Sudan Tribune publishes copy of an open letter to UN Security Council from two main rebel groups in Darfur, Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Sudanese Justice & Equality Movement (JEM), Abuja, Nigeria January 12, 2006.
Note, on Monday SLM rejected Khartoum's offer to deploy joint forces alongside African Union troops to curb the violence in Darfur - and insisted on the deployment of an international force. See Sudan Watch January 15, 2006 Sudan proposes formation of joint army force of GOS/Rebel/AU troops for Darfur and offers to partly finance AU troops in Darfur.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Sudan's Darfur rebels take their battles online - emailing and using blogs to compete with rivals
Rebel leaders in Sudan are using blogs to communicate with each other as part of an ongoing fued as to who actually controls the main rebel group in the country, writes The Blog Herald in response to an article by Emily Wax, Washington Post, Jan 14 - excerpt:
The leaders of the main rebel movement in Sudan's Darfur region were once brothers in arms. But last year, the two powerful men had a falling out, and each proclaimed he was the rightful president of the Sudanese Liberation Army. Things got ugly.
But not a single shot was fired. Instead, the feuding insurgents battled as bloggers over the Internet.
"I got his e-mails and read those bitter diaries," said Mohamed al-Nur, a founder of the rebel group, at a conference held here late last year by the United States to try to bring the two sides together.
"That's the only place we hear from you - on that Internet!" hooted Saif Haroun, a spokesman for Minni Arko Minnawi, the newly proclaimed leader. "You run your rebellion from a computer?"
Rice says Sudan should have no veto power over configuration of peacekeeping operations
Excerpts from Jan 16 AFP report reprinted by Khaleej Times:
[US Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice reiterated Washington's backing for a UN proposal to take over peacekeeping chores in Darfur from a cash-strapped African Union force and said perhaps NATO could expand on its current logistical help.
"I think that the Africans have always wanted this to be an African mission," she said. "Hopefully there are enough African forces that can contribute but I think we'll just need to talk to our allies and see what might be needed."
The chief US diplomat said the 7,000-strong AU force was doing a good job in trying to curb bloodshed in Sudan's western region but faces continuing violence and mounting tensions on the border with Chad.
"It is probably pretty close to the limits of what it can do in its current size and configuration and there are issues of how to sustain it," Rice said. "That's why we favor a UN mission which has a quality of sustainability."
But Rice made it clear that the Sudan authorities, whom Washington has accused of genocide in Darfur, should have no veto power over the configuration of peacekeeping operations.
Rice said a call would likely go out "pretty soon" for countries willing to contribute more to Darfur peacekeeping efforts and said discussions would be held on deepening NATO's role, perhaps in planning.
She said a UN mission would have more money as well as forces at its disposal but did not say what the United States was ready to commit in terms of financial support.
Photo: Dr Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State (Reuters/ST)
[US Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice reiterated Washington's backing for a UN proposal to take over peacekeeping chores in Darfur from a cash-strapped African Union force and said perhaps NATO could expand on its current logistical help.
"I think that the Africans have always wanted this to be an African mission," she said. "Hopefully there are enough African forces that can contribute but I think we'll just need to talk to our allies and see what might be needed."
The chief US diplomat said the 7,000-strong AU force was doing a good job in trying to curb bloodshed in Sudan's western region but faces continuing violence and mounting tensions on the border with Chad.
"It is probably pretty close to the limits of what it can do in its current size and configuration and there are issues of how to sustain it," Rice said. "That's why we favor a UN mission which has a quality of sustainability."
But Rice made it clear that the Sudan authorities, whom Washington has accused of genocide in Darfur, should have no veto power over the configuration of peacekeeping operations.
Rice said a call would likely go out "pretty soon" for countries willing to contribute more to Darfur peacekeeping efforts and said discussions would be held on deepening NATO's role, perhaps in planning.
She said a UN mission would have more money as well as forces at its disposal but did not say what the United States was ready to commit in terms of financial support.
Photo: Dr Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State (Reuters/ST)
Rice chides Khartoum and backs major U.N. role in Darfur
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on a visit to Liberia for the inauguration of Africa's first woman president said on Monday she favoured a major U.N. role in Darfur and told Khartoum it must cooperate in accepting international help. Excerpts from Jan 16 Reuters report:
[Rice] said the African Union mission in Darfur was "not falling apart" but it needed help from the United Nations and possibly more NATO assistance.
"I think it's doing a good job but it is pretty close to the limits of what it can do in its size and configuration. There are issues in how to sustain it," said Rice of the estimated 7,000 African Union (AU) troops struggling to keep the peace in Sudan's vast western region.
"We favour a U.N. mission which has the qualities of sustainability that comes from the whole U.N. peacekeeping system," she added.
"I think the Khartoum government should be cooperative," said Rice. "They have a problem in Darfur. The international community expects them to contribute to solving it and also expects them to allow the international community to contribute to solving it," she added.
Rice said NATO could also possibly do more in Darfur. Asked whether the United States was willing to provide troops, a move Khartoum opposes, Rice did not answer the question but pointed out that the United States was a member of NATO.
Rice stressed the AU wanted this to be an African mission in Darfur and hopefully there would be enough African troops to do the job.
"There will undoubtedly also need to be more forces available for the AU mission. We will pretty soon here be in the business of seeing who might be willing to contribute more towards the AU mission," said Rice.
