Today, Asharq Alawsat.com reports one of the points in the British proposal 'Seven Steps for Peace in Sudan' is the Sudanese Government's compliance with the clauses of the peace agreement - and others are: disarmament of the Janjaweed forces, building of personal relations with the rebels' leaders, and the willingness to deploy UN forces in the country without the Sudanese Government imposing any conditions on them.
See Sudan Watch Feb 3: UK sets list of priority actions on Darfur for new Sudanese Government of National Unity.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
UN urges Darfur enemies not to export conflict - Khartoum's exporting Janjaweed?
Many of the Sudanese rebels are convinced that Khartoum is backing Chadian rebels to oust Deby, despite the government's repeated denials.
Some delegates in Abuja accuse Khartoum of exporting the Janjaweed militias that have fought in Darfur into Chadian territory.
Some delegates in Abuja accuse Khartoum of exporting the Janjaweed militias that have fought in Darfur into Chadian territory.
Senegalese peacekeeper shot in east Chad -minister
A Senegalese soldier from the African Union peacekeeping mission for Darfur has been seriously injured in eastern Chad after being shot by a Chadian soldier, Chad's foreign minister said on Saturday.
South Darfur: Mershing's entire population of 55,000 fled to Menawashi after raids by Janjaweed
On Aug 31, 2004 Sudan Watch noted the UN's quiet diplomacy not working on Sudan - not one Janjaweed camp has been closed.
Here we are in February 2006, still filing reports of Janjaweed attacks affecting tens of thousands of Darfuris, mostly defenceless women and children.
Yesterday, exhausted internally displaced Darfuris were building ramshackle shelters in a dry river bed after 55,000 fled a raid mounted by Janjaweed gunmen reports David Blair, Telegraph correspondent in Menawashi, South Darfur 4 Feb 2006. Excerpts:
The flight took place as President Omar al-Bashir was assuring 53 African leaders gathered for a summit in Khartoum of his desire for peace in Darfur.
Evidence suggests that Sudan's security forces colluded with the Arab raiders.
The first assault took place around noon. Abdul Majid Hassan, 28, was herding cattle with his brother, Tibin, 30, when five Arab gunmen approached on horseback.
Photo: The Janjaweed
"They said, 'Give us your cattle,' " Mr Hassan said. "I told Tibin, 'Give them our cattle to save our lives.' But my brother refused. The Janjaweed raised their guns and I ran."
As he fled, Mr Hassan heard a burst of automatic gunfire. He turned to see that his brother had been shot.
"I went back and found him lying on the ground. There was a bullet in his back. He said, 'I know I am dying. I ask one thing, please take care of my family.' "
Photo: Arab militiamen, known as Janjaweed, said to be responsible for much of the ethnic cleansing and herd raiding in Darfur, check on their cattle. (Photo by Ron Haviv/Courtesy UNICEF. Sudan Watch archive 3 Oct 2005)
About 400 Janjaweed gunmen raided a refugee camp in Mershing, riding among the shelters, beating up or firing on anyone who crossed their path. They returned about eight hours later, attacking the town and looting the market.
Mershing's entire population of 55,000 fled the next morning to Menawashi, 10 miles away. Panic-stricken refugees stampeded, trampling to death about 13 infants. Another 220 children disappeared during the flight.
The surviving members of Tibin Hassan's family had been forced to flee once before when the Janjaweed destroyed their home village in 2004.
Keltoum Adam Ibrahim, 25, was also fleeing with her five terrified children for the second time. "I went to Mershing because I thought the government is there, the police are there, they will protect us," she said. "Now I don't trust them. I saw the police sitting and eating with the Janjaweed before they attacked us."
All the refugees in Menawashi are black Africans, and the Arab-dominated regime views them with deep suspicion.
Evidence suggests that the Janjaweed were unleashed to clear the black Africans from a strategically vital road. Paramilitary police were seen talking to Arab gunmen.
Further reading:
Jan 26, 2005 Terrible things are happening today in Darfur - renewed fighting last week uprooted more than 9,000. 8,000 fled to nearby Menawashi and 1,250 to Mershing, both in South Darfur state.
May 3, 2005 ABC's Interview with Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal in Sudan
May 8, 2005 Janjaweed leader preaches peace in Darfur - Some Darfur tribes agree local settlement
Photo: Musa Hilal - Arab tribal leader and 'leader' of the Janjaweed
Jan 24, 2006 Sudan's SLA rebels launch attack in Golo, West Darfur
Jan 25, 2006 Splintering of rebel groups? Nur's forces captured aid workers? UN helicopter crashes near Golo, West Darfur
Feb 1, 2006: South Darfur: Janjaweed attack IDP camps Kele, Silo, Tege, Um Gozein, Ton Kittir - Mass exodus from Mershing - Joint Sudan/AU forces to patrol?
