Sudan & S. Sudan: Fiji's Merelea Dileba Drotini will be the second female going for the UNISFA in Abyei

UN peacekeepers risk their lives for people in countries far from home. They are well respected. Any attack on a peacekeeper constitutes a war crime. 

From FBC News, Fiji
By Ema Ganivatu
Dated Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 5:44 AM

ASP Drotini leaving for UN Mission

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew (left), Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Merelea Dileba Drotini 

[Source: Fiji Police Force/ Facebook]

Officer in Charge of Criminal Records Office, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Merelea Dileba Drotini will be the second female going for the United Nations Interim Security Forces in Abyei.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew congratulated ASP Drotini for her appointment and reminded her of the image of the Fiji Police Force.

Chew has also advised ASP Drotini to make the most of any training chances during her time in the mission areas.

ASP Drotini will be departing our shores for UNISFA this Friday.

View original: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/asp-drotini-leaving-for-un-mission/

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Correction: UNISFA says no peacekeeper killed

Report at Radio Tamazuj - radiotamazuj.org/en
Dated Tuesday, 21 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:

UNISFA condemns Abyei attacks, says no peacekeeper was killed

UNISFA’s Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr. (UN photo)

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on Monday strongly condemned Sunday’s attacks by a group of armed youths on villages in the area around Angath, Wunpeth, and Korioch in the Abyei.

The attacks resulted in an estimated 27 people killed and 14 injured.

In a statement, UNISFA however clarified that they did not lose any peacekeepers during the fighting. 

On Sunday evening, Abyei Information Minister Bulis Koch told Radio Tamazuj that a Ghanaian peacekeeper with UNISFA was among those killed in the ensuing fighting.

“Contrary to inaccurate information published in media and other reports, no UNISFA peacekeepers were killed or wounded during the incident,” the UNISFA statement illuminated.

According to the UN Force, in responding to the attacks, their peacekeepers moved rapidly to enhance security in the affected area by intensifying patrols and closely monitoring the situation.

“UNISFA leadership is also engaging with the Abyei Area Administration and Ngok Dinka traditional leaderships as well as stakeholders in Juba to ensure peace and security is maintained in the Abyei area,” the statement read in part. “UNISFA’s 

Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, reiterates the mission’s commitment to protecting civilians and calls on all communities to refrain from violence and commit to ensuring sustainable peace in Abyei.”

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/unisfa-condemns-abyei-attacks-says-no-peacekeeper-was-killed

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SEE UPDATE by Sudan Watch Editor Wed 22 Nov 2023 added to:

Sudan Watch - November 20, 2023

UN peacekeeper among 32 killed in attack in Abyei

From BBC News

By Richard Hamilton

BBC World Service Newsroom 

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/11/un-peacekeeper-among-32-killed-in.html

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UN peacekeeper among 32 killed in attack in Abyei

From BBC News dated 04:37 20 Nov 2023
By Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service Newsroom - here is a copy in full:

UN peacekeeper among 32 killed in Sudan clashes

AFP Copyright: AFP Image caption: The UN has extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in Abyei

The Sudanese authorities in the disputed area of Abyei say at least 32 people have been killed after gunmen stormed local villages.

The Information Minister for Abyei, Bolis Kuoch, said more than 20 others were wounded when men opened fire on Sunday morning.

He said UN peacekeepers intervened to stop the violence but one of the peacekeepers was killed.

There have been ongoing hostilities between communities in Abyei over land and resources.

The region, rich in oil reserves, lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan and is considered to be part of both countries, since a peace agreement was signed in 2005.

Last week the UN Security Council extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission there for one more year.

Click here to view original. 

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POSTSCRIPT from Sudan Watch Editor

Note that any attack on peacekeepers constitutes a war crime. See UNISFA (United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei) Factsheet and map. Malakal in northern Upper Nile State, which has received huge numbers of South Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan, is where South Sudan deployed its first unified forces last Wednesday, unarmed. Also, 100 returnees in Unity State have headed back to transit camps near South Sudan-Sudan border citing hunger. Many have gone back to Sudan through Renk County in Upper Nile State and the Unity Oilfield road of Unity State.

Map of Abyei Area located on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, and Malakal in northern Upper Nile State, South Sudan. 

(Map courtesy Wikipedia)

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UPDATE from Sudan Watch Editor Wed 22 Nov 2023 12:27 GMT: 

The following report is surprising, especially considering the above report is from the BBC by Richard Hamilton. I'm always cautious when chronicling news. If in doubt, I wait to verify or leave it. In 20+ years of following the BBC's reports on Sudan and South Sudan, its news is rarely wrong.

