TEXT- AU Mediator urges Sudanese to accept Darfur Peace Agreement

In his speech before the Sudanese parties at Abuja peace talks on Darfur crisis, the African Union Chief Mediator Dr Salim Ahmed Salim urged the delegates to "accept these proposals and sign on to the Darfur Peace Agreement at the earliest time possible".

Today, the Sudan Tribune publishes full text of the Statement of Dr Salim on the occasion of the submission of the draft Darfur Peace Agreement to the Sudanese parties.

UN votes yes to sanctions on 4 Sudanese for Darfur war

Just in from Reuters via Scotsman: the UN Security Council voted today to impose sanctions on four Sudanese accused of abuses in the Darfur conflict - excerpt of report by Evelyn Leopold:

The vote on a US-drafted resolution was 12 to 0 with three abstentions -- Russia, China and Qatar, the only Arab member of the 15-nation council.

The sanctions, a travel ban and a freeze on assets abroad, were the first adopted against individuals involved in the Darfur war. The measures were first authorised by the Security Council in March 2005 against those who thwart peace efforts, violate human rights or conduct military flights over Darfur.

The four men, whittled down from a longer British list, include one Sudanese air force commander, one pro-government militia member, and two rebel leaders.

Note, sponsoring the resolution were the United States, Britain, Argentina, Denmark, France, Japan, Peru and Slovakia. See Apr 25 2006 UN draft resolution names four men who would face sanctions.

Apr 25 2006 UN News Centre - Security Council imposes travel, financial sanctions on 4 Sudanese, adopting Resolution 1672 (2006) BY 12-0-3

Apr 25 2006 CNN - Diplomats said they dropped their objections after African nations expressed support for the sanctions.

Sudan: Uranium in Darfur? - Iran 'could share nuclear skills'

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says willing to transfer nuclear technology to Sudan, Associated Press reported today.

Khamenei has said his country is ready to share its nuclear technology with other nations, BBC reported today - excerpt:

Ayatollah Khamenei made the offer during a meeting with visiting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

In his meeting with Mr Bashir, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iranian scientists' nuclear capability was "one example of the numerous scientific movements in the country".

"The Islamic Republic is ready to transfer this experience and the technology and knowledge of its scientists," the leader was quoted as saying.

In return, the Sudanese president praised Iran's enrichment of uranium as a great victory for the Islamic world.

Mr Bashir said last month his country was considering creating a civilian nuclear programme.

Photo: Iranian Ahmadinejadand his Sudanese counterpart Sudanese President al-Bashir listen to Sudan's national anthem after his arrival in Tehran April 24, 2006 (Reuters) - see Sudan Tribune Apr 25 2006 Iran, Sudan discuss bilateral cooperation, investment

Further reading

Dec 4 2004 France is interested in Uranium and has drilling rights in Sudan (Oil and Mineral Riches in Darfur - Uranium discovered in Hofrat Al Nihas) and this excerpt, from a blog entry I wrote August 2, 2004:

At the moment I am searching for maps to pinpoint Hofrat Al Nihas. (Other names: Hofrat el Nahas, Hofrat en Nahas, Hufrat an Nahas, Hofrat en Nahas). I think it may be in South Darfur - maybe close to a border [--] Here's why:

Khaleej Times Online excerpt: "The oil and precious mineral resources such as uranium discovered in Hofrat Al Nihas have set off fierce competition between US and France. The US has started to invest in oil industry in Chad, France's former colony, while France Total company obtained drilling rights in Sudan."

Aug 8 2004 BBC - Press suspicion is rife in Sudan itself, where a writer in Al-Ra'y al-Am calls for dialogue and warns that outside powers could exploit the crisis to control Darfur's reputed mineral resources. "The Naivasha method and spirit ... are the best way of resolving the problem and foiling the desires of foreign states that want Darfur's uranium, copper and oil," the article says, referring to the peace talks in Kenya between the Sudanese government and rebels from the south of the country.