Feb 1, 2006 Southern Sudan's SPLM/A and SSDF provoke attacks on Yuai, Central Upper Nile
Feb 1, 2006 6,100,000 IDPs in the Sudan - 770,000 fled elsewhere
Feb 2, 2006 AU says no evidence Sudan backing Chadian rebels
Feb 3, 2006 New Janjaweed attacks force more Darfuris into Chad camps
Feb 3, 2006: AU says SLA attacks in Shearia and Golo provoked Sudanese forces and prompted reprisal attacks by Janjaweed
Photo: Chad's camel guards patrol on the Sudan-Chad border in Abulu Kore (Darfur), Eastern Chad, in 2004. (AFP/Thomas Coex/Yahoo - Sudan Watch archive 28 Sep 2005)
Here we are in February 2006, still filing reports of Janjaweed attacks affecting tens of thousands of Darfuris, mostly defenceless women and children.
Yesterday, exhausted internally displaced Darfuris were building ramshackle shelters in a dry river bed after 55,000 fled a raid mounted by Janjaweed gunmen reports David Blair, Telegraph correspondent in Menawashi, South Darfur 4 Feb 2006. Excerpts:
The flight took place as President Omar al-Bashir was assuring 53 African leaders gathered for a summit in Khartoum of his desire for peace in Darfur.
Evidence suggests that Sudan's security forces colluded with the Arab raiders.
The first assault took place around noon. Abdul Majid Hassan, 28, was herding cattle with his brother, Tibin, 30, when five Arab gunmen approached on horseback.
Photo: The Janjaweed
"They said, 'Give us your cattle,' " Mr Hassan said. "I told Tibin, 'Give them our cattle to save our lives.' But my brother refused. The Janjaweed raised their guns and I ran."
As he fled, Mr Hassan heard a burst of automatic gunfire. He turned to see that his brother had been shot.
"I went back and found him lying on the ground. There was a bullet in his back. He said, 'I know I am dying. I ask one thing, please take care of my family.' "
Photo: Arab militiamen, known as Janjaweed, said to be responsible for much of the ethnic cleansing and herd raiding in Darfur, check on their cattle. (Photo by Ron Haviv/Courtesy UNICEF. Sudan Watch archive 3 Oct 2005)
About 400 Janjaweed gunmen raided a refugee camp in Mershing, riding among the shelters, beating up or firing on anyone who crossed their path. They returned about eight hours later, attacking the town and looting the market.
Mershing's entire population of 55,000 fled the next morning to Menawashi, 10 miles away. Panic-stricken refugees stampeded, trampling to death about 13 infants. Another 220 children disappeared during the flight.
The surviving members of Tibin Hassan's family had been forced to flee once before when the Janjaweed destroyed their home village in 2004.
Keltoum Adam Ibrahim, 25, was also fleeing with her five terrified children for the second time. "I went to Mershing because I thought the government is there, the police are there, they will protect us," she said. "Now I don't trust them. I saw the police sitting and eating with the Janjaweed before they attacked us."
All the refugees in Menawashi are black Africans, and the Arab-dominated regime views them with deep suspicion.
Evidence suggests that the Janjaweed were unleashed to clear the black Africans from a strategically vital road. Paramilitary police were seen talking to Arab gunmen.
Further reading:
Jan 26, 2005 Terrible things are happening today in Darfur - renewed fighting last week uprooted more than 9,000. 8,000 fled to nearby Menawashi and 1,250 to Mershing, both in South Darfur state.
May 3, 2005 ABC's Interview with Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal in Sudan
May 8, 2005 Janjaweed leader preaches peace in Darfur - Some Darfur tribes agree local settlement
Photo: Musa Hilal - Arab tribal leader and 'leader' of the Janjaweed
Jan 24, 2006 Sudan's SLA rebels launch attack in Golo, West Darfur
Jan 25, 2006 Splintering of rebel groups? Nur's forces captured aid workers? UN helicopter crashes near Golo, West Darfur
Feb 1, 2006: South Darfur: Janjaweed attack IDP camps Kele, Silo, Tege, Um Gozein, Ton Kittir - Mass exodus from Mershing - Joint Sudan/AU forces to patrol?
Feb 1, 2006 Southern Sudan's SPLM/A and SSDF provoke attacks on Yuai, Central Upper Nile
Feb 1, 2006 6,100,000 IDPs in the Sudan - 770,000 fled elsewhere
Feb 2, 2006 AU says no evidence Sudan backing Chadian rebels
Feb 3, 2006 New Janjaweed attacks force more Darfuris into Chad camps
Feb 3, 2006: AU says SLA attacks in Shearia and Golo provoked Sudanese forces and prompted reprisal attacks by Janjaweed
Photo: Chad's camel guards patrol on the Sudan-Chad border in Abulu Kore (Darfur), Eastern Chad, in 2004. (AFP/Thomas Coex/Yahoo - Sudan Watch archive 28 Sep 2005)
Muslim anger spreads round the world - and it is not about Muslims and children perishing in Darfur, Sudan
The Financial Times today says Muslim anger is spreading round the world.
Hey, guess what, they are not outraged at fellow Muslims and children perishing and suffering atrocities in Darfur - they are angry over some cartoons!
As Margaret Thatcher once said, "It's a funny old world".
Today, the BBC says Annan urges calm in cartoon row - the Danish paper's editor told the BBC his intention was to show Muslims they were not exempt from satire.
More on this Muslim outrage at Captain Marlow's in Europe where Marlow links to a post encouraging us to buy Danish as "Muslim countries have chosen to pressure liberal little Denmark in order to teach the media and governments, which stand by them, a lesson which does not bode well for free speech or satire."