This report says UNISFA in a statement clarified that they did not lose any peacekeepers during the fighting. “Contrary to inaccurate information published in media and other reports, no UNISFA peacekeepers were killed or wounded during the incident”. UNISFA says the attacks by a group of armed youths resulted in an estimated 27 people killed and 14 injured.

Report at Radio Tamazuj 

Dated Tuesday, 21 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:

UNISFA condemns Abyei attacks, says no peacekeeper was killed

UNISFA’s Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr. (UN photo)

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on Monday strongly condemned Sunday’s attacks by a group of armed youths on villages in the area around Angath, Wunpeth, and Korioch in the Abyei.

The attacks resulted in an estimated 27 people killed and 14 injured.

In a statement, UNISFA however clarified that they did not lose any peacekeepers during the fighting. 

On Sunday evening, Abyei Information Minister Bulis Koch told Radio Tamazuj that a Ghanaian peacekeeper with UNISFA was among those killed in the ensuing fighting.

“Contrary to inaccurate information published in media and other reports, no UNISFA peacekeepers were killed or wounded during the incident,” the UNISFA statement illuminated.

According to the UN Force, in responding to the attacks, their peacekeepers moved rapidly to enhance security in the affected area by intensifying patrols and closely monitoring the situation.

“UNISFA leadership is also engaging with the Abyei Area Administration and Ngok Dinka traditional leaderships as well as stakeholders in Juba to ensure peace and security is maintained in the Abyei area,” the statement read in part. “UNISFA’s 

Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, reiterates the mission’s commitment to protecting civilians and calls on all communities to refrain from violence and commit to ensuring sustainable peace in Abyei.”

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/unisfa-condemns-abyei-attacks-says-no-peacekeeper-was-killed

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Related report

Sudan Watch - November 22, 2023

Correction: UNISFA says no peacekeeper killed

UNISFA condemns Abyei attacks, says no peacekeeper was killed

Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/11/correction-unisfa-says-no-peacekeeper.html

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South Sudan: In 2023 UNMISS faced kidnaps in Malakal Upper Nile, 42 dead in attacks on aid workers

Report at China View - Xinhua
Editor: Huaxia
Dated Friday, 3 November; 01:49:30 - here is a copy in full:

UN ramps up security patrols after kidnapping of aid worker in South Sudan

JUBA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Wednesday it has stepped up security patrols around the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Malakal town of Upper Nile state, north of South Sudan.

This follows the kidnapping of Emmanuel Obayi, a nutrition officer working with the International Medical Corps in Malakal PoC on Oct. 27.

"UNMISS soldiers and police increased perimeter security patrols around the PoC site. We also reached out to various stakeholders, including the state government, humanitarian partners, and local armed groups, to gather information and verify the whereabouts of the individual in question," Ben Malor, the chief public information officer of UNMISS, told Xinhua in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

He revealed that the kidnapping incident was reported to the Mission leadership on Oct. 27 through its Malakal field office, stressing that UNMISS is ready to retrieve the kidnapped humanitarian worker.

"In 2023, there were two similar incidents. In October, a UNMISS national staff member was reported missing in western Bahr El Ghazal State; officials took urgent steps to find him, and he was released soon after," he said. In June, a UN police officer was similarly reported missing in the Malakal PoC and was later found.

"It's important to note that UNMISS has faced numerous attacks on humanitarian workers, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 42 lives in 2023," Malor said.

View original: http://www.chinaview.cn/africa/20231103/41652fd5a5dc436a823f942d36508675/c.html

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IGAD: Burhan and Hemeti will be held accountable

Report from radiotamazuj.org

Dated Wednesday 17 May 2023 - full copy:

IGAD says belligerent Sudanese generals will be held accountable

IGAD’Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu (L) and South Sudanese Acting Foreign Minister Deng Dau (R) addressing the press in Juba. (Photo: Radio Tamazuj)

(JUBA CITY) - The regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), on Wednesday, warned that the warring rival generals superintending the fighting in Sudan will be held responsible for ensuring crimes.

Clashes erupted on 15 April in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other parts of the country between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) loyal to Gen. Abdel Fataah al-Burhan who is also the country’s de facto leader and his deputy in the sovereign council and leader of the Rapid Support Forces, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as a result of a power struggle.

