Update on Geraida Situation

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001030 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/SPG DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO PREF UN AU SU SUBJECT: Update on Geraida Situation Ref: Khartoum 00985 ¶1. (SBU) The situation in Geraida appears to have calmed since reftel of April 25; it appears the SAF has stopped its offensive. The USAID Darfur Field Office states that it has not received further reports of hostilities, and noted that a UN OCHA assessment mission plans to travel to Geraida later this week. The AU has been more active: the Sector commander flew out to talk to SLA Field Commander Shorba and learned that the SLA opposes a cease- fire in the area and intends to re-take the villages lost to the SAF in the past few days. ¶2. (SBU) The sector commander also met the SAF commander in Joghana. The village is in good shape and has not been burned. Villagers told military observers that the SAF attacked the village on April 23-25, and then withdrew to allow the jinjaweed to enter and loot on April 26. The SAF officer acknowledged to the AU that jinjaweed militias had looted Joghana. ¶3. (SBU) The following paragraphs are from AMIS reporting and provide all we have on Geraida: -- On April 26 there were unverified reports that at 1400 local time a white Antonov plane and 2 helicopter gunships were observed over-flying the area east of Dito village; -- On April 27, a delegation from Joghana reported to AMIS personnel that inhabitants of Joghana fled their homes during the recent fighting between theGOS and the SLA and were now living in slums. He alleged that the jinjaweed killed 3 men on April 26 along the road to Joghana and burned over 300 dwellings. They reported that the residents tried to return to Joghana, but jinjaweed who were surrounding the village fired gunshots at them. They informed the Military Group Site officers that the village of Mukabesha and Beli Akara had been attacked also. They alleged that the GOS used three helicopter gunships and an Antonov with about 20 vehicles during that attack. Observers reported the same day that the SAF had three attack helicopters based at Nyala airfield; -- On April 28, AMIS reported that several people from Geraida conducted a peaceful demonstration at the Military Group Site helipad and demanded the immediate intervention of the UN, human rights organizations, non- governmental organizations, the International Court of Justice, and donors to stop what they called genocide against the citizens. They requested the UN Secretary General to condemn the use of the Antonov aircraft and helicopter gunships to attack villages and civilians. They also complained that AMIS had failed to provide the protection they needed and therefore the UN should take over. They alleged that the GOS had surrounded them from Donkey Alkhair, Donkey Diressa, Dito, Joghana, and Sergila. They claimed that AMIS in Geraida would witness the genocide that awaits them. The Military Group Site conducted a security assessment and verification patrol to Joghana village, where they met Lt. Uma Dumura Asan Bhashr, the Deputy Commander of the GOS in Joghana, who prevented the patrol from entering the village. AMIS told the group that the security situation was unstable and unsafe. The AMIS patrol observed some burned houses and was told that the fire was started by a bomb that was used by the SLA. The commander of the GOS troops stated that the mission of the GOS forces was to open the Nyala - Buram road; and -- Fighting was reported to be going on in Dagama village. This has forced the people of that village to flee to Geraida. Internally displaced persons have continued to arrive in Geraida; they are settling in the northeastern side of the Military Group Site in Geraida. A humanitarian crisis has befallen Geraida, and urgent assistance is required. STEINFELD