UK journalist Melanie Phillips, in Cartoon jihad, says "It is worth reminding ourselves at this juncture what the issue was about from the start of the affair. Gratuitous offensiveness towards Islam or any other religion is not to be approved of. But not only is censorship of such offensiveness another matter, and violence and intimidation arising from it another matter still, this was not in any event gratuitous offence."
Feb 3 ComingAnarchy post authored by Chirol, an American studying in Germany, says We Are All Danes Now and notes that, "The Tension has some rather disturbing images of Muslim protesters with signs reading "Europe learn from 9/11," "Massacre those who insult Islam" and more. You have to see it to believe it. The longer this goes on, the more pessimistic I become about the Middle East's ability to fix its failing culture."
Thomas at Contango in Norway writes An elaboration and some questions saying it is likely the row will continue to escalate, possibly with violent acts to follow and, "Let there be no doubt that the paper obviously is in its right to publish these drawings. There cannot be limits to freedom of speech."
Marcus at UK blog Harry's Place writes Two Minute Hate saying "this Danish cartoon business is rapidly turning into mainland Europe's version of the Satanic Verses affair - the wave of protest was triggered by Sheikh Yussef al-Qaradawi, head of the International Association of Muslim Scholars, who last night called on Muslims all over the world to observe "an international day of anger for God and his prophet"."
UK journalist Stephen Pollard says Danish humour may be no laughing matter, but it must be defended - "They [the cartoons] are certainly offensive to a large number of Muslims, as this week's turmoil shows. But so what? Rather more offensive, one might think, than some mocking cartoons is some Muslims' desire to murder me as a Jew."
And, he goes on to say, "Europe is not part of the Caliphate, whatever some Muslims wish. One of the defining qualities of Western civilisation is that, while religions of all kinds are tolerated, their beliefs and practices must be subject to secular laws. The idea that any religion should be above those laws is anathema to Western civilisation."
This blog author agrees with Stephen when he says Denmark's reputation has not been tarnished but enhanced and that all the Danes can and should do now is carry on standing up for the basic Western value of free speech, and hope that other nations do the same.
Helmut, a professor of philosophy, public policy, and international affairs, who blogs out of Washington DC at Phronesisaical, says it's a cartoon world and he is letting the irony of the photos do the talking for him. Heh.
Through The Looking Glass: The Danish Cartoons - Does one have the right to make fun of religion? Where is the line between freedom of speech and censorship? And what are the appropriate responses? asks Sheila Musaji, February 4, 2006 at almuslim.com.
Photo: A child joins demonstrators in Belgrave Square, London. via Telegraph UK 5 Feb 2006: Muslim protests are incitement to murder, say Tories [via Captain Marlow]
Feb 4, 2006: English Lord of the blog says Cartoons should not have been published because present situation is too volatile - it is time for us here in Britain to say we are proud of our multi cultural society and our history of a free and fair society and we are going to keep it that way.
Feb 4, 2006 Normblog Prophet and loss: "The front page of the Guardian today reports a remark from the foreign secretary that would be worrying if he'd said it: "Jack Straw... denounced the decision to republish the cartoons, saying press freedom carried an obligation not "to be gratuitously inflammatory"." But this seems to be the result of sloppy editing. What Straw acually said, according to the report here, was: "There is freedom of speech, we all respect that, but there is not any obligation to insult or to be gratuitously inflammatory."
Feb 6, 2006 American Atheists at NoGodBlog received 70 comments at Apology withdrawn: "I earlier said "sorry for the cartoon", referring to the Moslem ordeal (there are sooo many), but I then read this article, and I'm retracting that sentiment. Nobody who demands the death of a human just because of what he writes, says, or believes is deserving of any respect at all.
See "Freedom go to hell" and "Europe take some lessons from 9/11" photos at The Artyom Reader.
See more photos just in from London at Michelle Malkin's: "Be prepared for the REAL holocaust!" "Europe you will pay. Your 9/11 is on its way!!" "Behead those who insult Islam" "Slay those who insult Islam" "Butcher those who mock Islam" "Exterminate those who slander Islam" "Massacre those who insult Islam" "Annihilate those who insult Islam" (Hat tip: UK blogger John Holroyd of Towards a Free World Cartoon Debate - The case for mocking religion "We cannot possibly adjust enough to please the fanatics, and it is degrading to make the attempt.")
The Common Room blog has a round up news and views of Islam in the Cartoons.
Hey, guess what, they are not outraged at fellow Muslims and children perishing and suffering atrocities in Darfur - they are angry over some cartoons!
As Margaret Thatcher once said, "It's a funny old world".
Today, the BBC says Annan urges calm in cartoon row - the Danish paper's editor told the BBC his intention was to show Muslims they were not exempt from satire.
More on this Muslim outrage at Captain Marlow's in Europe where Marlow links to a post encouraging us to buy Danish as "Muslim countries have chosen to pressure liberal little Denmark in order to teach the media and governments, which stand by them, a lesson which does not bode well for free speech or satire."
UK journalist Melanie Phillips, in Cartoon jihad, says "It is worth reminding ourselves at this juncture what the issue was about from the start of the affair. Gratuitous offensiveness towards Islam or any other religion is not to be approved of. But not only is censorship of such offensiveness another matter, and violence and intimidation arising from it another matter still, this was not in any event gratuitous offence."
