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Sudan: "Deteriorating Situation in Darfur"
AfricaFocus Bulletin
Oct 5 2005 (051005)
(Reposted from sources cited below)
Editor's Note
"In the light of our experience in the past fourteen months we must
conclude that there is neither good faith nor commitment on the
part of any of the parties. ... we find it utterly incomprehensible
that the GOS [Government of Sudan] Forces which had hitherto not
only shown restraint themselves, but used their considerable and
known influence on the Arab/Armed militia to restrain them as well,
suddenly decided to abandon such responsible behaviour and posture
and resorted to the violent destructive and overwhelming use of
force not only against the rebel forces, but also on innocent
civilian villages and the IDP camps." - Baba Gana Kingibe, African
Union Special Representative
A few optimists interpret the latest upsurge in violence in Darfur
as jockeying intended to influence terms of a peace agreement in
negotiations just resumed in Nigeria. Most observers, however, see
it as evidence of the failure of international pressure to deter
the parties, particularly the Sudanese government and its allied
militia. Despite logistical support from NATO and the European Union, the African
Union force remains woefully insufficient to effectively deter
violence. More than a year ago, the United States declared the
violence in Darfur as meeting the criteria for genocide. But,
whatever label they choose to apply, neither Washington nor other
world powers seem to be willing to escalate their involvement with
a stronger international force or effective sanctions against the
government in Khartoum.
This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains the press statement by
Ambassador Kingibe, a letter from humanitarian agencies in Darfur,
and the most recent update from the UN's IRIN on resumption of
peace talks on Darfur in Abuja,Nigeria.
For earlier AfricaFocus Bulletins on Sudan, see
http://www.africafocus.org/country/sudan.php
For regularly updated information and analysis from a variety of
sources, visit http://www.sudantribune.com and
http://www.reliefweb.int
++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++++++++
Press statement by Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, Special
Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
on the Deteriorating Situation in Darfur, Sudan
African Union
Khartoum,
October 1, 2005
http://www.sudantribune.com/article_impr.php3?id_article=11871
Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning and welcome to the AMIS (African
Union Mission in Sudan) Headquarters in Khartoum. As you are aware
I have not been in the habit of conducting what you might call
"microphone diplomacy" by personally addressing the press unless in
exceptional circumstances. As you are aware, the procedure AMIS
follows to establish violations of the ceasefire on the ground are
methodolical and governed by rules of procedure of the Ceasefire
Commission (CFC) and the Joint Commission (JC).
Whenever we receive reports of ceasefire violations, an
investigation team comprising representatives of the AU, GoS, JEM,
SLA, and the US and EU representing the international community,
investigate such reports. And after a thorough deliberation by the
CFC, its findings are forwarded to the Joint Commission. The JC
deliberates on the CFC findings and publishes its report. This is
the established procedure.
You might well debate whether this is adequate, especially as the
JC has no executive powers to penalize any offending party. You may
also question the length of time it takes for an incidence to be
conclusively disposed of, between when it occurs and when the JC
publishes its findings. Indeed, I am of the view that the mechanism
in place could have worked if the parties to the conflict in Darfur
were acting in good faith and if they were genuinely committed to
their undertakings in the various agreements they have signed.
However, in the light of our experience in the past fourteen months
we must conclude that there is neither good faith nor commitment on
the part of any of the parties. I also believe that there is a
clear need to review the rules of procedure and of especially the
JC. I am making this observation by way of introduction to explain
why we have taken the unprecedented step of calling a press
conference to address the series of violations of ceasefire that
occurred in Darfur since the conclusion of the 5th round of the
Abuja Peace talks.
The extent of collapse of the security situation in Darfur during
this period is even more ironic and regrettable given the high
hopes for an early resolution of the Darfur crisis generated by the
adoption of the widely acclaimed Declaration of Principles (DOP) on
the 5 July 2005. We all hoped the intervening period between then
and the resumption of the 6th Round of Talks in Abuja on 15
September, all the parties would endeavour to consolidate these
positive gains, to maintain calm on the ground to enable a
successful start to the current round of negotiations in Abuja.
