DARFUR - STILL WATERS RUN DEEP IN MUKJAR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000938

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 UN SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR - STILL WATERS RUN DEEP IN MUKJAR

KHARTOUM 00000938 001.2 OF 002


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SUMMARY
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(U) In contrast to ever-worsening security and declining
humanitarian access in many areas of Darfur, Mukjar town in West
Darfur is relatively stable and offers opportunities to lay the
groundwork for future recovery following some of the worst violence
and trauma inflicted on the Darfurian people in 2003 and 2004. In
the first visit by USAID staff in approximately one year, a USAID
Office of Transition Initiatives program manager visited Mukjar from
May 19 to 21 to oversee project implementation. End summary.

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GHOST TOWN
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1. (U) Mukjar and the surrounding area in southern West Darfur is
populated predominantly by the Fur ethnic group. The current
population is approximately 15,000 people, including internally
displaced persons (IDPs),300 refugees from Chad, and an estimated
400 of the original 5,000 residents. Most of the original
population fled mass executions by government and militia forces in
and around Mukjar in 2003 and 2004, and now lives in Kalma IDP camp
in Nyala. The current security situation is relatively stable
compared to other areas of West Darfur due to its role as a key
commercial center linking West and South Darfur.


2. U) Current residents, many of whom are relatives of original
residents, took refuge in Mukjar after their villages in rural areas
were attacked. IDPs, refugees, and the remaining host community live
together in town, as there are no formal camps in Mukjar. Relief
agencies providing humanitarian services to all current residents
include USAID-funded International Medical Corps and Mercy Corps,
and many have been operating in the area since 2004.

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VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED
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3. (U) Underneath the relative calm that prevails in Mukjar today
lies the deep-seated trauma of events that occurred there in 2003 to

2004. As detailed in a 2005 Human Rights Watch report, government
and Arab militias perpetrated vicious attacks and grievous human
rights violations against Fur residents in the area in response to
Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) attacks on police stations and
government offices.


4. (U) In August 2003, the government mobilized armed Arab militias,
and the two groups jointly began attacking Fur villages in the area
around Mukjar. By November 2003, more than 80 villages had been
looted and burned, in some cases multiple times. Most community
leaders and young men fled to Mukjar. Following further SLA attacks
on government sites in February 2004, government and militia forces
rounded up and executed young men and community leaders, including
those from attacked villages, in groups of 10 to 50 persons. Reports
indicate that more than 200 men were executed by the beginning of
March 2004. IDPs were collected in the town's military compound and
disarmed, and militias were then allowed to loot and kill civilians.
There were also reports of extended detention sessions during which
militia members repeatedly raped women.


5. (U) A recent Associated Press article titled "Village of the
Damned" cited observation of a mass grave in Mukjar containing at
least 25 bodies, one of three dozen alleged mass grave sites in the
area. Although these sites have not been independently verified, the
International Criminal Court (ICC) has documented at least 51 cases
of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Mukjar
area, including mass execution, torture, and rape. Alleged militia
commander Ali Kushayb was fired from the central reserve police as
Mukjar regional chief and reportedly arrested by the government
after being indicted by the ICC. Kushayb has been replaced by his
deputy, whom residents say is the remaining area militia leader.

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A PRISON WITHOUT WALLS
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6. (U) Residents refer to Mukjar town as a "prison without walls".
The town is relatively safe, but no one ventures very far outside

KHARTOUM 00000938 002.2 OF 002


the town limits. Women IDPs interviewed by USAID staff reported that
they do not feel secure inside or outside of the town. They have no
confidence in African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) troops, who they
claim rarely respond to incidents of banditry or other attacks.
Women IDPs who have been in Mukjar since 2004 reported that neither
they nor their families have returned to their villages since
fleeing.


7. (SBU) Despite perceptions of insecurity among female IDPs,
reports of violence against women (VAW) in the area are quite low in
comparison to other parts of Darfur based on limited available
reporting. Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
staff indicated only three cases of rape were reported in Mukjar in
2006, and one case to date in 2007. Mukjar was cited as an area in
which "protection by presence" has succeeded, according to a
December 2006 Humanitarian Policy Group study on protection in
Darfur. UNHCR staff speculated that more incidents may occur and go
unreported in outlying areas.


8. (SBU) UNHCR reported that AMIS has not conducted firewood patrols
in Mukjar since the locality commissioner refused to allow the last
attempted patrol in April 2007. Shortly thereafter, a woman reported
a rape while collecting firewood. UNHCR staff indicated that women
IDPs meet with two female AMIS civilian police officers twice
monthly to discuss concerns. In addition, the women IDPs have
received training on fuel efficient stoves, intended to reduce
reliance on firewood and limit exposure to possible attacks.

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HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
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9. (U) As one of the areas most heavily impacted by the conflict,
yet with relative security and ease of access, USAID is implementing
several small grants in Mukjar to assist the community in recovering
from trauma. Community members identified access to education as a
key concern and a means for restoring confidence and hope among
residents. In late 2006, USAID supported a literacy course aimed at
men that included awareness-raising sessions on issues of VAW. The
program complemented existing literacy courses for women.


10. (U) USAID is now supporting a follow-on literacy course to
benefit additional community members. In addition, USAID is
providing funding for the completion of a co-educational secondary
school begun by the original residents before the conflict. In
initial assessments, residents noted that this activity would be a
symbolic gesture and help bring healing to the community. All
activities are implemented by community-based organizations. USAID
is also seeking to identify additional opportunities to work with
IDP youth, which may include skills training and recreational
opportunities. These activities provide a positive entry point to
gain the trust of the community, paving the way for subsequent
support to build skills in conflict resolution and civic
participation.

FERNANDEZ