Darfur Sudan News from Strategy Page - Unrest in Jebel Marra - SLM Clashes with SAF or Internal Wrangling?

HERE is a news round-up on Darfur Sudan from StrategyPage.com, plus a report by Sudan Radio Service re unrest in Jebel Marra, southern Sudan. I have highlighted some text in bold, for future reference:

From StrategyPage.com
Arming Your Enemy, For A Price

February 17, 2010: A British medical journal has concluded that around 80 percent of the 300,000 deaths in the Darfur region (since the start of the war in 2003) have been caused by disease.

February 16, 2010: It's still unclear what the extent of the fighting between factions of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). that broke out in late January in the Jebel Marra area of West Darfur state. Refugees also reported fighting between rebel factions in the Jebel Moon area.

Five Ethiopian helicopters arrived in Darfur for duty with UNAMID (UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur). It has been a long wait, two years in fact. UNAMID asked for 18 helicopters. That means it is still thirteen choppers short.

February 12, 2010: Sudan is littered with minefields, and south Sudan in particular. Serous de-mining efforts began in 2002. A recent de-mining task force report said that since 2002, 31,600 kilometers of roads in south and central Sudan have been cleared of mines. All “major routes” have been cleared (usually with bulldozers and counter-mine vehicles), but many secondary roads, side roads, trails, and open areas have not been completely cleared.

February 6, 2010: Ibrahim Gambari, the new head of UNAMID said he would attend a new round of Darfur peace talks scheduled to take place in Qatar. Gambari recently said that UNAMID should shift its focus from peacekeeping in Darfur to peacemaking. Gambari indicated he thinks the Qatari initiative (Doha talks) are the best diplomatic forum for a peace deal.

February 5, 2010: Some 10,000 people have fled fighting (a series of engagements began in late January) in West Darfur state (in the Jebel Marra region). The fighting took place between factions of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA).

February 4, 2010: Southern leaders in the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) have renewed complaints about the extensive authority the national government (led by the northern-based National Congress Party) have given Sudanese intelligence officers. The GOSS leaders maintain that the national government intends to intimidate voters in the April 2010 national elections.

February 3, 2010: An international appeals court ruled that Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir can be charged with genocide by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC charged Bashir with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Bashir may now face at least one count of genocide. The Sudanese government responded to the decision by accusing the court of attempting to interfere in Sudan's upcoming national elections.

February 1, 2010: The UN accuses GOSS of receiving another shipments of arms. It is well known that the GOSS has access to small arms, with Kenya and Uganda identified as “routes” for the weapons. The UN believes GOSS is receiving some heavy weapons as well, but is unclear where they are coming from. Some believe that the heavy weapons are coming from “internal transfers.” That would mean sources in northern Sudan are providing the south with heavy weapons. How is this? Payoffs and corruption are the likely reasons.

January 28, 2010: An African Union (AU) spokesman said that the 2011 referendum on south Sudanese secession could reignite the north-south civil war. Interestingly enough, the spokesman added that Darfur could also seek independence from Sudan if the south became a separate country. This is northern Sudan's nightmare – a break up where Sudan loses territorial control and control of natural resources. What would an independent South Sudan look like? It would have an area of around 640,000 square kilometers (about the size of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda combined). It would have a population of eight to ten million people (remember, no one agrees on census figures). It would also be an oil exporter.

HERE is one of the latest reports from SRS - Sudan Radio Service re Unrest in Jebel Marra - SLM Clashes with SAF or Internal Wrangling?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 - (Nairobi) - The anti-government group, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdelwahid al-Nur faction says its troops clashed with government forces on Monday in Jebel Marra, Western Darfur.

The advisor to the secretary of information in the SLM faction, Musa Ahmed Mohammed, told SRS on Monday that there have been clashes between the movement and government forces in Kidinir and Laba.

[Musa Ahmed]: “A group from the government moved to the area of Kidinir and clashed with a group from Abdelwahid’s SLM yesterday at around 11.30. Our forces however managed to push the government forces backwards and at the moment SLM is in control of that place and also in Laiba. SAF and Janjaweed clashed with our forces yesterday and the day before yesterday. These clashes had a negative effect on the government side and now the SLM is in full control of the Laba area.”

However, another SLM field commander in the Western Jebel Marra section of the Abdelwahid-controlled area, Mohammed Sharaf, denied that clashes with the government occurred, saying that there was internal wrangling within the movement.

