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Sudan

United Nations Sudan Bulletin 20 Oct 2006

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

General:

US Special Envoy Natsios concluded his week-long visit to Sudan. Mr. Natsios visited Juba and Darfur and held discussions with a broad range of Sudanese interlocutors. However, the Sudanese Government's position concerning transition remains unchanged.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it provided $91 million in emergency food aid to support World Food Programme (WFP) operations in Sudan and eastern Chad since October 1, the start of fiscal year 2007, and is WFP's largest food donor.

In Darfur, concerns about spiraling violence continue. In North Darfur, a military build up is taking place, which raises concerns about possible attacks on rebel forces to the North of Kutum. The rebels have informed the UN, upon the request of the SRSG that they will not attack. However, they announced that they would defend themselves if attacked. The SRSG, following his request to use the month of Ramadan as a month of tranquility, has requested all parties to exercise the ultimate restraint and to talk with each other rather than fight.

Government representative Maghzoub el Khalifa stated that the Government is in contact with rebel groups throughout Darfur; but he acknowledged that efforts had not yet been successful.

UNMIS Military

CRITICAL INCIDENTS:

In Central Equatoria, on 18 October, LRA soldiers attacked Gumbo (5 km South of Juba). Four villagers were killed and two were injured.

In Western Equatoria, the Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) Commander in Tambura (470 km Northwest of Juba) said until they receive official instructions from JIU Headquarter in Maridi (240 km West of Juba) then the Joint Monitoring Team (JMT) can begin the verification of troops.

Khartoum and Northern Sudan: NSTR

North Darfur

Security:

Reports indicate that Nine village (between Kafod and Kutum) was attacked by Janjaweed soldiers on 19 October. The soldiers reportedly attacked from two directions, one with 20 vehicles and the other with 7 vehicles. The market was looted and two civilians were abducted. The number of casualties is unavailable.

South Darfur:

Protection:

Over 400 new IDPs arrived in Nyala from surrounding villages in Buram in fear of further attacks by the Janjaweed.

Humanitarian:

Over 7,500 families benefited from an INGO food distribution in Ambulua IDP Camp in Gereida.

West Darfur: NSTR

Southern Sudan:

General:

Southern Sudan's Interior Minister Paul Mayom Akec told reporters that armed men killed 38 people, including women and children in a string of attacks on roads between the southern capital Juba and the eastern banks of the Nile.

Rule of Law:

On 18 October, 200 GoSS prison officers trained by UNMIS graduated at a ceremony in Rumbek. The Governor of Lakes State stated he looked forward to receiving further UNMIS support in the capacity building of other security services.

Humanitarian:

On 19 October, the Governor announced that every Saturday all shops and other businesses will close for about two hours while all citizens including government officials go about cleaning in Aweil town.

Abyei, Blue Nile and South Kordofan: NSTR

Safety of Personnel: NSTR

Restriction of Movement: NSTR

Casualties: No casualties reported

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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