing Khartoum of neglecting the remote region.
Officials have also said Western nations have not come up with the necessary logistical and technical support needed to launch the massive peacekeeping mission.
(Reuters)
September 24, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Oxfam could withdraw from Darfur if security worsens, its country director said on Monday, amid reports of 10 attacks in the past four days in Sudan’s violent and remote west.
Despite a peace deal signed last year by the government and one rebel faction and intense international focus on ending the conflict, Darfur has descended into chaos forcing the world’s largest aid operation to evacuate some areas and work at high risk in others to provide assistance to some 4 million people.
"It’s certainly a strong possibility that if things get any worse Oxfam would have to withdraw," the British aid agency’s country director Caroline Nursey told Reuters.
"Oxfam is operating at the limits of what it can tolerate as an organisation. In most circumstances if the security situation were as bad as it is in Darfur we would withdraw.
"The only reason we are still there is that we are aware of very large numbers of people who are totally dependent on us for services," said Nursey, who has worked on Sudan for four years — the last 18 months based in Khartoum.
Oxfam provides water and sanitation to 500,000 people in Darfur and neighbouring Chad, where the conflict that began in Darfur in early 2003 has spilled across the border.
Two weeks ago an Oxfam vehicle was taken in broad daylight by armed men in South Darfur’s massive and volatile Kalma camp. Nursey said the driver overheard the men debating whether to kill the two Oxfam staff members.
Last year an Oxfam driver was killed in North Darfur and staff faced mock executions in an attack in Gereida, South Darfur.
CHAOTIC SCENARIO
Since the conflict began when mostly non-Arabs revolted, accusing the government in Khartoum of neglect, some 200,000 people have died in Darfur and 2.5 million have fled their homes for sprawling camps run by aid groups.
Around 7,000 African Union police and troops have failed to stem the violence, and have been accused of bias for mediating the 2006 deal which many in Darfur’s makeshift camps reject as inadequate. Only one of three rebel factions signed the deal.
Since the peace deal rebels factionalised into more than a dozen rival groups and mostly Arab militias began fighting each other or the government which had mobilised them to quell the revolt, creating a chaotic security scenario.
Rebels, government-backed militias and bandits have all been blamed for recent attacks. Some violence has also been tribal.
Between Sept. 19-22, a U.N. statement reported eight attacks on aid convoys, compounds and police by unknown armed men in Darfur, a vast, arid area the size of France.
On Monday a government official in West Darfur told Reuters Nertiti, in the central Jabel Marra area, was attacked two days ago. One civilian was killed and four injured.
On Sunday nearby Suloo was also attacked. Four policemen were injured.
After months of negotiations and threats, Khartoum accepted a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-African Union force to absorb the struggling AU mission.
But U.N. officials in New York have said Khartoum and the AU have rejected non-African infantry battalions for the force.
Rebels say they prefer non-Africans as the AU had not managed to control the crisis. They took up arms in early 2003 accusing Khartoum of neglecting the remote region.
Officials have also said Western nations have not come up with the necessary logistical and technical support needed to launch the massive peacekeeping mission.
(Reuters)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Unknown gunmen attack aid workers in Darfur
Sunday 23 September 2007.
September 22, 2007 (UNITED NATIONS) — Three aid workers are wounded in an ambush staged by unidentified gunmen in South Darfur near Bulbul Timisgo, a small village on the main road between Nyala and Kass, the UN said today.
A convoy from U.S.-based World Vision International, which included eight staff members, was attacked on Thursday September 20. The three wounded aid workers are Sudanese; two of them were transported to Khartoum for medical attention while the third is treated in Nyala due to the severity of his injuries.
Attacks against relief workers increased by 150% from June 2006 to June 2007, the UN said. Since the start of 2007, some 98 vehicles have been hijacked, some 105 staff were temporarily taken hostage, more than 66 humanitarian personnel have been physically or sexually assaulted, and 61 convoys have been ambushed and looted.
John Holmes, the U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, condemned the attack and urged the Sudanese government to find the attackers and to punish them.
“This is a horrifying and brutal attack on aid staff who are working to save the lives of Sudanese people,” said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “We call on the Government of Sudan to act with all speed to identify those responsible and ensure that they are held accountable for their crime,” he added.
The UN statement didn’t identify the attackers but underscored that "clashes among rival Arab tribes in this area in 2007 have caused significant levels of destruction and displacement."
"The area is also beset by banditry and violence." The UN further said.
World Vision, one of the world’s largest NGOs, provides a wide range of relief assistance in South Darfur, with projects in food aid, nutrition, water, education, sanitation, and agriculture, among others. They employ several hundred staff there.
(ST)
September 22, 2007 (UNITED NATIONS) — Three aid workers are wounded in an ambush staged by unidentified gunmen in South Darfur near Bulbul Timisgo, a small village on the main road between Nyala and Kass, the UN said today.
A convoy from U.S.-based World Vision International, which included eight staff members, was attacked on Thursday September 20. The three wounded aid workers are Sudanese; two of them were transported to Khartoum for medical attention while the third is treated in Nyala due to the severity of his injuries.
Attacks against relief workers increased by 150% from June 2006 to June 2007, the UN said. Since the start of 2007, some 98 vehicles have been hijacked, some 105 staff were temporarily taken hostage, more than 66 humanitarian personnel have been physically or sexually assaulted, and 61 convoys have been ambushed and looted.
John Holmes, the U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, condemned the attack and urged the Sudanese government to find the attackers and to punish them.
“This is a horrifying and brutal attack on aid staff who are working to save the lives of Sudanese people,” said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “We call on the Government of Sudan to act with all speed to identify those responsible and ensure that they are held accountable for their crime,” he added.
The UN statement didn’t identify the attackers but underscored that "clashes among rival Arab tribes in this area in 2007 have caused significant levels of destruction and displacement."
"The area is also beset by banditry and violence." The UN further said.
World Vision, one of the world’s largest NGOs, provides a wide range of relief assistance in South Darfur, with projects in food aid, nutrition, water, education, sanitation, and agriculture, among others. They employ several hundred staff there.
(ST)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Humanitarian situation in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region worsens - UN
Thursday 20 September 2007.
September 19, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia) — The United Nations said Wednesday that the situation in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region has "deteriorated rapidly," and called for an independent investigation into the humanitarian issues there.
The U.N. sent a fact-finding mission to the Ogaden in the country’s volatile east from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6.
"The mission observed the recent fighting has led to a worsening humanitarian situation, in which the price of food has nearly doubled," the U.N. said in a statement released late Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The mission also called for a substantial increase in emergency food aid to the impoverished region where rebels have been fighting for increased autonomy for more than a decade.
The U.N. mission was sent after months of fighting that followed a crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on the Ogaden National Liberation Front. The government says the rebels, who killed 74 members of a Chinese-run oil exploration team, are terrorists, funded by its archenemy Eritrea.
The rebels have accused the Ethiopian government of genocide - a charge the government denies. In a statement on Sept. 13, the front said the government was punishing civilians for the rebel activities and that the fact-finding mission had not visited areas where war crimes were being committed.
"The Ethiopian regime’s policy in Ogaden continues to be a campaign of state-sponsored terror that largely avoids engagements with ONLF forces and instead focuses on collectively punishing our civilian population," the statement said. "Victims of the regime’s war crimes include victims of rape, torture, gunshot wounds and those fleeing burnt villages," it said.
The front called on the international community to stop "yet another preventable African genocide," and urged the U.N. to investigate further in the region, saying the recent trip had been too tightly controlled by the government.
Bereket Simon, the special adviser to the prime minister, dismissed the rebels’ claims after the statement was issued last week.
"They said it is good that the U.N. has sent the fact-finding mission. And now when the facts from the ground are found to be not supporting their claims, they are fighting the fact-finding mission," he said.
The group is fighting for greater political rights for the region, which is ethnically Somali.
(AP)
September 19, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia) — The United Nations said Wednesday that the situation in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region has "deteriorated rapidly," and called for an independent investigation into the humanitarian issues there.
The U.N. sent a fact-finding mission to the Ogaden in the country’s volatile east from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6.
"The mission observed the recent fighting has led to a worsening humanitarian situation, in which the price of food has nearly doubled," the U.N. said in a statement released late Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The mission also called for a substantial increase in emergency food aid to the impoverished region where rebels have been fighting for increased autonomy for more than a decade.
The U.N. mission was sent after months of fighting that followed a crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on the Ogaden National Liberation Front. The government says the rebels, who killed 74 members of a Chinese-run oil exploration team, are terrorists, funded by its archenemy Eritrea.
The rebels have accused the Ethiopian government of genocide - a charge the government denies. In a statement on Sept. 13, the front said the government was punishing civilians for the rebel activities and that the fact-finding mission had not visited areas where war crimes were being committed.
"The Ethiopian regime’s policy in Ogaden continues to be a campaign of state-sponsored terror that largely avoids engagements with ONLF forces and instead focuses on collectively punishing our civilian population," the statement said. "Victims of the regime’s war crimes include victims of rape, torture, gunshot wounds and those fleeing burnt villages," it said.
The front called on the international community to stop "yet another preventable African genocide," and urged the U.N. to investigate further in the region, saying the recent trip had been too tightly controlled by the government.
Bereket Simon, the special adviser to the prime minister, dismissed the rebels’ claims after the statement was issued last week.