Dec 20 2004 Rebels attack Darfur oil

Apr 3 2005 Oil found in South Darfur

Apr 16 2005 Sudan says oil discovered in Darfur

Apr 18 2005 New oil field in Darfur expected to produce crude oil by August 2005



Photo: An agreement on oil prospecting and production was signed in Khartoum on October 21, 2003 at the Ministry of Energy and Mining for the Block 2 which extends from the Bahr al-Jabal State [southern Sudan] to the borders of the Central African Republic and Chad. Photo shows Eronat's Geneva based financial manager, Jean-Gabriel Antoni, in his grey suit (on the left, almost trying to get out of the picture) signing the Darfur oil deal with Sudan's energy minister Dr Awad Ahmad al-Jaz. Read more in Sudan Watch archive June 17 2005: Chinese sign up with Eronat's Cliveden and Canada's Encana to explore oil in Chad

Jun 9 2005 Friedhelm Eronat is behind Cliveden Sudan and Darfur oil deal

Jun 10 2005 Friedhelm Eronat and Cliveden Sudan named as buyer of Darfur oil rights

Jul 27 2005 Friedhelm Eronat's oil deals in Darfur, Sudan - Secret World of the Chelsea Oil Tycoon

Muslims in Darfur need protection, not jihad - GIF

Statements by Osama bin Laden demonstrate 'deep lack of concern' for Darfuris says the Genocide Intervention Network today.

GIF condemns the statements of Osama bin Laden suggesting that peacekeepers in Darfur, Sudan, are perpetrating atrocities against Muslims.

The international community, Arab nations must not be deterred by terrorist threats, but rather recognize their responsibility to protect civilians in Darfur.

[Well said] Full story GIF 25 Apr 2006.

Sudanese refugees burn effigy of their President Bashir

Two photos of Sudanese residents living in the Chadian capital N'djamena burning an effigy representing Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Friday, April 21, 2006 during a protest condemning the situation in Darfur.



UN food programme expressed concern the unrest would further complicate the already difficult task of helping the more than 200,000 refugees from neighbouring Sudan who have fled to Chad. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)



Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, pictured here in March 2006, is strongly opposed to the UN mission in Darfur, Sudan. (AFP/File/Awad Awad)

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour begins a one-week visit to Sudan on Saturday. In addition to Khartoum, the capital, and Darfur she is scheduled to go to Juba in South Sudan where a peace agreement in January 2005 ended two decades of war between Government and rebel forces. - UN News Apr 25, 2006.

Nick and George Clooney urge Darfur aid

Journalist Nick Clooney says he hopes a recent trip to Sudan and Chad with his son, Hollywood movie star George Clooney, will help boost humanitarian aid for two million refugees.

They both plan to attend a rally organised by the Save Darfur Coalition next Sunday in Washington. - UPI April 24 2006.

See Apr 27 2006 - Sudanese Embassy says the 'Stop Genocide' rallies April 30 tells Darfur rebels: "Don't Make Peace. The US supports you" - Hollywood actor George Clooney will speak at the Save Darfur Rally to Stop Genocide in Washington, D.C. A video of his recent trip to southern Sudan and eastern Chad is available at: www.thenewsmarket.com/clooneyinsudan

UPDATE: Apr 28 2006 The Cincinnati Post: 'You must help us,' victims cry by Nick Clooney - you can write to him at The Cincinnati Post, 125 E. Court St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. [via PoTP with thanks]

Job: Administrative Coordinator, Sudan, International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee seeks an Administrative Coordinator for its Sudan program, based in Khartoum. To apply submit resume and salary requirements on the website. [via Eldis]

Job: ACTED seeks Logistics Coordinator, Sudan

More details at: http://www.eldis.org/jobs/logmach06.doc [via Eldis]

New film project: Darfur Diaries - Message from Home

Click here to launch a clip of the film Darfur Diaries: Message from Home and see the drawings and testimony of a ten year old Darfuri boy whose father and brothers were killed in Darfur.