Rice said she was troubled by the deteriorating security situation between Chad and Sudan over rebel and militia raids in Darfur and this heightened the need for U.N. involvement.
[Rice] said the African Union mission in Darfur was "not falling apart" but it needed help from the United Nations and possibly more NATO assistance.
"I think it's doing a good job but it is pretty close to the limits of what it can do in its size and configuration. There are issues in how to sustain it," said Rice of the estimated 7,000 African Union (AU) troops struggling to keep the peace in Sudan's vast western region.
"We favour a U.N. mission which has the qualities of sustainability that comes from the whole U.N. peacekeeping system," she added.
"I think the Khartoum government should be cooperative," said Rice. "They have a problem in Darfur. The international community expects them to contribute to solving it and also expects them to allow the international community to contribute to solving it," she added.
Rice said NATO could also possibly do more in Darfur. Asked whether the United States was willing to provide troops, a move Khartoum opposes, Rice did not answer the question but pointed out that the United States was a member of NATO.
Rice stressed the AU wanted this to be an African mission in Darfur and hopefully there would be enough African troops to do the job.
"There will undoubtedly also need to be more forces available for the AU mission. We will pretty soon here be in the business of seeing who might be willing to contribute more towards the AU mission," said Rice.
Rice said she was troubled by the deteriorating security situation between Chad and Sudan over rebel and militia raids in Darfur and this heightened the need for U.N. involvement.
Africa to get first female leader
Harvard educated Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is to be sworn in as Liberia's president, to become Africa's first elected female leader.
The swearing-in ceremony will make Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf Liberia's first elected head of state since the end of 14 years of war in 2003.
BBC news today reports on the challenges which lie ahead as she begins her six-year term are great:
Further reading:
Dec 18, 2005 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's story by Helene Cooper, New York Times - An Act of Kindness 20 Years Ago, Resonating Today - Africa's first female president is ready to repay a favour.
Nov 11, 2005 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Liberia's 'Iron lady' claims win.
Oct 16, 2005 Interview: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - One of two top candidates for Liberian presidency - Liberia's Election: High Turnout and High Hope.
- - -
Quote of the Year
"I am excited by the potential of what I represent - the aspirations and expectations of women in Liberia, African women and women all over the world". - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, speaking on the eve of her inauguration.
She vowed to restore hope to her country's people and give its children back their youth and future.
Thoughts from some bloggers
Some great links at Jewels in the Jungle and My heart's in Accra lead to:
What was her slogan? "All the men have failed Liberia; let's try a woman"
Super photos at Grandiose Parlor where a commentator informs us "Johnson-Sirleaf is divorced ... almost all news sources refer to her as Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf."
Black Looks writes "In other parts of Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique and Nigeria women are waiting in the wings" - and a commentator says "Can't possibly be worse than what the men have done. A good chance it will be better. We have gone without the wisdom of women for far, far too long."
Fire Angel comments "Fact is, in the past we've had a lot of excellent rulers and warriors on our beautiful continent and they just so happen to have been women."
Nigerian Times blogs "First it was Liberia that led the way with the unprecedented election of their First Female President lady Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and now Chile has followed suit by electing their own First Female President, the fearless Michelle Bachelet who was a former political prisoner."
- - -
Yay for equal number of men and women
Note, Bachelet vow on gender equality - The Chilean President-elect, Michelle Bachelet, has pledged to name a cabinet with an equal number of men and women. [Quite right too - leaders around the world ought to follow her example]
The swearing-in ceremony will make Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf Liberia's first elected head of state since the end of 14 years of war in 2003.
BBC news today reports on the challenges which lie ahead as she begins her six-year term are great:
After a quarter of a century of war and misrule, Liberia's road network is in ruins, there is no national telephone network, no national electricity grid and no piped water.- - -
Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf has also pledged to fight widespread corruption.
A further challenge is to reintegrate the 100,000 ex-combatants, including many former child soldiers, into civilian life.
Further reading:
Dec 18, 2005 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's story by Helene Cooper, New York Times - An Act of Kindness 20 Years Ago, Resonating Today - Africa's first female president is ready to repay a favour.
Nov 11, 2005 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Liberia's 'Iron lady' claims win.
Oct 16, 2005 Interview: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - One of two top candidates for Liberian presidency - Liberia's Election: High Turnout and High Hope.
- - -
Quote of the Year
"I am excited by the potential of what I represent - the aspirations and expectations of women in Liberia, African women and women all over the world". - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, speaking on the eve of her inauguration.
She vowed to restore hope to her country's people and give its children back their youth and future.
Thoughts from some bloggers
Some great links at Jewels in the Jungle and My heart's in Accra lead to:
What was her slogan? "All the men have failed Liberia; let's try a woman"
Super photos at Grandiose Parlor where a commentator informs us "Johnson-Sirleaf is divorced ... almost all news sources refer to her as Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf."
Black Looks writes "In other parts of Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique and Nigeria women are waiting in the wings" - and a commentator says "Can't possibly be worse than what the men have done. A good chance it will be better. We have gone without the wisdom of women for far, far too long."
Fire Angel comments "Fact is, in the past we've had a lot of excellent rulers and warriors on our beautiful continent and they just so happen to have been women."
