UNAMID: Sudan govt's dealing with Kalma camp incident contradicts signed deal - Large regions of Kalma deserted

AN inter-agency mission carried out from 4 to 8 August and covering eleven villages near Nyala, South Darfur, western Sudan estimates that around 450 to 500 households have arrived there from Kalma IDP camp, South Darfur.

The United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) team recommended immediate humanitarian intervention to all eleven villages, even those where no Kalma refugees were found, due to dire conditions, especially in sanitation, health and education.

The head of UNAMID, Ibrahim Gambari, said that threatening and setting a date for handing over culprits of the Kalma camp incidents does not conform to signed deals between the mission and the Sudanese government.

At a press conference held in Khartoum at the beginning of this week, the Governor of South Darfur State, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, disclosed the government's intention to remove Kalma camp described as military base and political platform for Abdel Wahid Al-Nur.

There was an exchange of gunfire at Kalma camp, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday. "The situation in Kalma remains tense and insecure," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. "There were reports of gunfire overnight." It was not clear who fired the shots, though there has been sporadic fighting between supporters of Darfur peace talks in Doha and those who oppose the talks.

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations says that the Joint AU-UN Special Representative, Ibrahim Gambari, and the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator, George Charpentier, travelled with Government interlocutors to the Kalma camp on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 for meetings with senior authorities in Nyala. They discussed the need to find amicable and practical solutions to resolve the situation and ensure protection for all displaced people and civilians.

SOURCES: Five reports here below.

SUDAN: Thousands struggle to survive as Kalma aid cut off
Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
Date: 12 Aug 2010 /via ReliefWeb - excerpt:

NAIROBI, 12 August 2010 (IRIN) - Humanitarian access to Kalma, the largest settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan's Southern Darfur State remains cut off ten days after the government blocked UN agencies and the last five NGOs still operating in the camp from distributing food and medical aid to an estimated 82,000 IDPs. [...]

At a press conference held in Khartoum at the beginning of this week, the Governor of South Darfur State, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, disclosed the government's intention to remove Kalma camp described as military base and political platform for Abdel Wahid Al-Nur.

More gunfire at Darfur camp, aid workers barred: UN
Source: Reuters by Louis Charbonneau
Date: Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 14:17 GMT - excerpt:

UNITED NATIONS - There was an exchange of gunfire at a refugee camp in Sudan's western Darfur region that has been the focus of a tense standoff between international peacekeepers and Khartoum, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.

Sudan has demanded that U.N.-African Union peacekeepers in Darfur (UNAMID) hand over six Darfuris accused by Khartoum of instigating clashes in South Darfur's Kalma Camp in late July that killed at least five people. UNAMID has refused to do so.

"The situation in Kalma remains tense and insecure," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. "There were reports of gunfire overnight."

It was not clear who fired the shots, though there has been sporadic fighting between supporters of Darfur peace talks in Doha and those who oppose the talks.

UN - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 /via ISRIA
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Excerpt:

The situation in Kalma in Darfur remains tense and insecure, according to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). There were reports of gunfire overnight. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations says that the Joint AU-UN Special Representative, Ibrahim Gambari, and the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator, George Charpentier, travelled with Government interlocutors to the Kalma camp today for meetings with senior authorities in Nyala. They discussed the need to find amicable and practical solutions to resolve the situation and ensure protection for all displaced people and civilians.

Darfur/UNAMID Daily Media Brief
Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
El Fasher Darfur, western Sudan
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 /via APO Thursday, 12 August 2010:

Security situation update
The general security situation in and around Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur is relatively calm, but remains unpredictable. UNAMID troops continue to patrol the area, 24 hours a day.

A UNAMID team which visited Kalma camp yesterday has reported that large regions of the settlement appeared deserted, the inhabitants having left for either the nearby UNAMID Community Policing Center, Nyala or one of the surrounding villages.

An inter-agency mission carried out from 4 to 8 August and covering eleven villages near Nyala estimates that around 450 to 500 households have arrived there from Kalma. The team recommended immediate humanitarian intervention to all eleven villages, even those where no Kalma refugees were found, due to dire conditions, especially in sanitation, health and education.

UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 102 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 93 villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID police advisors conducted 145 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

Government's dealing with Kalma Incident contradicts signed deal says UNAMID
Source: Miraya FM
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 20:11
Last Updated Thursday, 12 August 2010 10:43

The head of the United Nations/African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Ibrahim Gambari, said that threatening and setting a date for handing over culprits of the Kalma camp incidents does not conform to signed deals between the mission and the Sudanese government.

In the same context, Mutrif Siddiq, the state minister of humanitarian affairs confirmed that the demands made by the government of southern Darfur are as follows, handing over of the perpetrators of the Kalma incidents, re-locating the camp, rehabilitate those who fled the camp to other areas.

- - -

News from SRS - Sudan Radio Service:

Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010

• 6 Million Sudanese Pounds Recovered From GOSS Payroll Cleansing
• GOSS Captures Militias Allied To Renegade General George Athor
• Civic Education On Referendum To Be Conducted In Unity State
• Episcopal Bishops in southern Sudan Against Any Delay Of The Referendum
• Schools Re-open In Rumbek After One Month Closure

Tuesday, 10-Aug-2010

• Referendum To Be Conducted As Scheduled
• Civil Servants To Receive Pensions
• Campaigns To Support Southern Sudan’s Secession Kicks Off In Malakal
• Kenya Airways Flight To Juba Reports Technical Difficulties
• Unity State Government Reconciles With Opposition Group
• Security Situation In CES Calm
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Ramadam in Sudan: Restaurants stay open in Khartoum - Gambari urges Darfurians to pray for peace

THE chairman of the non-Muslim commission in Khartoum, Joshua Dau, has affirmed continuity of the last year's deal between the commission and the localities, which stipulates opening all restaurants in Khartoum to give non-Muslims and those who are unable to fast a chance of having their meals during Ramadan.

