Darfur Mortality Update: January 18, 2005

Note this excerpt from Dr Eric Reeves' latest report on current data for total mortality from violence, malnutrition, and disease:

In Darfur the current mortality rate from genocide by attrition is approximately 35,000 per month (see below) and poised to grow rapidly. Jan Egeland, UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs, predicted a month ago that the world might see a figure of 100,000 civilian deaths per month if growing insecurity forces a withdrawal of humanitarian relief organizations (The Financial Times [UK], December 15, 2004). This assessment is strongly supported by prospective assessments of food deficits from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the US Agency for International Development.

- - -

AU military chief cautions against flop in Sudan

A report by PANA today says a senior military official of the AU mission in Sudan (AMIS) has warned that it would be a tragedy for the mission to flop due to lack of facilities. He made the remark during a familiarisation tour of Zalingel, a new military sector that is under construction in Darfur. He observed that for the mission's peace efforts to succeed, it was imperative that requirements of Zalingel and other sectors were met. A contingent of 162 Gambian troops was recently deployed to Zalingel.

Note, I have yet to see a report that actually states what the AU are in need of and the reasons for the delay in them getting what they need. Could it be the AU troops that were being prepared for Darfur, have been deployed to hotspots in other countries. Other countries have been given priority. It's the only rational explanation. Nothing else makes sense. Unless there is a political reason that we know nothing about.
- - -

Uganda gives Sudan one-acre of land for new consulate

A report today from Kampala says Uganda's local government in Gulu has given the Sudan government a one-acre piece of land to build consulate offices in Laroo division of Gulu town to promote trade -- Sudan's Ambassador to Uganda thanked the Gulu local government for the land, saying Sudan would construct a storeyed block on it to house offices, a guest wing and staff houses.

I've read that Sudan is 20 billion dollars in debt. And is classed as one of the world's poorest countries. It can't even afford to feed its own people. Where are they getting the money from to pay for things like this -- the EU?
- - -

World Bank returns to Sudan as donors plan comeback

The World Bank is reopening an office in Sudan after a 10-year absence, a sign of the international community's desire to help a new power-sharing government with its reconstruction effort after decades of civil war, reports Reuters (01/17).
http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=45371&src=0

They say crime pays. Seems genocide does too.