Unfortunately, this was not to be. You would recall that in the
past one month we witnessed series of violations in Dafur, with
widespread violence against villages, commercial and humanitarian
convoys and even internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. This
rendered the work of the humanitarian agencies and NGOs in the area
difficult, and in some cases, they were forced to suspend their
activities. These violations were variously attributed to
unidentified armed militia, the "Janjaweed" or even some Chadian
rebels.
You would also recall that on 28 August 2005, elements of the SLA/M
launched a massive attack on Turba near Al Malam. We now know that
contrary to earlier information, there were no deaths, although a
number of people were abducted together with their camels, the
exact number of which is not yet verified. While we were in the
middle of trying to mediate between the SLA/M and the Arab nomads
over the Al Malam incident, the SLA proceeded to attack and occupy
the GOS garrison town of Shearia, as well as some nearby locations
on 19 September 2005.
These incidences have had such negative impact on the ongoing talks
in Abuja that the Chief Negotiator, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, had to
issue a strong statement urging restraint. It is against this
background that we find it utterly incomprehensible that the GOS
Forces which had hitherto not only shown restraint themselves, but
used their considerable and known influence on the Arab/Armed
militia to restrain them as well, suddenly decided to abandon such
responsible behaviour and posture and resorted to the violent
destructive and overwhelming use of force not only against the
rebel forces, but also on innocent civilian villages and the IDP
camps.
Since the Shaeria incident, a number of coordinated offensive
operations have been undertaken by the GOS and the Janjaweed Arab
militia. On 18 September 2005, simultaneous attacks at Khartoum
Djadeed, Sandego, Khasantongur, Tary, Martal and Djabain resulted
in the death of 12 civilians, 5 seriously wounded, and the
displacement of about 4,000 civilians. Heavy and small weapons
mounted on vehicles were reportedly used by GOS, in close
coordination with about 300 Janjaweed Arab militia. Most of the
displaced people moved to Zamzam and Tawilla IDP camps.
As you are probably aware on 28 September 2005, just four days ago,
some reportedly 400 Janjaweed Arab militia on camels and horse back
went on the rampage in Arusharo, Acho and Gozmena villages in West
Darfur. Our reports also indicate that the day previous, and indeed
on the actual day of the attack, GOS helicopter gunships were
observed overhead. This apparent coordinated land and air assault
gives credence to the repeated claim by the rebel movements of
collusion between the GOS forces and the Janjaweed/Arab militia.
This incidence, which was confirmed not only by our investigators
but also by workers of humanitarian agencies and NGOs in the area,
took a heavy toll resulting in 32 people killed, 4 injured and 7
missing, and about 80 houses/shelter looted and set ablaze.
The following day, a clearly premeditated and well rehearsed
combined operation was carried out by the GOS military and police
at approximately 11 am in the town of Tawilla and its IDP camp in
North Darfur. The GOS forces used approximately 41 trucks and 7
land cruisers in the operation which resulted in a number of
deaths, massive displacement of civilians and the destruction of
several houses in the surrounding areas as well as some tents in
the IDP camps. Indeed, the remains of discharged explosive devices
were found in the IDP camp. During the attack, thousands from the
township and the IDP camp and many humanitarian workers were forced
to seek refuge near the AU camp for personal safety and security.
Finally, yesterday, 30 September 2005, we received reports that at
about 1230 hours, machine gun and small gun fires were heard loudly
in Shearia town and two helicopter gunships were reportedly seen
dropping bombs in the direction of Ato village, some 5km south of
Shearia. We are still investigating to establish the extent of any
casualty and damage. Even as I speak now, AMIS troops are closely
monitoring the situation in Kabkabiya, Rokiro, Golo and Nertiti
where increased activities of bands of militias dressed in green
khaki indicate they are pressing to attack.
Clearly, these incidences, if they continue unchecked will further
exacerbate the efforts of the AU in Abuja which are already facing
difficulties over procedural questions of representations of the
parties, specifically the SLA/M. The initial sour note introduced
by the SLA's attack in Shearia had been mitigated by the Movement's
compliance with the appeal by the AU Chief Negotiator for them to
vacate Shearia and refrain from acts capable of derailing the peace
talks.
