Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001132 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/SPG DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/EA AND DCHA SUDAN GROUP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO PREF UN AU SU SUBJECT: Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian Access - May 14, 2006 Ref: Khartoum 01104 and previous ¶1. Summary: Demonstrations continue in several Darfur locations, with reports indicating that May 13 incidents at Abu Shouk and Al-Salaam IDP camps in El Fasher resulted in the death of a 13-year old boy and damage to AU property. The SLA shot at an AMIS helicopter near Korma, forcing it to curtail its mission. The South Darfur Humanitarian Aid Commissioner gave permission for Norwegian Refugee Council to resume work in locations other than the Kalma IDP Camp. The UN has not conducted assessment missions or site visits for two weeks due to problems arising from the lack of observance of the SOFA on the part of the Sudanese Government. End summary. ¶2. Security Update (Source - AMIS and USAID): ¶A. On May 10, roughly 100 IDPs demonstrated against the Darfur Peace Agreement at the Tawilla AMIS Military Group Site. Angry crowds thought to be associated with the Abdel Wahid faction of the SLA protested that the agreement does not address the needs of Darfur. AMIS used armored personnel carriers to block their attempts to enter the site; some then stoned the AMIS facility. OCHA cited the AMIS site commander as reporting that six AMIS Force Protection troops, one civilian police, and two PA&E staff were injured during the protests. (Note: Tawilah town is controlled by GNU police while its surrounding villages are controlled by SLA forces. End note.) UNDSS reported demonstrations in other parts of Darfur both supporting and protesting the Darfur Peace Agreement. ¶B. On May 11, heavy bombardment was observed in the vicinity of Arto, near Tawilah, North Darfur. AMIS confirmed that the village was attacked by jinjaweed militia. ¶C. On May 11, MGS Tawilla conducted an aerial patrol to Khazan Tunjur, Nelma, and Korma. The team reported that the SLA in Korma opened fire at the AMIS MI-8 Helicopter as they were orbiting around the Korma area, and were forced to abandon their task and return to the MGS. The team observed that the SLA soldiers in Korma were in defensive positions, with one big truck and two Land Cruisers. ¶D. On May 11, Commander MGS Kutum held a meeting with the SLA Field Commander in Kafod, who was visibly angry and complained about the GOS use of white vehicles and helicopters. He alleged that a white helicopter went to Kutum on Sunday May 7 with GOS salaries and that the same helicopter dropped ammunition for the jinjaweed. He asked why GOS convoys passed along the same route as AMIS convoys near Kafod, 30 minutes before or after them, suggesting a linkage between the two occurrences. He stated that he would only accept one driver per truck and threatened to deny AMIS access to the route if this was not adhered to by AMIS. The AMIS team reminded him that AMIS had freedom of movement throughout Darfur, and convinced him that the movement of the GOS convoys was coincidental and had nothing to do with AMIS. He was further assured that no extra civilians would go with the vehicles in future. ¶E. On May 13, one GOAL vehicle was hijacked in Kassab camp with three drivers onboard. UNDSS confirmed that the vehicle was later recovered; no details are available on the hijackers. ¶F. On May 13, demonstrations broke out in the morning in the Abu Shouk IDP camp in El Fasher. The AU CIVPOL team left the site due to the protesting mob; unconfirmed reports are that the AU CIVPOL compound was destroyed and/or burned down, with numerous vehicles in the area of the Abu Shouk and Al Salaam IDP camps damaged. The Sudanese Government sent security forces into the camp to control the situation; a USAID Field Officer reported hearing gunfire from the direction of the camp; others report hearing gunshots in the areas of Abu Shouk and Al Salaam IDP camps as well as the airport. Aid agencies reported that at least one person was shot and killed in the camp; the camp coordinator later confirmed that a 13 year-old boy had died. All INGOs as well as UN agencies pulled out from the camp. At noon, a UNDSS-cleared team of UNMIS human rights observers and OCHA representatives traveled to the camp. ACF reported that Sudanese military helicopters with mounted guns hovered over the IDP camps at a very low altitude. ICRC closed its KHARTOUM 00001132 002 OF 002 warehouse around the U compound and proceeded to evacuate its staff. Most of the slogans heard were "AU Out" and "We Don't Accept the Peace Deal." A heavy presence by GNU police and soldiers appeared to try to seal off the camps, apparently to dissuade the IDPs from moving to the AU headquarters and the town. UNMIS pulled out its team when shooting in the air intensified in the camp at 1:00 p.m. ¶3. Humanitarian Access Update (Source - AMIS and USAID): ¶A. On May 11, South Darfur's Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) reported that the Deputy Wali has agreed to allow the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to operate in IDP camps around Nyala with the exception of Kalma camp. The South Darfur Wali has agreed to discuss this issue with the Security Committee for South Darfur. ¶B. On May 11, the HAC weekly coordination meeting took place in El Fasher; the HAC Commissioner presented a copy of the State work plan for 2006 in Arabic. The IOM promised to translate the document and disseminate it in one week. The HAC plan focuses on IDP returns and anticipation of programs to support IDPs who want return home. The HAC stated that his office had received more resources from the Federal Government to conduct its work. HAC will soon have offices in many rural areas; he urged UN and INGO representatives to collaborate and coordinate with these sub-offices. No program update from OCHA or other UN agencies took place; the UN stated that no assessment of site visit had taken place during the past 10 days due to difficulties posed by the Sudanese Government's interpretation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). WFP, WHO, and OCHA raised the impact of travel permit issues on their work and ability to help the government during the transition period after the DPA. HUME