Feb 3 ComingAnarchy post authored by Chirol, an American studying in Germany, says We Are All Danes Now and notes that, "The Tension has some rather disturbing images of Muslim protesters with signs reading "Europe learn from 9/11," "Massacre those who insult Islam" and more. You have to see it to believe it. The longer this goes on, the more pessimistic I become about the Middle East's ability to fix its failing culture."
Thomas at Contango in Norway writes An elaboration and some questions saying it is likely the row will continue to escalate, possibly with violent acts to follow and, "Let there be no doubt that the paper obviously is in its right to publish these drawings. There cannot be limits to freedom of speech."
Marcus at UK blog Harry's Place writes Two Minute Hate saying "this Danish cartoon business is rapidly turning into mainland Europe's version of the Satanic Verses affair - the wave of protest was triggered by Sheikh Yussef al-Qaradawi, head of the International Association of Muslim Scholars, who last night called on Muslims all over the world to observe "an international day of anger for God and his prophet"."
UK journalist Stephen Pollard says Danish humour may be no laughing matter, but it must be defended - "They [the cartoons] are certainly offensive to a large number of Muslims, as this week's turmoil shows. But so what? Rather more offensive, one might think, than some mocking cartoons is some Muslims' desire to murder me as a Jew."
And, he goes on to say, "Europe is not part of the Caliphate, whatever some Muslims wish. One of the defining qualities of Western civilisation is that, while religions of all kinds are tolerated, their beliefs and practices must be subject to secular laws. The idea that any religion should be above those laws is anathema to Western civilisation."
This blog author agrees with Stephen when he says Denmark's reputation has not been tarnished but enhanced and that all the Danes can and should do now is carry on standing up for the basic Western value of free speech, and hope that other nations do the same.
Helmut, a professor of philosophy, public policy, and international affairs, who blogs out of Washington DC at Phronesisaical, says it's a cartoon world and he is letting the irony of the photos do the talking for him. Heh.
Through The Looking Glass: The Danish Cartoons - Does one have the right to make fun of religion? Where is the line between freedom of speech and censorship? And what are the appropriate responses? asks Sheila Musaji, February 4, 2006 at almuslim.com.
Photo: A child joins demonstrators in Belgrave Square, London. via Telegraph UK 5 Feb 2006: Muslim protests are incitement to murder, say Tories [via Captain Marlow]
Feb 4, 2006: English Lord of the blog says Cartoons should not have been published because present situation is too volatile - it is time for us here in Britain to say we are proud of our multi cultural society and our history of a free and fair society and we are going to keep it that way.
Feb 4, 2006 Normblog Prophet and loss: "The front page of the Guardian today reports a remark from the foreign secretary that would be worrying if he'd said it: "Jack Straw... denounced the decision to republish the cartoons, saying press freedom carried an obligation not "to be gratuitously inflammatory"." But this seems to be the result of sloppy editing. What Straw acually said, according to the report here, was: "There is freedom of speech, we all respect that, but there is not any obligation to insult or to be gratuitously inflammatory."
Feb 6, 2006 American Atheists at NoGodBlog received 70 comments at Apology withdrawn: "I earlier said "sorry for the cartoon", referring to the Moslem ordeal (there are sooo many), but I then read this article, and I'm retracting that sentiment. Nobody who demands the death of a human just because of what he writes, says, or believes is deserving of any respect at all.
See "Freedom go to hell" and "Europe take some lessons from 9/11" photos at The Artyom Reader.
See more photos just in from London at Michelle Malkin's: "Be prepared for the REAL holocaust!" "Europe you will pay. Your 9/11 is on its way!!" "Behead those who insult Islam" "Slay those who insult Islam" "Butcher those who mock Islam" "Exterminate those who slander Islam" "Massacre those who insult Islam" "Annihilate those who insult Islam" (Hat tip: UK blogger John Holroyd of Towards a Free World Cartoon Debate - The case for mocking religion "We cannot possibly adjust enough to please the fanatics, and it is degrading to make the attempt.")
The Common Room blog has a round up news and views of Islam in the Cartoons.
Friday, February 03, 2006
AU says SLA attacks in Shearia and Golo provoked Sudanese forces and prompted reprisal attacks by Janjaweed
The African Union says Janjaweed still continue to burn, kill and rape on an ever escalating scale in Darfur. Note this excerpt:
Photo: Baba Gana Kingibe, head of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Courtesy IRIN.
Note, excerpt from Eric Reeves' latest analysis 4 Feb 2006:
"This replicates the basic pattern of genocidal behavior that has been in evidence for almost three years: rather than attack the rebel forces directly, Khartoum and its Janjaweed proxies have attacked defenseless civilians. By destroying what it deems the civilian base of support for the insurgency movement -- children, women, and men defined simply in terms of their ethnicity -- Khartoum hopes to crush the will and ability of the rebels."
Further reading:
Oct 3, 2005 Sudan admits using helicopter gunships in attack on Shearia South Darfur.
Baba Gana Kingibe, head of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) noted that Sudanese government troops had showed restraint, even in situations where they were clearly provoked, citing recent attacks by the SLA in Shearia, South Darfur on 16 January and Golo West Darfur on 23 January, 2006.