The warning follows talks in Juba between Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD’s Executive Secretary, and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference at the Juba State House after the talks, Dr. Gebeyehu said the warring parties in Sudan will be held accountable.

“We are working with the International community, United Nations Security Council and African Union, and IGAD as a regional organization that clearly says that all parties are responsible for any atrocities which are going to happen in that country,” he said.

He said history will judge the leaders unless they stop the fighting.

“Also, we stress that they have the responsibility as a citizen of that country and as leaders of that country,” Dr. Gebeyehu said. “History will judge that tomorrow unless otherwise, they decided today to stop this thing. We are working in terms of accountability while we are pushing to bring these parties to the table of discussion.”

Meanwhile, South Sudan's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Dayu Dend said IGAD is ready to position all the efforts of its member states to help Sudan end the conflict.

“IGAD is very focused on the issue of cessation of hostilities, on the issue of stopping the current situation in Khartoum and other places and IGAD is ready to position all the efforts of IGAD countries to help this member state,” he said. “This is why the IGAD’s executive secretary has to come personally to meet with His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit.”

In a virtual meeting held on April 16, the IGAD heads of state decided to send the presidents of South Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti to Khartoum to engage the two belligerent leaders to resume talks about security and military reforms in Sudan.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/igad-says-belligerent-sudanese-generals-will-be-held-accountable

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UN Human Rights Council votes on monitoring of rights abuses in Sudan: 18 Yes; 15 No; 14 Abstain.

🔴BREAKING

The @UN Human Rights Council decided that the mandate of the designated Expert on #Sudan should include detailed monitoring & documentation of all alleged human rights violations & abuses since 25 October 2021 including those arising directly from the current conflict pic.twitter.com/tFh2ezJhto

— UN Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC) May 11, 2023

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I watched this meeting while it was streamed live and was shocked by the poor attitudes and unprofessional behaviour (mainly by women) of most attendees. The audio was so low I could barely hear what some countries were saying. Camera panned in on a woman mindlessly chewing gum, oblivious to her surroundings, head down low while using her mobile phone. Many acted indifferent and bored like they didn't want to be there. The majority seemed too young and immature to appreciate what they were doing there or understand the magnitude of why they were there.

The live streamed audio was left on during breaks in the meeting that was held in tandem with the one on Sudan at the UN Security Council in New York along with an AU meeting on same day. Forgetting themselves and the cameras, groups chatted loudly and laughed like hyenas, women cackled loudly aloud, they all sounded like happy guests at an enjoyable wedding party. It was disgusting to see and hear.

South Africa's speech on why it was abstaining felt like a kick in the teeth and to crown it all not one African country voted for the detailed monitoring of human rights abuses in Sudan.

All attendees from what I saw (except Finland, a woman who gave a professional performance and heartfelt speech) should be sacked and have their expenses unpaid for bad performance. I can't imagine the cost of that meeting. Also, whoever was in charge of conveying audio translations onto the live stream should be investigated because it seemed apparent political games were in play. It felt like the onlookers and taxpayers footing the bill for humanitarian crises were treated as inconsequential fools. The Chairman was excellent, came across loud and clear. A translation of China's speech was whispered so low it was impossible to hear.

Not long after, news emerged of a war of words between the US and South Africa because South Africa is providing military equipment and weapons to Russia to help decimate Ukraine where unspeakable horrors are occurring.

From what I can gather, and I was shocked to learn of this now for the first time: South Africa has supported Russia ever since Russia supported South Africa during apartheid.

Note that some of the first African Union peacekeeping soldiers in Sudan at a most dangerous time in Darfur were from South Africa's excellent SANDF [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_National_Defence_Force ]. Now I'm wondering if that is why, after much arm twisting Sudan's President Bashir allowed peacekeepers on the ground in Darfur at that time.

I'm hopping mad at everything right now.

Photo source: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/05/12/goede-vrienden-arresteer-je-niet-toch-a4164533:You don't arrest good friends. Nevertheless? The debate in South Africa If Putin wants to go to the BRICS summit, South Africa must pick him up. But that's just not possible, says Africa editor Jamila Meischke.

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CARTOON: The world is looking at Sudan

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I am feeling too sad about Sudan and South Sudan to see straight. Even the cartoons are sad. Watching the news unfold seems ghoulish. It feels like the start of Darfur War II. Millions are about to die or become refugees. And when it's safe Abdul Wahid al-Nur's well-fed face will pop up on our screens to save "his" people and make my blood boil.

Why do I seem to be the only one calling for the removal of Burhan and Hemeti? Instead of being arrested they've been given ten more days of freedom to regroup. Why? What's wrong with the people who have plenty? 