Nigerian Times blogs "First it was Liberia that led the way with the unprecedented election of their First Female President lady Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and now Chile has followed suit by electing their own First Female President, the fearless Michelle Bachelet who was a former political prisoner."
- - -
Yay for equal number of men and women
Note, Bachelet vow on gender equality - The Chilean President-elect, Michelle Bachelet, has pledged to name a cabinet with an equal number of men and women. [Quite right too - leaders around the world ought to follow her example]
Outrage over Sudan's dictator poised to lead Africa
Sudan's military dictator Omar Hassan al-Bashir, pictured here below, is likely to become chairman of the African Union and the continent's face to the world despite waging war in Darfur, it emerged yesterday. Read full report by David Blair, Africa Correspondent Telegraph UK 16 January 2006.
Note the report says African leaders may argue that Mr Bashir deserves a reward for the achievements in Southern Sudan.
Critics fear that if Mr Bashir takes the union's helm the Darfur mission will be compromised and Africa's attempt to solve a grave crisis will end.
Further reading
Jan 16, 2006 Reuters - "It is going to be difficult for the AU heads of state and government not to allow Sudan to chair," said Prince Mashele, of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. "African leaders are diplomatic in dealing with sensitive issues and will not raise Sudan's rights or governance issues publicly."
Jan 16 AP - Sudan's bid to chair AU has put African leaders in tough position.
Jan 15 Observer - Row flares at Sudan summit - South African analysts are deeply alarmed by reports that their country's President, Thabo Mbeki, intends to support Sudan's bid.
Jan 14 Reuters/SAPA - Sudan's bid to chair AU likely to fail - Nigeria's President could stay in chair
Further reports at PoTP - more than 40 African non-governmental organisations have launched a bid to prevent Sudan from chairing the African Union.
Photo: David Blair has been the Daily Telegraph's Africa Correspondent since June 2004. When not touring the continent, he lives in Johannesburg. He was previously based in the Middle East, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. See his blog entry Jan 11, 2006 A monster at large - it's about Joseph Kony "the biggest mass murderer at large in the world today, bar none. Kony leads the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group that has terrorised northern Uganda for almost 20 years."
Photo: Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (C) is greeted by Nigerian officials during his arrival in the Nigerian capital of Abuja December 19, 2005. (Reuters/ST). Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that on Sunday he asked the AU to continue sponsoring peace talks between Khartoum and Darfur rebel groups. Bashir made the appeal while addressing an opening session of a gathering of African universities as part of preparations for the sixth AU summit on Jan 23-24 in Khartoum.
Note the report says African leaders may argue that Mr Bashir deserves a reward for the achievements in Southern Sudan.
Critics fear that if Mr Bashir takes the union's helm the Darfur mission will be compromised and Africa's attempt to solve a grave crisis will end.
Further reading
Jan 16, 2006 Reuters - "It is going to be difficult for the AU heads of state and government not to allow Sudan to chair," said Prince Mashele, of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. "African leaders are diplomatic in dealing with sensitive issues and will not raise Sudan's rights or governance issues publicly."
Jan 16 AP - Sudan's bid to chair AU has put African leaders in tough position.
Jan 15 Observer - Row flares at Sudan summit - South African analysts are deeply alarmed by reports that their country's President, Thabo Mbeki, intends to support Sudan's bid.
Jan 14 Reuters/SAPA - Sudan's bid to chair AU likely to fail - Nigeria's President could stay in chair
Further reports at PoTP - more than 40 African non-governmental organisations have launched a bid to prevent Sudan from chairing the African Union.
Photo: David Blair has been the Daily Telegraph's Africa Correspondent since June 2004. When not touring the continent, he lives in Johannesburg. He was previously based in the Middle East, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. See his blog entry Jan 11, 2006 A monster at large - it's about Joseph Kony "the biggest mass murderer at large in the world today, bar none. Kony leads the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group that has terrorised northern Uganda for almost 20 years."
Photo: Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (C) is greeted by Nigerian officials during his arrival in the Nigerian capital of Abuja December 19, 2005. (Reuters/ST). Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that on Sunday he asked the AU to continue sponsoring peace talks between Khartoum and Darfur rebel groups. Bashir made the appeal while addressing an opening session of a gathering of African universities as part of preparations for the sixth AU summit on Jan 23-24 in Khartoum.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Sudan proposes formation of joint army force of GOS/Rebel/AU troops for Darfur and offers to partly finance AU troops in Darfur
Unsourced article from Khartoum Jan 14, 2006 says Sudan proposed in meetings of the AU's Peace and Security Council the formation of an army representing Sudan government, the AU and the armed groups in Darfur.
AFP report Jan 15, 2006 confirms Sudan proposes tripartite force for Darfur.
IOL report Jan 15, 2006 claims such a proposal was likely to be fiercely opposed by rebel movements who want Western troops to take over from the AU peacekeepers.