[via Coalition for Darfur Synopsis of the new film project]

Sudan: Child soldiers return to their families in the south

At least 300 child soldiers in southern Sudan handed in their guns and uniforms on Monday and will return to their families as part of an ongoing demobilisation exercise supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the agency said. Full report IRIN 24 Apr 2006.



Photo: Child soldiers in southern Sudan (IRIN)

AU to give warring parties draft Darfur Peace Agreement

Today, the African Union will present the warring parties from Darfur with a draft peace agreement, AFP/antara reported Apr 25 - excerpt:

The document will be given to delegates at the talks in Abuja just as the UN Security Council is expected to hear a US proposal for targeted sanctions against four individuals driving the conflict.

"Today at 6:00 pm the chief mediator, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, will convene a plenary to officially table a comprehensive peace agreement comprising protocols on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and security arrangements," AU spokesman Noureddine Mezni told AFP.

The Khartoum delegation told AFP it had submitted its position on a proposed security agreement.

"We have submitted our position to the AU today ... and that will constitute a basis for agreement, with some amendments," Khartoum government chief negotiator Majzoub al-Khalifa told AFP late Monday.

Darfuris flee bombing of Joghana village by Sudan gov't aircraft and attacks by Janjaweed fighting SLA

Last night's news on BBC1 TV here in England showed a short news report on Darfur. The reporter (a woman, I didn't catch her name) featured in the film talked of the Sudanese government and Janjaweed attacking, bombing and burning a village called Joghana. The fight was between Sudanese government forces and militiamen against Darfur rebel group SLA. Something to do with fighting for position. (See other report here below). The film showed civilians - men, women and children, walking in the dust or sitting on donkeys. Some were interviewed. African Union soldiers were shown at the roadside beside a water truck, giving drinking water to those fleeing. The film showed a government bomber plane in sky. The reporter said the attack happened yesterday morning, 7am but did not state actual date. I've not found any reports on this story, apart from the following excerpt from a BBC news report today, 25 April, 2006:

In Darfur itself, a BBC correspondent has found evidence of continuing attacks on civilians by militias.

The BBC's Orla Guerin in Darfur met streams of civilians, who said they were fleeing their remote village of Jogana [Joghana].

They said they had been attacked by government aircraft and militiamen, who were fighting rebel forces in the area.

Our correspondent said she could the sound of bombing from 40km away.

African Union peacekeepers met the civilians and gave them water but did not intervene in the fighting.



Photo: The civilians described attacks by government aircraft and militiamen (BBC)

SLA's President Minni Minnawi threatens to suspend Darfur peace talks

On April 22, 2006 Darfur rebel SLA group leader Minni Minnawi, threatened to suspend Darfur peace talks by the end of this month if the government did not retreat from its hard-line position Sudan Tribune reported April 23 - excerpt:

In a press statement signed by Menni Arkoi Menawi, the SLM said the government was responsible for the failure of the peace talks because of its persistence in rejecting the representation of the Darfur people by a vice-president of the Republic during the transitional phase and the return of Darfur to one state with its original borders of 1956 and not compromising in all other areas of negotiation.

Photo: Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) fighters on patrol near Gereida, South Darfur in Western Sudan. (Derk Segaar/IRIN) Sudan Watch archive 2 Mar 2006.

On April 22, SLM leader Menni Minawi (pictured below) handed a strongly-worded statement to the AU and partners in Abuja. The 13-point statement accused the government of violating the ceasefire following the visit of deputy ruling National Congress party leader Nafei Ali Nafei to the Darfur states and of evasiveness in order to waste time.

The statement said the SLM had already paid its dues towards peace and that its leader had ordered all the SLM forces to be on high alert and await directives at any moment to implement orders.