"They said it is good that the U.N. has sent the fact-finding mission. And now when the facts from the ground are found to be not supporting their claims, they are fighting the fact-finding mission," he said.
The group is fighting for greater political rights for the region, which is ethnically Somali.
(AP)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Rights violations are contining with impunity in Darfur - UN
Tuesday 18 September 2007.
September 17, 2007 (GENEVA) — The United Nations top human rights official warned on Monday that rights violations are contining in Darfur and that the Sudanese government has yet to make serious progress on tackling impunity for offenders.
Louise Arbour
"Darfur continues to be a matter of serious preoccupation," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour told journalists.
"Human rights violations continue to be of the same nature and largely on the same scale," she said.
People forced into camps after fleeing their homes continue to be targeted, with women in particular vulnerable to sexual attacks, she said.
Arbour warned that there was "very little progress on national efforts to combat the culture of impunity."
"There is very little indication of a change of attitude for the better on the part of the government of Sudan to respond to the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court," she added.
In May, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Ahmed Haroun, the secretary of state for humanitarian affairs, and pro-government Janjaweed militia leader Ali Kosheib, but Sudan has refused to hand them over.
However, Arbour did say that the "slightly more energised peace process" and the prospect of a joint UN-African Union "hybrid" peacekeeping force give some hope of new momentum towards a peaceful settlement.
"These two initiatives certainly give cause for some optimism that the human rights situation could improve," she said.
Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir met with Italian prime minister Romano Prodi last week and reportedly promised "total cooperation" with a hybrid peacekeeping force.
According to UN estimates, more than 200,000 people have died and some two million have been displaced in Darfur as a result of the combined effect of war and famine since the conflict erupted more than four years ago.
Khartoum disputes the figures and says only 9,000 people died.
(AFP)
September 17, 2007 (GENEVA) — The United Nations top human rights official warned on Monday that rights violations are contining in Darfur and that the Sudanese government has yet to make serious progress on tackling impunity for offenders.
Louise Arbour
"Darfur continues to be a matter of serious preoccupation," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour told journalists.
"Human rights violations continue to be of the same nature and largely on the same scale," she said.
People forced into camps after fleeing their homes continue to be targeted, with women in particular vulnerable to sexual attacks, she said.
Arbour warned that there was "very little progress on national efforts to combat the culture of impunity."
"There is very little indication of a change of attitude for the better on the part of the government of Sudan to respond to the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court," she added.
In May, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Ahmed Haroun, the secretary of state for humanitarian affairs, and pro-government Janjaweed militia leader Ali Kosheib, but Sudan has refused to hand them over.
However, Arbour did say that the "slightly more energised peace process" and the prospect of a joint UN-African Union "hybrid" peacekeeping force give some hope of new momentum towards a peaceful settlement.
"These two initiatives certainly give cause for some optimism that the human rights situation could improve," she said.
Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir met with Italian prime minister Romano Prodi last week and reportedly promised "total cooperation" with a hybrid peacekeeping force.
According to UN estimates, more than 200,000 people have died and some two million have been displaced in Darfur as a result of the combined effect of war and famine since the conflict erupted more than four years ago.
Khartoum disputes the figures and says only 9,000 people died.
(AFP)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sudan to issue arrest warrants for Darfur rebels
Tuesday 11 September 2007.
September 10, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan is preparing arrest warrants for six Darfur rebel leaders, accusing them of masterminding a bloody attack on a government base, the Justice Ministry said on Monday.
Khartoum said 41 people were killed when the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attacked a police base in the town of Wad Banda in Kordofan region, 200 km (125 miles) from the border with war-torn Darfur late last month.
The ministry said in a statement carried by state-run media the attack was "a criminal and terrorist act".
"Arrest warrants would be issued in cooperation with the Interpol against six leaders of the JEM responsible for the attack," the ministry said. It did not name suspects.
JEM claimed responsibility for the August 29 attack, but insisted it was on a military base, manned by 1,700 troops and used for launching government-backed raids against southern Darfur. The government denies the charges.
JEM commanders were not available for comment.
The announcement of the arrest warrants came seven weeks before the start of peace talks between Khartoum and rebel groups, expected to take place in Libya on October 27.
It also coincided with fresh reports of violence and lawlessness in war-torn Darfur.
The United Nations on Monday reported crowds of displaced Sudanese had killed four men who had tried to hijack a U.N. vehicle in south Darfur’s Kalma camp on Thursday. A day earlier, gunmen killed one resident of the nearby Bilal camp and kidnapped another.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in more than four years of conflict in Darfur and 2.5 million others have been driven from their homes by rape, looting and killing. Washington calls the violence genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use.
Khartoum says only 9,000 people have been killed, blaming Western media for exaggerating the conflict.
(Reuters)
September 10, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan is preparing arrest warrants for six Darfur rebel leaders, accusing them of masterminding a bloody attack on a government base, the Justice Ministry said on Monday.
Khartoum said 41 people were killed when the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attacked a police base in the town of Wad Banda in Kordofan region, 200 km (125 miles) from the border with war-torn Darfur late last month.
The ministry said in a statement carried by state-run media the attack was "a criminal and terrorist act".
"Arrest warrants would be issued in cooperation with the Interpol against six leaders of the JEM responsible for the attack," the ministry said. It did not name suspects.
JEM claimed responsibility for the August 29 attack, but insisted it was on a military base, manned by 1,700 troops and used for launching government-backed raids against southern Darfur. The government denies the charges.
JEM commanders were not available for comment.
The announcement of the arrest warrants came seven weeks before the start of peace talks between Khartoum and rebel groups, expected to take place in Libya on October 27.
It also coincided with fresh reports of violence and lawlessness in war-torn Darfur.
The United Nations on Monday reported crowds of displaced Sudanese had killed four men who had tried to hijack a U.N. vehicle in south Darfur’s Kalma camp on Thursday. A day earlier, gunmen killed one resident of the nearby Bilal camp and kidnapped another.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in more than four years of conflict in Darfur and 2.5 million others have been driven from their homes by rape, looting and killing. Washington calls the violence genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use.
Khartoum says only 9,000 people have been killed, blaming Western media for exaggerating the conflict.
(Reuters)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Ethiopia blocking civilian access to medicine in Ogaden - MSF
Wednesday 5 September 2007
September 4, 2007 (NAIROBI) — Ethiopian soldiers have chased women and children from wells in the desert and blocked civilians from getting medical care in an eastern Ethiopian region where a rebellion is brewing, the aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said Tuesday.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) militants display their weapons during a 2006 photocall in Mogadishu. (AFP)
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment.
Local and international staff of the agency, also known as Doctors Without Borders, withdrew from most of the Ogaden region in July because of insecurity.
Later, the agency felt security had improved but several attempts to return have failed because authorities said aid groups were being held back for their own safety and would be allowed to return once military operations had ended, said Loris de Filippi, the agency’s operational coordinator for Ethiopia.
Eileen Skinnider of Doctors Without Borders said she saw soldiers driving women and children away from wells in the Ogaden and a team treated several victims of beatings and some civilians with gunshot wounds. Skinnider described driving through roads lined with burnt-out or mostly deserted villages, with elderly and sick inhabitants cowering in their huts.
"They first hid when they heard the sound of vehicles approaching," Skinnider said about a trip to one village. "They told us that they were afraid that if they were still found in their village, it would be burnt."
"In one incident I saw, a donkey that was being used to transport water got stabbed to death by soldiers," said Dr. Sieke Felix, who has not been allowed to return since July. She said she also saw a woman who had been beaten by soldiers when she was looking for her children and a 10 year-old injured by a mine.
Following the withdrawal of Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross, which says it was ordered to leave by the government last month, there are no foreign aid workers in the region and no reliable information about what is happening.
De Filippi said that in the three worst pockets of fighting in the Ogaden, 400,000 people share one physician. Doctors Without Borders had not been able to deliver vital drugs for six months, he said, adding that to get help women suffering from complications while giving birth would have to make an arduous journey that takes up to nine hours by car.
Doctors Without Borders said it was impossible to know how many people were hungry or sick in the parched, famine-prone area without being able to do an assessment, but the agency’s staff had seen no commercial trucks carrying food in areas where the fighting was fiercest and had seen several cases of malnutrition before pulling out in July.
Clashes between Ethiopian soldiers and rebels intensified in the region after Ogaden National Liberation Front rebels killed 74 members of a Chinese-run oil exploration team in April.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front, which says it is fighting for the rights of the region’s roughly 4 million ethnic Somali people, has accused the government of burning down villages, blocking food aid and attacking civilians.
The government says the rebels are backed by Ethiopia’s bitter enemy Eritrea in an attempt to destabilize the country.
No journalists or aid workers are currently allowed in the region, although a U.N. assessment team is currently in the region. The rebels have declared a unilateral cease-fire until the U.N. mission completes its work. Filippi said so far the U.N. team had not visited any of the areas worst affected by the fighting.
(AP)
September 4, 2007 (NAIROBI) — Ethiopian soldiers have chased women and children from wells in the desert and blocked civilians from getting medical care in an eastern Ethiopian region where a rebellion is brewing, the aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said Tuesday.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) militants display their weapons during a 2006 photocall in Mogadishu. (AFP)
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment.
Local and international staff of the agency, also known as Doctors Without Borders, withdrew from most of the Ogaden region in July because of insecurity.