See Sudan Watch archive:
October 7, 2005 John Garang proposed joint force of 30,000 AU/GOS/SPLMA troops for Darfur
April 22, 2005 Bloggers unite to support Darfur peacekeeping mission - a troika of 30,000 forces from Sudan, New Sudan and UN/AU
April 21, 2005 South Sudan: SPLM/A willing and ready to deploy 10,000 of its troops to Darfur
- - -
Sudan offers to finance partly AU peacekeepers in Darfur
Article from Khartoum (see above) says Sudanese FM Lam Akol announced Sudan's willingness to participate in the financing of the AU troops in Darfur 'to restore peace and stability' to the region. Excerpt:
Photo: Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol, Oct. 2004. (AFP/Salah Omar/Yahoo)
UPDATE Darfur rebel SLM rejects Sudan's tripartite force proposal
AFP report Jan 16, 2006 says Darfur's main rebel group SLM on Monday rejected Khartoum's offer to deploy joint forces alongside African Union troops. "The Sudan Liberation Movement rejects the Sudanese government's proposal ... and insists on the deployment of an international force," the rebel group said in a statement.
- - -
Sudan should accept to hand over Darfur mission to UN - AU
AFP report Jan 14, 2006 quotes a senior AU official as saying Sudan should accept calls for the AU mission in Darfur to be handed over to the UN. Excerpt:
Khartoum escalates conflict in E Sudan, S Sudan, and Darfur in W Sudan
Coalition for Darfur blogs Eric Reeves' latest Analysis: Khartoum Escalates Conflict in Eastern Sudan, Southern Sudan, and Darfur.
AFP report Jan 15, 2006 confirms Sudan proposes tripartite force for Darfur.
IOL report Jan 15, 2006 claims such a proposal was likely to be fiercely opposed by rebel movements who want Western troops to take over from the AU peacekeepers.
See Sudan Watch archive:
October 7, 2005 John Garang proposed joint force of 30,000 AU/GOS/SPLMA troops for Darfur
April 22, 2005 Bloggers unite to support Darfur peacekeeping mission - a troika of 30,000 forces from Sudan, New Sudan and UN/AU
April 21, 2005 South Sudan: SPLM/A willing and ready to deploy 10,000 of its troops to Darfur
- - -
Sudan offers to finance partly AU peacekeepers in Darfur
Article from Khartoum (see above) says Sudanese FM Lam Akol announced Sudan's willingness to participate in the financing of the AU troops in Darfur 'to restore peace and stability' to the region. Excerpt:
Financial problems facing the African Union's mission can be resolved by the provision of 160m US dollars, if the African member states cooperated to do so, he said Saturday at a news conference held at the Foreign Ministry.
If they want to restore and maintain security in Darfur, they have to resolve the major obstacle, he said.
Photo: Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol, Oct. 2004. (AFP/Salah Omar/Yahoo)
UPDATE Darfur rebel SLM rejects Sudan's tripartite force proposal
AFP report Jan 16, 2006 says Darfur's main rebel group SLM on Monday rejected Khartoum's offer to deploy joint forces alongside African Union troops. "The Sudan Liberation Movement rejects the Sudanese government's proposal ... and insists on the deployment of an international force," the rebel group said in a statement.
- - -
Sudan should accept to hand over Darfur mission to UN - AU
AFP report Jan 14, 2006 quotes a senior AU official as saying Sudan should accept calls for the AU mission in Darfur to be handed over to the UN. Excerpt:
Patrick Mazimhaka, the deputy head of the executive AU Commission, said that as a member of AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC), Sudan was obliged to abide by the decisions of the 53-member pan-African body.Also, AFP explains:
"Sudan will have to accept that decision (when it its made). They are part of the PSC, they will have to comply with it," said Mazimhaka. "All the member countries of the AU have to accept the decisions taken by majority of the PSC."
AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) costs 17 million dollars (14 million euros) a month, nearly all of which is paid for by donors.- - -
The AMIS, financed mainly by the European Union, the UN and the US, currently has some 7,800 personnel, including peacekeepers and observers, in Darfur.
Khartoum escalates conflict in E Sudan, S Sudan, and Darfur in W Sudan
Coalition for Darfur blogs Eric Reeves' latest Analysis: Khartoum Escalates Conflict in Eastern Sudan, Southern Sudan, and Darfur.
Row flares at Sudan summit
A row has erupted over Sudan's attempt to chair the 53-nation African Union summit in Khartoum on 23 January. South African analysts are deeply alarmed by reports that their country's President, Thabo Mbeki, intends to support Sudan's bid. - via The Observer January 15, 2006.
- - -
Note Captain Marlow's blog entry: "Is the African Union awakening from its lethargy? (Translation: have they understood that the world has almost given up on Africa?)"
- - -
Note Captain Marlow's blog entry: "Is the African Union awakening from its lethargy? (Translation: have they understood that the world has almost given up on Africa?)"
Interview with Bob Turner, UNMIS head of Returns, Reintegration and Recovery
A year after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and the Sudanese government on 9 January 2005, the repatriation of about 4 million southerners who were displaced during the 21-year civil war remains a big challenge.
Bob Turner is the director of the Returns, Reintegration, and Recovery unit of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). IRIN asked him to assess the return process over the past year, as well as his expectations for 2006.
Click here to read excerpts from the interview via IRIN January 12, 2006.
Photo: Bob Turner, head of the UNMIS Returns, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Unit of UNMIS. (Shannon Egan/IRIN)
- - -
Sudanese President holds aloft a bird symbolising peace
On January 10, 2005 with a peace treaty in hand (that he did not personally sign) Sudan's president Omar el-Bashir began a triumphant tour of his country, greeted by thousands of revellers.
