AU condemns SLM/A-Minnawi group torture - It's possible Minnawi's troops acted against his instructions says UN SRSG Pronk

News from the African Union Mission in Darfur has been pretty quiet for a while. All of a sudden today, the day when the Sudanese government is expected to provide the UN with a plan for change in Darfur, there are a number of news reports quoting the AU.

This could be a reason for the AU's silence: see July 9 2006 Sudan's plan to disarm Janjaweed given to AU July 8, 2006?

Since the following article refers to SLM/A-Minnawi faction as "a former Darfur rebel group", it would appear Minnawi's group, after signing the Darfur Peace Agreement, is now considered part of the official Sudanese forces.

Aug 1, 2006 Sudan Tribune report says the AU has condemned the torture practiced by 'a former Darfur rebel group', which signed peace deal, inside the AU compound in Al-Fasher. Excerpt:

The AU said in a press release issued today that AU representative in Sudan Baba Gana Kingibe, "shocked and horrified at the incidence of torture which occurred in the SLA quarters in Al Fasher whereby a middle aged unidentified individual was brutally beaten and blooded all over, including severe blows to his head, on two successive days, the 17th and 18th July, 2006".

The AU force attempted to intervene, but were rebuffed by SLA elements who dragged the victim back into their compound, the AU said. Colonel Ali Mokhtar, the leader of the group claimed that the victim was an SLA soldier under discipline. The fate of the victim is not known. "This incident lends credence to the previous incessant allegations" said the AU statement.

Ambassador Kingibe urged Minawi to order an immediate end to this practice. He further demands a thorough investigation of this particular incident and the culprits made accountable.

The AU affirmed its readiness to provide non military support to the Sudanese parties as required by the DPA, "but such cooperation cannot be expected by any party that condones torture and inhumane treatment of its own members, much less the civilian population in Darfur".

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SLM/A-Minnawi faction attacked civilians in Korma region nr El-Fasher

Aug 1, 2006 Swissinfo/Reuters report excerpt:

Darfur rebels who signed a peace deal with the government killed and raped civilians to try to force them to support the unpopular accord, human rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

"Some 72 people were killed, 103 injured and 39 women raped in targeted attacks against civilians in the Korma region," said Amnesty in a statement.

The attacks were at the beginning of July in Korma, about 70 km (45 miles) north west of el-Fasher, Darfur's main town. Around 8,000 people fled their homes, emptying Korma.

"The attackers were members of the Minni Minnawi faction of the armed political group the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), reportedly supported by the Sudan armed forces and the Janjaweed," London-based Amnesty said.

Amnesty said civilians had reported the attacks to the AU force on July 5, but the SLA had opposed the AU going to Korma. Only an AU outpost in nearby Tawila had gone to Korma but it had not issued its findings.

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It's possible Minnawi's troops acted against his instructions says UNSRSG Pronk

July 25, 2006 Coalition for Dafur blog entry Pronk on the Splintering DPA

"Sudan Watch notes this informative post from Jan Pronk's blog:

In particular Minnie Minawi's faction has been accused of attacking civilians as well, with gross violations of human rights. Minnie Minawi has denied this and as long as an investigation has not taken place he should be given the benefit of the doubt. It is possible that his troops acted against his instructions. It would not be the first time that this has happened on either side of the conflict .The AU has refrained from carrying out an investigation, which makes it difficult to ascertain the truth. However, thousands of people have fled their homes. They have told stories which resemble those of last year, when they were attacked by militia."

Sudanese 'Vice President' Minni Minnawi to begin official duties in Khartoum Aug 5

Bahrain News Agency reports that SLM/A president Minni Minnawi will arrive in Sudan next Saturday to commence duties as Sudan's Vice President.

Sudan Tribune report July 27, 2006 describes Minnawi as the leader of a former rebel Darfur group, nominated to the position of the Assistant of the President of the Republic, due to arrive in Khartoum on August 5 to mark the implementaiton of Darfur Peace Agreement.

Oxfam staffer killed in West Darfur

It is with deep sorrow that Oxfam announces that one of its staff members, Nouraldeen Abdalla Nourein, is believed to have been killed last Friday, 28 July, in West Darfur. Full story Oxfam 1 Aug 2006.

SAF Antonov bombing of Hassan village, Kulkul, N Darfur: Ceasefire Commission probing violation of Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005)

AU envoy Baba Gana Kingibe and UN SRSG Jan Pronk, expressed "utmost concern" about the 29 July attack against a rebel group that has not signed the Darfur Peace Agreement, UN News Centre reported Aug 1, 2006. Excerpt:

The incident in the area of Kulkul in North Darfur State was preceded by fighting between the same rebel group and the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi faction, and then between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rebel group.

"The Special Representatives express dismay and disappointment that despite their appeal to the parties in their joint statement on fighting in Jebel Moon on 28 July to abide by the existing Agreement on ceasefire and security and humanitarian arrangements, fighting has continued in total disregard of the need to guarantee the safety of civilians," the two said in their joint statement.

The envoys voiced particular concern about allegations that an SAF Antonov bombed Hassan village, south of Kulkul. The Ceasefire Commission is probing these allegations, which, if confirmed, would constitute a violation of Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005), the statement noted. That text, on sanctions, was adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, allowing for enforcement measures.

Those who have not signed the Darfur Peace Agreement must abide by earlier commitments to observe the ceasefire, said the Special Representatives, reiterating their call "on all the parties to cease attacks and refrain from provoking attacks."

Rebecca Garang calls for new probe on helicopter crash

Widow of John Garang, the late leader of the SPLM/A rebel group that fought its 21-year long war for power in South Sudan at a cost of two million lives, has called for new investigations on the circumstances of the helicopter crash that killed him in southern Sudan July 30, 2005. Full story ST Aug 1, 2006.



Photo: Sudan's former rebel leader and First Vice-President John Garang shakes hands with crew members as he boards an Ugandan helicopter at Entebbe International Airport on his way to meet Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at his country home in Mbarara, western Uganda in this July 29, 2005 file photo Reuters/Str/Sudan Watch archive.