Later, the agency felt security had improved but several attempts to return have failed because authorities said aid groups were being held back for their own safety and would be allowed to return once military operations had ended, said Loris de Filippi, the agency’s operational coordinator for Ethiopia.
Eileen Skinnider of Doctors Without Borders said she saw soldiers driving women and children away from wells in the Ogaden and a team treated several victims of beatings and some civilians with gunshot wounds. Skinnider described driving through roads lined with burnt-out or mostly deserted villages, with elderly and sick inhabitants cowering in their huts.
"They first hid when they heard the sound of vehicles approaching," Skinnider said about a trip to one village. "They told us that they were afraid that if they were still found in their village, it would be burnt."
"In one incident I saw, a donkey that was being used to transport water got stabbed to death by soldiers," said Dr. Sieke Felix, who has not been allowed to return since July. She said she also saw a woman who had been beaten by soldiers when she was looking for her children and a 10 year-old injured by a mine.
Following the withdrawal of Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross, which says it was ordered to leave by the government last month, there are no foreign aid workers in the region and no reliable information about what is happening.
De Filippi said that in the three worst pockets of fighting in the Ogaden, 400,000 people share one physician. Doctors Without Borders had not been able to deliver vital drugs for six months, he said, adding that to get help women suffering from complications while giving birth would have to make an arduous journey that takes up to nine hours by car.
Doctors Without Borders said it was impossible to know how many people were hungry or sick in the parched, famine-prone area without being able to do an assessment, but the agency’s staff had seen no commercial trucks carrying food in areas where the fighting was fiercest and had seen several cases of malnutrition before pulling out in July.
Clashes between Ethiopian soldiers and rebels intensified in the region after Ogaden National Liberation Front rebels killed 74 members of a Chinese-run oil exploration team in April.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front, which says it is fighting for the rights of the region’s roughly 4 million ethnic Somali people, has accused the government of burning down villages, blocking food aid and attacking civilians.
The government says the rebels are backed by Ethiopia’s bitter enemy Eritrea in an attempt to destabilize the country.
No journalists or aid workers are currently allowed in the region, although a U.N. assessment team is currently in the region. The rebels have declared a unilateral cease-fire until the U.N. mission completes its work. Filippi said so far the U.N. team had not visited any of the areas worst affected by the fighting.
(AP)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Ethiopia orders Norwegian diplomats to Leave
Tuesday 28 August 2007.
August 27, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia has ordered six Norwegian diplomats to leave the country by Sept. 15, expressing "dissatisfaction" with Norway’s conduct in the Horn of Africa region, the Norwegian foreign affairs minister said Monday.
"We are surprised and regret the Ethiopian authorities’ unilateral decision," Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement posted on the ministry’s Web site.
Norway had urged Ethiopia to reconsider its decision, but Ethiopia had maintained its position and so six Norwegian diplomats would be leaving, the statement added.
"This sharp reduction in staffing means that we may not be able to maintain our development cooperation with Ethiopia at the current level," Stoere added. "We regret the impact this will have on our partners."
Junior foreign minister Raymond Johansen told AFP: "The Ethiopian decision was passed to us on August 15 in a totally unexpected manner."
Ethiopia had accused Norway of trying to promote the interests of its enemy Eritrea in the course of its mediation work to bring about peace in the region, said Johansen.
In particular they raised Norway’s contacts with Eritrea in the course of its efforts to work end the conflicts in Somalia and Sudan, he added.
The Norwegian foreign ministry statement however said that the expulsion of the diplomats didn’t "imply" a break in diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.
Norway’s embassy in Ethiopia is also responsible for relations with the African Union, which has its headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa is seen to be wary of Norway’s backing of Asmara, which supports some rebel groups in Somalia and Sudan. Oslo actively backed Asmara during its liberation struggle.
Somalia and Ethiopia allege that Eritrea is trying to destabilize the interim government in Somalia by arming insurgents who have staged some of the worst fighting in the capital Mogadishu in more than a decade.
Asmara denies the charge and in turn says Ethiopia is guilty of breaking international law by "invading" Somalia and interfering with the country’s right to chose its own leaders.
(AFP/AP)
August 27, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia has ordered six Norwegian diplomats to leave the country by Sept. 15, expressing "dissatisfaction" with Norway’s conduct in the Horn of Africa region, the Norwegian foreign affairs minister said Monday.
"We are surprised and regret the Ethiopian authorities’ unilateral decision," Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement posted on the ministry’s Web site.
Norway had urged Ethiopia to reconsider its decision, but Ethiopia had maintained its position and so six Norwegian diplomats would be leaving, the statement added.
"This sharp reduction in staffing means that we may not be able to maintain our development cooperation with Ethiopia at the current level," Stoere added. "We regret the impact this will have on our partners."
Junior foreign minister Raymond Johansen told AFP: "The Ethiopian decision was passed to us on August 15 in a totally unexpected manner."
Ethiopia had accused Norway of trying to promote the interests of its enemy Eritrea in the course of its mediation work to bring about peace in the region, said Johansen.
In particular they raised Norway’s contacts with Eritrea in the course of its efforts to work end the conflicts in Somalia and Sudan, he added.
The Norwegian foreign ministry statement however said that the expulsion of the diplomats didn’t "imply" a break in diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.
Norway’s embassy in Ethiopia is also responsible for relations with the African Union, which has its headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa is seen to be wary of Norway’s backing of Asmara, which supports some rebel groups in Somalia and Sudan. Oslo actively backed Asmara during its liberation struggle.
Somalia and Ethiopia allege that Eritrea is trying to destabilize the interim government in Somalia by arming insurgents who have staged some of the worst fighting in the capital Mogadishu in more than a decade.
Asmara denies the charge and in turn says Ethiopia is guilty of breaking international law by "invading" Somalia and interfering with the country’s right to chose its own leaders.
(AFP/AP)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Sudanese forces attack Kalma camp in South Darfur
Tuesday 21 August 2007.
August 21, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese forces surrounded and attacked Darfur’s most volatile camp on Tuesday to flush out rebels they say are behind recent attacks on police, an army source and camp residents said.
The move on Kalma camp, home to 90,000 people, follows two attacks in the past week on police posts in South Darfur, one near Kalma and the other inside al-Salam camp. One policeman was killed and eight injured.
"At 6 a.m. the government of Sudan moved 2,000 soldiers to surround the camp — army, police and border intelligence," said Abu Sharrad, a spokesman for Kalma camp.
Sharrad, who called Reuters from inside the camp, said government forces had opened fire but it was unclear if anyone was killed or injured.
"We still cannot tell. They are still surrounding the camp," he added.
An army source said those who attacked the police posts were believed to be in Kalma camp, where rebels have previously taken refuge.
"This is an administrative, organisational operation to restore internal security," he said, adding the army was not involved, only police forces.
The United Nations said it as continuing to monitor the situation. "We are indeed concerned to receive reports of armed activity in the area," said Murizio Giuliano, spokesman for the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs.
Kalma camp is one of Darfur’s most volatile.
Government offices were torched and officials expelled from the camp in 2005. Last year frustrated camp residents rioted, looting an African Union police base in the camps and hacking to death their Sudanese translator.
The 7,000-strong African Union force in Darfur has failed to stem the violence despite a 2006 peace deal. While large-scale fighting has largely ended, rebels and militias have fractured creating lawlessness and uncontrolled banditry.
International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003.
Khartoum agreed to a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-AU force which will absorb the AU mission and try to stop violence which has hampered the world’s largest aid operation in Darfur. Some 500,000 people are out of reach of relief workers.
On Tuesday the U.N. rights office said allied government militias had attacked a village in the central Darfur Jabel Marra region, accusing them of mass rape and abductions which could constitute war crimes.
It called on Khartoum to investigate reports that about 50 women were forced into "sexual slavery" after an attack on the rebel-held town of Deribat last December.
The area is seen as supporting the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army founder and chairman Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, who rejects a May 2006 Darfur peace deal signed by only one of three negotiating rebel factions.
The U.N. report said a "pattern of mass abduction" which began with the Darfur conflict, appeared to be ongoing. The report covered a six-month period ending in May 2007.
(Reuters)
August 21, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese forces surrounded and attacked Darfur’s most volatile camp on Tuesday to flush out rebels they say are behind recent attacks on police, an army source and camp residents said.
The move on Kalma camp, home to 90,000 people, follows two attacks in the past week on police posts in South Darfur, one near Kalma and the other inside al-Salam camp. One policeman was killed and eight injured.
"At 6 a.m. the government of Sudan moved 2,000 soldiers to surround the camp — army, police and border intelligence," said Abu Sharrad, a spokesman for Kalma camp.
Sharrad, who called Reuters from inside the camp, said government forces had opened fire but it was unclear if anyone was killed or injured.
"We still cannot tell. They are still surrounding the camp," he added.
An army source said those who attacked the police posts were believed to be in Kalma camp, where rebels have previously taken refuge.
"This is an administrative, organisational operation to restore internal security," he said, adding the army was not involved, only police forces.
The United Nations said it as continuing to monitor the situation. "We are indeed concerned to receive reports of armed activity in the area," said Murizio Giuliano, spokesman for the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs.
Kalma camp is one of Darfur’s most volatile.
Government offices were torched and officials expelled from the camp in 2005. Last year frustrated camp residents rioted, looting an African Union police base in the camps and hacking to death their Sudanese translator.