A report in the Guardian described how the president, wearing a long, white chieftain's shirt over his safari suit, stopped and restarted his speech several times when onlookers regularly broke into deafening applause and began waving white pieces of cloth in signs of peace.
"Our ultimate goal is a united Sudan, which will not be built by war but by peace and development," el-Bashir said.
"You, the southerners, will be saying, 'We want a strong and huge state, a united Sudan."
"The money which we have been spending on war will now be spent on services and development in the south," he said from his heavily guarded podium.
Photo: Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir holds aloft a bird symbolising peace at a rally in Juba, Sudan Monday, Jan. 10, 2005. He visited the southern town of Malakal as part of a tour of the region to publicise the deal. He told more than 10,000 local people who packed the stadium to celebrate the end of a war: "From now on, there will be no more fighting, but development and prosperity." (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Material from Sudan Watch January 2005 archive: Sudan peace deal 'bad' for Darfur.
Bob Turner is the director of the Returns, Reintegration, and Recovery unit of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). IRIN asked him to assess the return process over the past year, as well as his expectations for 2006.
Click here to read excerpts from the interview via IRIN January 12, 2006.
Photo: Bob Turner, head of the UNMIS Returns, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Unit of UNMIS. (Shannon Egan/IRIN)
- - -
Sudanese President holds aloft a bird symbolising peace
On January 10, 2005 with a peace treaty in hand (that he did not personally sign) Sudan's president Omar el-Bashir began a triumphant tour of his country, greeted by thousands of revellers.
A report in the Guardian described how the president, wearing a long, white chieftain's shirt over his safari suit, stopped and restarted his speech several times when onlookers regularly broke into deafening applause and began waving white pieces of cloth in signs of peace.
"Our ultimate goal is a united Sudan, which will not be built by war but by peace and development," el-Bashir said.
"You, the southerners, will be saying, 'We want a strong and huge state, a united Sudan."
"The money which we have been spending on war will now be spent on services and development in the south," he said from his heavily guarded podium.
Photo: Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir holds aloft a bird symbolising peace at a rally in Juba, Sudan Monday, Jan. 10, 2005. He visited the southern town of Malakal as part of a tour of the region to publicise the deal. He told more than 10,000 local people who packed the stadium to celebrate the end of a war: "From now on, there will be no more fighting, but development and prosperity." (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Material from Sudan Watch January 2005 archive: Sudan peace deal 'bad' for Darfur.
Chinese security forces in Sudan driving Sudanese people from their homes in upper western Nile oil fields, S Sudan
At a Sudanese refugee camp in Cairo, Egypt David Morse witnessed the desperation behind the protests -- and eventual slaughter -- of African refugees in Egypt. Here is an excerpt from his Jan 13, 2006 report Murder from Darfur to Cairo [via Eugene Oregon at Coalition for Darfur, with thanks] -
Equally disturbing, and perhaps even more telling of the pressures on Sudanese refugees, is the fact that some 5,000 newcomers have arrived at Kakuma camp in Kenya since Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in January 2005.
Some are fleeing new conflicts, such as one in the oil fields of the upper western Nile, where Chinese security forces are said to be driving people from their homes to make way for drilling, pipelines and road building being carried out by China's National Petroleum Corp.
Some of this is reportedly with the approval of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, which is eager to partake in the region's oil wealth, as provided under the peace agreement. China has been the most aggressive of the foreign suitors seeking to tap Sudan's oil reserves.
Equally disturbing, and perhaps even more telling of the pressures on Sudanese refugees, is the fact that some 5,000 newcomers have arrived at Kakuma camp in Kenya since Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in January 2005.
Some are fleeing new conflicts, such as one in the oil fields of the upper western Nile, where Chinese security forces are said to be driving people from their homes to make way for drilling, pipelines and road building being carried out by China's National Petroleum Corp.
Some of this is reportedly with the approval of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, which is eager to partake in the region's oil wealth, as provided under the peace agreement. China has been the most aggressive of the foreign suitors seeking to tap Sudan's oil reserves.
Crisis in Kakuma camp Kenya - UN reports alarming rates of malnutrition Nov 2005
At a Sudanese refugee camp in Cairo, Egypt David Morse witnessed the desperation behind the protests -- and eventual slaughter -- of African refugees in Egypt. Note this excerpt from his account dated Jan 13, 2006 "Murder from Darfur to Cairo" - [via Eugene Oregon at Coalition for Darfur, with thanks]
Kakuma camp is larger than most actual towns in Kenya. Home to 73,000 refugees, it is a sprawling expanse of huts organized along tribal lines, its perimeter fenced with concertina wire, and surrounded by desert. The camp, once regarded as temporary, is now 14 years old.
Sudanese make up the majority of the camp's inhabitants. Most fled their homeland some years ago during Africa's longest-running civil war -- the 21-year-old struggle between the Islamist government centered in Khartoum, in the north, and the marginalized black African rebels in the south fighting under the banner of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
Among the refugees I interviewed, some had survived attacks from government troops and helicopters. Others had fled the SPLM and the bloody tribal violence and famine that followed a split within its leadership. When I asked Daniel Mathiang, a 25-year-old Dinka tribesman, about the crisis that had forced him from his home in south Sudan, he responded with irony in nearly perfect English. "Do you want to know about the crisis so many years ago, or do you want to know about the crisis right now in Kakuma?"