Photo: Sudan's First Vice-President John Garang boards a helicopter at Entebbe International Airport on his way to meet Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at his country home in Mbarara, western Uganda in this July 29, 2005 file photo. Garang, who this year made peace with the northern government, has died in an accident while flying from Uganda to Sudan, the Sudanese presidency confirmed on Monday. (Reuters/Sudan Watch archive)

Aug 1 2005 Sudan VP Garang killed in crash

Aug 1 2005 John Garang Sudan's first VP and former rebel leader killed

Aug 1 2005 Riots after Sudan VP Garang dies

Aug 1 2005 Garang helicopter wreckage, bodies found in remote southern Sudan

Aug 1 2005 Garang's body arrives at SPLM HQ in southern Sudan

Aug 1 2005 Anti-Arab riots break out in south Sudan capital after Garang death

Aug 1 2005 Sudan declares 12-hour curfew after Garang's death

Aug 1 2005 Probe into Garang's death requested

Aug 1 2005 Sudan's SPLM names Salva Kiir as Garang's successor

Aug 3 2005 John Garang In Memoriam - Experts say Salva Kiir can unify South Sudan

Aug 3 2005 BBC round-up of African media on Garang

Aug 4 2005 Alex de Waal on John Garang: Death of an Enigma

Aug 4 2005 Sudan: UN mission reports calm in Khartoum, south, ahead of Garang's funeral

Aug 5 2005 Son of John Garang mourns and helps prepare grave in Juba

Aug 5 2005 Evacuation of "Arabs" from Southern Sudan

Aug 6 2005 Sudan bids rebel leader farewell - John Garang Obituary



Photo: See In memoriam John Garang by Dr James Moore of Sudan: Passion of the Present.org August 01, 2005.



Photo: Refugees from southern Sudan read the Daily Nation newspapers in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi to catch up with the lastest news following the 01 August death of ex-Sudanese rebel leader John Garang. Garang is to be buried Saturday 6 August in Juba, the town he selected as the capital of an autonomous southern Sudan, his Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army said. (AFP/Simon Maina/Sudan Watch archive)

Aug 8 2005 UN envoy urges quick decisions on status of oil-rich regions in central Sudan: UN special envoy for Sudan Jan Pronk said quick decisions were needed on the status of several oil-rich regions in central Sudan claimed by both Khartoum and the SPLM where militia activity continues despite the accord. "The problem is not in the north or south of Sudan," Pronk told reporters after meeting Salva Kiir, Garang's successor as head of the SPLM. The problem is on the fringes of central Sudan. "There are groups, armed groups, that have become agitated, people are afraid of each other in Abyei," he said, referring to one of three disputed oil-rich zones that were left out of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in Kenya. "They need political discussions," Pronk said.

Aug 11 2005 Salva Kiir Mayardit sworn in as Sudan's vice president

Mar 14 2006 Insurers pay out on Garang crash

Apr 05 2006 Sudan VP Garang crash initial report blames pilot-SPLM

Darfur commanders impeach President of SLM/A Abdel Wahid Mohamed Ahmed Nur

On July 22, 2006 UN SRSG Jan Pronk blogged about two new rebel groups in Darfur, G19 & NRF, and revealed that SLM Abdel Wahid al-Nur declared his aim to become President of Sudan. Going by this, it apppears Nur's ambitions are along the same lines as JEM's. Not peace in Darfur but war to overthrow the now very experienced regime in Khartoum.

It seems to me that supporters of Darfur rebel groups, other than Minnawi's SLM/A, whether they realise it or not, are aiming for a change of regime. To be replaced by what? Another unelected group that stole power through the barrel of a gun? The Darfur rebel groups seem no better than the regime they aim to replace. Is Sudan ungovernable? It's evident that the current regime is doing a pretty good job of holding it all together. The Sudan is as large as Europe, packed with uneducated people who are governed by tribal leaders. Tribal leaders are the key to peace in Darfur, not naive Americans meddling in a country and culture that goes back as far as the year dot. Doing ones best to sound the alert and help get aid to people most in need is one thing, but influencing Westerners to stir up politicians to arrange military invasion of an African country against its will is something altogether different. Tribal leaders hold the key to peace in the Sudan, not the slick opportunistic operators based in Europe and America who use the lives of starving uneducated African women and children as pawns in their power games. In essence, Darfur war seems to boil down to oil and ruthless unelected thugs who want charge of it to line their own pockets. [See Sudan Watch Apr 18 2005: New oil field in Darfur]



Photo: Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, right talks to Abdel Wahid al-Nur of a faction of rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) before he walks out of a peace meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May 5, 2006. (AP/Sudan Watch archive)

Darfur commanders impeach SLM/A's Nur

Darfur commanders dismiss al-Nur from the SLM leadership, Sudan Tribune reported August 1, 2006. Copy in full:

July 31, 2006 (PARIS) - Military commanders of Sudan Liberation Movement known as Abdelwahid al-Nur Faction dismissed Abdelwahid al-Nur from the leadership of the movement, a press release said.

32 leaders of the SLM Military Council and the Field Command in a meeting held on 25 July in undisclosed place in Sudan's Darfur region removed the SLM historical leader Abdelwahid Mohamed Ahmed al-Nur. The press statement didn't give further details on the motivations of this decision. Sudan Tribune has learned that Abdelwahid is criticised for his lack consultations and contacts with the leadership of the movement inside the Sudan and particularly with the military command in Darfur.

Abdelwahid's detractors say he didn't act correctly with the African Union and the international community to explain the position of the SLM. They add that the movement lost a lot politically because of Abdelwahed mischief.

The military commanders designed Ahmed Abdelshafi Yagoub Baasi as a new chairman of the movement. They charged him to reorganize the structure of the movement within 75 hours. Baasi is the chief commander of the movement.

Different sources from the movement told Sudan Tribune that this move expresses the main stream within the movement. According to ST sources the new body is disposed to negotiate with the Sudanese government to joint the Darfur Peace Agreement.

Sudanese government softened its position towards Abdelwahid group after the signing of the 5 may deal hopping to persuade Abdelwahid biggest tribe in Darfur to join the deal.

Below the full text of the Press release
---

Statement of the SLM/A Military Council & Field Command Office - Liberated areas

Re: Impeachment of President of SLM/A Abdel Wahid Mohamed Ahmed Nur. July 28, 2006 - Statement No :(1) Based on the meeting of the Military Council and the Field Command on Tuesday 25/7/2006; the following decisions were reached :-

Removal of Abdelwahid Mohamed Ahmed al-Nur from the Presidency of SLM/A
Appointment of commander Ahmed Abdelshafi Yagoub Baasi as president of the movement and commander in chief of the army
The new president of the movement and general commander in consultation with the military council must reorganize the structure of the movement within the next 72 hours following the publication of this statement
The new leadership must immediately take charge of SLM affairs until the general conference of the movement takes place.

We call upon the Sudanese people and Darfur people specially and SLM followers in the displaced citizens & refugee camps, villages and cities to rest assured that the new leadership and the field command will protect the rights of Darfur people and the rights of all Sudanese, and of the revolution. May all our martyrs rest in peace and our wounded gain their health. Glory to our Sudanese people and our people in Darfur.

