Southern Sudan: Heavy Fighting in Malakal

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002765 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, AND AF/RSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS CASC UN SU SUBJECT: Southern Sudan: Heavy Fighting in Malakal ¶1. Summary: Fighting erupted in Malakal late on Nov. 28 between South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and former SSDF troops aligned with the SPLA, resulting in numerous casualties. Combat intensified on Nov. 29, with Sudan Armed Forces elements supporting the SSDF, and employing mortars, RPGs, and tanks. Fighting ended on the evening of November 29. Early reports claim 100 soldiers and an unknown number of civilians dead. The UN evacuated non-emergency staff and international NGO staff, including several AmCits; there are no reports of U.S. casualties. GoSS President Kiir returned early from his trip to South Africa to address the situation. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Retaliation Effort against Cdr. Tang Sparks Fighting -------------- -------------- ¶2. According to UN sources, fighting began in Malakal, Upper Nile State, on November 28 around 6:15 p.m. when former South Sudan Defense Forces troops aligned with the SPLA (SSDF/SPLA) attacked the home of SSDF/Fangak commander Gabriel Tang. The attack may have been in retaliation for an attack by Tang's forces last week on the home of John Meluit, an SSDF/SPLA commander and commissioner-designate for Fangak. Tang's primary grievance with the SPLA is that he was not named commissioner of Fangak. Several other events preceding the fighting, however, are also cited as leading to the outbreak of violence. -------------- Escalation - SSDF/SPLA Forces Attack SAF Base -------------- ¶3. During the attack on his home, Tang escaped to a Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) base adjacent to the airport. The UN then evacuated Tang on November 28 in hopes that this would defuse the situation; it also has plans to evacuate Meluit. After a lull, the battle re-erupted overnight when the SSDF/SPLA forces attacked the SAF base. The heaviest fighting then followed over the next several hours involving rocket-propelled grenades, T-55 tanks, mortars, and thousands of rounds of rifle ammunition. -------------- -------------- Situation Stabilizes, Calms on Evening of November 29 -------------- -------------- ¶4. The situation calmed down on late November 29, and remained so on November 30. The UN appealed to Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Vice President Riek Machar to intervene for a ceasefire. -------------- Casualty Tolls Hit 100 Dead, 40 Wounded -------------- ¶5. The SAF and SPLA are now reporting 40 hospitalized and 100 dead, with totals expected to increase. The SAF has requested mechanized assistance from the UN to begin digging graves. The UN reports two minor injuries to local staff, one of whom was a driver caught in a cross-fire. -------------- UN Evacuates Staff, INGO Reps -------------- ¶6. The UN initially established three safe-havens for its staff and international workers under force protection on November 28. The UN evacuated 242 non-emergency UN, UNMIS, and INGO personnel on November 29, with 50 core staff remaining. Three flights lifted the evacuees to Juba, Rumbek, and El Obeid. On November 29, the UN Secretary General expressed concern about the situation, and SIPDIS referred to the hostilities as a serious violation of the security arrangements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Furthermore, the UN has declared the Malakal area as a Level 3 security zone. -------------- -------------- Delegation to Investigate; Ceasefire Violation Cited -------------- -------------- ¶7. A Joint Military Delegation comprising high-level officers from the SPLA, SAF, and UNMIS arrived in Malakal on November 29 to assess the situation. The UN called a special meeting of the Ceasefire Joint Military Commission on November 29. Participants agreed on three points: a ceasefire violation had occurred, there would be an investigation, and those found responsible would be disciplined through military proceedings. The Ceasefire Political Commission meeting of November 30 is on hold pending the return of UNMIS Force Commander Lt. General Lidder from Malakal (septel). -------------- -------------- GoSS Pres. Kiir Cuts Short South African Trip to Return -------------- -------------- KHARTOUM 00002765 002 OF 002 ¶8. GoSS President Salva Kiir cut short his trip to South Africa, and returned to Juba on the morning of November 30. HUME