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Sudan

United Nations Sudan Situation Report 10 Dec 2005

Highlights
On 7 Dec., a vehicle accident occurred close to Kadugli airport in the direction of the Egyptian TCC camp in Sector IV. A Toyota pick-up vehicle carrying the Egyptian Security Patrol toppled over. One Egyptian captain died at the scene and three other soldiers were injured. The casualties were transported to Khartoum.

On 7 and 8 Nov., SRSG Pronk went to Rumbek and Wau and held meetings with the UN country teams, NGOs and representatives of State authorities. In talks with the Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal and Lakes State respectively Mr. Pronk encouraged the representatives of the recently established state institutions to claim their share of financial resources from the central government to enable them to provide services to their people and reiterated that UNMIS will support the efforts of Southern Sudanese in building a lasting peace. In his meetings with the country team, the SRSG emphasized the need for all UN entities to work under a unified approach in their efforts to support the peace building process in Southern Sudan.

Political

In Abuja, the AU mediation team continued consultations with the parties regarding the format of the negotiations on 8 Dec. An agreement was reached that while work would continue in the larger format in the power-sharing commissions, smaller working groups would be formed to deal with contentious issues. The AU also consulted the parties on their positions regarding item four of the agenda on power-sharing, the Federal System and all Levels of Governance and their Competencies. The AU has accepted recommendations made by the Canadian Gender Assessment Team (GAT) to mainstream gender into the work of the three commissions and establish mechanisms to amplify women's voices in the negotiating process. The UN will be requested to support this gender initiative by providing experts and other logistical support.

On 7 Dec. in Khartoum, Umma Party held a Forum on "The Situation of Political Parties in Sudan." Representatives from opposition parties including the Popular Congress Party, Communist Party and the Justice Party attended the forum as well as intellectuals and journalists. During his speech, President of Umma Party, Sadig Al-Mahdy criticized the government for not being democratic.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lam Akol traveled to Asmara for talks with Eritrean government officials on 6 Dec. to discuss measures to improve Sudanese-Eritrean relations. On 7 Dec., the GNU and Eritrea issued a joint communiqué declaring to raise the level of diplomatic representation between the two countries to ambassadorial level and to arrange a summit meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

The Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan was signed by the First Vice-President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir on 5 Dec. in front of several thousand spectators gathered outside the Mausoleum of the late Dr. John Garang. Salva Kiir described the event as ushering in a new era of democracy, peace and stability and pointed out that it was a mistake that only the flag of the GoSS was flying, and not the national one. All speakers pledged their commitment to the Constitution and promised to provide education, health, clean water, roads and telecommunications to the people of Southern Sudan.

Southern Sudan

Protection:

IDPs continued to arrive in Yei and other areas of Southern Sudan due to renewed outbreak of fighting in Yambio between the Zande and Dinka Bor on 29 Nov. Eighteen IDPs arrived in Wau and 38 IDPs in Yei at the beginning of Dec. and more trucks transporting IDPs are reported to have left Yambio on their way to Yei. Meanwhile UN Mission in the Congo (MONUC) and UNHCR confirmed that nearly 3,000 Zande people have moved into DRC, as a result of the fighting in Western Equatoria.

Humanitarian:

MALTESER and AAH have started medical screening programmes for the IDPs who have arrived from Mundri. IAS is putting in place programmes to increase the number of latrines; NPA has in principle agreed to provide food aid, subject to an assessment; and UNHCR will provide non-food items (NFI).

The SPLA continues to commandeer commercial trucks for the purpose of transporting its troops from Yei to Juba. As a result of this, UNHCR's construction programmes in Yei town have been hampered while an INGO, building a number of schools, has found its programmes completely disrupted.

From 5 to 9 Dec., a joint UNICEF/State Ministry of Education team conducted an assessment of a number of locations across Unity State with the objective to select sites of possible intervention. UNICEF plans to build six permanent schools in Unity state in 2006.

