CHADIAN REBELS: UNCONFIRMED ALLEGATIONS OF LOOTING AND RAPE

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000055 NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SU CH SUBJECT: CHADIAN REBELS: UNCONFIRMED ALLEGATIONS OF LOOTING AND RAPE IN NORTH DARFUR REF A) KHARTOUM 1273 B) KHARTOUM 1271 C) KHARTOUM 1209 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Chadian rebel troops have allegedly looted markets in nearly a dozen villages near the area of Al Saiyah in North Darfur, according to local media and Sudanese rebel sources. However, no independent verification is available. A United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol team sent on January 4 to investigate allegations of rape and looting in the village of Kulukulo was stopped by Chadian rebels on the outskirts of the village and forced to return back to its base. It is unclear at this time when another patrol will be attempted. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Chadian rebels near Al Saiyah have been wreaking havoc on the area, according to local media and Sudanese rebel sources. On January 6, Ray-Al-Shaab newspaper reported that Chadian rebels had looted the market in Al Saiyah, and continued on to raid the neighboring villages of Goz Leben, Um Haglig, Tacoz and Um Leona. They reportedly then headed East and raided the villages of Koskare, Gos Dogu ad Zurug, where they are said to have clashed with local camel herders. Suleiman Marajan, an SLA/AW-affiliated rebel commander who controls territory nearby, told emboff the Chadian rebels had also attacked villages north of Al Saiyah, including Daragna, Kedrin and Allagartha (phonetic). ¶3. (SBU) Marajan said that the Al Saiyah area has very limited resources, which do not even satisfy the needs of the local population, prompting the Chadian rebels to travel to surrounding villages. Rapes of local women by Chadian rebels are also becoming common, he said. (Note: a UNAMID Human Rights officer told poloff that nine women had been raped by Chadian rebels in the village of Kulukulo on December 27. End Note.) Local media reported that the leader of the Berti tribe indigenous to the area appealed to the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur--himself a member of the Berti tribe--to deal with these criminal acts. The Wali allegedly told him that he could do nothing as the decision to relocate the Chadians to the area had originated with the Government of Sudan (GOS) in Khartoum. ¶4. (SBU) On January 4, a UNAMID team on patrol to Kulukulo village was stopped about one kilometer from the village by Chadian rebel troops. The Chadian rebel commander informed UNAMID that the patrol would have to be accompanied by GOS soldiers before rebels would allow it to proceed to the village. However, GOS military in the locality had earlier indicated to UNAMID they were unwilling to assist the patrol, according to UN sources. The patrol team therefore aborted the mission. It is unclear whether another patrol will be attempted. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: While the cantonment of Chadian rebels in North Darfur is an important confidence-building measure in the normalization of Chad-Sudan relations, their alleged criminal behavior threatens to further destabilize an already unpredictable security situation. With the EU-led discussions with Chadian rebel alliance Union of Resistance Forces (UFR) seemingly at a standstill, only the GOS appears to be in a position to stop Chadian rebels from looting and raping in North Darfur, if these allegations, in fact, turn out to be true. WHITEHEAD