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