Signitories:
1. Commander/ Ahmed Abdel Shafi Yagoub Baasi 2. C/ Al Haj Younis Abakar 3. Ustaz Babikir Abdalla Mohamed 4. C/ Abdou Abdalla Ismail 5. C/Abdel Basit Abdalla Abdel Gabbar 6. C/Abdel Aziz Mohamed Goumaa (Danforth) 7. C/Ahmed Siraj 8. C/Abou El Gasim Imam El Haj 9. C/Nasr El Din Torou 10. C/Ismail Karokoya 11. C/ Abdalla Abbakar Mohamed 12. Ustaz Mohei El Din Abdalla Abdel Gabbar 13. C/ Yagoub Abdalla Ali Sumbo 14. C/ Omer Mohamed 15. C/Ismail Abdalla (Abou Digin) 16. C/ Abdalla Al Sudani 17. C/ Adam Hassan 18. Dr. El Sanousi Mohamed El Sanousi 19. C/ Adam Younis 20. C/ Omer Tabra 21. C/ Yehia Karkaweel 22. C/ Mohamed Abdelrahim 23. C/ Osman Mohamed Ali 24. C/ Adam Abdalla 25. C/ Adam Ali 26. C/ Ismael Gevara 27. C/ Mohamed Yagoub 28. C/ Mohamed El Tahir 29. Ustaz Abdel Latif Abdalla Ismail 30. Engineer Moustapha Eisa Moustapha 31. C/ El Hadi Idris 32. Ustaz Mohamed Abdou

Contact Numbers:
C/ Ahmed Abdel Shafei Yagoub Basi Satellite No 008821651131140, Ustaz Babikir Mohamed Abdalla 008821633341564, Ustaz Mohei El Din Abdalla Abdel Gabbar 008821621344601, Ustaz Abdel Latif Abdalla Ismail Mobile Tel 00447850380180

Photo: Abdel Wahid Nur of the main rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), second right, together with members of his group walks out of the peace talks meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May, 5 2006. Sudan's government and the main Darfur rebel group signed a peace plan Friday, marking major progress in an internationally backed effort to end the death and destruction in western Sudan. Two rebel groups, though, rejected the accord backed by the African Union, United States, Britain, the European Union and the Arab League and skipped the signing ceremony in a hall at a Nigerian presidential villa. (AP Photo/George Osodi/Sudan Watch archive)

Annan sees up to 24,000 UN peacekeepers for Darfur

Yesterday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed a peacekeeping force for Darfur, numbering up to 24,000 troops and international police officers. The requirements for the force were outlined in a report to the UN Security Council, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.

Aug 1 Reuters Irwin Arieff report excerpt:

Annan said the UN mission would require an initial deployment of up to 3,300 police officers plus 16 trained units of riot police, typically of 125 officers each, for a total of as many as 5,300 officers.

With the officers to be deployed at over 100 sites, covering about 80 percent of Darfur's population, "this would be a minimum option," he said.

As for U.N. troops, the force would seek to protect refugee camps, humanitarian supply routes and nomadic migration routes via a "framework of mobile infantry battalions," Annan said, outlining three options ranging from 15,300 to 18,600 soldiers, depending on the number of aircraft to accompany them.

The best option, he said, would be to deploy 17,300 peacekeeping soldiers along with three fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft and 26 helicopters.

"This force represents an optimal balance of key operational capabilities and likely offers the fastest route to a secure environment and eventual return to normality."

Should just 13 helicopters be made available, the force would require about 18,600 troops and would be less capable of responding to multiple security incidents by air, "possibly delaying the return to normality and peace."

Should the force be equipped with 35 helicopters, it could get along with about 15,300 troops by relying more heavily on rapid-reaction forces while "sacrificing some security presence," Annan said.

The smaller force would be more vulnerable to bad weather and would carry "a higher degree of risk on protection of civilians," he said.

Savedarfur.org wants to spend $50,000 on advert to push for UN force in Darfur?

Save Darfur.org (Washington, DC) is circulating an email asking for 1000 people to donate $50 each for their advert in a local U.S. newspaper.

Does this mean it costs $50,000 for a full-page ad? How many Sudanese children in refugee camps could benefit from school books costing $50,000? What becomes of a newspaper after it is read? Who will really benefit from the advert? Think about it.

Here is a copy of the advert and email from darfur@mail.democracyinaction.org

Dear Supporter,

Click here to make a contribution and see the ad.

Thanks to you and other Darfur activists like you, since Wednesday, over 74,000 messages have been sent to Members of Congress urging adequate funding to protect the people of Darfur.

That's impressive! But we must keep the pressure on all our elected leaders - including President Bush. That's why we're about to do something we've never done before.

President Bush is soon headed to his Texas ranch. To keep the Darfur genocide on his mind even while he's on vacation, we're going to run a full-page advertisement in the Waco, Texas, newspaper (the closest big newspaper to President Bush's Crawford ranch).

Now we are asking for your help to pay for the ad. For a contribution of at least $50, you can sign on and have your name printed in the advertisement in the Waco Tribune-Herald.

But we can only fit the names of 1,000 citizens calling on President Bush to take stronger action in Darfur, so please make your contribution soon.

Click here to make a $50 donation and see what the ad will look like.

The situation in Darfur is critical with hundreds of thousands of innocent people dead millions of men, women and children displaced from their homes and many more at risk.

That is why we are calling on President Bush to:

Push for the deployment of a strong UN peacekeeping force to protect Darfur civilians.

Appoint a Special Envoy to coordinate the U.S. government's Darfur policy and to see that the Darfur Peace Agreement is faithfully implemented.

President Bush must act soon. And we must show him how much Americans are committed to stopping the genocide in Darfur.

Click here to support our work and add your name to the advertisement with a $50 donation today.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

David Rubenstein
Save Darfur Coalition

P.S. Don't forget! September 17 is the Global Day for Darfur with activities around the country and around the world. In New York City, the Save Darfur Coalition is hosting "Save Darfur Now: Voices to Stop Genocide," a rally/concert calling on the United Nations to deploy international peacekeepers to Darfur. Visit http://www.savedarfur.org/now for information and updates.

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Some other points of view

Jul 31 2006 anonymous comment at Coalition for Darfur's blog entry - Show President Bush You Want to Stop the Genocide:

"If the Waco Tribune insists on charging for this F*CK THEM. I wouldn't give them my $50 for anything. Get a f*cking GRIP! B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 31 2006 blog entry by Drima of The Sudanese Thinker - SaveDarfur.org Pushing For UN Troops:

Okay so previously I've talked about how I appreciate Save Darfur's great job in bringing Darfur to the attention of the American public and the world but NOW I don't really think I like THIS. They're organizing a concert with the aim of pushing for UN troops to be sent to Darfur. I've explained before in a simple and straight forward way why I believe the UN troops won't improve the situation. There is strong opposition to UN troops in Sudan and it's growing more by the day. Even Darfur tribal leaders are opposed to UN troops. I'll say it again only with some updates.