[Mohammed Sharaf]: “There were no clashes between the government and us. What happened was that, amongst us there are people who claim that they belong to Abdelwahid’s group and they disagree on the unity issue. We had agreed in the past that there should be unity between us but there are people who do not want unity and they started to create problems with some of the leaders who are pro-unity like Abdallah Abakar and others. And so yesterday they rented around 500 horses from the Arab tribes and entered some SLM areas and stole a lot of things.”

The UNAMID spokesperson, Noureddine Mezni, appealed to those involved to end the fighting.

[Noureddine Mezni]: “We received some reports from Jebel Marra about the tension there and also the fights and clashes between some groups together with reports about the government and Abdelwahid’s group but because we don’t have an office there we can’t give proper details or confirm the reports that we are getting. However, we do appeal to the groups to stop fighting so that the UNAMID can be able to go to that area.”

The attacks come while other anti-government groups who have been meeting in Doha since 24 January are seeking to reach common ground ahead of direct talks with the government delegation.

Security situation in Darfur, Sudan Feb 16, 2010 - UNAMID hails arrival of helicopters from Ethiopia - Soudan: attaque contre la MINUAD (16 février)

From EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 /via APO
UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2010-02-16:

Security situation in Darfur
The security situation in Darfur remains relatively calm but unpredictable. UNAMID continues to monitor the escalating tensions in South and West Darfur.

UNAMID military forces conducted 116 patrols including routine, short range, long range, night, and Humanitarian escort patrols, covering 71 villages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps during the reporting period.

UNAMID police advisors also conducted 96 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID hails arrival of tactical helicopters from Ethiopia
The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) today received five MI-35 tactical helicopters from Ethiopia. The helicopters arrived in Nyala, South Darfur, with 15 pilots and crew members onboard. They will join a 185 member advance team, including pilots, technicians and protection force, which arrived last month.

UNAMID JSR Ibrahim Gambari has expressed his most sincere gratitude to the Ethiopian government for this latest contribution to the Mission indicating that the helicopters will provide rapid response to areas which had been difficult to access by ground. “My hope is that other member states will come to the Mission’s assistance in providing critically needed aviation assets,” he added. UNAMID still requires 18 utility helicopters and two transport units.

The tactical helicopters will largely be used for troop deployment and monitoring the security situation in Darfur.

Ethiopia’s current contribution to the Mission includes a medium transport company, an infantry battalion, an engineering unit and a multi-role logistics company.

Inauguration of UNAMID/UNDP projects in Ardamata Prison in West Darfur
In a joint effort to assist the prison system in Darfur, UNAMID Rule of Law and UNDP inaugurated yesterday the “Legal Aid and Literacy Programme for Female Inmates” at Ardamata Prison in El Geneina, West Darfur. The launch is part of a broader support programme to assist the prison system in Darfur.

The two organizations will establish a mechanism to coordinate prison development and programmes in West Darfur, as well as in North and South Darfur; provide support training and human resource development for prison staff; upgrade infrastructure, including water, sanitation and healthcare; and, vocational training programmes for rehabilitations of prisons throughout the region.

The launch was attended by senior officials from UNAMID and UNDP as well as senior Government of Sudan officials including the Director of the Prison of Ardamata, Chief Justice of West Darfur, Government of Sudan Deputy Commander, Minister of Social Welfare and the Advisor to the Wali (Governor) on Women and Children in West Darfur.

The Mission will continue to work closely with the government to build the institutional capacity of the prison system throughout Darfur.

SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

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Update Wed 17 Feb 2010 16:45 PM GMT UK

Soudan : attaque contre la MINUAD (16 février 2010)
From African Press Organization (APO):

PARIS, France, 17 février 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — La France condamne avec la plus grande fermeté l’attaque perpétrée le 16 février contre la Mission des Nations unies et de l’Union africaine au Darfour (MINUAD) qui a fait 7 blessés parmi les soldats pakistanais de la force de paix.

Nous appelons les autorités soudanaises à faire toute la lumière sur cette attaque inadmissible contre une force de maintien de la paix et demandons à ce que ses auteurs soient poursuivis en justice dans les meilleurs délais.

La France réaffirme son plein soutien à l’action de la MINUAD et de ses personnels en faveur de la sécurité des populations civiles au Darfour.