Human Rights:

From 7-9 Dec., UNMIS Juba held a three-day workshop on the promotion and protection of human rights for members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly. The Speaker of the Assembly opened the workshop and 75 Ministers, Advisors and members of Parliament attended the first session.

Security:

An armed group, suspected to be LRA, attacked Kadoro village (East of Gumbo) on 6 Nov. One child was shot dead. Food and household properties were looted.

The government of Lakes State imposed a night curfew in Rumbek to prevent any attempt to replicate the communal violence that took place in Yambio and Tambura (Western Equatoria) in Nov. The general fear among people from Equatoria working in Rumbek was of retaliatory attacks from the locals as a result of the Dinka-Zande conflict.

The National Security office in Bentiu (Unity State) issued orders to their outpost offices across the state to check on personnel from humanitarian organizations moving without a travel permit. This was prompted by an INGO visit to Mayom. The INGO staff was requested to produce a copy of their travel permit from the NS office in Bentiu, a document which they did not have. The Director of National Security claims that he has not received any information that says humanitarian workers could operate or travel in the South without permit. OCHA will follow up on this issue with the local authorities.

North Darfur

Protection:

The Spanish Red Cross has verified on 5 Nov. that 1,000 new arrivals in Kassab camp (near Kutum) are secondary displacements from Chad and Khartoum. They have received both food and NFI assistance. Another 1,500 recent arrivals remain to be verified. The information has been passed to IOM for follow-up.

At a meeting with NS, HAC and the Chief of Police on 5 Dec., UNMIS, OCHA, and WFP raised the issues of the curfew and restrictions on humanitarian movement and fuel supplies; IDP access to health facilities and latrines during curfew hours; and the recent establishment of a new GoS military post at Al-Salaam camp where IDP women are being charged for firewood collection. GoS authorities recognized the IDP right of access to latrines and health facilities during curfew and confirmed unlimited access for humanitarian agencies to fuel supplies. NS and GoS police will revert on the other issues. This was the first meeting of this new Task Force in North Darfur, in an attempt to streamline communications and priority advocacy issues with GoS authorities. A similar Task Force will soon approach the AU to raise some common concerns raised by various agencies.

Humanitarian:

Preliminary results of ACF nutrition and mortality surveys for children aged six to 59 months in both Abu Shouk and Al-Salaam IDP camps indicate that global acute malnutrition rate among IDP children in both camps averages at 18.5%, while severe acute malnutrition at 1.4%.

On 5 Dec., UNICEF, in coordination with the State MoE, has started the distribution of school materials to 46,765 IDP children in various camps and towns, including Kassab, Abu Shouk, Al-Salaam, Zam Zam, Kutum, and Saraf Omra. UNICEF is also supporting the MoE in its ongoing cluster training of 250 teachers on education and teaching methodology. Participants are from Abu Shouk, Al-Salaam, Zam Zam, Kutum, and El Fasher. The training started on 3 December, and will continue for two weeks.

Civil Affairs:

On 8 Dec., UNMIS in El-Fasher was informed of the potential postponement of the Inter-Darfur conference scheduled for 12 Dec. Reports indicate that the armed movements have yet to indicate if they would attend and a common view to resolving the Darfur crisis has not been achieved.

South Darfur:

Humanitarian:

A workshop was held on 7 Dec. to discuss the 2006 work plan and budget of the Nyala Teaching Hospital. The aim is to improve the health services of the hospital to which many IDPs are referred. The workshop, which was organized by the Finish Red Cross in collaboration with the local MoH and WHO, reviewed their need for a complete rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure, acquisition of basic facilities and improved management.

In Kalma camp, WFP and WVI began preparing the Dec. food distribution based upon the 4 Oct. headcount figure of 88,260.