Source: Miraya FM - Thursday, 12 August 2010 02:50
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Gambari urges Darfurians to pray for peace during Ramadan
Source: www.afriquejet.com
Date: Thursday, 12 August 2010:

(Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) - Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the AU-UN Joint Special Representative for Darfur, on Wednesday appealed to the people of Darfur on the occasion of the Ramadan, saying the Islamic fasting month 'is not a time for violence, but for reconciliation', PANA reported from here.

'On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, I would like to take the opportunity to convey my best wishes to the people of the Sudan and of Darfur in particular.

'May the light of this holy month of purity in thoughts and deeds touch us all and engage us in generosity and charity,' Gambari stated.

He urged all Darfurians to let the spirit of Ramadan prevail and 'to take this chance to extend a hand to those in need and to pray that peace and stability grace this land.'

Dar es Salaam - Pana 12/08/2010

S. Sudan army SPLA captured Khartoum-destined 'copter carrying militias allied to Athor -SPLA resists UNMIS patrols on border between south and Darfur

THE President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the First Vice President of the Republic, has directed the legal authority in the region to prosecute the captured officers from the rebels led by the former SPLA General, George Athor Deng.

The officers including Athor’s third person in command were captured in a helicopter on transit at Fulluj airport in Upper Nile state as the plane was returning from Jonglei state to Khartoum.

The SPLM’s Secretary-General, Pagan Amum, told reporters in a press conference in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Tuesday that the South Sudan army, SPLA, on 8 August captured the helicopter after it landed in Fulug county airport, Upper Nile State, on its way back from Athor’s strongholds in the Fangak area.

SOURCES: See reports below from SRS and Sudan Tribune

GOSS Captures Militias Allied To Renegade General George Athor
Source: SRS - Sudan Radio Service
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010:

(Khartoum) - The Government of Southern Sudan says it has captured a helicopter from Khartoum at Faluj airport in Upper Nile State carrying militias allied to renegade General George Athor.

The S-P-L-M Secretary-General Pagan Amum was speaking in Khartoum on Tuesday.

[Pagan Amum]: “On the 8th of August 2010, a cargo helicopter left Khartoum and landed at Faluj airport in Upper Nile State. From there, it flew to Fanjag to areas controlled by George Athor, who rebelled against the G-O-S-S in order to destabilize security in Southern Sudan. The plane returned to Faluj and when it landed at Faluj airport, a force from the S-P-L-A besieged the plane and searched it and found on the plane a group of leaders who belong to Athor under the leadership of the third in command of Athor’s forces. They were on their way to Khartoum and they have been arrested together with the helicopter crew.”

Amum said the G-O-S-S has launched an investigation into the incident.

[Pagan Amum]: “Now G-O-S-S has decided to launch an investigation in order to reveal in a transparent and complete manner that there are people in Khartoum that are supporting Athor’s group with a lot of things and they are working with him openly in order to destabilize security in Southern Sudan and this is a dangerous development to disrupt the peace process and spoil the process leading up to the conduct of the self-determination referendum for Southern Sudan.”

Mister Amum said those involved in will be brought to justice.

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South Sudan captures Khartoum-destined helicopter with rebels on board
Source: Sudan Tribune
Published: Wednesday 11 August 2010

August 10, 2010 (BOR/KHARTOUM) — South Sudan said it has impounded a Khartoum-destined cargo helicopter carrying men loyal to Gorge Athor, the man behind a rebellion against the government of the semi-autonomous region. The ruling party in southern Sudan, SPLM, accused "quarters in northern Sudan of supporting the renegade general in order to destabilize the south".

However, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the north has rejected the SPLM’s claims, dismissing them as "false accusations" whose aim is to "run away from the reality of the unstable security situation in the south."

North and South Sudan fought a civil war for two decades. The war ended when the SPLM and the NCP signed a peace deal dubbed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, giving the mainly Christian-animist south autonomous role from the Muslim-dominated north and promises of a referendum on independence due in January 2011.

The SPLM’s Secretary-General, Pagan Amum, told reporters in a press conference in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Tuesday that the South Sudan army, SPLA, on 8 August captured the helicopter after it landed in Fulug county airport, Upper Nile State, on its way back from Athor’s strongholds in the Fangak area.

The former independent election candidate Gorge Athor staged a rebellion against south Sudan’s government last April after he lost gubernatorial elections in Jonglei State to the SPLM’s candidate Kuol Manyang Juuk. General Athor refused to concede defeat and claimed vote rigging. Athor had served with the SPLA during two decades of civil war and was promoted to be the SPLA’s deputy Chief of General Staff for Moral Orientation after the signing of the CPA in 2005.

"After landing in Fulug, SPLA forces raided the helicopter to find a group of Athor’s loyalists, including the third-in-command of his group, on their way back to Khartoum” said Amum, adding that "all men were arrested along with the helicopter’s crew".

Intelligence sources in Jonglei state, speaking on condition of anonymity to Sudan Tribune, said that "the former commissioner of Pigi county, James Yhor, and other senior Athor’s military men were the ones found in the helicopter". The sources further added that the detained rebels were wounded and heading for hospital in northern Sudan to receive medical treatment.

Amum has also declared that south Sudan will launch a probe into the case, considering it as "a serious development indicating that some quarters in Khartoum were supporting Athor in order to undermine security and stability in the south and obstruct the referendum".

News of capturing the helicopter by the SPLA was first reported by the subtly pro-government Alray Alamm newspaper on 9 August. The paper, which said that the helicopter belongs to Sudanair, Sudan’s national airlines company, quoted "a high-ranking source" as saying that the helicopter was "chartered by Fangak Aid Organization to transport aid materials".

For its part, the NCP’s official spokesman, Fathi Shillah, accused Pagan Amum of "launching hollow and false accusations" against the NCP in order to "run away from the reality of security instability in the south".

In statements published by the state-run Sudan Media Center last night, Shillah demanded that the SPLM intervenes and releases the helicopter and make an apology for the SPLA’s actions.