SOURCE: France – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Sudan: Chief Electoral Affairs Officer of UNMIS urges journalists to report objectively and responsibly during the general elections

Quote of the Day

“It is incredibly important for journalists to verify information. They must not spread rumors and they should try to reflect the opinion of experts as well as the diversity of opinion within Sudanese society and I think in that way we can help these elections to be peaceful." - James Ray Kennedy, Chief Electoral Affairs Officer of UNMIS, 11 Feb 2010

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum on Thursday, the Chief Electoral Affairs Officer of UNMIS, James Ray Kennedy, urged Sudanese journalists and international correspondents to report objectively and responsibly during the general elections. (See full report here below).

P.S. Thank you to the Sudan Watch readers who have sent in news for publication here. I have not forgotten you. At this very delicate and sensitive time for Sudan and its neighbouring countries, I am mindful of how quickly information (and rumours and falsehoods) can spread via computers, mobile texting, phones, satellite receivers and word of mouth (note how a translation error led to an international incident). As usual, I endeavour to be careful and verify information published here. I want peace for Sudan and for all of its inhabitants (animals included) to have access to food, safe drinking water and medical care. God bless the peacemakers, journalists and children of Sudan and keep them safe from harm.

Election Campaign Begins in Sudan

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 15 February 2010:

(Khartoum) - The elections campaign was officially launched on Saturday ahead of the general elections scheduled for April.

The NCP presidential candidate, Omar al-Bashir, launched his campaign at the Al-Hilal football stadium in Khartoum on Saturday.

The SPLM candidate Yasir Arman launched his campaign on Sunday, from the house of the late Ali Abdel-Latif, a prominent nationalist figure who led a resistance movement against the British in 1924.

SRS asked two political analysts for their impressions of the beginning of the campaign.

Taj Al-Sir Maki spoke to SRS from Khartoum.

[Taj Al-Sir Maki]: “I think that the launch of the NCP campaign was not all that successful at Al-Hilal stadium, despite the fact that the NCP has been controlling the media for 20 years. But the SPLM campaign which started from the house of the late hero Abdel Latif, was stronger because they are introducing a new project and they haven’t been tested yet. They are introducing a new project and they are calling for voluntary unity in Sudan, calling for a democratic Sudan that all Sudanese are calling for generally. The NCP campaigns came to support the same leadership everybody knows. So from my point of view, the NCP campaign didn’t present anything new.”

Prof. Al-Tayib Zain Al-Abdin also expressed his views about the launch of the elections campaign.

[Prof. Al-Tayib Zain Al-Abdin]: “In fact, the election campaign started for all political parties, not just the NCP and the SPLM. The Popular Congress Party and the Sudan Communist Party launched their campaigns as well. Generally, the campaigns have started smoothly and all political parties were allowed to conduct peaceful marches around Khartoum, which was not allowed before, and that is a good thing. It seems that the NCP launched their campaign in Al-Hilal stadium to attract Al-Hilal fans and they funded the Al-Hilal team without announcing it. Arman launched his campaign at the Abdel Latif house, because he wanted it to be a symbol of unity between south and north. Arman is really busy to ensure that there should not be a clear separation between south and north, and this line is welcomed.”

Taj Al-Sir Maki and Prof. Al-Tayib Zain Al-Abdin were speaking to SRS about the launch of the election campaign in Sudan.

Photo: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrives to a campaign rally at Al-Hilal Stadium in Khartoum. Bashir launched his re-election bid with great fanfare, extolling his 21 years in power and pledging to the unity of Africa's biggest nation. (AFP/Ashraf Shazly)



Photo: A supporter of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir attends a campaign rally at Al-Hilal Stadium in Khartoum. Bashir faces his first real electoral test in April, when he is being challenged by 11 opposition candidates, among them former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and former rebel leader Yasser Arman. (AFP/Ashraf Shazly)



Photo: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir addresses supporters at the Friendship Hall in the capital Khartoum, 9 February 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah) See news updates at the website of Albashir.
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Kiir launches his election campaign on Saturday, 20 Feb



Photo: Salva Kiir Mayardit, Vice President of The Republic of Sudan, President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS)

The incumbent President of the semi-autonomous region of Southern Sudan and chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is scheduled to officially launch his election campaign on Saturday, 20th February.

Salva Kiir Mayardit was nominated by his ruling party to contest for the post of the president of the Government of Southern Sudan. He will compete against another presidential candidate in the South, Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, chairman of the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC).

Dr. Lam Akol is currently based in Khartoum and has not yet officially launched his campaign in the South.