Both attacks in the mountainous Jebel Marra region in central Darfur resulted in high casualties and further displacement of people, he said, and prompted reprisal attacks by the Janjawid militia.
"These reprisal attacks, in fact, took further toll of human life, most of whom were innocent, unarmed villagers," he added.
Photo: Baba Gana Kingibe, head of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Courtesy IRIN.
Note, excerpt from Eric Reeves' latest analysis 4 Feb 2006:
"This replicates the basic pattern of genocidal behavior that has been in evidence for almost three years: rather than attack the rebel forces directly, Khartoum and its Janjaweed proxies have attacked defenseless civilians. By destroying what it deems the civilian base of support for the insurgency movement -- children, women, and men defined simply in terms of their ethnicity -- Khartoum hopes to crush the will and ability of the rebels."
Further reading:
Oct 3, 2005 Sudan admits using helicopter gunships in attack on Shearia South Darfur.
New Janjaweed attacks force more Darfuris into Chad camps
Gaga camp in eastern Chad has received some 1,000 new refugees since the start of the year, says camp manager Milaiti Ruben of the aid agency Africare. And he expects no let-up. "The stream will continue because insecurity reigns along the border," he told IRIN. "And the simplest way for people to protect themselves is to flee."
Gaga is the newest of 12 refugee camps scattered up and down eastern Chad, and for the moment space is not a problem. "We're at about 7,000 people now," said Ruben. "But we have the capacity to house 30,000."
Raids and attacks along the Sudan-Chad border are not only creating new cases for the clinic, but they are also hampering the assistance aid workers can offer.
"Before, we used to send the severe cases of malnutrition to the hospital in Adre, but the insecurity has made it impossible to take them there now," Degoto explained, as hungry infants mewled in the background.
"At the camp we monitor them every hour, but when we leave for the night they're on their own until the morning."
Photo: Sudanese refugees wait to be registered at Gaga camp in eastern Chad. For many of the new arrivals, it is the second or third time they have been forced to flee. There are others who sought shelter in villages just inside Chad but soon found that the Kalashnikov-wielding Sudanese militia paid no heed to international boundaries, staging raids across the border on horses and camels. (Courtesy IRIN)
Photo: Ask Kaltouma Yaya Ato why three years into the Darfur conflict, she has only just decided to seek refuge in Chad, and the 80-year old says not a word. She simply rolls up the folds of her skirt to reveal traces of the Janjawid. Her left leg has swollen to twice its normal size - the result of a beating the Arab militiamen inflicted on the frail old woman using wooden clubs. Her crime? To be out looking for firewood at the wrong time. Her punishment? One month later, she cannot even stand, let alone walk. "They show no pity to anyone," she whispered. (Courtesy Claire Soares/IRIN)
Gaga is the newest of 12 refugee camps scattered up and down eastern Chad, and for the moment space is not a problem. "We're at about 7,000 people now," said Ruben. "But we have the capacity to house 30,000."
Raids and attacks along the Sudan-Chad border are not only creating new cases for the clinic, but they are also hampering the assistance aid workers can offer.
"Before, we used to send the severe cases of malnutrition to the hospital in Adre, but the insecurity has made it impossible to take them there now," Degoto explained, as hungry infants mewled in the background.
"At the camp we monitor them every hour, but when we leave for the night they're on their own until the morning."
Photo: Sudanese refugees wait to be registered at Gaga camp in eastern Chad. For many of the new arrivals, it is the second or third time they have been forced to flee. There are others who sought shelter in villages just inside Chad but soon found that the Kalashnikov-wielding Sudanese militia paid no heed to international boundaries, staging raids across the border on horses and camels. (Courtesy IRIN)
Photo: Ask Kaltouma Yaya Ato why three years into the Darfur conflict, she has only just decided to seek refuge in Chad, and the 80-year old says not a word. She simply rolls up the folds of her skirt to reveal traces of the Janjawid. Her left leg has swollen to twice its normal size - the result of a beating the Arab militiamen inflicted on the frail old woman using wooden clubs. Her crime? To be out looking for firewood at the wrong time. Her punishment? One month later, she cannot even stand, let alone walk. "They show no pity to anyone," she whispered. (Courtesy Claire Soares/IRIN)
UK sets list of priority actions on Darfur for new Sudanese Government of National Unity
News from the Press Association Feb 3 via the Scotsman says following talks in London with his counterpart from Khartoum, Dr Lam Akol, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw demanded action from the Sudanese government to help end the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. See full report.
Update 5 Feb 2006:
Britain Rejects Darfur Rebels' Intransigence
According to ANDnetwork, Mr Straw announced during the meeting he held with Lam Akol in London that Britain opposes Darfur rebels' attitude in Abuja peaceful talks.
Note, the journalist cites Sudan Vision as his source, saying Mr Straw described the rebels as 'not serious to realise peace'.
See full article at ANDnetwork Journal 5 February 2006.
