Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1033
2006-05-02 12:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian

Tags:  PGOV MOPS KPKO PREF UN AU SU 
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VZCZCXRO0732
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1033/01 1221239
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021239Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2577
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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

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