Full story at Sudan Tribune by James Gatdet Dak, (JUBA) Tuesday, 16 February 2010.
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Chief Electoral Affairs Officer of UNMIS urged journalists to report objectively and responsibly during the general elections

Elections a Litmus Test for Democracy in Sudan Says UNMIS
From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 15 February 2010:

(Khartoum) - The United Nations Mission in Sudan says the forthcoming general elections will be a “litmus test” for democracy in Sudan.

Speaking to SRS in Khartoum on Thursday, the Chief Electoral Affairs Officer of UNMIS, James Ray Kennedy, urged Sudanese journalists and international correspondents to report objectively and responsibly during the general elections.

[James Ray Kennedy]: “It is incredibly important for journalists to verify information. They must not spread rumors and they should try to reflect the opinion of experts as well as the diversity of opinion within Sudanese society and I think in that way we can help these elections to be peaceful. I think if we succeed in holding peaceful and credible elections in 2010 in Sudan, there is a very good chance that we can see elections on a regular basis in Sudan. We have not seen democratic elections on a routine basis in Sudan; it seems to have been more of an exceptional thing rather than a routine thing.”

Kennedy also said that although the war is still going in Darfur, he believes that it is possible to hold peaceful elections in Darfur.

[James Ray Kennedy]: “I think what we need to look at is the voter registration exercise. Voter registration did not reach 100 per cent of the population in Darfur but it reached a very high percentage of the population and it reached it in a very peaceful manner. We hope and believe that it will be possible to have elections in Darfur that are relatively peaceful, that are relatively successful. I say quite often that there is no such a thing as a perfect election anywhere but we are all working to make these elections as good as possible under very difficult circumstances - including in Darfur.”

James Ray Kennedy also urged the people of southern Sudan who are eligible to vote in the referendum to turn out in big numbers and vote in order to determine the future of the Sudan.

Photo: Sudanese women register for national elections in Khartoum, 2009. Presidential hopefuls in Sudan, Africa's largest country, have begun campaigning for the first multi-party poll since 1986. (AFP/File/Ashraf Shazly)
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Arman Meets Darfur SPLM Delegation in Khartoum

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 15 February 2010:

(Khartoum) - The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’s presidential candidate, Yasir Arman, met an SPLM delegation from Darfur on Thursday and Friday in Khartoum.

In the meeting, the SPLM leaders discussed the political, humanitarian and security situation in Darfur.

One of the delegates, the SPLM secretary in Western Darfur state, Mohamed Abubakar Juma, spoke to SRS from Khartoum on Saturday.

[Mohamed Abubakar]: “Among the issues discussed regarding the Darfur crisis was the insecurity and also the difficulty in reaching some of the voters in most areas. We have also talked about the current Doha talks in relation to the general election. After the meeting, we agreed that we should request the government and the Elections Commission to coordinate with the international community for the sake of free and fair elections. Some of the things we have agreed on were that the emergency conditions should be lifted. The Darfur crisis must be solved quickly and also we must work together with UNAMID.”

The Darfur SPLM leaders also called for the quick resolution of the Darfur conflict before the general elections in April. They also called on the anti-government groups to unite and fight as one for Darfur.

Photo: A girl digs for mud to make bricks, in the Abu Shouk camp outside El Fasher, North Darfur, 9 February 2010. Picture taken 9 February 2010. (Reuters/Andrew Heavens)



Photo: A displaced boy wears a t-shirt printed with a picture of U.S. President Barack Obama, in the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, 8 February 2010. Picture taken 8 February 2010. (Reuters/Andrew Heavens)

Note (seen on Albashir website, Sudanese Press in brief, Thursday, 11 February 2010): (Alraid) - Obama's brother is in Khartoum to participant at the meeting of Munazzamat al-Da’wa al-Islamiia.
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UMMA Party Heals Divisions and Unites

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 15 February 2010:

(Juba) - The UMMA National Party and the UMMA Reform and Renewal party have decided to unite under the umbrella name of the UMMA National Party.

The Chairman of the UMMA Reform and Renewal party, Mubarak Al Fadil, told SRS from Juba on Sunday that the unity of the parties came at a very critical time.

[Mubarak Al Fadil]: “The announcement of the political unity between the two parties came at a critical time in Sudanese politics. There are so many important issues going on, among them are the referendum in 2011 which might lead to the secession of a beloved part of the nation, and at the moment Sudan is witnessing a war in Darfur and instability in Southern Darfur, the Nuba mountains and the east. Sudan is indeed undergoing a lot of problems and there is a possibility that the nation might break into so many parts.”

