DARFUR IDPs PROTEST CENSUS IN ABU SHOUK CAMP

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000477 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: DARFUR IDPs PROTEST CENSUS IN ABU SHOUK CAMP ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Multiples sources confirmed to emboffs that internally displaced persons in Abu Shouk camp near El-Fasher, North Darfur organized a protest on March 31 in opposition to the upcoming Sudanese census. Although protests are common in Darfur's many IDP camps, this is the first protest directed specifically against the census. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On March 31, Rabie Bahar Ad-Din, grandson of Sultan Ali Dinar and supporter and focal point of the Fur community called emboff, stating that a large protest against the census was occurring at the IDP camp of Abu Shouk. (Note: Abu Shouk is the largest and closest IDP camp to North Darfur's capital of El Fasher End Note.) EmbOff immediately called the United Nation's Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) duty officer who confirmed that a protest was ongoing in Abu Shouk and that all UN and international personnel were advised to stay away from the camp. The UNDSS officer stated that "it appears as if almost the entire camp is participating in the protest," and that Abu Shouk leaders specifically instructed the UN to stay away from it. ¶3. (U) Ad-Din claimed that many different ethnicities were represented at the protests, though the Fur were the overwhelming majority. Meanwhile, Sajo estimated that around 35,000 IDPs participated in the demonstration that started at International Red Cross hospital at 9:30 and continued throughout the Abu Shouk camp, ending at approximately 13:00. Both Sajo and UNDSS representatives confirmed that the protests were non-violent. ¶4. (U) Sajo reported that the IDPs carried banners with the following slogans: "IDPs should not be counted before they return to their homelands;" "IDPS support Abdel Wahid's office in Israel as it supports IDPs' concerns;" "We completely refuse the census;" "War criminals should be brought to justice immediately;" "The Government of Sudan should be serious in solving Darfur's problems;" and "The IDPs request non-African protection forces for the IDP camps." ¶5. (U) On March 31, Rodolphe Adada, the Joint Special Representative of UNAMID commented on the Abu Shouk protests during a two-day conference in El-Fasher. Adada first announced that the protests were ongoing, then added that these protests by the large Fur population demonstrate the complexity of working in Darfur, especially as the United Nations has directed UNAMID to work to support the census. ¶6. (U) COMMENT: Demonstrations, marches, and protests are common occurrences in Darfur's many IDP camps. However, the March 31 protests are particularly significant as they show the complex dynamic between Darfur's ongoing crisis and the potential obstacle that it presents to implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Although it cannot be determined at this time if Abdul Wahid Al-Nur directed this protest, it is likely. (Fur leaders appeared very skittish when asked about communication with Abdul Wahid and his chain of command.) Nonetheless, all of our Fur contacts in Darfur support Abdul Wahid to varying degrees, and even if he did not directly order this protest, his opposition to the census certainly would have contributed to the protest. We anticipate there will be additional protests in the IDP camps as the census approaches, and UNAMID will need to determine whether it is safe to facilitate the census in the camps, or leave them out due to security considertions. FERNANDEZ