Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001033 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 Darfur Security and Humanitarian Access - May 2, 2006 Ref: A. Khartoum 001030, B. Khartoum 00985 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Sudanese Armed Forces military equipment continues to enter El Geneina, and UN staff remain in "lock down" mode. Chadian militia are returning gradually to Chad from Western Sudan; there does not appear to be jinjaweed activity in Chad. The UN will conduct an assessment mission of Geraida on May 3; at present it is calm, although the area has received an influx of 3000-4000 internally displaced persons recently. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Louise Arbour visits Nyala on May 2. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Security Update: -- Roads from Mukjar traveling toward Um Dukhom, For Baranga, and around Mukjar are closed to UN travel due to Chad militia moving out of Sudan into Chad (Note: no information is available on numbers, although they are considered to be large movements. End note.) There does not appear to be jinjaweed activity in Chad. Most of the INGOs have halted travel as well; -- There is a significant influx of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) military assets into El Geneina, and the UN staff are in "lock down" status. The UN has placed an additional aircraft in Darfur in the event additional airlift may be required in an evacuation; -- There are reports of cargo planes delivering an estimated at 70 to 80 tons of military supplies/stores into El Geneina (including fuel and military supplies) over the past two days, perhaps in preparation for support to the Chadian rebels/militia currently crossing into Chad; -- In South Darfur, north of Geraida, the WFP reports that during an April 27 visit to Geraida, representatives noted that the village of Hilat Goz was burning, and that there were reports from the people in the area that jinjaweed was burning villages around Joghanna. The WFP also reports that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have a battalion in Joghanna; -- In Nyala, National Security officers are patrolling the streets of Nyala looking for "insurgents" and weapons. The GOS believes the SLA is moving arms through Nyala; -- The SLA stated that given the GOS breaking of all cease-fire agreements, the SLA should no longer honor the agreement and may take the fight to the SAF. This is thought to mean small attacks on GOS-held towns and villages; and -- The UN, including UNICEF, WFP, and OCHA, are planning a helicopter day trip to Geraida on May 3 for assessment purposes. ¶3. (SBU) Humanitarian Update: -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour traveled to Nyala on May 1; -- Relief agencies report that Geraida town is still under an uneasy calm; -- There has been an influx of 3000-4000 individuals counted by the ICRC outside the "old" camp south of Geraida town under the trees and in the bush with no shelter and little in way of possessions; -- Another inestimable number have arrived to stay with families and are at present an unknown quantity; -- 340 individuals have arrived from the Dito area; -- Another 82 individuals have arrived from Dagama (northeast of Geraida); -- 70 families have arrived from Abu Lala (north of Geraida); -- Relief agencies reports seeing 540 patients per day in its clinic, an increase from their usual 400 to 450 per day, with many new patients reporting they are from Joghanna; KHARTOUM 00001033 002 OF 002 -- Relief agencies notes the area northeast of Geraida - Dagama, Dito, and Donkey Dereissa, is now highly volatile, making passage risky; -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are now highly active in the area, and are considered a new, unknown element; -- Relief agencies will not risk movement without engaging first the SAF for information sharing and travel assurances; so far its representatives have been unable to meet with any representatives of the SAF; -- Relief agencies will take the road that travels through Sanam al Naga and will therefore need to discuss travel with the SLA, GOS/SAF, and jinjaweed in the areas between Nyala and Geraida; -- Dito is reported to be under Mahadi tribal control; there is a large number of armed militias in the area; -- Relief agencies would like to restart convoys to Geraida on May 3 if they get proper travel assurances from all the elements operating in the area between Nyala and Gereida; and -- Relief agencies plan to do an assessment in Joghanna once it has gained travel access and access to interview newly arrived internally displaced persons properly. STEINFELD