The 7,000-strong African Union force in Darfur has failed to stem the violence despite a 2006 peace deal. While large-scale fighting has largely ended, rebels and militias have fractured creating lawlessness and uncontrolled banditry.
International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003.
Khartoum agreed to a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-AU force which will absorb the AU mission and try to stop violence which has hampered the world’s largest aid operation in Darfur. Some 500,000 people are out of reach of relief workers.
On Tuesday the U.N. rights office said allied government militias had attacked a village in the central Darfur Jabel Marra region, accusing them of mass rape and abductions which could constitute war crimes.
It called on Khartoum to investigate reports that about 50 women were forced into "sexual slavery" after an attack on the rebel-held town of Deribat last December.
The area is seen as supporting the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army founder and chairman Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, who rejects a May 2006 Darfur peace deal signed by only one of three negotiating rebel factions.
The U.N. report said a "pattern of mass abduction" which began with the Darfur conflict, appeared to be ongoing. The report covered a six-month period ending in May 2007.
(Reuters)
Monday, August 20, 2007
Darfur rebel umbrella to unite armed wings
Tuesday 21 August 2007.
August 20, 2007 (ASMARA) — An Asmara-based umbrella group of Darfur rebel movements announced Monday it would return to the war-torn western Sudanese region to unify its armed wings into a single force.
Representatives of the United Front for Liberation and Development (UFLD) - an alliance of five factions formed last month - promised that their troops would work to protect aid workers and non-government organizations (NGOs).
"The leaders are going back to Darfur to unify all the armies into one group," UFLD official Abdel Aziz told reporters in the Eritrean capital Asmara.
"They will be protecting civilians and creating a secure area for NGOs doing their work in Darfur," he added.
The move comes two weeks after most Darfur rebel factions met in Arusha, Tanzania for talks sponsored by mediators from the United Nations and African Union to hammer out a common platform ahead of peace talks with Khartoum.
However Abdel Aziz stressed that final settlement negotiations with the Sudanese government could only take place if Suleiman Jamous, a veteran rebel who has been confined to a hospital and seen as a key negotiator, is released.
"No negotiation will take place unless Suleiman Jamous has been released," said Abdel Aziz.
According to the United Nations, Khartoum has agreed to let Jamous travel abroad for treatment. The 62-year-old rebel, a member of the Sudan Liberation Movement, is expected in Kenya.
According to UN estimates, at least 200 000 people have died from the combined effect of war and famine since the start of the Darfur conflict and some two million have been displaced.
Some experts say the toll is higher but Khartoum puts the figure at nine thousand.
The civil war broke out when rebel groups complaining of marginalisation by Khartoum launched a rebellion, which was brutally repressed by the Sudanese government and its proxy militia, the Janjaweed.
(AFP)
August 20, 2007 (ASMARA) — An Asmara-based umbrella group of Darfur rebel movements announced Monday it would return to the war-torn western Sudanese region to unify its armed wings into a single force.
Representatives of the United Front for Liberation and Development (UFLD) - an alliance of five factions formed last month - promised that their troops would work to protect aid workers and non-government organizations (NGOs).
"The leaders are going back to Darfur to unify all the armies into one group," UFLD official Abdel Aziz told reporters in the Eritrean capital Asmara.
"They will be protecting civilians and creating a secure area for NGOs doing their work in Darfur," he added.
The move comes two weeks after most Darfur rebel factions met in Arusha, Tanzania for talks sponsored by mediators from the United Nations and African Union to hammer out a common platform ahead of peace talks with Khartoum.
However Abdel Aziz stressed that final settlement negotiations with the Sudanese government could only take place if Suleiman Jamous, a veteran rebel who has been confined to a hospital and seen as a key negotiator, is released.
"No negotiation will take place unless Suleiman Jamous has been released," said Abdel Aziz.
According to the United Nations, Khartoum has agreed to let Jamous travel abroad for treatment. The 62-year-old rebel, a member of the Sudan Liberation Movement, is expected in Kenya.
According to UN estimates, at least 200 000 people have died from the combined effect of war and famine since the start of the Darfur conflict and some two million have been displaced.
Some experts say the toll is higher but Khartoum puts the figure at nine thousand.
The civil war broke out when rebel groups complaining of marginalisation by Khartoum launched a rebellion, which was brutally repressed by the Sudanese government and its proxy militia, the Janjaweed.
(AFP)
Khartoum unwilling to self determination in South Sudan - MP
Tuesday 21 August 2007.
August 20, 2007 (FREETOWN) — An MP from Southern Sudan has told a Sierra Leone audience that the situation in his country is rapidly deteriorating. He further said that Khartoum seems unwilling to the self determination as it is provided in the CPA, the Freetown based Concord Times reported.
Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba, a senior representative of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Khartoum told journalists yesterday that the ongoing situation in Southern Sudan is worsening.
Nyaba, who is on a week’s visit in Sierra Leone as a guest of the Africanist Movement, said his mission to West Africa is to help other Africans understand the crisis in Sudan and its implications for the rest of the continent.
"The situation is South Sudan is that of marginalization, exploitation, racial oppression and political exclusion by the north," Nyaba said, adding that the key to the solution of Sudan’s problems is the granting of the right to self-determination to all Sudanese.
He explained that relative peace is being experienced in South Sudan due to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), but the Khartoum government appears unwilling to sincerely allow the Southern Sudanese their right to self-determination as provided in the CPA.
"According to the CPA, the South will have to decide in an international referendum whether they should remain with the north or secede in favor of self-determination," he stated and added that, "key to our struggle is for justice, equality, social reconstruction and democracy for everyone in the Sudan. If we have these, there is no point of struggle." The referendum to determine whether the South will split from the North will be held in 2011.
Earlier in the programme, Africanist leader Chernoh Alpha M. Bah said his group is hosting the visit on the basis of international solidarity.
"We believe in a free, united Africa and African people everywhere," he said, adding that the question of South Sudan is highly complicated and requires discussions and a more profound understanding.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said this is the first visit of an official of the SPLM in Sierra Leone.
"I think it is a significant step because Africans need to know about each other’s struggles," he stated.
(Concord Times)
August 20, 2007 (FREETOWN) — An MP from Southern Sudan has told a Sierra Leone audience that the situation in his country is rapidly deteriorating. He further said that Khartoum seems unwilling to the self determination as it is provided in the CPA, the Freetown based Concord Times reported.
Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba, a senior representative of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Khartoum told journalists yesterday that the ongoing situation in Southern Sudan is worsening.
Nyaba, who is on a week’s visit in Sierra Leone as a guest of the Africanist Movement, said his mission to West Africa is to help other Africans understand the crisis in Sudan and its implications for the rest of the continent.
"The situation is South Sudan is that of marginalization, exploitation, racial oppression and political exclusion by the north," Nyaba said, adding that the key to the solution of Sudan’s problems is the granting of the right to self-determination to all Sudanese.
He explained that relative peace is being experienced in South Sudan due to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), but the Khartoum government appears unwilling to sincerely allow the Southern Sudanese their right to self-determination as provided in the CPA.
"According to the CPA, the South will have to decide in an international referendum whether they should remain with the north or secede in favor of self-determination," he stated and added that, "key to our struggle is for justice, equality, social reconstruction and democracy for everyone in the Sudan. If we have these, there is no point of struggle." The referendum to determine whether the South will split from the North will be held in 2011.
Earlier in the programme, Africanist leader Chernoh Alpha M. Bah said his group is hosting the visit on the basis of international solidarity.
"We believe in a free, united Africa and African people everywhere," he said, adding that the question of South Sudan is highly complicated and requires discussions and a more profound understanding.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said this is the first visit of an official of the SPLM in Sierra Leone.
"I think it is a significant step because Africans need to know about each other’s struggles," he stated.
(Concord Times)
Sudan says informed UK embassy of terrorism risk
Monday 20 August 2007.
August 19, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan showed understanding to the closure of consular section at the British embassy in Khartoum. Further, the Foreign ministry said it had provided the embassy with information on the risk of terror action against the United Kingdom diplomatic mission there.
Spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs, Ali al-Sadiq, disclosed that a security alert from the Sudanese authorities triggered the temporary closure of visa, consular sections of the British embassy in Khartoum.
In a press release, the British Embassy announced yesterday the temporary suspension of public services at the Embassy from 19 August. "The Visa and Consular sections of the Embassy will be closed until further notice." The statement said.
This closure comes after Sudanese police found three weapons caches in the capital during the past week. Police arrested eight Sudanese in connection with the stores, which mostly contained grenades and ammunition.
Sadiq also said that the foreign ministry under secretary Mutref Sideiq, met today with Ambassadors of France, UK, UN and USA, to inform them about the arrest of this terrorist group which had plans to attack the missions of the three countries and the UN.
The spokesperson said that giving such information to UK embassy was aimed at taking caution before bad thing happened to the mission, its property and staff, adding that more security has been provided to the embassy in the framework of the government’s responsibility.
On August 13, an explosion occurred yesterday at a house in the Um-Salma area, south of Khartoum, injuring two people. Sudanese police, which is probing the case, said three people were arrested. Following this explosion the police discovered the three weapons caches.
Also Sudan has banned today the local press from reporting on the weapon caches and the arrested groups. The press had initially reported that foreign Islamists had been arrested but an interior ministry source played down fears of terrorist attacks.
(ST)
August 19, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan showed understanding to the closure of consular section at the British embassy in Khartoum. Further, the Foreign ministry said it had provided the embassy with information on the risk of terror action against the United Kingdom diplomatic mission there.
Spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs, Ali al-Sadiq, disclosed that a security alert from the Sudanese authorities triggered the temporary closure of visa, consular sections of the British embassy in Khartoum.
In a press release, the British Embassy announced yesterday the temporary suspension of public services at the Embassy from 19 August. "The Visa and Consular sections of the Embassy will be closed until further notice." The statement said.
This closure comes after Sudanese police found three weapons caches in the capital during the past week. Police arrested eight Sudanese in connection with the stores, which mostly contained grenades and ammunition.
Sadiq also said that the foreign ministry under secretary Mutref Sideiq, met today with Ambassadors of France, UK, UN and USA, to inform them about the arrest of this terrorist group which had plans to attack the missions of the three countries and the UN.
The spokesperson said that giving such information to UK embassy was aimed at taking caution before bad thing happened to the mission, its property and staff, adding that more security has been provided to the embassy in the framework of the government’s responsibility.
On August 13, an explosion occurred yesterday at a house in the Um-Salma area, south of Khartoum, injuring two people. Sudanese police, which is probing the case, said three people were arrested. Following this explosion the police discovered the three weapons caches.
Also Sudan has banned today the local press from reporting on the weapon caches and the arrested groups. The press had initially reported that foreign Islamists had been arrested but an interior ministry source played down fears of terrorist attacks.
(ST)
Sudan to name presidential assistant as responsible of Darfur dossier
Monday 20 August 2007.
August 19, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese president has assigned the dossier of Darfur crisis to Nafi Ali Nafi, a presidential assistant and the deputy leader of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), a pro-governmental newspaper reported today.
Nafi Ali Nafi
Political sources have confirmed that the Presidency has decided to assign the resolution of Darfur crisis to Nafi Ali Nafi, whole will replace the late Majzoub al-Khalifah Ahmad. The sources indicated a decision in this regard will be issued within the next few days, Akhir Lahzah said.
The sources attributed Nafi’s selection to the complexity of the Darfur dossier where the work of the majority of official military, security and political bodies intersected. They further said it was necessary to appoint an influential leader who was capable of taking decisions during and after the forthcoming negotiations with Darfur’s rebel movements.
The question of the succession of Majzoub al-Khalifah was one of the important matters in term of balance of power between the two major streams within the NCP, observers say.
The eventual nomination of Nafi means that the hardliners in Khartoum keep the upper hand over the dossier of Darfur. Nafi and Majzoub are considered among the Al-Bashir’s wing in the ruling party. “It was obvious from the beginning that the vice-president Ali Osman Taha would not be assigned for this mission.”
Since the signing of the CPA with the SPLM Ali Osman is accused of working to replace al-Bashir. He also accused of making a lot of concession to the SPLM during Naivasha talks.
(ST)
August 19, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese president has assigned the dossier of Darfur crisis to Nafi Ali Nafi, a presidential assistant and the deputy leader of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), a pro-governmental newspaper reported today.
Nafi Ali Nafi
Political sources have confirmed that the Presidency has decided to assign the resolution of Darfur crisis to Nafi Ali Nafi, whole will replace the late Majzoub al-Khalifah Ahmad. The sources indicated a decision in this regard will be issued within the next few days, Akhir Lahzah said.
The sources attributed Nafi’s selection to the complexity of the Darfur dossier where the work of the majority of official military, security and political bodies intersected. They further said it was necessary to appoint an influential leader who was capable of taking decisions during and after the forthcoming negotiations with Darfur’s rebel movements.
The question of the succession of Majzoub al-Khalifah was one of the important matters in term of balance of power between the two major streams within the NCP, observers say.
The eventual nomination of Nafi means that the hardliners in Khartoum keep the upper hand over the dossier of Darfur. Nafi and Majzoub are considered among the Al-Bashir’s wing in the ruling party. “It was obvious from the beginning that the vice-president Ali Osman Taha would not be assigned for this mission.”
Since the signing of the CPA with the SPLM Ali Osman is accused of working to replace al-Bashir. He also accused of making a lot of concession to the SPLM during Naivasha talks.
(ST)
Friday, August 17, 2007
Ethiopia claims heavy losses inflicted on Ogaden rebels
ADDIS ABABA 08/09 - Ethiopian state radio said Wednesday that government troops had killed at least 650 rebels in the predominantly Somali ethnic region of Ogaden in the past two and half months.
But rebels in the restive southern region of Ethiopia dismissed the claims, insisting that Addis Ababa did not have "effective control" of Ogaden.
"The Ethiopian Defence Force, in collaboration with the elders of the area, have killed most of the anti-peace elements since it started its continous attacks on May 21," said state radio.
The defence ministry said Tuesday that it had killed some 200 members of the Oromo Liberation Front, Ogaden National Liberation Front and Al Ittihad groups since stepping up operations last month.
In May, the two separatist groups OFL and ONLF said they had killed 157 Ethiopian troops in the area, a claim denied by Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian claims could not be independently confirmed, since the Ethiopian authorities last month evicted the International Committee of the Red Cross officials from much of the area.
The ONLF, which has been fighting for the independence of Ogaden since 1984, said the government`s was trying to give a false sense of security to oil companies so they did not abandon their exploration plans.
"Pursuing oil and natural gas exploration activities in Ogaden at this stage can only be characterized as gross corporate irresponsibility given the war crimes being committed against our civilian population," the group said.
http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=551405
But rebels in the restive southern region of Ethiopia dismissed the claims, insisting that Addis Ababa did not have "effective control" of Ogaden.
"The Ethiopian Defence Force, in collaboration with the elders of the area, have killed most of the anti-peace elements since it started its continous attacks on May 21," said state radio.
The defence ministry said Tuesday that it had killed some 200 members of the Oromo Liberation Front, Ogaden National Liberation Front and Al Ittihad groups since stepping up operations last month.
In May, the two separatist groups OFL and ONLF said they had killed 157 Ethiopian troops in the area, a claim denied by Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian claims could not be independently confirmed, since the Ethiopian authorities last month evicted the International Committee of the Red Cross officials from much of the area.
The ONLF, which has been fighting for the independence of Ogaden since 1984, said the government`s was trying to give a false sense of security to oil companies so they did not abandon their exploration plans.
"Pursuing oil and natural gas exploration activities in Ogaden at this stage can only be characterized as gross corporate irresponsibility given the war crimes being committed against our civilian population," the group said.
http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=551405
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Sudan lifts a rebel's travel ban
Sudan is to allow a sick Darfur rebel chief on its wanted list to travel to Kenya for treatment, the UN says.
Suleiman Jamous has been confined to a United Nations peacekeeping base near Darfur for more than 13 months.
He needs surgery and had been threatened with arrest by Sudanese authorities if he left the UN's care.
Mr Jamous has been a key link between rebels in Darfur and humanitarian workers serving families displaced during the four-year conflict.
Some 200,000 people are believed to have died and more than 2m have been left homeless in Darfur since fighting broke out in 2003.
Guarantee
Mr Jamous is suffering from abdominal complications and has been cared for at a UN hospital.
"The government of Sudan has made clear that Suleiman Jamous was free to leave the hospital to undergo medical treatment and subsequently reside with his family under the condition the UN guarantee that he will not return to Darfur to fight," UN spokeswoman Michele Montas told Associated Press news agency.
She said the UN would facilitate his evacuation to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
In May last year, Mr Jamous, Sudan's Liberation Army humanitarian co-ordinator, rejected the Darfur peace deal - and was promptly detained by those rebels who did sign.
After a month the UN intervened and flew him to Kadugli for treatment.
Earlier this month, US actress Mia Farrow offered her freedom in exchange for Mr Jamous so he could attend peace talks in Tanzania.
Eight rebel factions, who did not sign last year's agreement, have since reached a common position for talks with Sudan's government.
Troops
Meanwhile, the African Union and UN special representative for Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, says peacekeeping troops pledged by African countries must meet UN standards.
Speaking on the first day of a visit to Darfur, Mr Adada said the deadline for offers of peacekeepers was the end of the month.
The UN Security Council has sanctioned the deployment of the hybrid force composed of 26,000 troops.
AU Commission Chairman Alpha Konare has said Africa will provide all of the required peacekeepers.
The UN had expected to call on Asian troops. Critics say Africa lacks enough trained troops for an effective force.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/6949313.stm
Suleiman Jamous has been confined to a United Nations peacekeeping base near Darfur for more than 13 months.
He needs surgery and had been threatened with arrest by Sudanese authorities if he left the UN's care.
Mr Jamous has been a key link between rebels in Darfur and humanitarian workers serving families displaced during the four-year conflict.
Some 200,000 people are believed to have died and more than 2m have been left homeless in Darfur since fighting broke out in 2003.
Guarantee
Mr Jamous is suffering from abdominal complications and has been cared for at a UN hospital.
"The government of Sudan has made clear that Suleiman Jamous was free to leave the hospital to undergo medical treatment and subsequently reside with his family under the condition the UN guarantee that he will not return to Darfur to fight," UN spokeswoman Michele Montas told Associated Press news agency.
She said the UN would facilitate his evacuation to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
In May last year, Mr Jamous, Sudan's Liberation Army humanitarian co-ordinator, rejected the Darfur peace deal - and was promptly detained by those rebels who did sign.
After a month the UN intervened and flew him to Kadugli for treatment.