Al Fadil also said the unity of the UMMA party is a step in the right direction. He said that it will play a major role in stabilizing the nation and supporting peace in Sudan.

Photo: Relatives and students carry the body of Darfuri student Mohamed Musa in Omdurman locality in Khartoum, 15 February 2010. Armed riot police surrounded hundreds of protesters at the funeral of Musa, 23, who colleagues said was tortured and killed by Sudanese authorities in a case that has sparked tensions ahead of elections. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)



Photo: Sudan-appointed special prosecutor Nimr Mohamed addresses a news conference at the U.N. offices in the capital Khartoum, 11 February 2010. Mohamed, Sudan's special prosecutor for crimes in Darfur, has not charged or tried anyone, and the government must speed up trials or lose the confidence of the people, a U.N.-appointed human rights expert said on Thursday. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
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SPLM to discuss NCP’s suggestions to resolve South Kordofan election boycott

From Mirayafm, Tuesday, 16 February 2010:

The Political Bureau of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) will meet on Tuesday to discuss the suggestions of National Congress Party (NCP) to resolve the SPLM boycotting the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in South Kordofan State, SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum confirmed to Miraya FM.

Earlier the Governor of South Kordofan State, Ahmed Haroun, who leads the NCP delegation to Juba, delivered a message from the Chairman of the NCP, Omer Al Bashir, to the SPLM Political Bureau, suggesting solutions to overcome the crisis.

Meanwhile, Amum also told Miraya FM that the SPLM Political Bureau will hold a meeting to make a final decision on party members who chose to contest as independent candidates.

Darfur peacekeepers get helicopters after long wait

On Tuesday, Sudan's neighbour Ethiopia became the first country to respond to the call by sending five tactical helicopters to Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, said UNAMID.

"This will make a huge difference ... Only one country has been able to help us. An African country has supported us," force spokesman Noureddine Mezni told Reuters.

"We still need more, at least 18 in total. Up to now we have had zero tactical helicopters ... Imagine managing without this mobility in such a huge area."

Full story: Reuters, Tuesday, 16 February 2010.
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Sudan Sports Latest

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 15 February 2010:

(Nairobi) - Al Hilal FC won the Bani Yas friendly tournament cup after defeating the hosts Bani Yas on Saturday.

The match officially finished with a 2-2 draw leading to the penalty kicks which ended 5-4. Al Hilal’s striker Mohamed Al Tahir was awarded the tournament’s top scorer trophy.

Only four teams participated in the friendly mini-tournament which was organized by Emirates’ Bani Yas FC to celebrate the opening of the club’s new stadium.

Meanwhile, Al Merriekh FC on Sunday drew one-nil with their Ethiopian hosts Saint George during the preliminary round of the African Champions’ league.

The team returned to Khartoum on Monday morning after being away from the country for about four weeks.

And in other football news, in Rwanda, Amal Atbara FC lost their African Union Confederation Cup game against Rwanda’s Atrako 2-0 on Sunday.

And finally in Khartoum, the teenage football team from the state of Equatoria won the first National Junior Football Championship after defeating Al Jazeera 2-1 in the finals on Saturday at the Inkhaz stadium.

With special credit and thanks to:

Charles Haskins
News Programming Advisor
Sudan Radio Service (SRS)
A project of Education Development Center
Safaricom: +254 715 05 2924
+254 722 20 8598
Thuraya: +882 1643 339 226
Office: +254 (20) 387 0906
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www.sudanradio.org

Sudan/Chad: New page opened on peace (analysis)

Sudan/Chad: New page opened on peace (analysis)
From Daily Independent (Nigeria) by Paul Arhewe
Monday, 15 February 2010 - via www.afrika.no:

Abuja (Nigeria) - The two 'Horns of Africa' countries which hitherto are torn on each others' flesh have decided this week to let by-gone be by-gone, and turn a new page. Chadian president Idriss Deby made a surprise visit to Khartoum last Monday, after each country has laid several accusations and counter accusations of sponsoring rebels to fight the other's government.

Deby's visit no doubt has really laid a path for peace, as Sudan's president Omar Hassan al-Bashir the following day issued a statement saying his country has completely turned the page in the conflict with Chad.