The statement further called on the government to withdraw its forces from the areas it seized in Al-Tinah, Bassawa, Kernwi, Ambro, Anabaji, Al-Dor, Abdelshakoor, Ain saro in North Darfur State. It also demands the withdrawal of the Sudanese army from areas seized during the fourth round of peace talks like: Ashma, Al-Layat, Jar-AlNabi, Al-Tiwasha, Abu Karninka, and Mahalia.

Photo: A soldier from the SLA stands guard against crowds who gathered to witness the rebel SLA unity conference in Haskanita, in Sudan's eastern Darfur province October 29, 2005. (Reuters). Sudan Watch archive 11 March 2006.

China wants "nothing until Abuja talks" are completed

UN draft resolution names four men who would face sanctions:

- Gaffar Mohamed Elhassan, former commander of the Sudanese air force's western region. Council diplomats said he had direct operational command of Sudan's army in Darfur from 2004-2006 and coordinated operations between government forces and the Janjaweed which resulted in scores of attacks on non-Arab villages. He was also a supplier and conduit for weapons getting into Darfur, the diplomats said.



- Sheikh Musa Hilal (pictured above) chief of the Jalul tribe in North Darfur. He is a Janjaweed leader and some of the worst atrocities, including rape, robbery and the burning of villages, occurred under his command, with government assistance. His record dates back to 1997 when he was jailed for killing 17 people in Darfur, according to the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

- Adam Yacub Shant, a commander in the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Diplomats said he violated the ceasefire in July 2005 by ordering SLA soldiers to attack government forces in Darfur. The attack killed three government soldiers.

- Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri, a rebel commander in the National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD). Diplomats said he kidnapped members of the African Union peacekeepingmission in Darfur in October 2005 and threatened to shoot down AU helicopters in November 2005.

Full report by Edith M Lederer Associated Press Apr 25, 2006 via Aljazeera.

Note, the report says that when asked whether they would veto the resolution or abstain, Konstantin Dolgov, Russia's deputy UN ambassador, and Wang Guangya, China's UN ambassador, said they had not yet received instructions.

"We think that we should not take any steps which could have a negative bearing on the Abuja peace talks," Dolgov said. "But at the same time, decisions that have been previously taken by the council, they are to be implemented. It's a matter of how and when."

Wang said China wants "nothing until Abuja talks" are completed.

USAID resumes Sudan Mission after 15-year closure

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the resumption of its Sudan Mission after a 15-year closure to manage its program of assistance to the Sudanese people, according to a statement Monday.

The USAID said in the statement that its mission staff would be located in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, the southern city of Juba and would also maintain a field presence in Darfur.

The agency's Sudan Mission was closed in 1992 after sanctions passed by the US Congress brought an end the US development assistance.

The agency's assistance to Sudan, one of the largest recipients of its aid worldwide, which stood at less than 150 million US dollars in 2003, reached more than 855 million dollars in 2005. - Xinhua Apr 24, 2006.

UN demines south Sudan and puts first tarred roads in place

Since late 2003, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has rebuilt roughly 1,400 kilometres of roads, repaired bridges and culverts, and removed and destroyed some 200,000 pieces of unexploded ordinance.

Between 500,000 and two million landmines have been laid in Sudan, according to MineTech International, a British-based mine clearance firm which operates in Sudan. The firm says this makes the East African country one of the ten most heavily-mined nations in the world, causing the activities of international aid agencies to be severely constrained.

The United Nations Mine Action Office, established in 2003 to coordinate all mine-related programmes in Sudan, estimates that 155 communities and 4,270 square kilometres of land are at risk in South Sudan as a result of these weapons.

The mines were left by both rebel and government forces. While former SPLM/A rebels laid anti-tank mines to prevent Sudanese government troops from reaching territories under their control, government forces planted mines around garrison towns to keep the rebels away.

Full report Inter Press Service April 23, 2006 Moyiga Nduru Johannesburg.

UN dismisses bin Laden call

UN diplomats brushed aside on Monday a call by Osama bin Laden for Muslims to rise up against the West in Sudan, and vowed to go ahead with plans to send peacekeepers to the embattled Darfur region.