Earlier this month, US actress Mia Farrow offered her freedom in exchange for Mr Jamous so he could attend peace talks in Tanzania.
Eight rebel factions, who did not sign last year's agreement, have since reached a common position for talks with Sudan's government.
Troops
Meanwhile, the African Union and UN special representative for Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, says peacekeeping troops pledged by African countries must meet UN standards.
Speaking on the first day of a visit to Darfur, Mr Adada said the deadline for offers of peacekeepers was the end of the month.
The UN Security Council has sanctioned the deployment of the hybrid force composed of 26,000 troops.
AU Commission Chairman Alpha Konare has said Africa will provide all of the required peacekeepers.
The UN had expected to call on Asian troops. Critics say Africa lacks enough trained troops for an effective force.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/6949313.stm
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Darfur’s Jamous says may leave UN care Thursday
Tuesday 14 August 2007.
August 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur rebel figure Suleiman Jamous said on Monday if the United Nations did not respond to his request to fly him out of Sudan for medical treatment by Thursday, he would hand himself over to the government.
Suleiman Jamous (reuters)
Jamous, the Sudan Liberation Army’s (SLA) humanitarian coordinator, was the key liaison between insurgents and the world’s largest aid operation helping some 4.2 million people in Darfur.
"I gave them until Thursday," Jamous said.
"If they refuse to take me out, I will just go out to where the government of Sudan is waiting to be detained, and I will consider this a compulsory turning over to the government by the U.N." he told Reuters by telephone.
The United Nations moved him to a U.N. hospital near Darfur more than a year ago without informing Khartoum. Sudan calls him a criminal and had said it would arrest him if he left U.N. care.
Last week Sudan said Jamous could be released for peace talks, but declined to say whether his freedom would be conditional.
Jamous needs a stomach biopsy which cannot be performed in the U.N. hospital. On Monday he left the hospital for the first time in more than 13 months to walk to the nearby U.N. headquarters and ask to be flown out of Sudan for medical treatment.
"They replied they needed time to consult with Khartoum and I have given them until Thursday," Jamous said.
"Now I am becoming indifferent. If I am detained by the United Nations or the government of Sudan it is the same," he said.
The United Nations was not immediately available to comment, but two U.N. sources have said they were unlikely to fly Jamous out of Sudan.
The elderly Jamous is respected in Darfur and considered a consensus builder who could help peace efforts and unify fractured rebels.
Since a 2006 peace deal signed by only one of three negotiating rebel factions, the insurgents have split into more than a dozen groups, creating chaos in Darfur.
Because of increasingly violent attacks against their staff and aid convoys, the humanitarian operation has been scaled down and some 500,000 people are out of reach of vital help.
International experts estimate some 200,000 have been killed and 2.5 million driven from their homes in more than four years of fighting in Darfur.
(Reuters)
August 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur rebel figure Suleiman Jamous said on Monday if the United Nations did not respond to his request to fly him out of Sudan for medical treatment by Thursday, he would hand himself over to the government.
Suleiman Jamous (reuters)
Jamous, the Sudan Liberation Army’s (SLA) humanitarian coordinator, was the key liaison between insurgents and the world’s largest aid operation helping some 4.2 million people in Darfur.
"I gave them until Thursday," Jamous said.
"If they refuse to take me out, I will just go out to where the government of Sudan is waiting to be detained, and I will consider this a compulsory turning over to the government by the U.N." he told Reuters by telephone.
The United Nations moved him to a U.N. hospital near Darfur more than a year ago without informing Khartoum. Sudan calls him a criminal and had said it would arrest him if he left U.N. care.
Last week Sudan said Jamous could be released for peace talks, but declined to say whether his freedom would be conditional.
Jamous needs a stomach biopsy which cannot be performed in the U.N. hospital. On Monday he left the hospital for the first time in more than 13 months to walk to the nearby U.N. headquarters and ask to be flown out of Sudan for medical treatment.
"They replied they needed time to consult with Khartoum and I have given them until Thursday," Jamous said.
"Now I am becoming indifferent. If I am detained by the United Nations or the government of Sudan it is the same," he said.
The United Nations was not immediately available to comment, but two U.N. sources have said they were unlikely to fly Jamous out of Sudan.
The elderly Jamous is respected in Darfur and considered a consensus builder who could help peace efforts and unify fractured rebels.
Since a 2006 peace deal signed by only one of three negotiating rebel factions, the insurgents have split into more than a dozen groups, creating chaos in Darfur.
Because of increasingly violent attacks against their staff and aid convoys, the humanitarian operation has been scaled down and some 500,000 people are out of reach of vital help.
International experts estimate some 200,000 have been killed and 2.5 million driven from their homes in more than four years of fighting in Darfur.
(Reuters)
Unity state defends recruitment of Kenyan teachers
Tuesday 14 August 2007.
August 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Unity State in southern Sudan has defended its decision to seek teachers from Kenya and Uganda to teach the English language at primary and secondary levels because of the weakness of local cadres.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Khartoum, the state minister of finance, Simon Jandong, defended his state for resorting to seek teachers from Kenya and Uganda to teach English.
He added that they had noted clear improvements in the capacity of students, and attributed this to the step taken, which he noted was necessitated by the weakness of the southern cadres in teaching the language.
He said there was need to expand education after the realization of peace and this was what made the state to seek foreign teachers.
(ST)
August 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Unity State in southern Sudan has defended its decision to seek teachers from Kenya and Uganda to teach the English language at primary and secondary levels because of the weakness of local cadres.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Khartoum, the state minister of finance, Simon Jandong, defended his state for resorting to seek teachers from Kenya and Uganda to teach English.
He added that they had noted clear improvements in the capacity of students, and attributed this to the step taken, which he noted was necessitated by the weakness of the southern cadres in teaching the language.
He said there was need to expand education after the realization of peace and this was what made the state to seek foreign teachers.
(ST)
Darfur Arab rebels capture 12 Sudan soldiers
Tuesday 14 August 2007.
August 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — An obscure mostly Arab Darfur rebel group said on Monday it had kidnapped 12 Sudanese soldiers and challenged the government to stop mobilising militias to counter the four-year-old revolt in western Sudan.
The Democratic Popular Front Army (DPFA) said in a statement sent to Reuters that among the captured was officer Ali Mohamed. By way of proof they offered his military I.D. number, 44206.
"This is the first time we have captured government soldiers," DPFA Secretary-General Osama Mohamed al-Hassan told Reuters.
"We have been marginalised by the government. The government took advantage of our sons and paid them and gave them arms and used them to fight against others," he said.
He was referring to the Popular Defence Forces, mobilised by the government to quell revolts in Darfur and during decades of civil war in the south.
"We want them to stop the PDF, to leave people to live their lives and be able to farm and feed their cattle and eat and live in peace," he said, adding the group would continue to fight the government.
Darfur experts called the DPFA stance significant.
"This group is vitally important because it represents a young generation of Darfurian Arabs who refuse to die for a government 1,000 miles away that has always neglected all Darfurians — Arab and non-Arabs," said Julie Flint, co-author of a book on Darfur, who has met the group’s leader.
"The vast majority of Darfur’s Arabs have refused to take sides so far. They may be beginning to come off the fence."
The group said its members came from mostly Arab tribes — the Rizeigat, Habbaniya, Terjem, Beni Halba, Taasha — and the non-Arab Fellata tribe. They are mostly based in West and South Darfur states but had some people in the north too.
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
The DPFA statement said the attack on Sudanese forces occurred in Soja in Wadi Saleh, in the southern area of West Darfur state, on Saturday.
"Our forces captured eight military vehicles as well as a large amount of weapons and ammunition and are controlling the area," said the statement, which included a British telephone number, an Egyptian number and a thuraya satellite phone number.
A Sudanese army spokesman dismissed the report as false.
"This is lie. There’s no basis to the news," he said.
Mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003 accusing the central government of marginalising the remote, arid west. Khartoum mobilised mostly Arab militias to stem the revolt.
A Sudanese analyst who declined to be named said Arab tribes felt they had been largely ignored in peace talks with the government.
"They have development needs too, and feel they are being labelled the bad guys," the analyst said.
Sudan expert Alex De Waal said the government may be worried by this development.
"It’s very significant. Without the Arab militia the government cannot remain in Darfur." But he cautioned not all Arab tribes in Darfur were now anti-government.
One Arab commander, Abu Surrah, was at U.N.-African Union mediated meeting in Tanzania earlier this month as he had allied himself with other mostly non-Arab rebel groups.
Rebel commanders and groups there agreed on a common platform ahead of peace talks due to begin within three months.
But Flint said this attack showed the mediators had not fully understood which groups were key for talks:
"The fact that this group was not invited to the Arusha talks shows how little those organizing the peace process know about where the real power lies in the rebel movements."
(Reuters)
August 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — An obscure mostly Arab Darfur rebel group said on Monday it had kidnapped 12 Sudanese soldiers and challenged the government to stop mobilising militias to counter the four-year-old revolt in western Sudan.
The Democratic Popular Front Army (DPFA) said in a statement sent to Reuters that among the captured was officer Ali Mohamed. By way of proof they offered his military I.D. number, 44206.
"This is the first time we have captured government soldiers," DPFA Secretary-General Osama Mohamed al-Hassan told Reuters.
"We have been marginalised by the government. The government took advantage of our sons and paid them and gave them arms and used them to fight against others," he said.