He reiterated that the NCP respects the existing partnership with the SPLM alongside its commitment to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

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Kiir directs for prosecution of captured officers of renegade George Athor
Source: Sudan Tribune
Published: Thursday, 12 August 2010:

August 11, 2010 (JUBA) – The President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the First Vice President of the Republic, has directed the legal authority in the region to prosecute the captured officers from the rebels led by the former SPLA General, George Athor Deng.

The officers including Athor’s third person in command were captured in a helicopter on transit at Fulluj airport in Upper Nile state as the plane was returning from Jonglei state to Khartoum.

The Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and minister of Peace and CPA Implementation, Pagan Amum, announced the fate of the officers while addressing the press in Khartoum on Wednesday. He said Athor’s officers were found on board the helicopter destined for Khartoum and were immediately arrested.

Athor rebelled against the government after he was declared loser in the April gubernatorial elections in Jonglei state against the incumbent governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, whom he accused of allegedly rigging the votes.

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SPLA resists UNMIS patrols on border between south and Darfur
Source: Sudan Tribune
Published: Thursday 12 August 2010 - excerpt:

August 12, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), told the UN Security Council (UNSC) last week that the southern Sudanese army had resisted their efforts to patrol the area of south Sudan that borders the troubled western state of Darfur.

Major-General Moses Bisong Obi said August 6 that the area was of particular concern. He told the UNSC that the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) had often resisted UNMIS efforts to send patrols to the area.

UNMIS Helicopter Hijacked

Also in his statement to the UNSC Bisong ‘described incidents in which an UNMIS helicopter had been hijacked and a patrol manhandled.’

The same UN source said that technically the incident was a hijack under international law but downplayed the incident.

Two SPLA soldiers who were being transported on the helicopter between Juba and Malakal had started an argument with the pilot who refused to drop them off at a third destination the source told Sudan Tribune.

There were no guns or violence involved in the dispute, the source said. All weapons on UNMIS flights are stowed in the hold unless the aircraft is on a patrol.

The helicopter landed over an hour later than scheduled and the soldiers involved were arrested by southern Sudanese authorities on arrival said the UN official.

This was a separate incident to the Russian pilot of a UN helicopter kidnapped in Darfur in June and the capture August 10 of a helicopter, which the SPLA claim was carrying Khartoum backed rebels.

The rest of the details on Bisong’s statement to the UNSC can be found on the UN’s website. (ST)

RSF: Sudan's journalists must provide private info including their political views, friends, addresses, bank details and floor plans of their houses

• In a statement posted on its website, the BBC said it hoped ongoing talks with the Sudanese authorities would allow local FM broadcasting to resume. The suspension has deprived the residents of northern Sudan of one of the country’s most important news outlets

• Reporters Without Borders notes the announcement by the director-general of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 7 August that prior censorship of Sudan’s newspapers has been lifted. The government’s media department notified the national media of the decision, which most newspapers reported in their 8 August issues

• Sudan government official recently demanded that the country's journalists must provide private information that includes their political views, friends, addresses, bank details and even the floor plans of their houses

SOURCES: See below.

Sudan Government announces lifting of prior censorship but journalists and media still seriously threatened
Source: Reporters without Borders (RSF)
/via African Press Organization (APO)
Date: August 12, 2010

(KHARTOUM, Sudan) - Reporters Without Borders notes the announcement by the director-general of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 7 August that prior censorship of Sudan’s newspapers has been lifted. The government’s media department notified the national media of the decision, which most newspapers reported in their 8 August issues.

In a news conference on 7 August, the head of the NISS press office said prior censorship had been needed to combat the publication of false reports. Quoting the NISS director-general, he said some articles had aimed to destroy Sudan’s relations with its neighbours. Attempts to stir up division and inter-ethnic hatred had given the authorities no choice but to censor all newspapers, including the responsible ones, he said.

Announcing the lifting of prior censorship, the NISS spokesman thanked all the Sudanese print media on behalf of the director-general for their positive attitude towards the instructions they have received from the censors and for their cooperation with security personnel.

But he warned journalists to behave responsibly and to censor themselves on issues that could threaten national unity. And he added that the Sudanese authorities had a constitutional right to introduce partial or total censorship again whenever national stability and unity were threatened by newspaper articles.

Reporters Without Borders wonders which article of the constitution gives the security services the right they claim to impose censorship. This announcement was designed to make international observers think that press freedom is being restored in Sudan, but in fact it is a slap in the face.

Prior censorship may have been lifted, but the announcement has been accompanied by so many warnings that it is clear that nothing is going to change. The situation will remain the same and journalists will not be able to express themselves freely on key issues such as Southern Sudan’s autonomy.

Reporters Without Borders wrote recently to Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir calling for an end to censorship. Link to the letter: http://en.rsf.org/sudan-reporters-without-borders-writes-13-07-2010,37938.html.

In another example of how Sudanese journalists are kept under surveillance, the security services distributed a questionnaire to them last month with more than 20 detailed questions about such matters as their political affiliation, their home, the plans of their house, the names and professions of their close relatives and their car registration number.

Journalists who have been slow to cooperate have been summoned by security officials and questioned until they provided the required information.

The questionnaire is a serious violation of journalists’ civil liberties and is very intimidatory. When outspoken journalists are sought by the security services, they are now served up on a silver platter. They can be tracked down geographically, socially and politically. The security authorities know their car registration and the plan of their home. Reporters Without Borders is deeply shocked by this measure and worried for the safety of Sudan’s journalists.

This disturbing trend is confirmed by other recent developments. The government told the BBC on 9 August that an agreement allowing it to broadcast its Arabic-language service on local FM frequencies was being suspended until further notice. The BBC’s broadcasts were stopped the same day in four cities in northern Sudan (Khartoum, Port Sudan, Wad Madani and Al-Ubayad).

The authorities insisted that the suspension was the result of the BBC’s failure to comply with the terms of the agreement governing its local operations and had nothing to do with programme content.