If the GOS forces claim that their latest acts of ceasefire
violations are in retaliation for earlier acts of provocation by
the SLA, this cannot be justified given the deliberately calculated
and wanton destruction wrecked by the disproportionate use of force
on innocent civilians and IDPs in their camps. Whatever the
circumstances, we expect a greater sense of responsibility and a
greater standard of behaviour on the part of the GOS troops and
their allies, than they have exhibited in the last 4 days.
As you may well know, AMIS patrol teams have often encountered
restrictions to their movement, particularly in SLA-controlled
areas. The SLA commanders have often cited lack of prior
notification, and more significantly the use by GOS forces of
vehicles painted in AMIS colours which makes it extremely difficult
for them to distinguish friend from foe. In these latest
incidences, we indeed observed some GOS vehicles painted in white
colour, giving credence to the claim by the SLA.
We, therefore, view as unacceptable and in violation of all
established norms and conventions the use of a neutral parties
colours by belligerents as is done by the GOS forces. This practice
of painting some of the vehicles in AMIS colours was witnessed
during the attack on Tawila, and a couple of days earlier in
Shangil Tobaya. We urge the GOS forces to stop forthwith this
unethical practice in order to maintain the integrity and
neutrality of the AMIS forces.
We now call upon the GOS forces, as indeed we had called upon the
rebel movements before, to immediately cease any further acts of
violations of the ceasefire on the ground. I appeal to them to
honour the sacredness of the holy month of Ramadan into which we
are now entering and stop the bloodshed in Darfur, to stop any
further suffering of the innocent population of Darfur, especially
those living on handouts in the IDP camps, and allow them to
observe the holy month in serenity, peace and dignity.
I also appeal to all Sudanese parties in Darfur to give the serious
mediation efforts of the AU in Abuja, so strongly supported by the
international community a chance to succeed.
I further appeal to all the humanitarian agencies and NGOs in the
recent conflict-affected areas, especially in West Darfur and
Tawila to resume their vital work of providing the much-needed
life-saving assistance. I recognize and applaud them for the great
humanitarian work they are doing under most trying and frustrating
conditions. I want to assure them that the AMIS troops will do all
they can to extend to them the necessary protection to ensure their
ability to work unhindered.
May I finally say that the AU views these recent developments with
such seriousness and concern that the Chairperson of the AU
Commission, Prof Alpha Omar Konare, has authorized the convening of
an emergency meeting of the Peace and Security Council on Monday 3
October 2005 in Addis Ababa to deliberate upon these developments
and consider appropriate measures to avoid further deterioration of
the security situation in Darfur.
ACT/Caritas letter on Crisis in Darfur to Sudanese peace
negotiators et al
TO: The delegations of all parties to the Abuja talks on Darfur
[For more on ACT/Caritas see http://act-intl.org/sudan;
for the text of this letter thanks to AfricaFiles
(http://www.africafiles.org)]
Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, African Union Chief Mediator
Baba Gana Kingibe, African Union Special Representative on Sudan
Mike McDonagh, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
Jan Pronk, Special
Representative of the Secretary General of the UN
30 September 2005
Dear friends,
We are writing as organisations which have been working in Darfur
for more than a year to relieve the suffering of its people and to
help them find a solution together to the crisis there. CAFOD,
Christian Aid, Church World Service, Dan Church Aid, Lutheran World
Relief, Norwegian Church Aid, and Tr�caire are gravely concerned
about the serious worsening of the security situation in Darfur,
and the continuing pattern of harassment of non governmental
organisations (NGOs) working there.
In recent days attacks on civilians and on IDP camps have left many
dead, such as that reported by the UN High Commission for Refugees
at Aro Sharow and Saleah in West Darfur. This follows earlier
hostilities between various armed elements in other parts of the
region.
Besides the direct effect on civilians, NGOs have also been
attacked and their work disrupted. The latest of these involved the
abduction of three staff of our partner organisation, Sudan Social
Development Organisation (SUDO), at Zam Zam internally displaced
persons (IDP) camp on 29 September. The organisation�s vehicle was
also taken. The same organisation had its work disrupted earlier
this week in a separate incident. Staff members and participants
were arrested while taking part in a workshop in El Geneina. This
follows a pattern of arrest and obstruction of staff belonging to
SUDO and other NGOs, which has clearly increased since the start of
this year.
