UNAMID - A VIEW FROM RURAL NORTH DARFUR

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000438 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: UNAMID - A VIEW FROM RURAL NORTH DARFUR ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A March 24 visit by emboffs to UNAMID camps in Sector North revealed that UNAMID troops can make a difference on the ground as local populations trust UNAMID with their security concerns. Nonetheless, discussions with UNAMID contacts in Um Kadada and Shangil Tobai also revealed a weak UNAMID public communications strategy and local perceptions that the Darfur Peace Agreement is an agreement between only the minority Zaghawa tribe and the Government of Sudan. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On March 24, emboffs traveled to the distant northern sector UNAMID base camps of Um Kadada and Shangil Tobai to conduct an inventory of high-end items (vehicles, generators, armored personnel carriers, etc.) for rotating Rwandan peacekeeping battalions. Emboffs will continue through March 30 conducting such inventories at base camps where Rwandans are located (Note: The results of the March 24 inventory will be sent via e-mail to interested parties. At the end of the week-long inventory, septel will follow. End Note). "WHEN THREATENED, THE IDPS CAME TO US" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (SBU) Following the inventory, UNAMID Civilian Police (civpol) representatives told emboffs that during one of the most recent conflicts in Shangil Tobai, internally displaced persons (IDP) immediately ran to the UNAMID camp asking for help. Civpol stated that a conflict occurred approximately two weeks ago when Sudan Liberation Army fighters of Minni Minnawi (SLA-Minnawi) detained the Fur mayor (umdah) of the Shahada IDP Camp. (Note: The area of Shangil Tobai is controlled by the largely Zaghawa SLA-Minnawi faction. Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are also present in the area. End Note). Civpol stated that although the reason for the detention of the Fur umdah was not clear, it was part of an ongoing, low-level conflict between the Zaghawa and the Fur. "They [the Fur IDPs] immediately came and started protesting outside of our gates," stated the civpol representative. Civpol added that after consulting with the Fur leaders, UNAMID civpol and force protection appraced SLA-Minnawi leaders and began negotiations with them. According to civpol representatives, SLA-Minnawi released the Fur Umdah after one day and returned him to the Shahada camp. ¶4. (U) Civpol and military observers (milobs) from UNAMID stated that the example above is not an isolated incident, as other IDPs continue to visit the UNAMID camp reporting crimes, asking for community interventions, and entrusting UNAMID with their security concerns. "They are not afraid of us and feel comfortable coming here. It is a good sign," stated one milob. ¶5. (U) Local Sudanese employees (mechanics, cooks, cleaners, and satellite TV technicians) were present in the UNAMID base camps at both Shangil Tobai and Um Kadada. One civpol representative stated that the presence of these local Sudanese employees may have helped UNAMID improve its community relations. One local Sudanese cleaning woman agreed, telling emboff that she not only appreciates the work, but that "now there is stability, peace, and a better life in Shangil Tobai." ALL IS NOT ROSY - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) UNAMID civpols and milobs stated that although many Darfuris feel comfortable approaching UNAMID troops, many others do not understand their mission, nor the difference between AMIS and UNAMID. UNAMID civpols stated that that they are not responsible for this public education. "As SLA-Minnawi controls this area, they have to get out and tell the IDPs what we are about," stated one UNAMID civpol. Another UNAMID Sudanese "language consultant" to UNAMID also cautioned that many Fur people from this region consider that UNAMID is intended to enforce the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), which they see as an agreement soley between the Zaghawa and the Government of Sudan. "The Fur do not feel included in this agreement, and only see the Zaghawa benefiting - this could hurt us in the long-run" said this representative. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: It is encouraging that IDPs in one camp in North Darfur trust that UNAMID can solve inter-tribal tensions, feel comfortable approaching it, and associate UNAMID deployment with increased security. This is peacekeeping at its best and, in the case of Shangil Tobai, may have prevented an ethnic conflict between the Fur and Zaghawa from quickly escalating. This good news is tempered by other less encouraging reports, such as persistent local perceptions of the DPA as a narrow and ethnically-based agreement and these particular troops' attitude towards UNAMID's public information campaign as someone else's job. ¶8. (SBU) Septels will follow this week on emboff visits to other UNAMID bases as part of the Rwandan battalion inventory. FERNANDEZ