In a statement posted on its website, the BBC said it hoped ongoing talks with the Sudanese authorities would allow local FM broadcasting to resume. The suspension has deprived the residents of northern Sudan of one of the country’s most important news outlets. Link to the statement: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10912871.

Sudan is ranked 148th out of 175 countries in the 2009 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

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Sudan suspends BBC radio broadcasts
Source: Roy Greenslade guardian.co.uk/Index on Censorship/CPJ
Date: Thursday 12 August 2010 09.18 BST
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Noteworthy comment at above report from Guardian
by Sosha, 12 Aug 2010, 11:43AM:

How do you suspend a radio station? This a good argument for keeping analogue alive? (Know nothing - just curious).

Sudanese President Bashir directs governors in Darfur to expel foreigners who do not support the elected government

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir waves to Darfur's tribes during a rally to support the Darfur peace talk, in Khartoum Friday, 06 August 2010. (REUTERS/Mohamed Nurdldin Abdallah)

President Bashir Threatens To Expel International Aid Agencies In Darfur
Source: SRS - Sudan Radio Service
Date: Monday, 9 August 2010

(Khartoum) - President Omar al-Bashir has threatened to expel international aid agencies in Darfur.

The threat follows UNAMID’s unwillingness to hand over six IDPs accused of instigating violence in the Kalma camp in South Darfur.

Al-Bashir made the declaration during a recent ceremony held for Darfur leaders in Khartoum on Saturday.

[Al Bashir] “We would like to tell those who have come to help us in Darfur, be it the international NGOs, UNAMID, or the AU, that they should support the elected government, they should remember that there is an elected president and governors and representatives in the newly-elected government. They should know that Sudan has not collapsed. I would therefore like to direct the governors in Darfur to expel the people who are not going to mind their own business. If you came across the likes of those please just expel them the same day and then notify me later.”

Al-Bashir assured the people of Darfur that the government will end the war in the region and promised security in the area.

[Al-Bashir] “We have decided to end the war in Darfur and to secure all the three states of Darfur, and now, as most of you might have heard, we have a new strategy through which we are trying to solve the Darfur crisis not just to take Darfur back to what it was before the war but to make it an even better Darfur.”

However the head of the hybrid peacekeeping operation said on Sunday that UNAMID’s refusal to hand over six IDPs wanted by the government should not damage relations between his mission and the host country.

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Sudanese Embassy: Kalma camp violence meted out by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur's SLM against LJM in retaliation for LJM attending Darfur peace talks

The recent violence in Kalma IDP camp, South Darfur, western Sudan was one clearly meted out by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur's SLM against the LJM in retaliation for the latter's participation in the Doha peace efforts to bring about an end to the restiveness and the humanitarian crisis.

Source: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, WASHINGTON
Press Release: via PRNewswire-USNewswire
Date: Monday, 09 August 2010
Kalma Camp is Meant to Provide Security for Civilians, Not to Serve as an Operation Base for Bandits

The latest incident in Kalma camp and the subsequent response of the UNAMID to the Governments decisive actions are not only a classic demonstration of the international community's refusal to hold criminals accountable for their actions but also it's subtle way of reinforcing the culture of obstruction. It is a bewildering phenomenon that has pervaded throughout the duration of the Darfur crisis and has only emboldened them in their intransigence, thus prolonging the suffering of the people of Darfur to this very day. The recent violence was one clearly meted out by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur's SLM against the LJM in retaliation for the latter's participation in the Doha peace efforts to bring about an end to the restiveness and the Humanitarian crisis.

The UNAMID is supposed to be in these camps to guarantee the safety of the people from heinous acts and criminals of the kind. It is there to facilitate peace by ensuring that no danger befalls the civilians. Yet not only has it failed to fulfill this mandate, it is now protecting the very perpetrators of this violence. The UNAMID has refused to handover Al-Nur's supporters who killed the LJM supporters and in the process driving over 25,000 civilians away from the camp. How does it defend itself? It risks being seen as a conspirator. It is not the first incident either. This particular camp has been a safe haven and base of operations for armed bandits who have continually jeopardized the security of the residents. It is these weapons used in such senseless acts that the government sought to confiscate two years ago when it entered the camp with a warrant only to be fired upon. Scores of innocent civilians were killed in the crossfire. And just a day afterwards, a peacekeeping aircraft was shot down in that camp. Those that are serious about security have to wonder what the point of maintaining such a lawless camp is.

These reprehensible acts are preceded by other egregious atrocities which should have left the world under no illusions as to the real motives of some of these so-called rebel forces. And as Sudan has long insisted, the international community and UNAMID have given SLM Al-Nur and his likes a license to act with impunity by their refusal to hold them accountable for the crimes they commit.

The government has a responsibility towards its people, and a commitment to the resolution of the crisis through peaceful means. Any such acts of obstruction should not be tolerated by anyone who professes to be pursuing peace in Sudan and they will certainly not go unanswered by the Government. The culprits have to account for their actions in front of the Sudanese national judicial system. The Sudanese authorities and all self-respecting institutions expect cooperation and facilitation of this legal process, not obstruction based on prejudices. Sudan is serious about achieving peace and reemphasizes its cooperation with any body working to positively facilitate these efforts.

From The New York Times

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REUTERS

AUGUST 9, 2010

BBC Arabic radio suspended in north Sudan

AFP

AUGUST 9, 2010

Sudan has pulled FM broadcasts: BBC

SUDAN WATCH

AUGUST 8, 2010

Sudan halts BBC broadcasts in Arabic on FM radio frequencies - BBC Arabic in North Sudan still available on short wave, satellite or via BBC website

TIME

AUGUST 7, 2010

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Let the People Decide

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SLM Abdel Wahid Al-Nur gunning for UNAMID Chapter 7 - Joint GOS-UNAMID committee for Kalma, S. Darfur

NOTE to self. This is a vent. In his pursuit for the presidency of Sudan (or is it France's pursuit?) United Nations peacekeepers with Chapter 7 mandate, fighting onside with the "rebels", is what western Sudan's rebel group leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur has been gunning for all along. I know because, here at Sudan Watch over the past six years, I have chronicled many of his utterances.