- - -
Britain presents seven points initiative for peace in Sudan’s Dafur
France based Sudan Tribune publishes an unsourced report 5 February 2006 saying this:
Photo: Sudanese Foreign Minister Lom Akol, right, shakes hands prior to a press conference with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in London, Feb 3, 2006, (AP/ST)
Update 5 Feb 2006:
Britain Rejects Darfur Rebels' Intransigence
According to ANDnetwork, Mr Straw announced during the meeting he held with Lam Akol in London that Britain opposes Darfur rebels' attitude in Abuja peaceful talks.
Note, the journalist cites Sudan Vision as his source, saying Mr Straw described the rebels as 'not serious to realise peace'.
See full article at ANDnetwork Journal 5 February 2006.
- - -
Britain presents seven points initiative for peace in Sudan’s Dafur
France based Sudan Tribune publishes an unsourced report 5 February 2006 saying this:
Straw however expressed the frustration that we feel because of the lack of progress in the peace process efforts in Abuja" where the warring forces are holding talks to reach a peace agreement in Darfur. Straw attributed the stalling of these efforts "to the lack of coherence by many of the rebel groups to be real partners in the talks with the government".
Photo: Sudanese Foreign Minister Lom Akol, right, shakes hands prior to a press conference with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in London, Feb 3, 2006, (AP/ST)
In presidential statement, Security Council asks Secretary-General to begin planning for possible transition from AU
Today's UN Security Council meeting began at 10:55 a.m. and ended five minutes later at 11 a.m.
Click here to read full text of presidential statement 3 Feb 2006 via ReliefWeb.
Note, various news reports quote the UN and AU as saying it will take many months before troops in Darfur are wearing blue UN hats. Six months minimum, going into next year. They expect a Darfur peace pact to be agreed before then.
Meanwhile, Sudanese civilians and security forces in Darfur are free to pillage, rape and kill. The Sudanese government made sure African troops are not a protection force with Chapter 7 mandate. Anarchy reins.
This could go on for 20 years, like it did in Southern Sudan where 22 years of anarchy cost two million lives.
- - -
Opinion piece by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Excerpt from Darfur Descending op-ed by Kofi Annan, 25 January 2006:
Click here to read full text of presidential statement 3 Feb 2006 via ReliefWeb.
Note, various news reports quote the UN and AU as saying it will take many months before troops in Darfur are wearing blue UN hats. Six months minimum, going into next year. They expect a Darfur peace pact to be agreed before then.
Meanwhile, Sudanese civilians and security forces in Darfur are free to pillage, rape and kill. The Sudanese government made sure African troops are not a protection force with Chapter 7 mandate. Anarchy reins.
This could go on for 20 years, like it did in Southern Sudan where 22 years of anarchy cost two million lives.
- - -
Opinion piece by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Excerpt from Darfur Descending op-ed by Kofi Annan, 25 January 2006:
Let no one imagine that this crisis can be solved simply by giving the present A.U. mission a "U.N. hat." Any new mission will need a strong and clear mandate, allowing it to protect those under threat, by force if necessary, as well as the means to do so. That means it will need to be larger, more mobile and much better equipped than the current African Union mission. Those countries that have the required military assets must be ready to deploy them.
Such a force would take the UN months to deploy.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
UN refugee agency begins repatriation of Sudanese in C.A.R.
UN News Centre report 2 Feb 2006 says the first flight of refugees was scheduled to take off this morning, bringing an initial group of Sudanese.
The first phase of the operation will be conducted by air, and is expected to bring back 5,000 refugees by April, with the organised return of the remaining refugees expected to be completed by the end of this year.
New pacts pave way for return of 20,000 Sudanese and Congolese refugees
UN News Centre report 1 Feb 2006 says about 20,000 refugees from the Sudan and DRC, including many living in exile for nearly four decades, will start returning home next month under pacts signed between the UNHCR and both African governments this week.
The two tripartite agreements signed on Monday laid out the legal framework for the return of 13,300 Sudanese refugees in the DRC and 6,800 Congolese refugees who have been calling Sudan home since the mid-1960s.
Security Council discusses planning for UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan
UN News Centre reports that on speaking to the press after the consultations, Ambassador John Bolton of the United States, which currently holds the Council's rotating presidency, said: "We had a preliminary discussion on the draft presidential statement on planning for Sudan Darfur region peacekeeping activities."
AU says no evidence Sudan backing Chadian rebels
The African Union's special envoy in Sudan, Baba Gana Kingibe, said that Sudan had taken steps to deter the Chadian guerrillas, many of whom took refuge in the west of Sudan, from attacking its eastern neighbour.
"We have no evidence of the Sudanese authorities supporting the Chadian rebels ... direct or indirect," he told reporters in Khartoum.
Note, full text of AU report in next entry here below.
"We have no evidence of the Sudanese authorities supporting the Chadian rebels ... direct or indirect," he told reporters in Khartoum.
Note, full text of AU report in next entry here below.
AU says Janjaweed still continue to burn, kill and rape on an ever escalating scale in Sudan's Darfur
See full text of the briefing of the Special Representative of the Chairman of the AU Commission in Sudan Amb. Baga Gana Kingibe distributed by the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Excerpt:
Photo: SLA, Minni Menawi, right, and the AU representative to the Sudan, Baba Gana Kingibi, left, talk at a press conference in Muhagiria, south Darfur Friday, Nov. 18, 2005. (AP/Sudan Tribune).