Darfur previously = Disaster
Darfur now = STILL a disaster but to a lesser extent
Darfur + UN troops = Bigger disaster
Darfur + AU troops reinforced by UN & NATO = HUGE improvements.
Darfur + UN troops + Al Qaeda = One big ass GIGANTIC Disaster !!!

Battle between government forces and holdout rebels in Kulkul nr N Darfur's capital Al-Fasher

Darfur rebel group JEM [now part of NRF - the group that aims to overthrow* the regime in Khartoum] said Sudanese government forces had shelled the area of Kulkul, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) from North Darfur's capital Al-Fasher, Sudan Tribune reported today:

"The battle is still continuing," Izz Al-Din Yusuf of the JEM told the daily Al-Ray Al-Aam.

It vowed to retaliate after claiming the government used military planes to quell the unrest, effectively "disregarding an air embargo in that area."

"We will enter Al-Fasher and occupy the airport if the government continues shelling them by planes," Yusuf said, warning citizens to evacuate the area.

The United Nations and African Union missions in Sudan denounced Friday’s attack on the JEM, saying they were "deeply concerned about the fighting."

"The Khartoum regime has begun implementing a military project that aims at an all-out assault on the parties which did not sign the farcical Abuja 'agreement'," JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam said.

[*Ref Sudan Watch June 2, 2006: "If we do not get our own sovereignty, the only alternative is a forceful change of the government in Khartoum," Khalil Mohammed, Chairman of Darfur rebel group JEM, threatened; Khalil Ibrahim, who took part in talks with Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek on Wednesday, told the Slovenian public broadcaster that his JEM would seek independence if there was no peace in Darfur. "Now as the next step that means that we will ask for self-determination - we're going to have our own country," Khalil told TV Slovenija, which said that this is the first time he has mentioned the possibility of independence]

SLM/A-Haskanita (the faction that's now part of NRF) says SLM/A's Minnawi faction attacked them in Tourra, N Darfur

At the moment I am working on piecing together a list of Darfur rebel groups requested by a Sudan Watch reader. Not a quick or easy task. When completed, I'll publish it here for future reference and update it when changes occur.

Meanwhile, an unsourced report from Al-Fasher at Sudan Tribune July 29, 2006 says SLM/A-Haskanita (the faction that's now part of NRF) claims that SLM/A's Minnawi faction attacked them in Tourra, North Darfur. Note also, the article suggests the mounting military operation undertaken by Sudanese forces against Darfur holdout rebel groups indicates Khartoum has chosen to close the door on talks with the NRF groups:

A Darfur rebel group called upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to contact them in order to deliver 200 POWs, the group also accused the African Union of becoming an ally of the former rebel group which signed the Darfur Peace Agreement.

The Sudan Liberation Movement Haskanita faction - once was part of Minawi faction and now joined the National Redemption Front (NRF) - said in a press statement Sudanese army, Jajaweed militia and the SLM Minawi faction troops attacked their position in Tourra area 25 klm in the north of Al-Fasher North Darfur on Friday 28 July.

The SLM Haskanita spokesperson Isam Eddine al-Haj said in the press statement, Sudanese army aviation from Antonove aeroplane and helicopters participated in the attack.

Al-Haj denounced the African Union stand in the conflict saying it provides logistical support to Minawi group. He said that AU mission in Darfur can be considered as accomplice of the Sudanese government.

The AU headquarters in Al-Fasher hosts, since the signing of the peace deal, the former rebel leader Minni Minawi and his military commanders.

The AU envoy to Sudan yesterday in a joint statement with the UN special envoy to Sudan condemned governmental troops attack against rebels' positions.

"This is typical of the kind of incidents which should normally be investigated by the Ceasefire Commission and the Joint Commission. But the refusal of the DPA signatories to have all inclusive Commissions makes prompt and thorough investigations difficult" said the joint statement of the AU, UN envoys to Sudan. The SLM Haskanita talks for the first time in the press statement about their allied forces to mention the NRF troop.

The mounting military operation undertaken by the Sudanese army against the Darfur holdout rebel groups indicates that Khartoum has chosen to close the door of talks with the NRF groups.

AU's Colonel Laurens: "Solve lora infernis, unleash hell! We will not tolerate this any more ... if they raise their weapons at you again, kill them"

Today, BBC correspondent Jonah Fisher reports from Khartoum:

This week President Bush met Minni Minnawi, one of the rebel leaders from Darfur in western Sudan. Mr Minnawi is the only rebel leader there who has signed up to a peace deal, but there are fears that this has made matters worse in the region.



Photo: President Bush urged Mr Minnawi to build support for peace

As the sun beats down on Darfur's dry flat desert, the order goes out from a leader to his men: "Solve lora infernis, unleash hell! We will not tolerate this any more."

These men are not the Janjaweed - the feared militia backed by the Khartoum government and responsible for the worst atrocities of this war. A hundred thousand people have died and two million have been displaced.

They are not the Darfur rebels either - a sprawling mess of armed groups who have targeted aid workers and food convoys.

No, this is the African Union (AU) - the organisation sent to bring peace to Sudan's far west.

Barking out the orders is a man who would not be out of place in a Hollywood film - South African sector commander Richard Lourens.

A veteran of wars in Angola and Namibia, he is not a man who takes failure well.

Sporting a closely trimmed black beard and a macho swagger, he has been in Darfur just a few months but he has had enough of being pushed around in this messy conflict.

Large parts of the surrounding desert are off limits to his patrols and twice in the past two weeks Colonel Lourens' men have suffered the ultimate military humiliation.

Stopped by rebels on a road, the South African soldiers handed over their weapons and vehicles without a shot being fired. Some 45 machine guns and four vehicles were taken.

Traumatised population

As Colonel Lourens reads the riot act, the man at the centre of Darfur's confusion is being acclaimed in Washington as a peacemaker.

For Minni Minnawi, a photo opportunity with President Bush is his reward for bowing to international pressure and signing an African Union-sponsored peace agreement with the Sudanese government.

The problem is that Mr Minnawi's signature has made the situation in Darfur worse, not better.

SLA forces are dividing along tribal lines

A former primary school teacher, Mr Minnawi leads his own faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) - the only rebel group in Darfur to have agreed terms with the Khartoum government.

But the deal has done little for the region's traumatised population and new rebel alliances spring up every few days.

The one positive note is that fighting has now stopped between Mr Minnawi's rebel faction and the Sudanese government.

But with both hands now free he has been able to devote his full attention to what had previously only been a side issue - attacking rival rebel leaders and their supporters.

In one of the African Union camps I spoke to a West African commander. He loaded a detailed map on to his laptop.

"This town is Korma," he said.

Korma and the surrounding villages are dominated by a tribe loyal to SLM Wahid, a rebel group which is opposed to Mr Minnawi and outside the peace agreement.