Note that the below copied extract from Sudan Tribune today shows how he works like a worm, baiting the USA, France and UK into fighting his war for him. I say, bug off to Israel (or Russia or Iran) Al-Nur, you idiotic, greedy, fat, two-faced, forked-tongued, lying, yellow bellied, lily livered, lowlife French Israeli puppet. You make my blood boil. Sorry, bad mood. There is so much misinformation and propaganda flying around, it is making me feel sick. If the BBC is not fully reinstated in Sudan, this blog is going on strike.

Darfur/Kalma focus of discussion between Government, UNAMID
Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
Date: Monday, 09 August 2010 (via APO)

(KHARTOUM, Sudan) - The Joint Special Representative of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Professor Ibrahim Gambari, was received in Khartoum today, at his Ministry, by the Sudanese State Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Mutrif Siddiq, where the discussed the situation in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp of Kalma, near Nyala, in South Darfur.

The JSR thanked Dr. Siddiq and reiterated the Mission’s willingness and commitment to work with the Sudanese Government in a cordial and cooperative manner in challenging situations, in the interests of justice and the people of Darfur.

Professor Gambari expressed the Mission’s regrets and his personal concern over the recent events in Kalma and Hamadiya IDP camps in South Darfur and the negative impacts these might have on the future of the peace process.

He stressed that, while the issue of the six persons who sought refuge in the UNAMID Community Policing Center in Kalma was both serious and delicate, it should not be allowed to create an unnecessary breakdown in communications or mar the existing cordial relations between the Government of the Sudan (GoS) and the African Union – United Nations in Darfur.

The Minister was also briefed on the 5 August talks between the Government and the JSR, during it was agreed to form a joint GoS – UNAMID committee to deal with all issues surrounding the events in Kalma and proffer suggestions to find an amicable solution. Professor Gambari further pledged UNAMID’s commitment to work with authorities to resolve the issue of the proliferation of arms within the camps.

Noting that the Mission has increased the number and robustness of its patrols, as well as the number of military and police personnel deployed to protect the population, the JSR appealed that immediate access be granted to INGOs and humanitarian agencies to provide IDPs with urgently needed assistance, particularly given the current rainy season. He also urged the Government to allow those persons who left the camp to return if they so wished.

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Kalma issue should not impact negatively relations between UNAMID and Sudan - Gambari
Source: Sudan Tribune
Date published: Monday 9 August 2010
Written by: Unknown - Sunday, 08 August 2010 (KHARTOUM). Extract:

Rebel leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur reiterated today his call for the international community to change the mandate of the UNAMID to Chapter 7 in order to enable the largest peacekeeping mission in the world to provide full protection to the civilians in Darfur camps.

Al-Nur said his movement is not against peace in Darfur he also said he exerted the needed efforts to cool down the tension among his supporters to avoid more escalation, he added that the world has the responsibility to prevent the "Final Solution" that Khartoum government implementing on the ground.

The rebel leader said the poor humanitarian situation implies an urgent action from the UN and the international community particularly the USA, France and UK. He also called to put pressure on the government to prevent any further atrocities against the IDPs. He accused the government of preparing to undertake more repression in the camps.

He said Khartoum’s militias cause violence in the camps and the government at the same time hampers the activities of aid groups under pretext of insecurity.

Sudan halts BBC broadcasts in Arabic on FM radio frequencies - BBC Arabic in North Sudan still available on short wave, satellite or via BBC website

DREADFUL news just in from AFP and Reuters. Shortly after midnight, the BBC broadcasts on FM radio in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum could no longer be heard while other stations were operating normally:

"The government ... is stopping the BBC's FM service working in Khartoum, Port Sudan, Medani and el-Obeid and is suspending the agreement signed between the BBC and (the government) from August 9, 2010," said an Information Ministry statement published by the state news agency SUNA on Sunday.

The four locations mentioned are the main towns in the north and the measure would effectively end FM broadcasts in Arabic by the BBC in the north.

BBC Arabic in North Sudan still available on short wave, satellite or via the BBC website.

Full story below. I say, without a shadow of doubt, the Sudanese government is making a terrible mistake by even thinking of stopping any broadcasts by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Without the BBC, people in Sudan and surrounding areas would be forced to receive and share news from other sources that are not as trustworthy, accurate or professional which in the age of mobile phones and the internet could easily and quickly work against the best interests of the Sudanese people and their government.

I think it is of the utmost importance that the BBC is encouraged to broadcast throughout Sudan, southern Sudan and Chad and that all residents of IDP camps in Sudan and Chad are able to receive BBC news uninterrupted. In fact, I think that the Sudanese government ought to ensure, as a matter of urgency, that every Sudanese householder has access to a radio as soon as possible.

Nowadays, too much misinformation is flying around the airwaves and cyberspace which cannot be stopped. The only way to counteract misinformation and propaganda, and ensure there is a mechanism for averting chaos and panic, is to provide an easily accessible news service that is trusted by members of the public. The BBC is a reliable world class news source with expert translators which millions of people around the world trust and turn to for checking news reports and facts. In a war zone, radio is of paramount importance and is much more effective and efficient than television and the internet. In fact, radio, even during peacetime, is a lifeline for everyone.

As part of the preparations for Sudan's referenda and peace talks, I dearly wish that the Sudanese government would distribute, free of charge, a solar powered wind-up radio to each Sudanese householder residing in Sudan or Chad who needs a radio.

The BBC is a public service funded by the people of Britain, not the government. Each householder with a television or radio in Britain pays a compulsory annual license fee to the BBC or faces being fined or jailed. It is the only way we Brits can be sure of having a public news service that is not in the pay of government or business owners with vested interests. I have just checked my bank statement and can confirm that £12.12 is deducted monthly from my bank account to pay for my BBC license. In Sudan, people would be receiving our incredible news service free of charge. The least the Sudanese government could do for its people is to work with the BBC to expand its services throughout Sudan and distribute radios in the name of peace. Think of the children of Sudan, it is their future that is being played with right now.

