DARFUR: SITUATION CALMER IN EL FASHER

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002817 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER AND AF S/E NATSIOS NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS PHUM PREF AU UN SU SUBJECT: DARFUR: SITUATION CALMER IN EL FASHER REF: Khartoum 02808 -------------- -------------- Negotiations Result in Pull-Back; Situation Still Tense -------------- -------------- ¶1. The situation in El Fasher appears calmer as of December 7 despite sporadic gunfire between 1900 and 0030 hours on the night of December 6-7, according to UNDSS officials in El Fasher. Negotiations among the Sudanese Government, rebel groups, and Janjaweed appear to have resulted in a large-scale pull- back of Janjaweed and rebel forces from positions outside El Fasher. ¶2. According to EU Military Observers, North Darfur Deputy Wali Iddris Abdullah Hassan met with police and other security forces on December 7 to discuss the recent violence in El Fasher. Riot police are widely deployed around El Fasher town center. Although more people are back on the street, only about 10 percent of shops are open in the markets, reflecting fears of repetition of recent hostilities. Another student demonstration against the lack of AMIS protection of civilians from the Janjaweed at AMIS HQ did not materialize, perhaps due to the intensified police presence, suggested SLM representatives. -------------- Janjaweed Pulling Out -------------- ¶3. According to UNDSS in El Fasher, on the morning of December 7, up to four 8-ton trucks full of Janjaweed were observed driving past SLM compounds. No clashes occurred despite this provocation, and the trucks reportedly headed towards Kutum. A 40-vehicle convoy has been reported to be heading towards Al-Salaam IDP camp and the road to Mellit. Several kilometers from El Fasher a 60-vehicle convoy of Janjaweed drove back north towards Kutum. This may be the same convoy that had moved south, closer to El Fasher, on December 6, possibly as a show of force. HUME