Security:

On 4 Dec., SLA conducted an attack on the SAF garrison at Donkey Dereissa. Fighting resumed the next day and intensified. SAF reported 15 killed in action and 34 wounded. SLA casualty figures are unknown as of now. During the fighting, SLA captured vehicles and a considerable amount of weapons and ammunition. The SLA attack is reported to be in response to the SAF attack on 3 Dec. in Um Kunya area, which has displaced more than 7,500 people. Tensions remain high in the area and it is expected that SAF will attempt to re-capture Donkey Dereissa.

West Darfur

Security:

On 4 Dec., fighting broke out between SLA and government forces, supported by armed tribesmen, near Masteri. Fighting resumed on 6 Dec. Government forces attacked SLA positions eight km west of Masteri. Meanwhile, about 200-250 Arab militias have attacked and surrounded the town of Congo Harasa, 40 km south of Masteri and destroyed the wells. UN flights to Masteri and Congo Haraza. On 7 Dec., 25 INGO staff members were relocated from Beida and Arara locations into El Geneina.

Abyei, Blue Nile and South Kordofan

Humanitarian:

In Kadugli county and Dilling county some 200,000 people have been vaccinated according to MoH. MSF has completed vaccinations in most of the urban areas in ABU JIBEHA and will start their work in Rahshad on 8 Dec.

On 7 Dec., UNMIS, WFP, FAO and OCHA visited Rumamir to monitor the returns to this newly established village, 34 km east of Abyei. The total numbers of returnees registered for food distribution by SC-US is 1,773 including 1,190 (67%) females. The returnees live on seeds and leaves, and have no access to clean water. WFP is planning a food distribution in the village on 9 December.

MSF-F has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health and is expected to launch its vaccination campaign in Abu Jibeha on 6 December and in Rashad on 7 December. WHO mobile supervision and monitoring teams in Talodi, Kalogi, Abu Jibeha, Rashad and Al Fula confirmed that the cold chain is functioning properly, with only a few minor weaknesses noted.

Last week, WFP distributed 280 MT of food, or a two-month ration to 7,500 returnees in five villages in Kadugli.

Also last week, FAO has completed the training of 46 blacksmiths in the production of hand tools in Lagawa, Julud and Kurchi. Tools and seeds were provided to 20 teachers for FAO's school garden project in Kauda, Julud and Dilling.

Security:

On 6 Dec., UNMIS Abyei met with the commissioner to follow-up on the claims made by the Misseriya nomads in Deffra on the alleged death of their animals due to possible water contamination by the GNOPC oil company. The commissioner explained that the police were investigating the matter and an expert was brought in from Muglad to examine the dead animals and water samples were sent to Khartoum for examination.

Northern and Eastern Sudan

Returns:

Representatives of HAC Khartoum travelled to Kassala to follow up on the April/May 2005 IDP survey undertaken in Kassala, Red Sea and Gedarif states. The purpose of the survey was to identify whether the IDPs would prefer to return or to integrate elsewhere. The total number of IDPs identified so far in Kassala state is about 75,000. Some IDP locations have not yet been covered, including Halfa, Atbara River locality, and HAC asked agencies for assistance in conducting the assessment. Initial data collected in the three states indicate that 70% of the IDPs would like to return to their places of origin.

Humanitarian:

On 8 Dec., UNHCR in collaboration with SRCS started registration training courses in Kassala and Girba for 200 SRCS volunteers (150 from Kassala locality, and 50 from Seitit locality). The objective is to prepare volunteers for the registration of an eventual influx of Eritrean refugees.

On 7 Dec., WHO Kassala received information from the SMoH Department of Epidemics that two cases have been tested positive for dengue fever. The SMoH Malaria Control Department reported that the incidence of malaria has reduced in comparison to last year. In Nov. 2004, the percentage of malaria cases was 41.8% of all diseases registered in all health centres. However, in Dec. 2005, this proportion has decreased to 20.3%. The reduction of malaria cases could be attributed to the spraying activities undertaken earlier this season.

The SRCS water yard in Wad Shariefie was inaugurated by the Wali of Kassala on 6 Dec. The project serves 5,000 persons among the refugee and host communities. The water station also provides services for Wad Shariefie hospital.

