DARFUR - INCREASED TENSION IN ABU SHOUK CAMP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 002721 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU AU SUBJECT: DARFUR - INCREASED TENSION IN ABU SHOUK CAMP REF: A) KHARTOUM 2254, B) KHARTOUM 1982 KHARTOUM 00002721 001.2 OF 003 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) During the last five months, Abu Shouk - a 54,000 internally displaced person (IDP) camp on the outskirts of El Fasher, North Darfur - has been the scene of ethnic tension and clashes. Between November 12 and 15, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) suspended humanitarian activities in the camp due to increased tension and clashes following the visit of Minni Minawi, leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) faction that signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). While the camp's humanitarian situation is now stable, the international community fears that the camp may become a place where the Fur and Zaghawa ethnic groups settle their differences on the DPA. The USAID Darfur Field Office (USAID/DFO) notes that Abu Shouk camp is adequately served, with more than 17 UN agencies and NGOs covering life-saving sectors, including food, shelter, emergency relief supplies, water, sanitation, hygiene, health, and nutrition, as well as other sectors such as education, agriculture, livelihoods, and protection. End summary. -------------- Key Dates in Abu Shouk since May 2006 -------------- ¶2. (U) Since the signing of the DPA in May 2006, tension between the 80 percent Fur and 20 percent Zaghawa ethnic groups in Abu Shouk has increased significantly, impacting the work and presence of UN agencies and NGOs in the camp. Zaghawa community leaders accuse Fur leaders of dominating discussions and not letting their voice be heard on issues related to peace, return, and DPA implementation. This tension is most visible at water points, food distribution areas, and community centers, as well as during high-level visits. ¶3. (U) In May 2006, IDPs in Abu Shouk held a series of demonstrations against the DPA. The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) Civilian Police (CIVPOL) compound in the camp was damaged during the demonstrations, resulting in the suspension of all AMIS activities, including patrols in and around the camp. ¶4. (U) In July and August, following Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) attacks and clashes between SLA factions in Korma - approximately 70 km northwest of El Fasher - Abu Shouk's umdas and sheikhs (traditional leaders) reported the presence of armed elements inside the camp. ¶5. (SBU) On October 23, the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur attempted to attend the Eid prayer in Abu Shouk after being invited by one of the IDPs' umdas, who is close to the Sudanese government. When the Wali arrived, the IDPs became angry and threw rocks at the Wali's motorcade. The Wali immediately departed Abu Shouk, and later the IDPs beat and injured the umda who had invited the Wali. The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reported that all 18 umdas from Abu Shouk camp were summoned to the Wali's residence on October 24. The Wali accused the umdas of mobilizing the IDPs against the State Government and supporting UN Security Council Resolution 1706 and armed opposition groups. The Wali indicated that the umdas' activities would be monitored and that security measures would be reinforced in the camp to maintain state sovereignty. The umdas expressed concern to UNMIS that the Sudanese government's National Intelligence and Security Service agents would follow them and requested that the UN provide protection from harassment. -------------- Current Situation -------------- ¶6. (U) Tensions between the pro-DPA Zaghawa and anti-DPA Fur IDPs have increased significantly since Minni Minawi's visit to El Fasher on November 9. After participating in a rally for Minawi in town, three SLA/Minni Minawi supporters were injured at the camp. On November 11, the UN designated Abu Shouk a "no go" area for UN agencies and advised NGOs to avoid the camp. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) officially requested that all NGOs and UN agencies avoid taking delegations to the camp. On November 12, clashes between Zaghawa and Fur IDPs erupted in the KHARTOUM 00002721 002.2 OF 003 camp. Later the same day, Abu Shouk IDP community leaders told the NGO camp coordinator, Spanish Red Cross (SpRC),that the IDPs did not want UN or NGO presence in the camp. As a result, AMIS CIVPOL suspended patrols in the camp. ¶7. (U) On November 15, the UN lifted the "no go" designation for UN agencies working in Abu Shouk camp. According to the USAID/DFO, UN sources report that the ongoing situation in the camp is political and should not impact international humanitarian work and presence in the camp. In addition, only a small minority of umdas and sheikhs now reportedly opposes the humanitarian community presence in the camp. Fur and Zaghawa umdas and sheikhs reportedly have held two meetings - one on November 14 and the other on November 16 - in the camp; however, no information on issues discussed or agreements reached has been reported. -------------- Abu Shouk Camp Profile and Facts at a Glance -------------- ¶8. (U) Located 2 miles northwest of El Fasher town, Abu Shouk is a vibrant camp with a dynamic population engaged in livelihoods and trade activities. The camp provides daily laborers for most temporary jobs in the camp and in the nearby town. Access from Abu Shouk to El Fasher is easy; there are no check points and taxis move with no difficulties between the camp and the town. ¶9. (U) IDPs in Abu Shouk are well served. SpRC coordinates all humanitarian activities in the camp and liaises with the sheikhs and umdas, relief agencies, AMIS CIVPOL, and external actors. Currently, the camp has over 17 UN agencies and INGOs providing the following humanitarian services: A) Food aid: the UN World Food Program (WFP) and Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) distribute a monthly ration to 54,043 persons; B) Nutrition: the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) treat 1,525 children in the camp in therapeutic feeding centers; C) Health: USAID partner International Rescue Committee (IRC), Partner Aid International (PAI),the Egyptian military hospital, and the German Red Cross operate four primary health care clinics. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF provide essential drugs to ensure IDPs have free access to health services; D) Water and sanitation: the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),OXFAM/UK, UNICEF, and the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Office of Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) provide between 11 and 12 liters of water per day per person. In addition, 2,178 latrines and 1,382 bathing units - 6 latrines and 3 bathing units per residential block - are operational in the camp; E) Shelter and Emergency Relief Supplies: IRC, OXFAM, ICRC, SpRC, SRCS, and the UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) coordinate the distribution of shelter materials, soap, blankets, and mosquito nets to supplement existing emergency relief supplies as required; F) Livelihoods: USAID partner CHF International trains 120 beneficiaries - mostly women - each month on income-generating activities, including pasta making and traditional goods and handicraft production. In September and October, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supported the vaccination of 4,628 heads of livestock owned by IDPs; G) Protection: the UN Development Program (UNDP),UN Population Fund (UNFPA),UNMIS Protection Unit, UNICEF, IRC, and CHF are all engaged in advocacy with North Darfur State governmental authorities. NGOs deal mainly with protection activities and provision of legal and justice support. CHF supports a fuel-efficient stoves program, which helps reduce the amount of time spent collecting household fuel, lessening the exposure of women to attack when collecting wood; and H) Education: UNICEF, IRC, CHF, and Enfants du Monde helped enroll 13,769 children for the 2006 school year. Save the Children/Sweden is engaged in primary education activities in the camp. KHARTOUM 00002721 003.2 OF 003 -------------- Comment -------------- ¶10. (SBU) While the humanitarian situation in Abu Shouk is now stable, the humanitarian community fears that relief activities will be disrupted again as the camp becomes the stage for the Fur and Zaghawa groups to play out their differences on the DPA. End comment. HUME