Taking me through events in meticulous detail, the commander explained how Mr Minnawi's rebels spent the first few days of July clearing villages of people en route to capturing Korma.

At least 80 people had been killed, he said, 18,000 fled for their lives.

"This was ethnic cleansing," he told me. Remaining villagers were being shot on sight, and he said he had seen pictures of two mass graves.

'Part of the problem'

Mr Minnawi's violence has left the African Union humiliated and deeply compromised. When the deal was signed the AU had welcomed him with open arms.

The rebel leader stays inside AU headquarters, eats AU food and his men drive, and on some occasions crash, AU cars. Atrocities have been brushed under the carpet and when Mr Minnawi wants to go into the field, an African Union helicopter is made available to fly him there.

The men of the African Union went to Darfur to help protect its displaced people.

Now they are seen as part of the problem: on the side of the Sudanese government and of Minni Minnawi. They are not welcome in many of the camps they are supposed to be protecting and despite the best efforts of people like Colonel Lourens, their men are demoralised.

Western donors have seen enough.

They want the AU's troubled mission to be replaced by a United Nations force.

President Bush apparently made his support for this proposal clear to Mr Minnawi when the two men met at the White House on Tuesday. But the Sudanese government firmly opposes it. A holy war will greet any western invading force, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has declared.

So now it seems the AU will stay here in Darfur at least until the end of the year.

A donor conference was held so they could ask for funds to beef up their operations and try to implement fully the peace deal.

The response was lukewarm. They were given only half the money they needed - just enough to continue stumbling along their current path.

Having pushed a partial peace deal onto Darfur the world seems to be walking away from a mess it helped to create.

Out in the desert again, Colonel Laurens is speaking to his men.

"Enough is enough," he shouts.

"We came here to be friends with our African brothers, but that's over. If they raise their weapons at you again - kill them."

Sudanese forces fight JEM rebel holdouts in Jabel Moun area on Sudan-Chad border

The UN and AU have condemned the Sudanese army and militia troops for attacking rebels in Darfur's Jebel Moon area, BBC news reported today. Excerpt:

The attack was against the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, (JEM) which did not sign the [Darfur peace] deal.

Both government and militia troops had been observed massing near the western town of Geneina before the attack on Friday.

An assortment of armed groups that remained outside of the peace agreement, including Chadian elements, are known to be taking shelter in the Jebel Moon mountains.

The attack is confirmation that Darfur's conflict has changed in nature, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from Sudan.

JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam said the Sudanese government was systematically attacking groups who had refused to sign for peace.

Note, the BBC report says the two signatories to the peace agreement - the government and the SLA-Minnawi - are using the agreement as a springboard to attack those outside the deal. I see it as the signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement combining forces to implement the deal and defend against those who are out to ruin the agreement.

July 29 2006 (Reuters Opheera McDoom) Sources say Sudan forces attack rebel bases: "Yesterday (Friday) all day and until the evening the government of Sudan with the Janjaweed attacked Jabel Moun and Kulkul, north of el-Fasher," Abu Bakr Hamid al-Nur, a rebel NRF commander, told Reuters from Darfur on Saturday. Jabel Moun is a mountainous area on the Sudan-Chad border. Kulkul is 35 km (22 miles) north of Darfur's main town el-Fasher.

Aid group attacked in Deleig camp, W Darfur - 17 women raped by militia outside Kalma camp

July 29 2006 (Reuters Opheera McDoom) Sources say Sudan forces attack rebel bases:

An international aid group was attacked in Deleig camp in West Darfur on July 27 by the displaced who said they were poisoning them with vaccinations, a U.N. report said.

One Sudanese driver was killed and three national staff of the aid groups, which was not named, were injured in the attack.

In South Darfur's vast Kalma camp, 17 women were raped by armed militiamen as they went out to collect firewood last Monday, the Sudanese Organisation Against Torture said.

"During the attack, the militias beat the women with the butt of their guns and flogged them before raping 17 of the women," the rights group said.

Gerard Prunier: Darfur is not genocide. Jim 'Second Superpower' Moore put the spotlight on Sudan's Darfur

July 28, 2006 Genocide Intervention Network news round-up [via CFD]. Excerpt:

Harper's Magazine printed an article in which Gerard Prunier, author of Darfur: The Ambiguous Genocide, suggests that too much emphasis is put on the question of whether or not a conflict is "genocide." Darfur was largely ignored until journalists began to paint it as a genocide, says Prunier, and the use of the word has neither increased understanding of the crisis in Darfur nor spurred significant action to end it. Darfur is not necessarily a genocide by his definition, Prunier notes, but he believes that "it is a measure of the cynicism of our times that we appear to think the killing of 250,000 people in a genocide more deserving of our attention than that of 250,000 people in nongenocidal massacres."

Note, from what I have gathered since April 2004, Darfur was largely ignored by journalists and mainstream media until Western activisits and bloggers began putting the spotlight on Darfur, painting it as genocide and demanding action from their political representatives.

Jim 'Second Superpower' Moore put the spotlight on Darfur Sudan



Photo: Dr James Moore - one of America's top bloggers - put the world's spotlight on Darfur, Sudan

In August 2005, I wrote the following draft and am publishing it here now for future reference:

Recently, Jim Moore linked to a collection of photos here at Sudan Watch, along with a collection of essays on Darfur, written by activist bloggers around the world. In his blog entry entitled Blogging Darfur, Jim says he thinks we failed to stop genocide in Darfur. Here is a note to Jim which will make him feel embarrassed because he is so modest.

Sorry to disagree Jim. You have deleted the first seven months of your archives at Passion of the Present but I have not deleted mine from sixteen months ago, when you first blogged Darfur. One day, I shall plough through it all and show why I know it is you who put the spotlight on Darfur resulting in the unprecendented visit of Kofi Annan and Colin Powell to Khartoum followed by Tony Blair's (the first visit by a British Prime Minister in over 50 years).

Very few people, if any, other than Joanne and Jim Moore, will know what I am really talking about here, or what I mean by pointing out Jan Egeland's statement made September 28, 2005:

Photo: UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland gestures as he explains that escalating violence in Darfur is threatening to halt aid work as increasing numbers of international staff come under attack, during a press conference at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Sep 28, 2005.

'If it continues to escalate, if it continues to be so dangerous on humanitarian work, we may not be able to sustain our operation for 2.5 million people requiring lifesaving assistance,' Egeland tells reporters. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Here is the important part of his message - at the press conference Jan Egeland said:

"We need to have the same kind of pressure on the parties as we had last summer when world leaders really, really put their thumb and their pressure on the Government of Khartoum." Mr Egeland said he no longer felt the same kind of pressure.