Sudan to 'suspend' BBC broadcast pact
Report from FOCUS News Agency - Monday, 09 August 2010 01:22:

(Khartoum) - Sudan said Sunday it was suspending its agreement enabling the BBC to broadcast in Arabic on FM radio frequencies for reasons that have nothing to do with its newscasts, AFP reported.

In a statement carried by the official Suna news agency, the information ministry alleged that the British public broadcaster had imported technical equipment via diplomatic courier.

The suspension would take effect on Monday, it said, but it was unclear whether it would entail a halt to broadcasts.

Sudan suspends BBC broadcasts on FM
Report from AFP – Sunday, 08 August 2010 c.11.10 PM GMT UK:

(KHARTOUM) - Sudan halted Monday BBC broadcasts in Arabic on FM radio frequencies after suspending its agreement with the British public broadcaster for reasons it said had nothing to do with its newscasts.

In a statement carried by the official Suna news agency late on Sunday, the information ministry alleged that the BBC had imported technical equipment via British diplomatic courier.

Shortly after midnight, the BBC broadcasts on FM radio in the Sudanese capital could no longer be heard while other stations were operating normally.

The information ministry also took the BBC to task for training schemes in the absence of a "final agreement" with Khartoum, and for broadcasting in the southern Sudanese capital Juba without central government approval.

"The suspension has no connection at all with news broadcast by the BBC from Sudan," the statement said.
With four broadcasting locations inside Sudan, plus shortwave services, the BBC is a major source of news in Sudan, the biggest country in Africa whose population of 40 million mostly speak Arabic.

BBC Arabic radio suspended in north Sudan
Report from Reuters - Sunday, 08 August 2010 11:22pm BST
(Reporting by Opheera McDoom; editing by Andrew Dobbie) - excerpt:

The BBC's licence to broadcast in Arabic on local frequencies in north Sudan will be suspended from Monday, the government announced, citing violations by the broadcaster such as smuggling in satellite equipment.

Many Sudanese, especially Darfuri refugees in camps in the war-torn west, rely on the Arabic-language service and the British broadcaster has a long history in Africa's largest country.

"The government ... is stopping the BBC's FM service working in Khartoum, Port Sudan, Medani and el-Obeid and is suspending the agreement signed between the BBC and (the government) from August 9, 2010," said an Information Ministry statement published by the state news agency SUNA on Sunday.

The four locations mentioned are the main towns in the north and the measure would effectively end FM broadcasts in Arabic by the BBC in the north.

Sudan has often clamped down on local media but generally does not censor foreign news organisations.

The government said the BBC had tried to smuggle in satellite equipment in a diplomatic pouch, that it was working in South Sudan without permission from the central authorities and that the BBC's charitable arm was working in the country without the correct permits.

Visiting journalists often complain Sudanese visas and travel permits to conflict zones once inside the country are difficult to obtain.

All foreigners resident in the country are subject to strict travel restrictions and must obtain permits to visit many of Sudan's regions.

The BBC has previously said it was in talks with the government to continue broadcasting.

"We would be very disappointed if the Sudanese people in northern Sudan were no longer able to access the impartial news and current affairs of BBC Arabic on FM radio," it said in a statement sent to Reuters earlier.

It added the station would still be available on short wave, satellite or via the BBC website.

On Saturday, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir warned foreign organisations including aid agencies they would be expelled if they failed to respect the authority of the government.

Last month Sudan expelled two aid workers from the Geneva-based International Organisation for Migration. [...]

Photo: A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) satellite dish is seen behind houses in west London, October 18, 2007.
Credit: Reuters/Toby Melville

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BBC NEWS IN ARABIC: BBC ARABIC.COM

See Sudan Watch sidebar for links to BBC Persian TV times, satellite position & frequency.
BBC News Arabic website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/
BBC ARABIC.COM - BBC News in Arabic
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SUDANESE JOURNALISTS WELCOME LIFTING OF PRESS GAG


Sudanese journalists welcome lifting of press gag
Report from Sudan Tribune - Monday, 09 August 2010 by Muhammad Osman, August 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) - A Sudanese journalist and a local watchdog of press freedom have welcomed the decision of the Sudanese authorities to lift pre-publication censorship against local newspapers but they both expected the practice to make a comeback soon...

Sudan Tribune journalist receives Human Rights Watch award ‎ Sudan Tribune - Monday, 09 August 2010 August 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Tribune journalist Manyang Mayom was awarded for his 'commitment to free expression and courage in the face of political ...

ICC: Lay off Naomi – Farrow’s the celebrity culprit here - Mia Farrow played a key role in dumbing down the complex conflict in Darfur, W. Sudan

Brendan O’Neill: Mia Farrow is a celebrity imperialist, labouring to save Africa from itself. Never mind Naomi - the really outrageous, diva-esque, crazed celebrity in this story is her accuser, Mia Farrow

• A few years back she was calling for Western militarism in Sudan. As part of the 'Save Darfur' antics she and other celebs arranged for a Black Hawk helicopter to be placed on Second Avenue in New York with a banner pleading: 'Send me to Darfur'.

• Frustrated by the unwillingness of Washington to send the military to Darfur, Farrow held talks with Blackwater, the super-controversial private military firm that wrought so much destruction in Iraq. She was effectively trying to organise her own Mia's Military, to put the mad blacks Over There back in their place.

• She played a key role in dumbing down the complex conflict in Darfur, presenting it to Westerners as a simple case of "good vs evil". And ironically, for an actress who got into bed with the notorious Blackwater outfit, she campaigned extensively to have Khartoum officials sent to The Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity.

• When she failed on that front, too, she had to make do with playing her Hollywood colonialist card at The Hague instead.