"Our daily ration of water is 1 liter per person," he continued. "This is for drinking, cooking and washing." As a visitor who was drinking 3 to 5 liters per day to stay hydrated, I found this difficult to believe. But others corroborated Mathiang's claim. Food was also severely rationed. The weekly allotment of maize was 3.5 kilograms per person; .2 kilos of beans, and .25 of rice. Milk and sorghum were more abundant. The couple dozen people gathered around me, mostly children born in the camp, showed none of the grosser signs of malnutrition that I could observe, but all were thin.
Their complaints were borne out in testimony given in June 2002 before the U.S. Senate by Jason Phillips, director of the International Rescue Commission's program in Kenya. The IRC's role is chiefly to supplement the meager daily rations in the case of young children and lactating women. Refugees rarely receive the 2,168 calories considered the daily minimum, Phillips said. He called attention to a "dangerously high rate of malnutrition in Kakuma representing a complete abandonment of minimum international humanitarian standards for food assistance." Chronic shortages in the World Food for Peace pipeline were creating a "downward spiral" at Kakuma. Cutting back on food, he concluded, was "neither cost-effective nor humane."
Phillips' warning came more than three years ago. Inaction and the past two years of drought in northern Kenya and Ethiopia are expected to triple the rate of malnutrition among children under 5. Not surprisingly, last November the U.N. World Food Program Emergency Report cited "alarming rates of malnutrition" in Kakuma. In December, to make matters worse, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton succeeded in putting a cap on the U.N.'s annual spending. In short, the food deficit at Kakuma and other camps is increasing, not shrinking.
Kakuma camp is larger than most actual towns in Kenya. Home to 73,000 refugees, it is a sprawling expanse of huts organized along tribal lines, its perimeter fenced with concertina wire, and surrounded by desert. The camp, once regarded as temporary, is now 14 years old.
Sudanese make up the majority of the camp's inhabitants. Most fled their homeland some years ago during Africa's longest-running civil war -- the 21-year-old struggle between the Islamist government centered in Khartoum, in the north, and the marginalized black African rebels in the south fighting under the banner of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
Among the refugees I interviewed, some had survived attacks from government troops and helicopters. Others had fled the SPLM and the bloody tribal violence and famine that followed a split within its leadership. When I asked Daniel Mathiang, a 25-year-old Dinka tribesman, about the crisis that had forced him from his home in south Sudan, he responded with irony in nearly perfect English. "Do you want to know about the crisis so many years ago, or do you want to know about the crisis right now in Kakuma?"
"Our daily ration of water is 1 liter per person," he continued. "This is for drinking, cooking and washing." As a visitor who was drinking 3 to 5 liters per day to stay hydrated, I found this difficult to believe. But others corroborated Mathiang's claim. Food was also severely rationed. The weekly allotment of maize was 3.5 kilograms per person; .2 kilos of beans, and .25 of rice. Milk and sorghum were more abundant. The couple dozen people gathered around me, mostly children born in the camp, showed none of the grosser signs of malnutrition that I could observe, but all were thin.
Their complaints were borne out in testimony given in June 2002 before the U.S. Senate by Jason Phillips, director of the International Rescue Commission's program in Kenya. The IRC's role is chiefly to supplement the meager daily rations in the case of young children and lactating women. Refugees rarely receive the 2,168 calories considered the daily minimum, Phillips said. He called attention to a "dangerously high rate of malnutrition in Kakuma representing a complete abandonment of minimum international humanitarian standards for food assistance." Chronic shortages in the World Food for Peace pipeline were creating a "downward spiral" at Kakuma. Cutting back on food, he concluded, was "neither cost-effective nor humane."
Phillips' warning came more than three years ago. Inaction and the past two years of drought in northern Kenya and Ethiopia are expected to triple the rate of malnutrition among children under 5. Not surprisingly, last November the U.N. World Food Program Emergency Report cited "alarming rates of malnutrition" in Kakuma. In December, to make matters worse, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton succeeded in putting a cap on the U.N.'s annual spending. In short, the food deficit at Kakuma and other camps is increasing, not shrinking.
Sudanese refugees in Kenya reluctant to go home
Rob Haarsager of Sudan Man says an article in the Sudan Tribune January 13, 2006 "Sudanese refugees in Kenya reluctant to go home" reflects a lot of what he hears from Sudanese in Kenya.
Note, the article says Kenya's Immigration Minister Gideon Konchellahis is quoted as saying of the southern Sudan refugees in Kenya: "If you don't want to return, then Kenyans will flood southern Sudan in search of business opportunities created by peace."
Further reading:
Feb 18, 2005 Sudan's 'lost girls' fear repatriation after peace deal: UN official
Note, the article says Kenya's Immigration Minister Gideon Konchellahis is quoted as saying of the southern Sudan refugees in Kenya: "If you don't want to return, then Kenyans will flood southern Sudan in search of business opportunities created by peace."
Further reading:
Feb 18, 2005 Sudan's 'lost girls' fear repatriation after peace deal: UN official
Saturday, January 14, 2006
China and Qata blocks report to UN Security Council re illegal arms flow to Darfur Sudan
Don't miss report by Irwin Arieff for Reuters Jan 10, 2006.
Note the part that says 'Khartoum "may be preparing for or anticipating expanded military operations in Darfur."