Some people such as Eric Reeves, and a blogger or two, published news on Darfur prior to April 2004 but, I know for a fact, sporadic news reports on Darfur went from a handful every few weeks to thousands, seemingly overnight, until the world's spotlight shone so brightly on the Khartoum that the regime there admitted (I shall find the reports one day) they did not know what had hit them, or why. I know why. It was all down to Jim Moore's herculean effort to get unimpeded access for aid into Darfur simply through relentless blogging, linking and connecting, day and night, spreading the word to others all over the world. I doubt anyone can dispute what I am saying here. I saw it with my own eyes and logged some evidence but, unfortunately, do not have the energy to stop and spend months putting it all together in one summary. Maybe one day ...

Meanwhile, here's sending Jim and Joanne much love and huge thanks for everything they did for the people of Darfur.
- - -

Copy of something I had drafted earlier, in March 2005:

Since last April, Jim Moore has given his all putting to good use the technology we bloggers have at our fingertips by highlighting the plight of the Sudanese -- getting word out in the blogosphere for us global citizens here in cyberspace to have a unique opportunity to make a difference -- to use blogging technology to see if it is within our power to make a real difference, get politically aware and involved, learn about Africa, activism and help stop genocide in Darfur.

As far as I am aware, Jim was the first blogger to sound the genocide alert on Darfur (and stay with it all the way every day) before even the US government declared Darfur as genocide. Who knows, Jim could have chosen Somalia or some other hotspot but it was Darfur thanks to he and Joanne and her idea for starting up http://passionofthepresent.org

Jim expended a great deal of effort and spent thousands of hours blogging, connecting, reading, writing, tracking, linking, phoning, emailing and rallying people to bring Darfur to the attention of mainstream media and governments around the world - all at a time when news reports were few and far between. To be blunt, considering now connected we all are, not a lot of bloggers wanted to know. [As an aside, it took a British blogger who works at the BBC to push Darfur up the agenda at BBC News online. This, I know for a fact, was a result of Jim's efforts at a time when there was no political will, very little aid on the scene and the Darfur death toll was reported at 10,000.

Various Sudan experts now put the death toll at 200,000 - 450,000 and rising. Last week, a British government official was reported as saying the crisis in Darfur would continue for another 18-24 months. So, given that bodies like WHO say up to 10,000 refugees in the camps are dying each month from malnutrition or disease, one can't help wondering, if the situation does not improve, that the best case scenario may be a further 240,000 deaths - through non-violence alone - over the next 24 months, on top of the two million Sudanese people who perished in southern Sudan under the present regime in Khartoum.

Over the past year, Jim left no stone unturned in publicising Darfur and use of the tools and technology that we - who enjoy freedom of speech and do not live under dictatorships - have at our fingertips to stop genocide. I have no doubts whatsoever that Jim's efforts generated and maintained a cascade effect on bloggers and mainstream media throughout the world - right up to America's presidential election - bringing Darfur higher onto the daily agendas of the media, politicians and both President Bush and Senator Kerry during their face to face televised debates.

Also, I believe Jim's efforts spawned an effect here in Europe that brought Darfur higher up on the agendas of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other leading politicians. Unfortunately, I do not have evidence to prove this. I only know what I have seen and absorbed since I started tracking blogs and almost every other item online relating to Darfur.

Last year, I exchanged emails with David Sifry, CEO of Technorati, who offered his technicians to look into Technorati's databases to see if it would be possible to piece together some evidence that blogging technology put - and kept - the spotlight on Darfur. Who knows if the data is still out there somewhere.

Bearing in mind that blogging genocide is dismal, gruelling and emotionally draining, Jim blogged eloquent daily alerts of genocide occurring and reminders to us all how it could be within our grasp to make a difference. I witnessed how long it took for bloggers to spare a few column inches for Darfur. Influential blogs, academics and the wired Joi Ito's of the world stayed pretty silent most of the time - except InstaPundit who was brilliant. For Jim, most of the time, it must have seemed like climbing the sheer face of the Eiger with a sack of rocks on his back getting even just a few bloggers to make an effort and spread the word to put pressure on politicians to take action to provide unimpeded access for humanitarian aid into Darfur. The Michael Jackson court case received far more publicity.

By July 2004, when the pressure had built, the so-called "key players" in the Darfur catastrophe said they were taken aback at the sudden but inexplicable media attention on Darfur, finding themselves in the glare of a spotlight. It caught them by surprise. They could give no explanation, were caught out, and admitted they had been too slow to respond with aid. Not to mention the historic visits to Khartoum by Kofi Annan, Colin Powell and Tony Blair. Why Darfur? Why not the DR Congo or Northern Uganda? asked the stunned officials, aid agencies, and the bewildered regime in Khartoum. News reports out yesterday revealed aid agency surprise at why Darfur in western Sudan attracts donations but southern Sudan does not.

For the past eleven months I have read every word Jim has written on Darfur both in his journal and at http://passionofthepresent.org. Jim was probably the only blogger in the world to post daily on the news and bring together links, contacts, people and news from human rights bodies worldwide.

If only there were more bloggers like Jim, putting blogs and the technology we are using right now to good use. He deserves to be applauded for putting the heat on us all, including the UN, to stop 'genocide' in Darfur.

Pronk's statement on oil fields protection is inexact - Sudanese MP

July 28, 2006 SMC/ST article says a Sudanese member of parliament claims a statement made by UN SGSR Jan Pronk on the issue of the protection of oil fields in southern Sudan is inexact [see previous entry here below] - excerpt:

The Energy and Mining Committee at the National Assembly has expressed its surprise at the statements made by the UN secretary-general's representative, Jan Pronk, were he warned against the disruption of security in the south because of what he termed was an oil protecting militia.

In a statement to pro ruling National Congress Party, The Sudanese Media Centre, the chairman of the energy and mining committee in parliament, Hussein Marnot, said the protection of oil companies was the direct responsibility of the armed forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

He described Pronk's statement regarding these militia forces as "incorrect".

Marnot said the militia Pronk was referring to was in the process of adopting a legal status by joining the SPLM or the armed forces, according to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

He noted that the groups operating under the name "oil security" were regular forces that protected oil fields and companies.

He said, "This takes place through coordination between the Ministry of Oil, police, as well as the armed forces. The description of militia does not befit these forces".

Photo: New oil platforms are constructed, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 near Kotch in southern Sudan.

Tribal violence in South Sudan is more complex - UN Pronk

Click here for a must-read near verbatim transcript of a press conference by UN SRSG Jan Pronk held on 26 July 2006 at UNMIS Press Briefing Room, Ramsis Building. - via Sudan Tribune 28 July 2006. Excerpt from Q&A:

Q Two questions: one: you mentioned that oil companies in the south have their own militias. Could you elaborate on that? Who are these oil companies; are they foreign or national and is anyone negotiating with them on their militias?