If the two psychos aren't removed, Sudan, like South Sudan, will fail because most people involved in Africa, apart from the long suffering, are profiting, making money, furthering a career, selling stuff and information. War is a sick perverse game. Please God help Sudan, South Sudan and their children. 

The world is looking at Sudan - Cartoon by Omar Dafallah (RD) 

Source: Report from Radio Dabanga

UN says SAF and RSF agreed to negotiations, more mediation initiatives launched

KHARTOUM – May 2, 2023 

https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/un-says-saf-and-rsf-agreed-to-negotiations-more-mediation-initiatives-launched

AU: Arrest warrants & sanctions should be imposed on Sudan's Burhan & Hemeti, goldmines assets frozen

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Arrest warrants should be issued for Messrs Burhan and Hemeti. Also, they should be sanctioned and the riches they've embezzled from Sudan returned to Sudan to pay for the mess their fights have created. Sudan's goldmines and other natural resources should be sequestered to pay for costs of self-made humanitarian crises. Providing aid to Sudan and areas affected by its fighting is paid for by hard working taxpayers from the world over. Africa is rich. It's time the African Union is empowered to lead and pay for Africa-led initiatives, aid and peacekeepers.

Here is a copy of a tweet dated Monday 1 May 2023 featuring an Al Jazeera English video interview with Africa and Sudan analyst Mr Cameron Hudson.

I spoke to @AJEnglish about the likely expansion of conflict in #Sudan as we move toward political talks and how those talks need to be set up to deliver real results for the people of Sudan, not just talking points and tactical maneuvering for the warmakers. pic.twitter.com/cU1Giu1tks

— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) May 1, 2023

Mayhem unfolding on docks of Port Sudan. Hundreds waiting for an escape route. Scale of displaced is huge

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I am noticing many journalists and commentators referring to the fight in Sudan as "civil war" or "war". It is not civil war or war. It is a fight between two greedy lying psychopathic despots.

Report from Sky News

By Yousra Elbagir

Africa correspondent @YousraElbagir

Friday 28 April 2023 22:34, BST UK - full copy with link to video report:

Yemenis and Syrians gathered on docks of Port Sudan feel as though war has followed them

Hundreds of people from all over the world are gathered waiting for an escape route. The sheer scale of people displaced is yet to be fully comprehended.

Image: Hundreds are gathered from countries all over the world - fresh from the hell of Khartoum's violence.

Mayhem is unfolding on the docks of Port Sudan.

Hundreds are gathered from countries all over the world - fresh from the hell of Khartoum's violence.

They are gathered in front of Port Sudan's Maritime Social Club. It's now an announcement and registration centre for evacuation ships.

Every so often a name and passport number are loudly called and the hopes of hundreds are raised for a fleeting moment and - for all but one - abruptly dashed.

Image: A Saudi Arabian ship in the Port of Sudan

The Sudanese faces in the crowd are few compared to the masses of Yemenis and Syrians registering to board an incoming Saudi Arabian military evacuation vessel.

They fled their own war to seek refuge in Sudan and feel as though it followed them here.

"We are suffering," says Raiida. "We didn't even see war like this in Syria."

Raiida was in Sudan visiting her brother for a week and became trapped by the conflict.

The war has collapsed Sudan's capital Khartoum and killed hundreds of people and injured thousands.

"Life there can not be endured. Basic means are not available - no pharmacies, no hospitals. Food and water are completely depleted and houses near us were demolished," says Mutaz Abbas, a Khartoum native who left his hometown behind.

The sheer scale of people displaced is yet to be fully comprehended.

As we discuss the details of destruction, an older lady pleas with us: "Don't talk about the conflict. Talk about asylum! We need asylum."

Hours earlier in the stifling heat of the seaside afternoon, a ferry pulls into Othman Digna Port in Suakin city.

The passengers have made a ten-hour journey from Saudi Arabia to Sudan. It is the first transport route to open out of the country and reserved for those who cannot afford to wait until airports reopen.

Many of them are pilgrims returning from Makkah and say they were offered temporary amnesty but instead rushed to return home.

"Death will come to you anywhere," says Ibrahim Eltayeb as the ferry cuts through the deep waters of the Red Sea towards Sudan.

"It is important to be with our families."

View original: https://news.sky.com/story/yemenis-and-syrians-gathered-on-docks-of-port-sudan-feel-as-though-war-has-followed-them-12868757

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