We are urgently asking for the immediate, safe and unconditional
release of the three SUDO staff, and we ask all parties:
- To abide by their ceasefire and other commitments given in the
Abuja Protocols, to the UN Secretary General, and in the N'Djamena
Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement, regardless of any provocation or
actions by other parties;
- To abide by the requirement under international humanitarian law
not to target civilians;
- To end all harassment, arbitrary arrest, or obstruction of
national or international NGOs carrying out their work;
- To release those who have been illegally or arbitrarily detained;
- To exercise control over all elements which they may have armed,
supported or supplied in the past, and to disarm irregular units as
required in the N'Djamena and other agreements;
- To cooperate with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and
UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) in their work to monitor the ceasefire
and protect civilians.
Yours sincerely,
Rick Augsburger, Deputy Director, Church World Service, USA
Chris Bain, Director, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
(CAFOD)
Justin Kilcullen, Director, Trocaire
Daleep Mukarji, Director, Christian Aid
Atle Sommerfeldt, General Secretary, Norwegian Church Aid
Henrik Stubkjaer, General Secretary, Dan Church Aid
Kathryn Wolford, President, Lutheran World Relief�
Darfur rivals begin direct talks amid growing international
irritation
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
http://www.irinnews.org
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United
Nations]
ABUJA, 4 October (IRIN) - After two weeks of peace talks and amid
signs that world patience is running thin, rival parties in Sudan's
Darfur conflict finally entered face-to-face negotiations this week
on the key issues that need to be resolved before reaching a deal.
African Union (AU) chief mediator Salim Ahmed Salim brought
delegates representing the Sudan government and Darfur's two main
rebel groups together on Monday, saying continued violations of
truce agreements in Sudan's western Darfur region were unacceptable
at a time when peace seemed within reach.
"We cannot understand the rampant acts of banditry in Darfur, the
killing of innocent civilians in Darfur, when the major
protagonists are all here in Abuja," Salim said.
"Since we have a framework in Abuja for a negotiated settlement of
the conflict, why should more innocent lives be lost in such
senseless circumstances?" he queried.
The AU at the weekend accused Khartoum of launching attacks on
civilian targets in the past two weeks in coordination with the
pro-government Janjawid militia. The main rebel Sudanese Liberation
Army (SLA) was also blamed for two separate attacks in violation of
existing agreements.
The AU's Peace and Security Council on Tuesday called for an
emergency meeting, expected to take place on Wednesday, to address
the worsening security situation in Darfur.
And in Abuja, where he was visiting for bilateral talks, Dutch
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende warned that funding could
fizzle failing a quick accord.
"The international community wants to see results, it cannot go on
spending resources on problems which should already have been
resolved and still can be resolved in the coming months," said
Balkenende.
But at the negotiating table both the government and rebel
delegations have expressed their readiness to work for peace.
Majzoub el-Khalifa, head of the Sudanese government delegation,
said he expected the current sixth round of talks to be the crucial
one to lead to peace.
"We are not satisfied with the delay so far because our people are
suffering," he said.
Representatives for the SLA rebels and the smaller Justice and
Equality Movement both said they too expected fruitful talks and
called for good faith on all sides during the negotiations.
Key issues being negotiated include how to share power and economic
resources and ensure lasting security in Darfur between the black
African tribes in the region and the Arab-dominated government in
Khartoum.
The Darfur conflict pits Sudanese government troops and Arab
militias against rebels fighting to end what they call the neglect
and oppression of the inhabitants of Darfur, a semi-desert region
the size of France.
Most of the Darfur residents are black Africans who say the
Arab-dominated Khartoum government wants to chase them out of the
country.
The US government has accused Khartoum of genocide.
The United Nations has described the situation in Darfur as the
world's worst humanitarian crisis. It estimates that at least 2.9
million people continue to be affected by the conflict of whom 1.85
million have been forced to flee their homes.
AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication
providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with
a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus
Bulletin is edited by William Minter.
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