Secondly; how seriously do you take the threats from AlQaeda that they will move in Sudan if the UN deployed in Darfur and what has the Government said to you about these threats?

SRSG Pronk: No details about the oil companies and those militias. I see it as a problem and today I am not going further than that. I am highlighting the complexity of the violence in the South. Many people say it is more than tribal, it is economic. Economic not only in the traditional sense of the word - that is the fight for water and all that - but also fight for other resources; fight for land which has been occupied for security reasons for instance by oil companies. People returning to the places where they came from find that the land has been occupied by the oil companies sometimes a decade or fifteen years after they had left and they are being denied access to their title by people in uniform. It is a problem and it will have to be discussed.

I don't know about new [AlQaeda] threats ...

[Note to self to take time out to digest this report. Light blogging over next few days]

Jan Pronk: Two new Darfur rebel groups G19 & NRF - SLM Abdel Wahid al-Nur declares his aim is to become President of Sudan

Here is the answer to my question about Minnawi and Nur: if Minni Minnawi takes up the top position in Darfur, what becomes of his rival Abdel Wahid al-Nur? UN SGSR Jan Pronk, in his latest blog entry, reveals that this week, Abdel Wahid al-Nur declared that his aim is to become President of Sudan.

Note also, Mr Pronk confirms JEM's aim is not peace but power in Khartoum. Some days I think the Sudanese rebels are all part of one group/strategy.

Jan Pronk blog entry July 22, 2006 - copied here in full:

Ten weeks after the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement the situation is still quite bleak. As I wrote a month ago, the main problems are the lack of implementation and the lack of support. Violations of the agreement continue. Intra SLA fighting has not stopped. Two new movements have emerged. One is called the G19, a group which originally consisted of nineteen people, who were present in Abuja as members or advisors of the SLA delegation, but who increasingly disagreed with the leadership. In Abuja this led to a further split within the SLA, this time without consequences for the negotiations, because the dissenters were not considered strong on the ground. That may have been the case, but the G19 received more and more support amongst those who disagreed with the outcome of the talks. They were able to establish a stronghold in the north-western part of North Darfur, around Musbat and Birmasa. About one month after the signing of the agreement Minnie Minawi's forces attacked them, allegedly with some support from the Sudanese Armed Forces. They fought back, became stronger and presently they seem to be in control of the area concerned.

A second new group is the New Redemption Front (NRF). They seem to have their base in the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), which had participated in the Abuja talks. The JEM has never been strong on the ground, but the movement had quite knowledgeable negotiators with well articulated political objectives. They are supposed to have close ties with the Islamist. However, during the negotiations they never took a religiously inspired or ideological position. Their political demands did not include the establishment of a religious governance system in Darfur. Neither did they have specific religious claims with regard to the negotiations themselves (for instance special considerations for prayer time or during Ramadan). The JEM negotiators were both clever and flexible, up to a point. During the negotiations I more and more got the impression that they were not interested in reaching a result. Their objective did not seem to be peace in Darfur, but power in Khartoum. Because a solution in Darfur would also strengthen the position of the ruling party, the NCP, they would not join a peace agreement and always try to convince the other movements to do likewise.

That is the reason why the JEM could so easily change alliances. First, the movement joined forces with the MRND, a relatively small rebel group with a base close to the Chadian border, which was prevented by SLA to participate in the talks and had declared to fight itself a place at the negotiations table. When the SLA split into two factions which could not decide on common representatives, the JEM became their common spokesman, cleverly retarding any progress in the talks. Later JEM became the prime ally of the SLA faction led by Minnie Minawi, despite the fact that the latter's forces had driven them out of their stronghold around Gereida in South Darfur. Until a week before the closure of the talks the new allies were staunchly rejecting the draft agreement. However, when Minnie Minawi and Abdul Wahid traded places at the table, whereby the former signed the agreement and the latter rejected it, the JEM sided with the faction led by Abdul Wahid. After Abuja the JEM declared its intention to join the struggle of the Beja and the Rashaida in Hamesh Koreib in East Sudan. They brought their (little) forces from Darfur to the East. However, the Beja and Rashaida, who together had formed the Eastern Front, started consultations about peace talks with the Government and declared that the JEM was not welcome in the East.

Shortly thereafter, in June this year, the NRF attacked Hamrat al Sheikh, a small town in North Kordofan. It was a shock. For the first time a place outside Darfur had been attacked. Was this an exception, a guerilla attack to surprise and confuse, or would this be the beginning of the extension of the war in Darfur to other regions of Sudan? It had to be strongly condemned, as a brutal violation of the peace agreements, not only the DPA, but also the previous agreements, based on the N'Djamena cease fire, to which not only the Government and the Minie Minawi faction of the SLA are bound, but also the others, including the JEM, Abdul Wahid's faction of the SLA and all those commanders who at that time were part of SLA, but since then have joined either the G19 or the NRF.

Abdul Wahid must have understood this. He does not want to sign, but he also does not want to violate agreements which he has signed in the past. He has publicly dissociated himself from the NRF, keeping the door open for talks. Some secret overtures have been made, but so far to no avail. In the meantime Abdul Wahid is increasing his demands. This week he declared that his aim is to become President of Sudan. It may have been his answer to the nomination of Minnie Minawi, last week, to the post of Chief Advisor of the Presidency, a position created by the Darfur Peace Agreement. This would make Minnie Minawi officially the number four in the hierarchy in Khartoum and also number one in Darfur, heading the provisional government of Darfur, to be established in due time. Talks after the signing of the DPA could have resulted in a deal between Minnie Minawi and Abdul Wahid to split this powerful new position into two functions, one in Darfur and the other in Khartoum. However, this seems to be a foregone option after Minnie Minawi's official nomination (as of today he has not yet been appointed) and his invitation by President Bush to meet him in the White House. As a signatory to the peace agreement he certainly deserves credit. However, it remains to be seen whether these political and diplomatic steps will contribute to lasting peace. Abdul Wahid does not seem to be interested anymore to share power with Minnie Minawi. I am afraid that each week the chances to get more support to the DPA diminish.

In the meantime there are indications that the NRF and the G19 are closing ranks.The G19, after having been attacked by Minnie Minawi's forces, needed support from where ever they could get it. It means that the JEM, which seems to have access to ample financial resources in the Middle East and thus can provide weapons, has found a new ally. There also seem to be Chadian troops involved, but it is not clear whether they receive instructions from their government or from other power groups in Chad. According to the DPA all combating forces should have disclosed there whereabouts and stay in the areas which they controlled at M-day, when the agreement became operational. After verification of these zones by the African Union stability would be guaranteed by the freezing of the status quo and by demarcating buffer zones, demilitarized zones and humanitarian corridors. Instead Minie Minawi's faction has chosen to attack the G19 as well as the troops belonging to Abdul Wahid's faction. In this situation it will be difficult to verify the positions held by the parties on M-day. It seems that all parties, those who signed and those who did not sign, are trying to expand the area under their control.

