DARFUR: JANJAWEED ATTACKS CONTINUE IN EL FASHER

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002808

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER AND AF S/E NATSIOS
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS AU UN SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: JANJAWEED ATTACKS CONTINUE IN EL FASHER



1. (SBU) Summary: Janjaweed attacks in El Fasher continued
throughout December 5 and 6. Between 1900 and 2300 hours, sporadic
gunfire was heard around El Fasher. This resulted in two
fatalities--a 15-year-old student and a police officer--and two
injuries, both students. All victims were Zaghawa living in the
center of the city. End summary.

2. (SBU) On the morning of December 6, Janjaweed forces were
observed departing the town, looting and destroying shops as they
went. The forces then deployed to the bridge on the main road
between El Fasher town center and the airport. An EU military
observer reported 300-400 Janjaweed vehicles at the bridge, 100 of
which were dug into reinforced positions. The forces were heavily
armed with 12.7 machine guns and 60 and 82 mm mortars. By 1500
hours, the Janjaweed had pulled back from the bridge and relocated
southwest of the airport.

3. (SBU) The death of the 15-year-old student sparked protests in
the center of El Fasher on December 6. Due to the large number of
armed men in the town center, the situation quickly deteriorated
into rioting, and at approximately 1000 hours, shooting broke out
and continued for 30-45 minutes. Two more students were critically
injured. Shopkeepers and students then stoned several African Union
Mission in Sudan (AMIS) vehicles, apparently in retaliation for its
inaction. The two cafes outside of ZamZam internally displaced
persons (IDP) camp were looted and burned by a mob also protesting
AMIS' lack of action.

4. (SBU) During the December 6 Cease-fire Commission (CFC) meeting,
participants discussed the incidents of recent days. The AMIS
Deputy Force Commander Frank Kamanzi formed a sub committee to
conduct an investigation. The Government representative to the CFC
did not arrive, and when the subcommittee attempted to visit ZamZam,
protesters turned them back. At about 1445 hours, sporadic small
arms fire and grenade explosions were heard a half kilometer outside
the town center.

5. (SBU) Several sources reported over 1,000 mixed Janjaweed and
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) moving south towards El Fasher from the
Kutum area on the afternoon of December 6. Approximately 60
Janjaweed/SAF trucks were seen reinforcing Kutum town December 1,
and it appears these are the same vehicles.
HUME