He was referring to the Popular Defence Forces, mobilised by the government to quell revolts in Darfur and during decades of civil war in the south.
"We want them to stop the PDF, to leave people to live their lives and be able to farm and feed their cattle and eat and live in peace," he said, adding the group would continue to fight the government.
Darfur experts called the DPFA stance significant.
"This group is vitally important because it represents a young generation of Darfurian Arabs who refuse to die for a government 1,000 miles away that has always neglected all Darfurians — Arab and non-Arabs," said Julie Flint, co-author of a book on Darfur, who has met the group’s leader.
"The vast majority of Darfur’s Arabs have refused to take sides so far. They may be beginning to come off the fence."
The group said its members came from mostly Arab tribes — the Rizeigat, Habbaniya, Terjem, Beni Halba, Taasha — and the non-Arab Fellata tribe. They are mostly based in West and South Darfur states but had some people in the north too.
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
The DPFA statement said the attack on Sudanese forces occurred in Soja in Wadi Saleh, in the southern area of West Darfur state, on Saturday.
"Our forces captured eight military vehicles as well as a large amount of weapons and ammunition and are controlling the area," said the statement, which included a British telephone number, an Egyptian number and a thuraya satellite phone number.
A Sudanese army spokesman dismissed the report as false.
"This is lie. There’s no basis to the news," he said.
Mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003 accusing the central government of marginalising the remote, arid west. Khartoum mobilised mostly Arab militias to stem the revolt.
A Sudanese analyst who declined to be named said Arab tribes felt they had been largely ignored in peace talks with the government.
"They have development needs too, and feel they are being labelled the bad guys," the analyst said.
Sudan expert Alex De Waal said the government may be worried by this development.
"It’s very significant. Without the Arab militia the government cannot remain in Darfur." But he cautioned not all Arab tribes in Darfur were now anti-government.
One Arab commander, Abu Surrah, was at U.N.-African Union mediated meeting in Tanzania earlier this month as he had allied himself with other mostly non-Arab rebel groups.
Rebel commanders and groups there agreed on a common platform ahead of peace talks due to begin within three months.
But Flint said this attack showed the mediators had not fully understood which groups were key for talks:
"The fact that this group was not invited to the Arusha talks shows how little those organizing the peace process know about where the real power lies in the rebel movements."
(Reuters)
Monday, August 13, 2007
Darfur Arab tribes sign truce after clashes kill 140
Monday 13 August 2007.
August 12, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Rival Darfur Arab tribes have signed a truce after more than 140 people died in clashes, an official and tribal leaders said on Sunday.
"It’s an agreement to cease hostilities," Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, a Terjem tribal leader, told Reuters of the deal his tribe signed with the Rizeigat on Saturday.
"If the Rizeigat adhere to and respect the agreement, the Terjem will not violate it," he said.
Both are Arab tribes in South Darfur state. Fighting has continued on and off for months between them, but a reconciliation deal signed in February fell apart in July.
Ali Hassan, a Rizeigat tribal leader, said his group was committed to the truce. "We are going around trying to explain it to our people," he said.
Most of the casualties of the fighting were Terjem.
"Around 145 of our people were killed between July 30 and August 8," said Mohammed Ahmed Hassan, adding that 40 people with serious injuries were still in hospital in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State.
"We have buried them in mass graves," he added. He said the Rizeigat had superior firepower.
South Darfur’s Labour Minister Abdul Rahman al-Zein has previously said three Rizeigat were killed in the clashes.
Each tribe blamed the other for starting the fighting.
The Terjem are a sedentary farming tribe while the Rizeigat are nomadic cattle herders. The latest problems began as the Rizeigat moved north in their seasonal migration, passing close to Terjem territory. The Terjem say the cattle eat their crops.
"The Terjem tell them you cannot pass through here," said Zein. "The government will deploy forces in the trouble spots to ensure compliance."
Ali Hassan declined to comment on the numbers killed.
Fighting over land and resources had been going on in Darfur for decades, before the region’s revolt broke out in early 2003. The conflict has led to a proliferation of weapons, making tribal clashes even deadlier.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million driven from their homes in the fighting in Darfur, where mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglecting their arid region.
Khartoum says only 9,000 people have died in the violence.
(Reuters)
August 12, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Rival Darfur Arab tribes have signed a truce after more than 140 people died in clashes, an official and tribal leaders said on Sunday.
"It’s an agreement to cease hostilities," Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, a Terjem tribal leader, told Reuters of the deal his tribe signed with the Rizeigat on Saturday.
"If the Rizeigat adhere to and respect the agreement, the Terjem will not violate it," he said.
Both are Arab tribes in South Darfur state. Fighting has continued on and off for months between them, but a reconciliation deal signed in February fell apart in July.
Ali Hassan, a Rizeigat tribal leader, said his group was committed to the truce. "We are going around trying to explain it to our people," he said.
Most of the casualties of the fighting were Terjem.
"Around 145 of our people were killed between July 30 and August 8," said Mohammed Ahmed Hassan, adding that 40 people with serious injuries were still in hospital in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State.
"We have buried them in mass graves," he added. He said the Rizeigat had superior firepower.
South Darfur’s Labour Minister Abdul Rahman al-Zein has previously said three Rizeigat were killed in the clashes.
Each tribe blamed the other for starting the fighting.
The Terjem are a sedentary farming tribe while the Rizeigat are nomadic cattle herders. The latest problems began as the Rizeigat moved north in their seasonal migration, passing close to Terjem territory. The Terjem say the cattle eat their crops.
"The Terjem tell them you cannot pass through here," said Zein. "The government will deploy forces in the trouble spots to ensure compliance."
Ali Hassan declined to comment on the numbers killed.
Fighting over land and resources had been going on in Darfur for decades, before the region’s revolt broke out in early 2003. The conflict has led to a proliferation of weapons, making tribal clashes even deadlier.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million driven from their homes in the fighting in Darfur, where mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in early 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglecting their arid region.
Khartoum says only 9,000 people have died in the violence.
(Reuters)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
ANALYSIS-Cash needed to save south Sudan peace deal
10 Aug 2007 14:28:46 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Donors have been too slow in delivering funds to develop south Sudan after a landmark peace deal and need to adopt a unified approach to deal with multiple conflicts in Africa's largest country, observers say.
Sudan signed a north-south peace deal in 2005 to end Africa's longest civil war, but the agreement was overshadowed as a revolt in its western Darfur region sparked the world's largest aid operation, diverting donor focus and cash.
"Donor governments, which promised billions of dollars to help with the reconstruction of the south need to make those resources available to ensure that hundreds of thousands of returning Sudanese ... gain greater access to water, medical assistance, education," advocacy group Refugees International said in a report.
It singled out a World Bank-led mechanism called the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MTDF) as being too slow in giving money to the semi-autonomous south Sudan government to develop the war-torn south, one of the poorest areas in the world.
"Half a billion dollars...was committed to the World Bank administered MDTF, a mechanism that has thus far proved to be woefully inefficient, with only about $80 million disbursed to date," it added.
This week south Sudan said it would begin to demobilise some 25,000 soldiers but that support packages including seeds and tools were not guaranteed for them because of United Nations funding delays.
"The money is available," said David Gressly, the top humanitarian official in Sudan. "However, our policy is not to release funds, until the national framework has been agreed."
He acknowledged a new way to deliver cash rapidly to support urgent development was needed to add to the MDTF.
"We do need a new mechanism to fund early recovery projects. We have indeed proposed such a mechanism, and are seeking donor support for it."
FEAR OF FRESH CONFLICT
In Sudan's north-south war, 2 million were killed and at least 4 million fled their homes.
Sudan remains awash with small arms and many worry those who do not see a peace dividend could take up arms again.
State minister of foreign affairs Ali Karti said the international community was to blame for delays in implementing the north-south deal.
"The international community is failing and is unable to meet their obligation," he said. "This is something that we cannot do alone."
Jan Pronk, former head of the U.N. mission in Sudan entrusted with monitoring implementation of the deal, said there was almost no international attention on the north-south problem as negotiations continue on Darfur.
The United Nations last month authorised 26,000 U.N. and African Union troops and police to deploy to Darfur, where experts estimate 200,000 have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes in more than four years of conflict.
A July 9 deadline by which north and south armies were to deploy to each side of the north-south border was missed with no comment from anyone, Pronk said.
"It's as if people didn't care," he said. "They think there are two problems but it is one problem. It is a problem of unity and peace which is in Sudan as a whole."
Rebels from Sudan's outlying regions, south, east and west, all complain of neglect by the Khartoum government, dominated by central Nilotic tribes since independence.
Pronk said democratic elections by 2009, as envisaged by the north-south deal, was the only way forward for Sudan. It also gave southerners the right to vote on secession by 2011.
"They (donors) need to put a lot of pressure on the two parties to have the elections," he said, warning if key elements of the north-south deal were not implemented, the south could separate.
Source: Reuters
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Donors have been too slow in delivering funds to develop south Sudan after a landmark peace deal and need to adopt a unified approach to deal with multiple conflicts in Africa's largest country, observers say.
Sudan signed a north-south peace deal in 2005 to end Africa's longest civil war, but the agreement was overshadowed as a revolt in its western Darfur region sparked the world's largest aid operation, diverting donor focus and cash.