Note the part that says 'Khartoum "may be preparing for or anticipating expanded military operations in Darfur."
UN claims Russia, China delay peacekeepers for Sudan
Moscow News today says a UN official was quoted by Reuters as saying Russia and China have delayed promised helicopters and medical units to a UN peacekeeping force in Sudan, thereby causing other countries to postpone sending troops. Full story (Moscow News) 14 Jan 2006.
British troops may join UN Darfur force
The UN is to ask Britain to provide troops for a beefed-up peacekeeping force to tackle an upsurge of violence in Darfur.
British military sources said yesterday that Britain would "actively consider such a request."
See full report by Gethin Chamberlain, Chief News Correspondent at the Scotsman who was one of the first journalists reporting on Darfur from the field two years ago.
Note the report says "UN sources told The Scotsman that the UK would be expected to be "instrumental" in bringing to bear political pressure for such a mission and in providing components of the force."
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Blair to replace Kofi Annan at UN?
Good news. BBC report January 14, 2006 says Clinton backs Blair as UN chief.
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Support in the Security Council for a UN takeover
UK based anti-genocide watchdog Aegis Trust, in a Press Release 13 January 2006, hails movement toward UN mandate for Darfur. Excerpt:
Britain's UN Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said there was support in the Security Council for a UN takeover. "We're quite clear that's what we need to do if the African Union agrees," he said after Thursday's lunch with the Secretary General. "But the African Union must be brought to agree."
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AU backs UN plan for Sudan force
BBC January 14 says AU backs UN plan for Sudan force. Excerpt:
"The government of Sudan obviously cannot be the one to make a choice about this," deputy chairman of the AU Commission, Patrick Mazimphaka, told the BBC. He said the AU mission in Darfur and observers on the ground were better placed to assess what was needed.
The BBC's Africa editor Martin Plaut says that if this position is backed by the African heads of state, it will mark a very real change in the status of the AU itself.
Note the report states, Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol told the BBC the UN had no business proposing a new force without Khartoum's approval.
British military sources said yesterday that Britain would "actively consider such a request."
See full report by Gethin Chamberlain, Chief News Correspondent at the Scotsman who was one of the first journalists reporting on Darfur from the field two years ago.
Note the report says "UN sources told The Scotsman that the UK would be expected to be "instrumental" in bringing to bear political pressure for such a mission and in providing components of the force."
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Blair to replace Kofi Annan at UN?
Good news. BBC report January 14, 2006 says Clinton backs Blair as UN chief.
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Support in the Security Council for a UN takeover
UK based anti-genocide watchdog Aegis Trust, in a Press Release 13 January 2006, hails movement toward UN mandate for Darfur. Excerpt:
Britain's UN Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said there was support in the Security Council for a UN takeover. "We're quite clear that's what we need to do if the African Union agrees," he said after Thursday's lunch with the Secretary General. "But the African Union must be brought to agree."
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AU backs UN plan for Sudan force
BBC January 14 says AU backs UN plan for Sudan force. Excerpt:
"The government of Sudan obviously cannot be the one to make a choice about this," deputy chairman of the AU Commission, Patrick Mazimphaka, told the BBC. He said the AU mission in Darfur and observers on the ground were better placed to assess what was needed.
The BBC's Africa editor Martin Plaut says that if this position is backed by the African heads of state, it will mark a very real change in the status of the AU itself.
Note the report states, Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol told the BBC the UN had no business proposing a new force without Khartoum's approval.
Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan stands firm, but more international support needed, UN Security Council told
UN News Centre report dated 13 January 2006 provides a link to Council Briefings by Jan Pronk and Salim Ahmed Salim 13 January 2006.
Note, Mr Jan Pronk is the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in the Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission there. Mr Salim Ahmed Salim is Special Envoy of the African Union for the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on the Conflict in Darfur.
Sudan: UN envoy says Security Council must enforce sanctions
Excerpt from above UN News Centre report:
Note, Mr Jan Pronk is the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in the Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission there. Mr Salim Ahmed Salim is Special Envoy of the African Union for the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on the Conflict in Darfur.
Sudan: UN envoy says Security Council must enforce sanctions
Excerpt from above UN News Centre report:
UN Security Council must enforce its sanctions against belligerents and human rights violators in Sudan or lose credibility, the head of the UN Mission in the country (UNMIS) said.
"If even weak sanctions are not going to be implemented, the Security Council doesn't take itself seriously and they have to," Jan Pronk told reporters after briefing UN Security Council on January 13, 2006.
"They have to because otherwise the people on the ground are just laughing."
Sudan's bid to chair AU likely to fail - Nigeria's President could stay in chair
Reuters report Jan 14 says Sudan's bid to lead the African Union will probably fail through conflict of interest and a decision on who is to chair the AU is not likely at its summit in Khartoum on Jan. 23.
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Jan 14, 2006 SAPA report says Sudan's bid to chair the African Union has put the continent's leaders in a tough position because of the country's poor human rights record and the conflict in Darfur.
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Jan 14, 2006 SAPA report says Sudan's bid to chair the African Union has put the continent's leaders in a tough position because of the country's poor human rights record and the conflict in Darfur.