With or without SLA provocations, the Janjaweed/Arab militia continued to cause havoc on farmlands and crops ready to be harvested by farmers who were mostly what has been termed "agricultural commuters" from nearby IDP camps. The militia still continue to burn, kill and rape on an ever escalating scale.
Photo: SLA, Minni Menawi, right, and the AU representative to the Sudan, Baba Gana Kingibi, left, talk at a press conference in Muhagiria, south Darfur Friday, Nov. 18, 2005. (AP/Sudan Tribune).
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
South Darfur: Janjaweed attack IDP camps Kele, Silo, Tege, Um Gozein, Ton Kittir - Mass exodus from Mershing - Joint Sudan/AU forces to patrol?
A few days ago, Gillian Sandford, ACT-Caritas field communicator in Manawashi, Darfur said armed militias have driven more than 55,000 people from their homes in South Darfur, reports Reuters.
Excerpts from the report 31 January 2006:
Gunmen on camels and horses prompted the mass exodus after shooting and looting in the camps and the town of Mershing, local people said. Now tens of thousands of families huddle on exposed ground in the nearby town of Manawashi - with dwindling stocks of food and little shelter.
The mass exodus from Mershing began last Wednesday (25 January) when, according to local Sheiks, gunmen on camels and horses attacked and looted one of the camps for displaced people called Kele. The Sheiks alleged police complicity in the attack, saying they helped to carry out the looted goods in their vehicles and led the attackers out of town.
On the following days, there were reports of attacks in other camps - Silo, Tege, and Um Gozein camps - including one in which a man who had some gold was allegedly shot and killed after refusing to hand it over.
On Thursday (26 January) evening, the militia struck Ton Kittir camp, driving their camels and horses into the camp, firing their Kalashnikovs, and looting shops, said local Sheiks.
They are also reported to have attacked the market in Mershing town using hammers to open shops.
People fled in panic as the attacks and looting continued and when neither the local police nor the African Union peacekeeping force - based 80 kilometres away in Nyala - was able to halt the deterioration in security.
Staff from ACT-Caritas and their partner agencies, the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and the Sudan Development Organisation (SUDO) alerted both the African Union (AU) and the United Nations headquarters in Nyala to the ongoing crisis. The AU sent a patrol on Tuesday and Wednesday and promised local people to return with reinforcements, but did not do so. An AU spokesperson later told ACT-Caritas that they did not return because the Government of Sudan police were not ready to patrol the area with them, which is a requirement.
Local people said that relations between police and people in Mershing were good until about a fortnight ago, when six Government of Sudan police were killed in an ambush on the Mershing to Manawashi road. The following Sunday, armed gunmen on horseback and camels entered the market in Mershing town, shooting and looting animals, they said. Then the number of attacks escalated.
The local governor of South Darfur has visited the area and the Sudanese authorities have said they want the people to go back. They have agreed to withdraw the existing police force and say there could be joint patrols between the police and African Union forces within a week. But observers believe this timescale is highly optimistic.
- - -
Update 1 Feb 2006: IRIN reports that an estimated 70,000 people have been displaced in a series of recent attacks on IDP camps in South Darfur.
Excerpts from the report 31 January 2006:
Gunmen on camels and horses prompted the mass exodus after shooting and looting in the camps and the town of Mershing, local people said. Now tens of thousands of families huddle on exposed ground in the nearby town of Manawashi - with dwindling stocks of food and little shelter.
The mass exodus from Mershing began last Wednesday (25 January) when, according to local Sheiks, gunmen on camels and horses attacked and looted one of the camps for displaced people called Kele. The Sheiks alleged police complicity in the attack, saying they helped to carry out the looted goods in their vehicles and led the attackers out of town.
On the following days, there were reports of attacks in other camps - Silo, Tege, and Um Gozein camps - including one in which a man who had some gold was allegedly shot and killed after refusing to hand it over.
On Thursday (26 January) evening, the militia struck Ton Kittir camp, driving their camels and horses into the camp, firing their Kalashnikovs, and looting shops, said local Sheiks.
They are also reported to have attacked the market in Mershing town using hammers to open shops.
People fled in panic as the attacks and looting continued and when neither the local police nor the African Union peacekeeping force - based 80 kilometres away in Nyala - was able to halt the deterioration in security.
Staff from ACT-Caritas and their partner agencies, the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and the Sudan Development Organisation (SUDO) alerted both the African Union (AU) and the United Nations headquarters in Nyala to the ongoing crisis. The AU sent a patrol on Tuesday and Wednesday and promised local people to return with reinforcements, but did not do so. An AU spokesperson later told ACT-Caritas that they did not return because the Government of Sudan police were not ready to patrol the area with them, which is a requirement.
Local people said that relations between police and people in Mershing were good until about a fortnight ago, when six Government of Sudan police were killed in an ambush on the Mershing to Manawashi road. The following Sunday, armed gunmen on horseback and camels entered the market in Mershing town, shooting and looting animals, they said. Then the number of attacks escalated.
The local governor of South Darfur has visited the area and the Sudanese authorities have said they want the people to go back. They have agreed to withdraw the existing police force and say there could be joint patrols between the police and African Union forces within a week. But observers believe this timescale is highly optimistic.
- - -
Update 1 Feb 2006: IRIN reports that an estimated 70,000 people have been displaced in a series of recent attacks on IDP camps in South Darfur.