Source: Article from The First Post - www.thefirstpost.co.uk
By Brendan O'Neill
Published: Friday, 06 August 2010
Last updated 8:07 AM, Friday, 06 August 2010. Full copy:

Lay off Naomi – Farrow’s the celebrity culprit here
Why is everyone down on Naomi Campbell for accepting diamonds, or what she calls "dirty stones", from former Liberian president Charles Taylor? Never mind Naomi - the really outrageous, diva-esque, crazed celebrity in this story is her accuser, Mia Farrow.

Campbell only did what supermodels do all the time: as she testified at The Hague yesterday, she accepted a pouch of diamonds from men who knocked on her hotel door. She didn't even look in the bag until she'd got her beauty sleep.

Farrow, however, seems to fancy herself as a one-woman saviour of the Dark Continent. Having agitated for war against the savages of Sudan as part of her campaign to 'Save Darfur' a few years ago, she now wants to help reveal The Truth about Charles Taylor, by giving evidence against Campbell, and by extension against the former warlord.

Campbell might be a naive catwalk-strutter, but Farrow is something worse: a celebrity imperialist, labouring under a White Woman's Burden to save Africa from itself.

The actress is due to appear in person at The Hague next week, having already sworn an affidavit asserting that in South Africa in 1997, at a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela, Campbell was given 'blood diamonds' by Taylor's people.

Campbell admitted yesterday that she had received a bag of diamonds, albeit rather miserable dirty ones. But given that there was no note explaining their provenance, she was unable to finger Taylor, as the prosecution had hoped. She also made it very clear that she did not want to attend the trial at The Hague, but had been subpoenaed to attend. "I was made to be here," she said. "This is a big inconvenience for me."

The same cannot be said for Farrow. She couldn't wait to get involved. She scribbled her affidavit and gave a primetime interview with ABC News in which she recalled the events of 1997 and explained the importance of her telling "the truth".

This is because Farrow really does believe she's a whiter-than-white celebrity activist who has a duty to fix those less-white parts of the world.

A few years back she was calling for Western militarism in Sudan. As part of the 'Save Darfur' antics she and other celebs arranged for a Black Hawk helicopter to be placed on Second Avenue in New York with a banner pleading: 'Send me to Darfur'.

Perhaps she has never seen the film Black Hawk Down, which might have given her a clue as to the kind of barbarism that can occur when the Pentagon does send fighter helicopters to African countries (in that instance, Somalia).

Frustrated by the unwillingness of Washington to send the military to Darfur, Farrow held talks with Blackwater, the super-controversial private military firm that wrought so much destruction in Iraq. She was effectively trying to organise her own Mia's Military, to put the mad blacks Over There back in their place.

She played a key role in dumbing down the complex conflict in Darfur, presenting it to Westerners as a simple case of "good vs evil". And ironically, for an actress who got into bed with the notorious Blackwater outfit, she campaigned extensively to have Khartoum officials sent to The Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity.

When she failed on that front, too, she had to make do with playing her Hollywood colonialist card at The Hague instead.
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Campbell demands photo ban at trial
News report from bigpondnews.com - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; 02:51pm - excerpt:
Campbell's lawyer, Lord Macdonald, has written to the United Nations special court requesting a ban on media coverage. ... According to the Sunday Times, Macdonald asked that 'members of the public, the media, the parties and the court not follow, photograph, video record or sketch Miss Campbell's transit to the court within the Netherlands'....

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Mandela party photo that put Naomi Campbell in 'blood diamond' storm‎
War crimes trial of former Liberian president may rest on events surrounding 1997 photograph taken at party in South Africa
Article from The Guardian - guardian.co.uk
By Ed Pilkington in New York
Published: Friday, 23 July 2010 18.06 BST. Full copy:



Nelson Mandela is pictured with guests at a party in South Africa in 1997. The interaction of Charles Taylor, Naomi Campbell and Mia Farrow at the event is likely to come under the spotlight at The Hague when Farrow and Campbell appear as witnesses at Taylor's war crimes trial. Photograph: Sipa Press / Rex Features

The picture speaks volumes. At the centre of a group of 10 people stands Nelson Mandela and beside him his partner and later wife, Graça Machel. On Mandela's other flank is a short man dressed in a military-style jacket with his hand held out as though he, and not the great South African leader, was hosting the gathering.

He is Charles Taylor, and the photograph was taken a month after he was elected president of Liberia. Now Taylor is in prison at The Hague, the first African president to face trial for war crimes.

The events that surround the photograph could prove to be a significant part of the case against Taylor, who is charged with 11 counts including murder, rape and turning children into soldiers.

The picture was taken in 1997 at Mandela's home in Cape Town and the assembled guests, who included Jemima and Imran Khan, the music producer Quincy Jones and Chinese actor Tony Leung, had been invited to mark the opening of South Africa's luxury passenger rail service, the Blue Train.

To Taylor's right is Naomi Campbell, the British model, dressed in an elegant white dress and a cross pendant around her neck. Five people to Taylor's left is Mia Farrow, the actress who starred in Rosemary's Baby and several of her former husband Woody Allen's films.

The interaction of Taylor, Campbell and Farrow is likely to come under the spotlight at The Hague next month when both Farrow and Campbell are due to appear as witnesses.

Their testimony goes to the heart of the case against Taylor – that he obtained illegally procured "blood diamonds" from the Revolutionary United Front rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone, smuggled in mayonnaise jars.

The prosecution alleges he used some of the enormous profits from the sale of the diamonds to traffic weapons to the RUF, thus fomenting and prolonging Sierra Leone's brutal civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Taylor has always denied the charges. "I'm supposed to be such a scumbag that people bring me diamonds in nothing more than a mayonnaise jar? How much more can you demonise me?" he told the court.

But Farrow has claimed that on that night in 1997 Taylor, struck by Campbell's beauty, arranged for the model to be given a rough diamond.

Farrow told ABC News that Campbell told her that during the night Taylor's men "knocked on her door and that they had given her a huge diamond and it was like, Oh my gosh!"

