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Sudan

United Nations Sudan Situation Report 14 Aug 2006

Unified Mission Analysis Centre (UMAC)
United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
Khartoum Sudan
Highlights:

- Due to recent clashes, security level raised to Level IV in Phom El Zaraf

- INGO staff members harassed by IDPs in Kalma IDP Camp

General:

On 13 August, President Bashir addressed the closing session of the NCP Leadership Council in Khartoum. According to local press, President Bashir reiterated his opposition to UN forces in Darfur, whether under Chapter VI or VII.

On 13 August, the Government of Uganda s Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga confirmed the death of third in command of the LRA, Raska Lukwiya. Meanwhile, GoU Interior Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda requested international troops to monitor any ceasefire reached with the LRA. Comment: LRA GoU talks in Juba are stalled on the question of the ceasefire; the LRA claims to have declared a unilateral ceasefire, but the GoU has said that any ceasefire must be part of a comprehensive peace agreement.

On 13 August, in Khartoum, Deputy Chairman of SLM-Minawi Dr Al Rayeh Mahmoud announced plans to change the movement s constitution to transform it into a political party.

On 13 August, level talks on the East in Asmara, the Government and Eastern Front wealth-sharing technical committee agreed to form four commissions to monitor revenues, control expenditure, guarantee transparency and boost development in the East, according to local press. The two sides have also agreed to allocate extra funds for the East for post-conflict development.

On 13 August, at a press conference in Khartoum, SPLM spokesperson Yassir Arman announced that the SPLM has formed a parliamentary committee to review legislation which is not compliant with the CPA or the INC. Arman also called for the NCRC to convene as quickly as possible. He also confirmed that the SPLM is in contact with the NRF, the Eritrean Government and SLA leaders Abdul Wahid and Ahmed Abdul Shafi in efforts to convince them to join the Darfur peace process.

On 13 August, Commissioner of the Northern Sudan DDR Commission (NDDRC), Dr Sulafaddeen Saleh announced the start of the Commission s preliminary DDR work in Darfur, including the formation of an Advisory Council comprising all Darfur s tribes to advise the Commission. Dr Saleh confirmed that the SAF, Police, and SLA-Minawi will conduct the disarmament, and welcomed support from the UN and AU for the DDR programs.

On 13 August, leader of the JEM-Wing for Peace, Abdelrahim Abu-Risha, arrived in Khartoum from Nyala. In a statement at Khartoum airport, Abu-Risha emphasized the importance of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultations for the Darfur peace process. Meanwhile, local press reported intense negotiations between SLM-Free Will and JEM Wing for Peace over allocation of positions provided in the power-sharing arrangements of the DPA.

On 13 August, the Government Council of Ministers met in Khartoum. Special Assistant to the President Minni Minawi attended.

On 13 August, in a statement to the official Sudanese news agency, GNU Minister for Transport Kuol Manyang Juk announced plans for roads linking Juba with Kenya, and Kosti with Juba. He also announced that the GoS had signed an MoU with China for the transport sector, and that work had begun on a road linking Kassala with Hameshkoreib. Comment: several of these roads are across old battlelines, and will have longer-term security implications.

On 13 August, at a press conference in Khartoum, the Head of the National Assembly s Information and Telecommunications Committee Yassir Arman announced that the Committee will co-host a workshop on press laws with the National Council of Press and Publications on 20 August.

Military

CRITICAL INCIDENTS

In Western Equatoria, on 12 August, a Dinka tribesman was found dead in Yambio. In reaction to the death, on 13 August, inter-tribal tensions continued as Dinka tribesmen assaulted Zande tribesmen in the local market with sticks. The local police and SPLA Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) intervened to control the situation.

In Jonglei, UNMIS continues to receive reports about the harassment of people and cattle looting by Murle tribesmen in Motot and Uror.

UNMIS Police:

UN Police observed that work on the Quick Impact Project (QIP) at the Northern Police Station has stopped. As there is no water, electricity or plumbing in the police station, the cells are inhabitable for the thirteen persons being held.

Khartoum and Northern Sudan: NSTR North Darfur: NSTR

South Darfur:

On 13 August, a local INGO staff member was threatened and asked to leave by IDPs in Kalma IDP Camp. The IDPs threatened that the staff member would face the same fate as the AU language assistant beaten to death on 8 May. In another incident, on 13 August, two armed men approached an INGO medical team working in Kalma IDP Camp and ordered them to leave. The armed men said that they did not need the INGO in the Sector. The medical team left. Civil Affairs:

On 12 August in Nyala, UNMIS in collaboration with a consortium of 54 NGOs and SUDO conducted a session on the role of civil society in supporting reconciliation and conflict management. The need to disseminate the DPA and DDDC was stressed during the session. The 120 participants agreed that the DPA provided opportunities, which cannot be realized without the political commitment of the signatories and other parties in Darfur. Many challenges to the DPA were observed including the increased number of splinter groups and lack of security.

West Darfur:

On 12 August, armed men looted cattle from Geilu (about 36 km Northwest of Geneina) village. Government Police pursued the looters and exchanged fire.

On 10 August, the Sheik of the Sheiks in Mukjar reported that nine people were killed and five were injured during cattle rustling incidents in Taweel (25 km north of Mukjar).

Southern Sudan:

Returns:

On 12 August, 78 households comprising of 283 returnees were tracked at the new Kosti wharf. The returnees were organized by the Unity State Government and came from Khartoum State on their way to Unity State, namely Panyjar.

Abyei, Blue Nile and South Kordofan: NSTR Eastern Sudan : NSTR Restriction of Movement: NSTR Safety of Personnel: NSTR Casualties: NSTR

Bulletins generally sum up the main events, incidents and developments on the ground in the various areas of UNMIS operation in Sudan. As public records of occurrences, the reports include statements and accounts from a wide range of sources and witnesses such as the internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, representatives of the Government, rebel movements, non-governmental organizations and others. As such, statements and accounts cited in the Bulletin and quoted from such individuals do not necessarily reflect the views of UNMIS.

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