DARFUR ROUNDUP: SLA/AW CLAIMS GOS ATTACK ON KORMA; ABU

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001035 NSC FOR MGAVIN, LELLIS DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF KPKO AU SU SUBJECT: DARFUR ROUNDUP: SLA/AW CLAIMS GOS ATTACK ON KORMA; ABU SHOUK IDP LEADERS STILL IN CUSTODY REF: KHARTOUM 934 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minnawi (SLA/MM) and Chadian armed opposition forces have been positioned in the areas of Kutum, Abdel Shakur and Al Dur in North Darfur, according to UN sources. Sudan Liberation Army /Abdel Wahid (SLA/AW) commanders claimed that on September 6, SAF and paramilitary forces attacked their positions in Korma, though UNAMID has yet to confirm the attack. Meanwhile in El Fasher, over a dozen IDP leaders detained following the murder of a pro-government umda in Abu Shouk camp were cleared and released on August 18, but have subsequently been re-arrested by National Security agents , according to IDP contacts. The detainees have not been mistreated, but are being kept in solitary confinement in Shala prison outside of El Fasher. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) According to sources at the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS),on September 2 two SAF companies that had been camping near Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDP)camp in El Fasher dismantled their equipment and moved in a convoy northward. The same sources also confirmed that two SAF helicopter gunships and a combined military force of SAF, SLA/MM and Chadian armed opposition forces had been positioned in the areas of Kutum, Abdelo Shakur and Ana Bagi in North Darfur. The objective of this troop movement is not known. ¶3. (SBU) SLA/AW commanders claimed that during the afternoon of September 6, GOS forces combined with Arab militia and elements from SLA/Free Will attacked their positions in Korma, North Darfur (approximately 70 kilometers northwest of El Fasher). The fighting is said to have lasted for about one hour. Three SLA/AW soldiers and two civilians were reportedly killed, and six or seven SLA/AW soldiers wounded. On September 7 UNAMID had not yet confirmed the attack. ¶4. (SBU) Speaking to emboff on September 2, members of the Fur Shura (elders' leadership) council in North Darfur stated that IDP leaders detained in the investigation following the murder of Omer Adam Ishaq (reftel) were cleared and released from police custody on August 19, only to be re-arrested that same day by the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS). They are currently being held at Shala prison outside of El Fasher, as well as at NISS facilities. . The detainees have not been mistreated, but are being kept in isolation without access to legal counsel. ¶5. (SBU) Camp Umda Abul Basher Ali Ahmed told emboff that the majority of those arrested participated in a July 2009 meeting with UN DPKO Undersecretary General Alain Le Roy during his visit to El Fasher. Those attending expressed frustration to Le Roy over the activities of government-backed Arab militias. Ahmed also stated that he believes that in the absence of camp leaders, the government intends to try and mobilize the IDP camps to support National Congress Party (NCP) during the scheduled April 2010 national elections. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The positioning of GOS and paramilitary forces in North Darfur indicates that the government may be consolidating and possibly expanding its areas of control. It is surprising, however, that such military actions would take place during Ramadan and at a time when there are converging events focused on a political settlement in Darfur. Post will continue to monitor the situation closely and report any new developments. WHITEHEAD