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Sudan

UN Mission in Sudan News Bulletin - 13 Dec 2006

UN Light Support Package to AMIS: The Tripartite Mechanism held its first meeting today

The first meeting of the tripartite mechanism on UNMIS support to AMIS took place today. It is made up of representatives from UNMIS, AMIS and the Government of Sudan, and its objective is to facilitate implementation of the Light Support Package which UNMIS is providing to AMIS in Darfur.

Under this package UNMIS will provide 105 military advisers, 33 police officers and 48 civilian staff. In addition, under the Light Support Package, UNMIS will provide equipment to AMIS.

UNMIS Condemns the Abduction of two AMIS staff

UNMIS condemns in the strongest terms the hijacking on Sunday of an AMIS vehicle with two AMIS military personnel on board. The hijacking was perpetrated by two unidentified armed men in North Darfur. The location of the men and the vehicle remains unknown.

UNMIS reiterates that all AMIS military personnel are in Sudan as part of a peacekeeping mission to bring peace to the war-weary people of Darfur. Their presence is crucial to restoring order and stability to a critically important part of Sudan and to allow Darfuris to return to their homes.

UNMIS demands that the AMIS staff should be immediately released unharmed without conditions. In addition, AMIS assets, including the vehicle, which were stolen during the incident, should be returned to their rightful owners.

Security Situation in Darfur

The situation in El-Fasher (North Darfur) remains tense although it is reported that Arab militia have moved outside of the city, in the last two days, within a 30 km radius. Security reports indicated however that a group of around 30 Arab militia returned to the market area of the city yesterday adding to the tense security situation.

Security reports also indicate that there have been skirmishes between armed Chadian opposition groups and Arab militaia south of El Fasher.

In West Darfur, there has been a spate of armed hijacking of vehicles, including vehicles belonging to the aid community. An INGO vehicle was taken from Ardamata, near El Geneina. The two occupants were unharmed. Three more aid vehicles were taken by armed hijackers in the Muhjaheriya area. Ten INGO staff have also been evacuated from the Ardamata IDP camp, as security in the camp was not deemed sufficient to allow operations to continue.

Southern Sudan - Attack on Juba-Torit Road

Yesterday at around 7.30 in the evening, a minibus was attacked near the village of Magir on the Juba-Torit road. A group of unidentified armed men attacked the bus injuring one adult woman and three children. The injured are now in the Juba Teaching Hospital.