"The comments made by this guy (are) always, always negative. We should not be influenced by whatever comments he made," said Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya, the Security Council president for April.

Full report by Irwin Arieff Reuters 24 Apr 2006.

NATO extends training for African peacekeepers in Darfur

NATO allies have extended a training program for African peacekeepers in Darfur until September, the alliance's operational commander said Monday.

The NATO training mission for officers of the African Union peacekeeping force had been due to end this month, but the 25 allies agreed late last week to extend the program, said US Gen James L Jones, NATO's supreme commander for operations.

Jones told reporters that alliance military experts are working on plans to increase training and "capacity building" to back up the 7,000-strong African peacekeeping force. NATO is also providing planes to fly in African peacekeepers.

Full report AP/ST Apr 24, 2006.

AU to end Darfur peace talks if no deal by April 30

Sam Ibok, head of the African Union team mediating peace negotiations between the Sudan government and rebels fighting in Darfur, said his team was still working toward a United Nations-backed deadline to achieve a final peace agreement by the end of the month.

"We will respect the deadline and if there are no indications that a deal is possible, we will wind up talks by April 30," Ibok said at the talks in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Representatives of the Sudanese government and the two Darfur rebel movements will be presented with the final draft agreement this week.

The document will represent a "just and acceptable compromise" to end the Darfur conflict if indeed the warring sides are interested in peace, the chief mediator says.

EAC to send peacekeeping troops to Darfur?

One week to go before we know the outcome of the Darfur peace talks. Short of invading Sudan and starting a massive war, the world has bent over backwards to help the people of Sudan and donated billions of Western taxpayers' dollars. Outsiders can't force the Sudanese to make peace within their own country but have helped put in place expertise, resources, manpower and mechanisms for political talks and peace agreements to replace the senseless violence.

After three years of war, it is now up to the Sudanese themselves to make peace.

Whatever is agreed, peacekeepers will be needed to monitor the complex security arrangements and disarmament. EAC (see below) has peacekeeping troops available to bolster the AU mission in Darfur (AMIS). NATO is helping AMIS with expertise and logistics. The UN has ongoing budget for the provision of peacekeeping missions and troops. The Egyptians have offered to help fund AMIS starting September 30. The Government of Sudan has proposed 10,000 troops. SPLM/A also has 10,000 troops available. Everybody (except bin Laden and his ilk) wants peace in Sudan.

Note the following excerpt from Sudan Watch blog entry dated August 29, 2004 EAC to send peacekeeping troops to Darfur:

The East African Community (EAC) Heads of States Summit resolved here Saturday to deploy troops to the troubled western Sudan region of Darfur to monitor a peace agreement between the government and rebel forces and not for interventionist purposes.

Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa said the three countries were awaiting the outcome of the Africa Union-led Darfur peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria under the chairmanship of the Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to proceed with their plan.

"If there is any peace to be monitored, we shall be ready. There must be a process whose implementation we will follow. We are waiting for the outcome of the Abuja peace talks," Mkapa told journalists here Saturday.

P.S. If anyone thinks bin Laden is working in the best interests of the Sudanese and muslims (Darfur is almost all muslim), note this quote:

Apr 23 2006 New Sudan Vision Bin Laden rejects CPA saying "Let (Sudanese President Omar Hassan) al-Bashir and (US President George W Bush) Bush know that this agreement is not worth the ink in which it was written with and does not oblige us in the least."

Apr 24 2006 CNS report Bin Laden tries to put religious spin on Darfur conflict saying "I urge holy warriors to be acquainted with the land and the tribes in Darfur."

Imagine what John Garang and the two million other Sudanese people who perished in south Sudan would, if they could, say about such a crazy statement. How can anyone think of bin Laden as a good man? There are thousands of different religions. One cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. Governments should be separate from religion.

Note Feb 28 2006 UN envoy Jan Pronk cites Al-Qaeda threats to his own life and non-African UN troops deployed to Sudan's Darfur.