Farrow, who was in South Africa along with some of her children, insists that her memory of the conversation with Campbell is accurate. "You don't forget when a girlfriend tells you she was given a huge rough diamond in the middle of the night," she said.

She said Campbell had told her that she was going to donate the diamond to Mandela's children's charities. She added she thought no more about it until the Taylor prosecution unfolded.

The prosecution at The Hague says the incident corroborates its case that Taylor was involved in trafficking blood diamonds. But Campbell has denied receiving a diamond and has refused to speak on the subject, attempting to avoid appearing before the court.

When ABC News tried to ask her about it she ended the interview and lashed out at a camera. "I didn't receive a diamond and I'm not going to speak about that thank you very much, and I'm not here for that," she snapped.

In May, Campbell told Oprah Winfrey that she had no desire to be involved in the case against Taylor. "He has done some terrible things and I don't want to put my family in danger," she said.
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Naomi Campbell: I handed 'blood diamonds' to Mandela charity
Article from The Daily Telegraph - telegraph.co.uk
By Bruno Waterfield, in The Hague, Aislinn Laing and Caroline Gammell
Published: 9:00PM BST 05 Aug 2010 - excerpt:
Naomi Campbell, the model, told a war crimes tribunal that she gave alleged "blood diamonds" to the head of Nelson Mandela's children's charity...
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More on this story

• Naomi Campbell tells war crimes tribunal of diamonds gift

  Supermodel Naomi Campbell says she received 'dirty looking' stones that she was later told must be diamonds from Charles Taylor

• Live blog: Naomi Campbell at The Hague

• Naomi Campbell at war crimes tribunal

• Naomi Campbell's privacy plea strange for a woman who bathes in limelight

• Naomi Campbell granted special protection during war crimes trial

• Counting the cost of Zimbabwe's 'blood diamonds'

Joint AU-UN chief mediator for Darfur Djibril Bassolé in Paris meeting with Sudan rebel leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur

ACCORDING to Sudan Tribune, the Paris based SLM rebel leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur made a statement (see below) following a meeting with the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé yesterday (Wednesday, August 4th) in the French capital to discuss the latest developments in Darfur following the recent clashes between two groups of the IDPs in Kalma camps over their representation in the peace process.

"We had a very positive and constructive meeting," Al-Nur is quoted as saying.

Note that the statement included urging the UN Security Council to consider changing the mandate of the UNAMID from Chapter 6 to Chapter 7.

Here is the report from Sudan Tribune published Thursday 05 August 2010:

Darfur rebel leader praises UNAMID refusal to handover Kalma residents
August 4, 2010 (PARIS) — Darfur rebel leader, Abdel Wahid Al-Nur today praised the refusal of the joint peacekeeping mission to handover six residents of Kalma camp in South Darfur State wanted by the local authorities after bloody clashes last week.

"We welcome the decision of the hybrid peacekeeping operation (UNAMID) to not handover six Internally Displaced people – five men and one woman—sheltered in its office in Kalma camp," Al-Nur told Sudan Tribune today.

11 people were killed when clashes broke out last week between supporters of Nur and partisans of another rebel group Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) which is conducting talks with the Sudanese government in Doha. The first group contests the IDPs representation by the second group.

The Paris based rebel leader made his statement following a meeting with the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole on Wednesday in the French capital to discuss the latest developments in Darfur following the recent clashes between two groups of the IDPs in Kalma camps over their representation in the peace process.

"We had a very positive and constructive meeting," Al-Nur said. He further stressed that Bassole reassured him about the UNAMID commitment to protect civilians in western Sudan including the six people wanted by South Darfur authorities.

He also said he had spoken all the day with different local leaders urging them to cool down the tension inside the camps and to work hard restore calm and reconciliation between the residents pointing out that "only Sudanese government benefits from such divisions".

Al-Nur said wanted civilians might face torture and killing if they are handed to the Sudanese authorities following a formal demand by South Darfur Governor Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha.

He also said the Sudanese justice is not independent and totally under the control of the government stressing that their handover would create more troubles in the camp.

The rebel leader accused the government of working to dismantle the camp as part of its new policy called "domestication of the peace process".

He further urged the UN Security Council to well consider changing the mandate of the UNAMID from Chapter 6 to Chapter 7 and to give the largest peacekeeping operation the necessary means to fully protect the civilians in the restive region.

Speaking with Sudan Tribune from Kalama camp, two residents who requested not to mention their names said the security forces surround the camp and prevent entry of food to the camp. They also said that women who go outside the camp to bring food to their children are stopped and not allowed to return home.

The UNAMID Daily Media Brief reported today that "no organizations have been allowed to deliver humanitarian aid" to the IDPs in Kalma camp.

Another resident from Kass camp in South Darfur said some one thousand of militiamen gathered today outside the camp and paraded around the area to intimidate the residents.

The same source said they received reports from Zalingei in West Darfur saying some 50 people were arrested by the security service there.

Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) is located near Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, and is home to about 90,000 people, many of whom are supporters of Abdel Wahid Nur. Government forces targeted the camp in a raid that killed dozens of residents in August 2008. (ST)

Click here to read Sudan Tribune report, 31 July 2010: NCP approves new “domestication” strategy on Darfur.

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Report by Radio Dabanga published Wednesday, 04 August 2010:

Darfur rebel chief calls on ICC to investigate camp violence
(DOHA ) - Dr. Tijani Sese strongly condemned the events that occurred last week in Kalma and Hamidiya camps for displaced people. The camps witnessed fighting among the residents, allegedly between factions loyal to Tijani Sese’s rebel coalition and Abdel Wahid Al Nur’s faction, according to initial UN reports. At least ten were killed.

Sese said that what happened is a crime that requires investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In an interview with Radio Dabanga, Sese appealed to displaced people to remain calm and to stop all forms of abuse against each other, which he said weakens the Darfur issue. Sese denied, however, that the Liberation and Justice Movement was involved in the events.