In his words: "I say to our people in Sudan and in Chad, we have completely turned the page on problems between us. This visit has put an end to the problems between Chad and Sudan," he added.

Bashir has even accepted an invitation from Deby to pay a return visit to N'djamena.

This present peaceful meeting won't be the first time the two oil-producing neighbouring countries are trying to put aside the rancour distorting their peaceful cohabitation.

In March 2008, the two countries entered an accord in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, but it crumbled months later when a major faction of Darfur insurgents, the Justice and Equality Movement, launched an unprecedented attack on Khartoum. The reprisal on Ndjamena, which came as a surprise assault came close to overthrowing Deby's government before his military troops managed to rally and rout the rebels.

Mid January this year, Sudan and Chad okay the deployment of a joint force on their borders, in order to end the presence of rebels on each other's territory and halt their activities as part of normalisation efforts.

As Deby was brokering the peace, he stated "...a calm is not enough. Agreements and protocols alone cannot bring back confidence if politics are not included. It is time to outdo ourselves in order to seal this peace."

"If I am with you today, it's not purely for an accolade, I have come so that we can transform the current calm into definitive peace," he added.

Even Sudan's leader has been flabbergasted by his core enemy's surprise visit. "When we were told that President Deby was coming to Khartoum it was a surprise, but a pleasant surprise," Bashir said.

Bashir said joint projects would be set up in the border area between both countries in order to help those affected by the Darfur conflict.

The two countries have agreed to prevent armed groups from using the territory of either state against the interests of the other and to establish mechanisms to monitor their common border.

Analysts are of the view that al-Bashir is seeking cheap popularity, especially as he is standing to run this April for Sudan's first democratic elections in 24 years. Al-Bashir is trying to douse tension in his conflict-devastated state ahead of the April elections.

According to Roland Marchal, a senior research fellow and an expert on Chad-Sudan at France CERI international research institute, "Bashir will need to get an international community that is not too critical. It makes sense, especially as Chad has committed itself to not supply equipment to the Darfur rebels."

According to United Nations' estimate, about 300,000 deaths were recorded when non-Arab insurgents took up arms against Darfur people in early 2003. But President al-Bashir put the death toll at 10,000. About 2.7 million people have fled their homes and been displaced in eastern Chad and western Sudan because of bloodletting clashes with these areas.

The war broke out when Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) began attacking government targets and installations. The rebels were accusing Sudan of oppressing black Africans in favour of Arabs Janjaweed militia - who are accused of trying to "cleanse" black Africans from large swathes of territory.

Sudan government following the attacks then mobilised a self-defence militias. The government denies any links to the Arab. Al-Bashir has called the Janjaweed "thieves and gangsters".

But refugees have refuted Sudan's government stance, saying air raids by government aircraft would be followed by attacks from the Janjaweed, who would ride into villages on horses and camels, slaughtering men, raping women and stealing whatever they could find.

The international community has blamed President Bashir on the crisis, and issue an arrest warrant on him last year. Even, last week another fresh charge was approved by the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, Africa Union (AU) has refused to honour ICC warrant on the sitting president.

The international community has welcomed this new initiative towards peace in these Horn of Africa countries.

No doubt, the new peace deal with not only be a relief to the people within this war-torn zone, but an economic benefits to other Africa countries, and international organisations who spend their resources in sending military peace-keeping force and relief materials.

The United States has congratulated the Governments of Chad and Sudan on the signing of the January 15 agreements in N'Djamena to normalize relations.

We believe that the normalization of Chad-Sudan relations provides an important opportunity to advance ongoing international efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the situation in Darfur, and we call on the Governments of Chad and Sudan to contribute actively and appropriately to these peace efforts. This agreement will also enhance regional stability and promote economic growth.

The UN has lauded the "positive step" between the Sudan and Chad governments in securing their common borders and joining resource to combating rebels.

The Assistant-Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Dmitry Titov, told the Security Council that "While the challenges in Darfur remain enormous, there is a hope and an opportunity that the coming year will bring positive changes for the region".

Security situation in Darfur Feb 15, 2010 - UNAMID honours Ugandan police advisors

Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, Monday, 15 February 2010/APO
UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2010-02-15

Security situation in Darfur
The security situation in Darfur remains relatively calm but unpredictable.

UNAMID military forces conducted 110 patrols including routine, short range, long range, night, and Humanitarian escort patrols, covering 89 villages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps during the reporting period.