"Donor governments, which promised billions of dollars to help with the reconstruction of the south need to make those resources available to ensure that hundreds of thousands of returning Sudanese ... gain greater access to water, medical assistance, education," advocacy group Refugees International said in a report.
It singled out a World Bank-led mechanism called the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MTDF) as being too slow in giving money to the semi-autonomous south Sudan government to develop the war-torn south, one of the poorest areas in the world.
"Half a billion dollars...was committed to the World Bank administered MDTF, a mechanism that has thus far proved to be woefully inefficient, with only about $80 million disbursed to date," it added.
This week south Sudan said it would begin to demobilise some 25,000 soldiers but that support packages including seeds and tools were not guaranteed for them because of United Nations funding delays.
"The money is available," said David Gressly, the top humanitarian official in Sudan. "However, our policy is not to release funds, until the national framework has been agreed."
He acknowledged a new way to deliver cash rapidly to support urgent development was needed to add to the MDTF.
"We do need a new mechanism to fund early recovery projects. We have indeed proposed such a mechanism, and are seeking donor support for it."
FEAR OF FRESH CONFLICT
In Sudan's north-south war, 2 million were killed and at least 4 million fled their homes.
Sudan remains awash with small arms and many worry those who do not see a peace dividend could take up arms again.
State minister of foreign affairs Ali Karti said the international community was to blame for delays in implementing the north-south deal.
"The international community is failing and is unable to meet their obligation," he said. "This is something that we cannot do alone."
Jan Pronk, former head of the U.N. mission in Sudan entrusted with monitoring implementation of the deal, said there was almost no international attention on the north-south problem as negotiations continue on Darfur.
The United Nations last month authorised 26,000 U.N. and African Union troops and police to deploy to Darfur, where experts estimate 200,000 have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes in more than four years of conflict.
A July 9 deadline by which north and south armies were to deploy to each side of the north-south border was missed with no comment from anyone, Pronk said.
"It's as if people didn't care," he said. "They think there are two problems but it is one problem. It is a problem of unity and peace which is in Sudan as a whole."
Rebels from Sudan's outlying regions, south, east and west, all complain of neglect by the Khartoum government, dominated by central Nilotic tribes since independence.
Pronk said democratic elections by 2009, as envisaged by the north-south deal, was the only way forward for Sudan. It also gave southerners the right to vote on secession by 2011.
"They (donors) need to put a lot of pressure on the two parties to have the elections," he said, warning if key elements of the north-south deal were not implemented, the south could separate.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Sudan, rebels resume heavy fighting in Darfur
Friday 10 August 2007.
August 9, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Heavy fighting in southern Darfur has killed scores of rebels and government forces over the past week, and the Sudanese air force has bombed several villages, rebels and international observers in Darfur reported Thursday.
The clashes began Aug. 1 when a coalition of rebels, including members of the Justice and Equality Movement, captured the strategic town of Adila, where Sudanese troops were stationed to protect the only railway linking Darfur to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, rebels said.
The Sudanese army and its allied janjaweed militias "were summarily defeated, leaving behind heavy weapons and ammunition," JEM said in a statement. The group said the offensive was led by Abdelazziz Ushar, a Darfur field commander previously fighting a separate rebellion in eastern Sudan.
A senior international observer in Darfur said Thursday that Sudanese forces had recaptured Adila, located near South Darfur’s border with the neighboring region of Khordofan, but reported clashes were ongoing.
"It seems over 100 (Sudanese) soldiers or janjaweed have been killed," the official told The Associated Press on the telephone. At least 10 rebels were killed and 15 injured, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Rebels said they launched the offensive because the janjaweed were burning villages in the area.
The African Union mission in Darfur confirmed there had been heavy fighting, but said it had no further details.
"The zone around Adila is a no-go area for us," said A.U. spokesman Noureddine Mezni.
Rebels and international observers said the fighters seized more than 50 government vehicles and some heavy armament during the offensive.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s air force bombed at least four villages in the area this week, observers and rebels said, but there were no reports of casualties because many of the civilians have fled.
One of JEM’s leaders said his group shot down a government MIG-29 fighter jet on Wednesday that was participating in the bombings, a claim denied by the government and disputed by other rebels.
Abdullahi el-Tom told AP the aircraft’s wreckage had been found 2.8 miles south of Adila, but the pilot had not been located.
Rebels from a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement fighting alongside JEM told international observers the jet crashed because of a mechanical problem.
Army spokesman Gen. Osman Mohamed al-Agbash denied that rebels had downed a government jet, but indicated the military had faced heavy fighting in Adila.
"JEM wants to tell the international community that the army has used air bombing in (the) recapturing of Adila," the Sudan Media Center, a news services deemed close to the government, quoted al-Agbash as saying. There was no comment on military casualties.
Military flights are banned over Darfur by several U.N. resolutions and peace agreements, and Sudanese authorities routinely deny conducting air raids.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited Darfur last month and said the region was largely pacified. But the U.N. mission in Sudan said there have been clashes between rebels and the government in northern Darfur in recent days.
The heavy fighting in Adila came as the U.N. and A.U. sponsored a Darfur rebel conference in Arusha, Tanzania, to relaunch talks with the government after a May 2006 peace agreement between Khartoum and one rebel faction last year proved largely ineffective.
JEM’s el-Tom confirmed that rebel delegates attended last week’s conference and were willing to negotiate a peace agreement with Khartoum.
"But for the moment we have no cease-fire," he said. "Fighting will go on until we agree on something with Khartoum."
More than 200,000 people have died in Darfur since ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated central government, accusing it of discrimination. Khartoum is accused of retaliating by unleashing janjaweed militias, which are blamed for the worst atrocities against civilians in a conflict that has displaced more than 2.5 million people.
The government denies the charges but resisted for months a push for U.N. peacekeepers to replace the 7,000-strong A.U. force in Darfur. A July Security Council resolution provides for a "hybrid force" of 26,000 U.N. and A.U. troops to deploy in Darfur under a compromise deal that could see the peacekeepers in the region by the end of the year.
(AP)
August 9, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Heavy fighting in southern Darfur has killed scores of rebels and government forces over the past week, and the Sudanese air force has bombed several villages, rebels and international observers in Darfur reported Thursday.
The clashes began Aug. 1 when a coalition of rebels, including members of the Justice and Equality Movement, captured the strategic town of Adila, where Sudanese troops were stationed to protect the only railway linking Darfur to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, rebels said.
The Sudanese army and its allied janjaweed militias "were summarily defeated, leaving behind heavy weapons and ammunition," JEM said in a statement. The group said the offensive was led by Abdelazziz Ushar, a Darfur field commander previously fighting a separate rebellion in eastern Sudan.
A senior international observer in Darfur said Thursday that Sudanese forces had recaptured Adila, located near South Darfur’s border with the neighboring region of Khordofan, but reported clashes were ongoing.
"It seems over 100 (Sudanese) soldiers or janjaweed have been killed," the official told The Associated Press on the telephone. At least 10 rebels were killed and 15 injured, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Rebels said they launched the offensive because the janjaweed were burning villages in the area.
The African Union mission in Darfur confirmed there had been heavy fighting, but said it had no further details.
"The zone around Adila is a no-go area for us," said A.U. spokesman Noureddine Mezni.
Rebels and international observers said the fighters seized more than 50 government vehicles and some heavy armament during the offensive.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s air force bombed at least four villages in the area this week, observers and rebels said, but there were no reports of casualties because many of the civilians have fled.
One of JEM’s leaders said his group shot down a government MIG-29 fighter jet on Wednesday that was participating in the bombings, a claim denied by the government and disputed by other rebels.
Abdullahi el-Tom told AP the aircraft’s wreckage had been found 2.8 miles south of Adila, but the pilot had not been located.
Rebels from a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement fighting alongside JEM told international observers the jet crashed because of a mechanical problem.
Army spokesman Gen. Osman Mohamed al-Agbash denied that rebels had downed a government jet, but indicated the military had faced heavy fighting in Adila.
"JEM wants to tell the international community that the army has used air bombing in (the) recapturing of Adila," the Sudan Media Center, a news services deemed close to the government, quoted al-Agbash as saying. There was no comment on military casualties.
Military flights are banned over Darfur by several U.N. resolutions and peace agreements, and Sudanese authorities routinely deny conducting air raids.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited Darfur last month and said the region was largely pacified. But the U.N. mission in Sudan said there have been clashes between rebels and the government in northern Darfur in recent days.
The heavy fighting in Adila came as the U.N. and A.U. sponsored a Darfur rebel conference in Arusha, Tanzania, to relaunch talks with the government after a May 2006 peace agreement between Khartoum and one rebel faction last year proved largely ineffective.
JEM’s el-Tom confirmed that rebel delegates attended last week’s conference and were willing to negotiate a peace agreement with Khartoum.
"But for the moment we have no cease-fire," he said. "Fighting will go on until we agree on something with Khartoum."
More than 200,000 people have died in Darfur since ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated central government, accusing it of discrimination. Khartoum is accused of retaliating by unleashing janjaweed militias, which are blamed for the worst atrocities against civilians in a conflict that has displaced more than 2.5 million people.
The government denies the charges but resisted for months a push for U.N. peacekeepers to replace the 7,000-strong A.U. force in Darfur. A July Security Council resolution provides for a "hybrid force" of 26,000 U.N. and A.U. troops to deploy in Darfur under a compromise deal that could see the peacekeepers in the region by the end of the year.
(AP)
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