Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001098

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/SPG
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/EA AND DCHA SUDAN GROU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO PREF UN AU SU
SUBJECT: Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian
Access - May 9, 2006

Ref: Khartoum 01090 and previous


1. Summary: Tensions continue in the Kalma IDP camp in
the wake of the May 8 death of an AU interpreter in
riots, with the SAF and Arab militia reportedly cordoning
off the area. NGOs, however, continue to provide basic
services. The AU has also received reports of attacks
over the past three days in Labado, Abgaragel, Kalaka,
and Dagama. End summary.


2. Security Update:


A. On May 8, a USAID field officer received unconfirmed
reports that the SAF and Arab militia have established a
cordon around Kalma IDP camp, ostensibly to maintain
security. UNDSS sent a security assessment team to Kalma
camp at 0900 on May 9.


B. On May 8, unconfirmed reports indicate that Arab
militias supported by the SAF attacked the town of
Labado, approximately 60 km east of Nyala. Aid agencies
in the region indicated that they treated 32 war-wounded
from the confrontation, many of them in serious
condition. The AU will investigate on May 9.


C. On May 7, MGS Nyala conducted a confidence building
patrol to El Salaam IDP Camp, and determined that there
were roughly 470 new IDPs from Donkey Dereissa,
Abgaragel, Joghana, and Birkatulli. Hearing gunshots,
the team proceeded to Kashalongo to try and confirm the
exact location of the shooting; they met villagers from
Abgaragel fleeing towards El Salaam who alleged that they
had been attacked by armed Arab militias. The villagers
further alleged that the attackers killed an unknown
number of villagers, abducted some of them, and stole
their animals.


D. On May 7, MGS Khor Abeche conducted a confidence
building patrol to Kalaka. A sheikh and an SLA commander
alleged that about 300 mounted attackers who raided the
village on May 5 had worn SAF camouflage uniforms and
were armed with AK-47 rifles and RPGs.


E. On May 6, MGS Nyala conducted a confidence building
patrol to Abgaragel, where the team observed that three
quarters of the village was burned and the area was
abandoned. A witness said the attackers struck from the
south in seven to eight vehicles; they were alleged to be
SLA members. They attacked the police camp; and about
seven or eight police officers were killed and three
injured during the exchange of gunfire. Two police
vehicles were destroyed in the process. On the following
day, the witness added, the police went back to the
village aboard four vehicles to collect the deceased, and
started shooting indiscriminately as well as burning huts
out of frustration.


F. On May 6, MGS Geraida conducted a confidence building
patrol to Dagama village and reported that the village
was deserted, with most of the houses burned and property
scattered around the compound. Four gunshots were heard
from some abandoned houses behind the water point in the
village. The team stopped to observe and later saw some
people on horses numbering about 30, armed with assorted
weapons and with drums to collect water on the horse
cart. The jinjaweed, who claimed to be Mahadi tribesmen
from Dito, have dominated Dagama village to control the
water point, scaring the villagers away to Geraida IDP
Camp.


G. On May 5, MGS Shangil Tobaya held a meeting with the
SLA commander and the local leadership; the MGS commander
was concerned with the disturbing events in Shangil
Tobaya IDP camp, where it was alleged that the SLA
members were abducting and forcefully recruiting young
men into their army. The SLA commander of the area told
the MGS commander that the SLA were merely rounding up
its soldiers who had over stayed in the IDP camp while on
vacation from Abuhamura and the SLA was returning them to
their post. This operation was misunderstood by locals,
who became apprehensive and fled to the MGS.


3. Humanitarian Access Update:

On May 9, Three NGOs - MSF-Holland, ACF, and MDM - sent
small assessment teams into Kalma IDP camp; a number of
NGOs continue to provide services there, despite UNDSS
classification of it as a "No-Go" area. The Wali of
South Darfur has called a noon meeting to discuss the

KHARTOUM 00001098 002 OF 002


situation in Kalma camp.


4. Comment: USAID Field Office will attend the Wali's
meeting and provide a read-out; it will also participate
in the regularly scheduled Kalma Camp Coordination
meeting on May 9. End comment.

HUME