In particular Minnie Minawi's faction has been accused of attacking civilians as well, with gross violations of human rights. Minnie Minawi has denied this and as long as an investigation has not taken place he should be given the benefit of the doubt. It is possible that his troops acted against his instructions. It would not be the first time that this has happened on either side of the conflict .The AU has refrained from carrying out an investigation, which makes it difficult to ascertain the truth. However, thousands of people have fled their homes. They have told stories which resemble those of last year, when they were attacked by militia.

All these violations should be a first issue on the agenda of the Cease Fire Commission, but so far it has they have not been addressed. Violations always take place after the signing of such an agreement. That cannot be avoided. However, a good cease fire agreement includes the establishment of institutions which can address such violations, if and when they take place. The Cease Fire Commission provided for in the DPA is such an institution. However, it does not yet function properly, because the two signatory parties - the Government and the Minnie Minawi faction - deny access to that commission to the non-signatories. This is understandable, but it is not wise. If the Abdul Wahid faction, the JEM and the new split factions violate the cease fire, which they have done, they should be taken to task. Denying them access to forums which have been established for that very purpose results in ongoing violations, not addressed, giving all parties, including the Government and Minnie Minawi's faction, an excuse to continue fighting, despite their signature. Is that the intention? We do not know, but we do know that we are caught in a vicious circle.

In my discussions during the peace talks in Abuja I have argued that a peace agreement would be a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for peace. We jumped across a hurdle, a high one, but after that hurdle there was a further track towards the finish. However, parties seem to think that the hurdle is the finish. Many international observers who signed the agreement as a witness declare that those who did not yet sign simply should do so, without further ado. That is a justifiable legal position, but politically it will not work. That has become clear in the ten weeks since the signing of the DPA. In many camps the people simply do not trust the parties that signed.

In some camps this has led to violence and to polarization along tribal lines. The anger is also directed against the African Union, which is not being seen as neutral. Instead the AU is being accused of having taken sides. G19 commanders speak about the AU as 'the enemy'. Troops loyal to Abdul Wahid have denied the AU access to regions which they control. AU escorts and convoys have been ambushed. It is not AMIS fault. The AU is only doing what is has to do according the peace agreement, within its limited capacity. But it is high time to invest in confidence building, by addressing all violations without exception, by allowing non-signatories to participate in talks to implement the cease fire, by starting all-inclusive preparations for the Darfur Darfur Dialogue and by including all displaced people, irrespective of their tribe or of their political affiliation, in the reconstruction of their villages. Last but not least confidence building requires a quick, serious, transparent and credible start with the disarmament and demobilization of the Janjaweed. Without demobilization of the militia and a visible disarmament of the Janjaweed the victims of the atrocities will not believe that the Darfur Peace Agreement, upon its signing, was meant to be a jump stride forward on the road towards sustainable peace.

UN envoy condemns killing of Sudanese officials at Hassa Hissa camp, W Darfur

July 25, 2006 UN News Centre report:

In a formal statement today, Jan Pronk, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Sudan, expressed concern about the lack of security and the resulting deterioration in conditions in IDP camps that last Thursday led to the three members of the State Water Corporation, who were testing water at the Hissa Hissa camp, being beaten to death by IDPs.

In many such camps, Mr Pronk said, "the conditions for the conduct of humanitarian activities are no long available or significantly affected by insecurity, which has been worsened by a wide availability of weapons."

According to the recently signed Darfur Peace Agreement, responsibility for the internal security of those IDP camps under Government control falls to the Government in cooperation with the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission.

Mr Pronk expressed hope that the AU will soon be able to re-establish its police presence in the camps, after it was suspended due to attacks on its personnel. "AU deployment inside IDP camps is crucial to ensure security within the camps and provide the adequate environment for humanitarian work," he said.

SLA arms inside Zamzam camp N Darfur raising concern

UN humanitarian staff in Darfur cannot reach at least one in five of those in need of assistance because of the ongoing violence and insecurity there, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reported today, July 24 2006. UN News Centre report excerpt:

Direct attacks against humanitarian workers, acts of banditry and fighting among rebel groups mean the UN has access to less than 80 per cent of beneficiaries, well below the rates achieved in 2004, according to UNMIS.

The mission said it is also worried that the security conditions inside some camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) are so poor that humanitarian operations there have been placed at risk. In Zamzam camp in North Darfur, the presence of arms belonging to elements of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), one of the region's rebel groups, is raising concerns. Last Thursday IDPs killed three government workers and a police officer at Zalengi camp in West Darfur.

The reports come as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, completed a two-day tour of South Darfur as part of his regular visits to the three states in the region.

Darfur conflict can be resolved within AU - Sudanese Ambassador

Excerpt from AND/Zambian Post report July 24, 2006:

The Darfur conflict can be solved within the African Union, Sudanese Ambassador to Zambia Salah Mohamed Ali has said.

In an interview with The Post, Ambassador Ali said there was no need for a United Nations intervention force to move into the war ravaged Darfur region.

"Our position is that the African Union Military Intervention Force (AMIS) should be helped to continue with its mandate by making available to it more resources and logistics," he said.

"The AU should continue other than switching to the UN because that will be a testimony to the failure of the AU and Africa as a whole to solve our own problems. Darfur conflict is an African problem and it should be solved within the African context."

Ambassador Ali said Sudan would soon come up with a road map for resolving the conflict.

"Our President made our position on changing mandate to UN very clear when he met Koffi Anan during the AU summit in Banjul. Within a month, we will draw up a road map and submit it to the UN which will consider our envisaged plan on resolving the conflict and give its position," he said.

Ambassador Ali said the AU had played a big role in the peace process and would succeed more if resources were made available.

"The AU helped us reach ceasefire between government and three rebel movements, unfortunately two other movements didn't sign in May but the government is doing its best to bring them to join the peace process," he said.

"The AU would succeed more with increased resources and logistics because the real problem is shortage of funds. At the donors' conference on July, 18 in Belgium the AU requested for about $400million and the conference managed to secure $250 million and we are hopeful that it will help them perform better."

Ambassador Ali said the pace of implementing provisions of the peace agreement was satisfactory and things were going well.

"The process suffered a major setback in July last year with the death of John Garang, he had an ambitious vision to establish a new Sudan as he called it and his death was not just a loss to SPLMA (Sudan People's Liberation Movement/ Army) and Sudan but the whole of Africa," he said.

"But we are getting somewhere and even Sudan's mediation between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) means that we have a fully fledged government which has assumed its role not only locally but in the region as well."