UNHCR and COR reported on 4 Dec. that the number of Eritrean asylum seekers is increasing: on 3 Dec., 84 people including four women and five children crossed the border. The entry points have changed due to a high presence of Eritrean forces in the former areas.

Khartoum and North

Humanitarian

An inter-agency mission comprising Solidarites, CVHW, SIDO, the Water Cooperation/Environmental Sanitation Department and OCHA, accompanied by the local authorities of Al Fateh, visited the squatter area in block 27 of El Fateh 1 on 5 Dec. The area is inhabited by approximately 1,000 families living in desperate conditions. According to the authorities, some 850 of them have already been allocated plots, while claims of the remaining families are to be verified. The local authorities believe that people live in the squatter camp with the objective to secure allocation of a plot of land in the camp in order to sell it immediately afterwards.

Over the last days, the Ministry of Physical Planning office approached the residents of Al Fateh 3 with a proposal to move to Al Fateh 1 and 2 where they could be settled in blocks with better access to public services. Out of 1,400 households initially interested in the proposal, only 10% confirmed their interest, and around 1% voluntarily approached the planning office to be relocated to the new plots. If the interest in relocation continues to be low, any Government plan to move residents from Al Fateh 3 to Al Fateh 1 and 2 may prove very difficult to implement without resorting to methods of coercion.

Human Rights:

To mark international Human Rights Day, UNMIS, the national Advisory Council on Human Rights and NGOs held an event, with the theme "Prohibition Against Torture", in Omdurman on 8 Dec. The program featured music, speeches, debates and art displays. It was attended by NGOs, academics, activists and Government organisations.

On 7 Dec, six women NGOs organized a gender forum on ending violence against women in Sudan as part of the 16 days of Activism Campaign. A total of 120 participants including women from various IDP camps in Khartoum participated. Discussions included honour killings in Nuba Mountains, the situation of women IDPs and the role of parliament in addressing violence against women in the Interim National Constitution.

UNMIS Military

CRITICAL INCIDENTS

On 6 Dec, In Sector I, a series of shooting incidents took place in the vicinity of BANGLADESH Camp at MARIDI with a number of rounds appearing to be fired at the camp. 30/40 rounds of fire were first heard from a 1st direction. In the second phase, approximately 250 rounds of bullets were fired from 2nd direction. Again, 15/20 rounds of fire were heard from the 3rd direction. The Engineer Platoon responded by firing 84 rounds. Later on, 25/30 SPLA soldiers were seen collecting the empty cartridges. Sector I Commander met with SPLA HQ in Yei on 6 Dec. SPLA have agreed to increase patrolling activity in order to raise security in the Maridi area.

MONITORING AND VERIFICATION

On 8 Dec., the Julud team site patrol was not allowed to carry out the visit and inspection of SAF 2 Brigade military units stationed in Al Battaya under orders of 2 Brigade Commander. The issue will be addressed at the next meeting of the AJMC.

Dilling Team Site Patrol visited HQ 171 Bn, 14 Div (SAF).

Mirri Hills Team Site Patrol visited 2 Coy HQ/286 Bn/28 Bde/15 Div (SAF).

The second AJMC meeting was held in Sector V HQ. SAF representatives provided the data on PDF troop locations in the state.

The first AJMC Meeting was held at RCHQ Kassala and the 6th AJMC Meeting was held in Sector I

UNMIS Police:

In Abyei, UN Police continued assisting training of local police officers at the WUNCHUEI SPLM Police Training Camp. Lectures on Human Rights and Police investigation techniques were given by the UN Police officers.

In Abyei, UN Police continued assisting training of local police officers at the Wunchuei SPLM Police Training Camp. Lectures on Human Rights and Police investigation techniques were given by the UN Police officers.

A training program for local police officers began at the SPLM Police Training Camp in Wunchuei (Abyei). Twenty SPLM Police Officers who understand English are attending the course.