Update on Darfur Security and Humanitarian Access - July

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001625

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 - July
11, 2006


1. Security Update:


A. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA),on July 8, a G-19 (SLM/Minni Minawi breakaway
faction) senior field commander reported that the towns of Birmaza
and Um Sidir were under attack by Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi
(SLA/MM) forces. In Birmaza, a Sudanese government aircraft joined
by a white government helicopter was observed circling the area
heading in the direction of Muzbat, according to the G-19 field
commander. A representative of AMIS stated on July 10 that rumors
are circulating in North Darfur, in an apparent attempt to discredit
the organization, that the helicopter had "AMIS" painted on its
sides. AMIS also reported that the event was being referred to the
Darfur Ceasefire Commission. In Um Sidir, SLA/MM forces, allegedly
supported by Sudanese Armed Forces from El Fasher, attacked and
captured the formerly G-19-controlled area, located 90 km north of
El Fasher. The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) issued
warnings to UN agencies and NGOs to suspend all humanitarian
operations in these areas until further notice. OCHA has also
expressed grave concern regarding the government's purported use of
white helicopters, as the color white is generally reserved for
parties neutral to the conflict. (Note: septel will address
fighting in the Korma area, as well as allegations of rapes of IDPs
by SLM/Minni Minawi's faction. End note.)


B. On July 10, OCHA reported that since the signing of the Darfur
Peace Agreement on May 5, nine vehicles belonging to humanitarian
agencies have been carjacked in the area around Kutum, North Darfur.
OCHA expressed concern that further fragmentation of the SLA is
creating major disruption to the provision of humanitarian
assistance and putting humanitarian agencies at heightened risk.


2. Humanitarian Access Update:


A. On July 10, USAID partner GOAL reported the cessation of
operations in areas north of Kutum due to the ongoing fighting and
insecurity around Birmaza. GOAL reports that its two health clinics
in Kutum town, however, continue to function.


B. These latest reports follow closely after several security
incidents in Kassab camp forced USAID partners GOAL and the
International Rescue Committee (IRC) and UN World Food Program (WFP)
implementing partner German Agro Action (GAA) to temporarily
suspended activities on July 2. According to IRC, on June 30, 60 to
70 internally displaced persons (IDPs) burned down the government
police station in Kassab and then set fire to the IRC Justice and
Confidence Center (JCC) funded by the UN Development Program. The
Kassab camp population and residents of surrounding villages are
divided between supporters and opponents of the Darfur Peace
Agreement. IRC staff are working to determine the motivation for
the burning of the JCC. Unconfirmed reports relate that IDPs burned
the JCC because it is believed to be associated with the Sudanese
government and Darfur Peace Agreement dissemination activities.
NGOs in the area have not yet resumed activities in the camp.


C. On July 10, Oxfam announced the official closure of its offices
and operations in the Saraf Omra and Birkat Seira areas of North
Darfur. Oxfam had suspended activities in the Saraf Omra area after
the May 3 abduction of a local employee during a carjacking, and was
threatening to permanently close operations for several weeks in an
attempt to secure more information the employee's whereabouts and
condition. Oxfam reported that all efforts to locate the man, his
captors, or the stolen vehicle have failed. Oxfam has four other
offices in North Darfur and continues to work throughout the rest of
Darfur.


D. Due to ongoing insecurity in North Darfur, on July 10, WFP
reported that 350,000 beneficiaries did not receive rations in the
month of June. These included 250,000 people living in northern
North Darfur and 100,000 others living in other areas. WFP also
reported that as of June 28 the GAA warehouse located in Kutum was
intact, a positive sign that armed groups are respecting
humanitarian assets and that food security in the area has not
deteriorated.


E. On June 27, Partner Aid International (PAI) lost communication
with its field team operating in the village of Kera, located south
of Tawila and west of Tabit in North Darfur. The same day, PAI
received notification that staff members were safe, but the PAI
health facility had been fired upon, communications equipment stolen
including a Thuraya, and one vehicle taken by unknown armed men.
UNDSS reports that residents in the area observed armed men on
camels approach an NGO vehicle. The men reportedly hit the driver
and drove the vehicle in the direction of Tabit. On June 28, PAI
suspended all operations. PAI operated two heath facilities in
Kazan Tunjur and Kera. In a debriefing with the humanitarian
community, PAI's departing health coordinator expressed his belief
that the shots and carjacking were blatant attacks on their
operations.

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