UNAMID police advisors also conducted 96 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID honours Ugandan police advisors
In recognition of their contributions to the promotion of security and stability in the region, UNAMID today awarded peacekeeping medals to 115 Ugandan police advisers.

The medal parade was held at the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, and attended by Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari, Deputy Joint Special Representatives Henry Anyidoho and Mohamed Yonis, Force Commander Lt Gen Patrick Nyamvumba and other senior UNAMID officials and personnel.

Congratulating the officers, JSR Gambari thanked them for their selfless service and determination. He also expressed sorrow over the three Ugandan peacekeepers who have lost their lives in Darfur since UNAMID was established, but urged the advisors to redouble their efforts and continue “the higher cause of serving humanity.”

Ugandan ambassador to Sudan, and guest of honour, Ms. Betty Akech, conveyed her country’s pride in being a part of the Mission and applauded the medallists for continuing to carry out their duties in the face of numerous challenges.

Uganda has contributed a total of 135 police officers to UNAMID. In addition to their mandated tasks, UNAMID police officers have been training local police in preparation for the upcoming general elections.

SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

News from SRS - Sudan Radio Service:

15-Feb-2010

• Election Campaign Begins in Sudan
• Four Die in Jonglei Clashes
• Arman Meets Darfur SPLM Delegation in Khartoum
• Elections a Litmus Test for Democracy in Sudan Says UNMIS
• UMMA Party Heals Divisions and Unites
• Sudan Sports Latest

12-Feb-2010

• Half Lakes State Population May Starve
• NCP and PCP in Conflict over Darfur Conflict
• Supreme Court Dismisses SPLM-DC Objection
• Ugandan Trade Fair Opens in Juba
• Sudan Sports Latest
• Darfur Anti-Goverment Groups Suggest Postponing Elections
• Southern Sudan Gripped By Election Fever
• SPLM Independent Refuses to Resign From Party
• SPLM Has Unfair Advantage On the Airwaves Claim UDF
• Sudan Sports Latest

11-Feb-2010

• Two Die in Kass IDP Camp Attack
• Jimmy Carter Declares "Complete Confidence" in NEC During Sudan Visit
• Three GOSS Officials to Answer Human Rights Charges in Yambio
• SSAC Launches Anti-Corruption Campaign in South
• New GOSS Boss Arrives in Nairobi
• Sudan Sports Latest

Security Situation in Darfur Feb 8, 2010 - JSR departs for Doha to support peace talks - Humanitarian assessment in Mou, North Darfur

Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, February 8, 2010/APO):
UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2010-02-08

Security situation in Darfur
The security situation in Darfur remains relatively calm but unpredictable.

UNAMID military forces conducted 99 patrols including routine, short range, long range, night, and Humanitarian escort patrols, covering 89 villages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps during the reporting period.

UNAMID police advisors also conducted 191 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

JSR departs for Doha to support peace talks
UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari has today departed for Doha, to provide his support to the ongoing peace process. He is accompanied by the Mission’s Force Commander and the Directors of Civil and Political Affairs.

Tomorrow, Mr. Gambari will meet with Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé, members of the Qatari Foreign Ministry, senior Sudanese government officials, as well as the representatives of rebel movements who are already in Doha. Sudanese-Chadian relations will be discussed, as well as the region’s security and political situations in the face of the upcoming general elections.

The JSR will resume the consultations initiated during the 14th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa last week, where he outlined the Mission’s priorities. With the Mission’s deployment now nearing 80%, Mr. Gambari has indicated that UNAMID’s focus lay in supporting the Darfur peace process and in helping to secure stability by enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in the region.

Humanitarian assessment in Mou, North Darfur
Yesterday, UNAMID conducted an inter-agency mission to Mou, a small village approximately 100 kilometres outside El Fasher, North Darfur, which had seen much conflict in the last few months, most recently in December 2009. The Mission, along with OCHA, IOM and WHO, gathered information on the security situation and the population’s food, water and health care needs, as well as assessed displacements and possible returns to the area.

The village was found to be in grave need of humanitarian aid. Owing to the drought during the last farming season, water is scarce and most of the villagers are dependent on rations. The region’s only health care facility is a small building which has been looted and burned and has had no medical personnel since September 2009. As a result, childbirth complications, diarrhea and malaria are common causes of death.

Following the visit, the mission drew up a series of recommendations including the need for increased patrols, more schools, greater access to medical care, and added water resources.

Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

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