Southern Sudan's SPLM/A and SSDF provoke attacks on Yuai, Central Upper Nile
SSUDA/SSDF Press Release 27 Jan 2006, signed by spokesman David de Chand, says they wonder why the international press fails not to cover news of an SPLM/A attack on Yuai, killing 30 civilians.
Further reading:
Jan 21, 2006 Union of Nuer Community in North America (UNCONA) press release warns SSDF's negotiating team in Juba that whatever protocol they signed with SPLA needs to be ratified by SSDF's Leadership Council.
Jan 15, 2006 SSUDA/SSDF press release signed by spokesman Professor David de Chand says contrary to rumours and a release out of Juba of the Juba Declaration, the South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF) has not disbanded.
Jan 14, 2006 Reuters report says Sudan withdrew some 1,000 troops from an eastern rebel-held town, defusing a stand off between the Sudanese army and former southern guerrillas SPLM/A in the first test of a year-old peace deal.
Jan 14, 2006 Sudan SSDF militia denies merger with the SPLM/A - Kong
Jan 11, 2006 Sudanese army face off with SPLA in eastern Sudan
Jan 10, 2006 Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration between the SPLM/A and the SSDF.
TEXT- Abyei Boundary Commission Report
Via Sudan Tribune September 2005 Draft of Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan.
Full report with plans and photo available at Rift Valley Institute
http://www.riftvalley.net/inside/sreports.htm
Further reading:
Jan 21, 2006 Union of Nuer Community in North America (UNCONA) press release warns SSDF's negotiating team in Juba that whatever protocol they signed with SPLA needs to be ratified by SSDF's Leadership Council.
Jan 15, 2006 SSUDA/SSDF press release signed by spokesman Professor David de Chand says contrary to rumours and a release out of Juba of the Juba Declaration, the South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF) has not disbanded.
Jan 14, 2006 Reuters report says Sudan withdrew some 1,000 troops from an eastern rebel-held town, defusing a stand off between the Sudanese army and former southern guerrillas SPLM/A in the first test of a year-old peace deal.
Jan 14, 2006 Sudan SSDF militia denies merger with the SPLM/A - Kong
Jan 11, 2006 Sudanese army face off with SPLA in eastern Sudan
Jan 10, 2006 Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration between the SPLM/A and the SSDF.
TEXT- Abyei Boundary Commission Report
Via Sudan Tribune September 2005 Draft of Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan.
Full report with plans and photo available at Rift Valley Institute
http://www.riftvalley.net/inside/sreports.htm
6,100,000 Internally Displaced People in the Sudan - 770,000 fled elsewhere
UN World Food Programme Emergency Report 27 January 2006.
USAID Complex Emergency Situation Report 27 January 2006. Excerpt:
Internally Displaced People in Sudan
6,100,000 in total. From Southern Sudan: 4 million; in Darfur: 1.76 million.
Sudanese Refugees
220,000 in Chad plus 550,000 in Uganda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Central African Republic, Egypt, and Eritrea.
Refugees in Sudan
170,000 from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, DRC, and others.
USAID Complex Emergency Situation Report 27 January 2006. Excerpt:
Internally Displaced People in Sudan
6,100,000 in total. From Southern Sudan: 4 million; in Darfur: 1.76 million.
Sudanese Refugees
220,000 in Chad plus 550,000 in Uganda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Central African Republic, Egypt, and Eritrea.
Refugees in Sudan
170,000 from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, DRC, and others.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Darfur Salaam: BBC radio broadcasts for Darfur, Sudan
Links re Darfur Salaam are now in sidebar here at Sudan Watch. The lifeline radio service for Darfur is a very important initiative by the BBC.
If any Sudan Watch readers hear the service, please let us know and share any feedback here in the comments or via email. Thanks.
"It will be the survival guide for our listeners in the area. We view it as a continuation of our commitment to the region" - Hosam El Sokkari, Head of BBC Arabic service.
If any Sudan Watch readers hear the service, please let us know and share any feedback here in the comments or via email. Thanks.
"It will be the survival guide for our listeners in the area. We view it as a continuation of our commitment to the region" - Hosam El Sokkari, Head of BBC Arabic service.
Sudan's expecting two new presidential boats
Marc Lacey's article in the NYT Jan 31 tells us Bashir's new yacht never made it for the AU summit in Khartoum. It's already damaged and looks old.
The article reveals another presidential boat, even larger than the first, is on its way and is Chinese made. The first one was made in Slovania. [via DXBNews]
The article reveals another presidential boat, even larger than the first, is on its way and is Chinese made. The first one was made in Slovania. [via DXBNews]
5.2 m people will need relief assistance in Sudan in 2006 including 2.5 m in Darfur
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation says Sudan's aid needs 'remain immense' - 5.2 million people will need relief assistance in Sudan in 2006, including 2.5 million in Darfur, reports Sapa/AFP 30 January 2006.
Note, according to the article, agriculture, devastated by drought and civil war, remains the mainstay of Sudan's economy, where it comprises 45% of gross domestic product.
Note, according to the article, agriculture, devastated by drought and civil war, remains the mainstay of Sudan's economy, where it comprises 45% of gross domestic product.
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