UN envoy in Sudan calls for up to 20,000 UN peacekeepers to disarm militias in Darfur
Associated Press report Jan 14 reprinted by Khalee Times says Jan Pronk, the top UN envoy in Sudan, declared on Jan 13 that efforts to bring peace to Darfur have failed and called for a robust UN peacekeeping force of up to 20,000 troops to disarm marauding militias and provide security so over 2 million displaced people can return home.
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Pronk admits peace strategy to halt "cleansing in Darfur" has failed
Unsourced report January 13 reprinted by Sudan Tribune says on briefing the UN Security Council Jan 13 on latest developments in Sudan, top UN envoy Jan Pronk also called for sanctions against those responsible for the violence.
Further reports at Passion of the Present.
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Pronk admits peace strategy to halt "cleansing in Darfur" has failed
Unsourced report January 13 reprinted by Sudan Tribune says on briefing the UN Security Council Jan 13 on latest developments in Sudan, top UN envoy Jan Pronk also called for sanctions against those responsible for the violence.
Describing the security situation in Darfur as "chaotic," he said: "looking back at three years of killings and cleansing in Darfur we must admit that our peace strategy so far has failed."- - -
"Terror continues. At least once a month groups of 500 to 1000 militia on camel and horseback attack villages, killing dozens of people and terrorizing the others," he added.
Further reports at Passion of the Present.
Friday, January 13, 2006
US supports UN sending troops to help in Darfur
The United States supports augmenting African Union forces in Darfur with UN peacekeepers but has not offered its own troops for such a mission, US officials said on Friday January 13, 2006.
Sudan says UN peace force in Darfur unwelcome
Quelle surprise. Sudan is not ready for a proposed UN peace force in Darfur, its foreign minister has told the BBC today, January 13.
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Sudan does not want another force on the ground
Latest report from Reuters says Sudan on January 13 rejected a suggestion by UN head Kofi Annan that US and European troops be sent to Darfur, saying the international community should give more cash to African forces already on the ground. Extracts from the report:
"We think that the African Union is doing a good job and so far they have not said they are unable to do that job," [Sudanese] Foreign Minister Lam Akol told Reuters.
"Naturally what should happen is to give them the money they want, not to complicate matters by involving another force on the ground," he said.
Darfur rebels would welcome foreign troops
One of two main Darfur rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), said it would welcome U.S. troops.
"If the Americans came they would be preferable to the African Union who so far have failed in their duties to protect civilians," SLA Vice President al-Raya Mahmoud Juma'a said.
"They (the African Union) have enough forces and equipment, but they still cannot do their job and stop the attacks," he told Reuters from Darfur.
The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said the nationality of the force did not matter. But JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein said more troops were needed with a stronger mandate to protect civilians.
End of March decision on AU Darfur Mission handover to UN
The AU, in a statement on Friday, said it "expresses its support, in principle, to a transition from (an AU) to a UN operation".
It added it planned to meet before the end of March to make a final decision on any future handover to the United Nations.
What peace to keep and monitor?
[Sudanese Foreign Minister] Akol said the AU was a peace monitoring force and Sudan did not need the military power of the United States in Darfur.
"What would they do other than what the African forces can do?" he said. "We are not looking for a force who is going to fight," he added.
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Responses from bloggers
Note comment at this blog entry from unknown author of a new blog Genocide au Darfour, saying:
From the UK, Mick Hartley blogs a must-read executive summary of PHR Report on Darfur.
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Sudan does not want another force on the ground
Latest report from Reuters says Sudan on January 13 rejected a suggestion by UN head Kofi Annan that US and European troops be sent to Darfur, saying the international community should give more cash to African forces already on the ground. Extracts from the report:
"We think that the African Union is doing a good job and so far they have not said they are unable to do that job," [Sudanese] Foreign Minister Lam Akol told Reuters.
"Naturally what should happen is to give them the money they want, not to complicate matters by involving another force on the ground," he said.
Darfur rebels would welcome foreign troops
One of two main Darfur rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), said it would welcome U.S. troops.
"If the Americans came they would be preferable to the African Union who so far have failed in their duties to protect civilians," SLA Vice President al-Raya Mahmoud Juma'a said.
"They (the African Union) have enough forces and equipment, but they still cannot do their job and stop the attacks," he told Reuters from Darfur.
The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said the nationality of the force did not matter. But JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein said more troops were needed with a stronger mandate to protect civilians.
End of March decision on AU Darfur Mission handover to UN
The AU, in a statement on Friday, said it "expresses its support, in principle, to a transition from (an AU) to a UN operation".
It added it planned to meet before the end of March to make a final decision on any future handover to the United Nations.
What peace to keep and monitor?
[Sudanese Foreign Minister] Akol said the AU was a peace monitoring force and Sudan did not need the military power of the United States in Darfur.
"What would they do other than what the African forces can do?" he said. "We are not looking for a force who is going to fight," he added.
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Responses from bloggers
Note comment at this blog entry from unknown author of a new blog Genocide au Darfour, saying:
"The commander in charge of the massacres in Darfur is called MAHAMAT NOUR ABDELKRIM.- - -
The "captain" Mahamat Nour, ex-officer of the chadian army, has commanded the Jandjawids with the sudanese logistic. He has been the principal planner of the genocide in Darfur. Thanks to his chadian nationality, he was used as an alibi by the Sudanese government."
From the UK, Mick Hartley blogs a must-read executive summary of PHR Report on Darfur.
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