Darfur: Update on Korma Attacks and Rape Allegations

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001637 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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: Darfur: Update on Korma Attacks and Rape Allegations Ref: Khartoum 01625 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Media accounts and a UN Sudan Situation Report detail hostilities in several areas of North Darfur State during the July 5-10 timeframe, resulting in perhaps 80 deaths and thousands of IDPs. In addition, the Report contains IDP accusations that members of the SLM/Minni Minawi faction had raped women and executed as many as 40 men. The SLM denies the accusations, and demands an investigation. The UN has issued a special release clarifying that the items published in its Situation Report were attributed to those making the statements in question, rather than representing its own opinions. End summary. Attacks Hit Korma Area; UN Report Cites IDP Rape Claims -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) On July 5-10, hostilities renewed in the Korma area of North Darfur State, spreading toward surrounding areas, including Tawila (Note: Korma has changed hands between SLM factions three times since March 2006. End note.) A UN Sudan Situation Report details several of the related incidents, which involved fighting between SLM factions. The Report also carried, however, an account by IDPs regarding purported rapes and executions. Numerous media accounts of the violence point toward the SLM/Minni Minawi faction as the aggressor, citing roughly 80 deaths and thousands of IDPs as fleeing the area. ¶3. (U) On July 9, a UN Sudan Situation Report stated the following items regarding the security situation in North Darfur: (Begin text) On 8 July, a G-19 senior field commander (SLA/AW (Abdul Wahid)) reported that Birmaza (G-19 controlled-area) was under attack by SLA/MM (Minni Minnawi) rebels. A Government Antonov aircraft joined by a white helicopter was observed circling the area. Further investigations revealed that it was a white Government helicopter which passed over the town heading in the direction of Muzbat. Comment: As a result of this renewed and potential ongoing fighting, UNDSS issued warnings to UNMIS, UN Agencies and NGO's through OCHA that operations in the above reported areas should be reviewed and suspended until further notice. On 8 July, an AMIS helicopter was shot at by unknown individuals carrying an unidentified projectile(s) 12 km Northeast of Shangil Tobayi. The helicopter was completing an air patrol at a 100 meter altitude with about 12 passengers. No further information is available. Comment: UNDSS has temporarily restricted flights to the area. On 8 July, a G-19 senior field commander confirmed that SLA/MM rebels, allegedly supported by SAF troops from El Fasher, attacked and captured Umm Sidir (G-19 controlled-area, 90 km North of El Fasher). On 7 July, SLA/MM rebels attacked Al Aradib Ashara and Faiga villages, both under SLA/AW (Abdul Wahid) influence. Three people were reported killed and one was injured. On 5 July, the SLA/MM and SLA/AW factions were reported fighting in the SLA/AW controlled village of Tina (12 km Southwest of Tawilla). The SLA/MM rebels were based from Susuwa (Southwest of Tawilla). A SLA/AW senior field commander had also participated in the fight with his forces. On 5 July, SLA/MM rebels attacked the villages Dalim, Kathim and Birka (about 40 km Northwest of El Fasher) which were most likely under SLA/AW influence. The number of injured civilians and large number of stolen livestock is unconfirmed. AMIS reported that on 6 July, a town leader of Birka village (60 km West of Tawilla) was killed by SLA/MM rebels during the on going fighting between SLA/MM and SLA/AW in the Korma general area. The SLA/MM rebels travelled into the town via Dali IDP Camp (Southest of Tawilla). Protection: Intra SLA fighting in and around Tawilla has forced the displacement of about 4,000 IDPs. On 8 July, AMIS reported that about 650 new IDPs, mostly women and children, arrived in Zam Zam camp who fled from the ongoing fighting between SLA factions in the Tawilla area. All newly arrived IDPs belong to the Fur tribe and fled from 21 villages; Koyo, Kera, Kosheny, Sandingo, Karfolla, Dady, Hashaba, Saby, Khor Mally, Dybis, Hymeda, Dolma, Dawa, Wadadi, M Saleat, Dally, Nemera, D Ba, Carhma, Daybo, and Abdia. The IDPs alleged that the SLA/MM faction was indiscriminately killing, raping women and abducting Fur civilians in Tawilla. One IDP alleged he witnessed fifteen young women being raped and then killed. He further alleged that about forty men were kidnapped and believed to have been executed. The general security situation was reported to be tense. (End text) SLM Denies Claims, Seeks Investigation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) SLM/M Spokesman Mahgoub Hussein told Pol/Econ Chief on July KHARTOUM 00001637 002 OF 002 11 that the UN report was not true, and that reports of rape were based on misinformation and efforts to tarnish the image of the SLM/Minni Minawi faction. He said the SLM/M had not launched any attacks since the signing of the DPA on May 5, and added that the attacks in the Korma area were due to rebel leader Sharif Harir and the SLM/M breakaway faction G-19, perhaps with assistance from Chad. His remarks echoed those in a letter to the editor Hussein wrote, and which was published in the independent, English daily newspaper, Khartoum Monitor, wherein the SLM protests the accusations, demands an international investigation about the accusation, requests an official apology from the UN, asks the UN to derive its information from official sources, reiterates the SLM's compliance with international humanitarian norms, and affirms that one of its targets is cessation of activities by militias that strive to commit such atrocities. ¶5. (SBU) In a separate conversation, SLM/A advisor Dr. Hassan Hashim Elfashir told Poloff that there had been a battle between Minawi's faction and the National Redemption Front (NRF) near Korma, but that allegations of rape were completely false. The charges made no sense, Elfashir said, because the SLM had been fighting for four years, but had never been charged with these types of abuses. Elfashir blamed the UN for the reports, and believed that Special Representative Jan Pronk was trying to undermine the DPA by defaming Minawi. The SLA had already spoken to UN officials in Cairo, and hoped the UNSC would investigate. If the allegations were true, he added, the SLA would be willing to turn the perpetrators over to the ICC. HUME