Acting SRSG Tayé-Brook Zerihoun meets with AU Peace and Security Commissioner Said Djinnit

The Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Mr. Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, met yesterday with the AU Peace and Security Commissioner, Mr. Said Djinnit. Commissioner Djinnit briefed ASRSG Zerihoun on his discussions yesterday with Sudanese Government officials during his visit to Khartoum.

The two officials reviewed the status of the UN-AU cooperation regarding the situation in Darfur, including the UN assistance to the AU in the framework of the UN Light Support Package and Heavy Support Package to AMIS.

UNDP launches the Arab Human Development Report 2005; organizes a panel discussion on "opportunities and challenges of the rise of women in Sudan"

Under the auspices of the Minister of Education, Dr. Hamed Mohammed Ibrahim, UNDP is launching the Arab Human Development Report 2005: Towards the Rise of Women in the Arab World on Thursday March 1st 2007 at 10.00 am at Sharga Hall, main conference room.

Following the opening ceremony, a panel discussion will be held on the "Opportunities and challenges of the Rise of Women in Sudan" with the participation of Professor Balghis Badri, Director of the Institute of Women, Gender and Development, at Ahfad University for Women, Dr. Pressilia Joseph, Chairperson of Human Rights Committee of the National Assembly, Dr. El Tayeb Haj Atteya, Director of the Peace Center of the University of Khartoum, and Ms. Asma Hamid Fadl, Director of Girls Education Administration at the Federal Ministry of General Education.

The report is fully dedicated to the study of the situation of women in the Arab countries.

According to the report, the rise of women essentially entails equal opportunity for women and men in the acquisition and employment of human capabilities, guaranteed rights of citizenship for all women on an equal footing with men, and acknowledgment of, and respect for differences between the sexes. The Report assesses the advancement of women in the Arab countries, and calls for the adoption of time-bound affirmative action, tailored to the specificities of each Arab society, in order to expand the participation of women in all fields.

Locusts could infest Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coastal areas this winter, FAO warns

In a press release issued on 23 February, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicated that locust numbers have continued to increase along the northern coast of Eritrea and adjacent coastal areas of Sudan, where investigations have recently been reported. FAO warned that other Red Sea and Gulf of Aden countries could face important infestations of the cropdevouring insects this winter due to unusually good rains and favorable ecological conditions.

FAO indicated that small-scale breeding is in progress in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and reports of locust concentrations on the northwest coast of Somalia have been received. In Eritrea and Sudan a second generation of breeding is underway that could cause locusts to rapidly increase in number. "When vegetation begins to dry out, these locusts may form hopper bands and swarms that could move to neighboring countries," said FAO expert Keith Cressman.

FAO is closely monitoring the situation as continuing rains could lead to further deterioration and greater threat to the countries around the Red Sea in April/May.

Control operations against locusts are continuing in outbreak areas on the Eritrean coast.

Eritrean ground teams have treated more than 15,000 hectares of hoppers and adults that were forming small groups on the northern Red Sea coast since last December. Most of the control has been carried out in millet crops on the coast near Shelshela and Sheib.

The governments of Sudan and Yemen have mobilized additional locust teams to monitor the coastal plains in their countries and control any infestations that may endanger crops. A spray aircraft has been deployed on standby on the Sudanese coast. More information is available at the following link: http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000503/index.html

Security and Humanitarian Developments in Darfur

South Darfur

On 25 February, two armed men, allegedly SLM/MM soldiers, attempted to highjack an AU military vehicle at Muhajirya marketplace. Two SLA /MM solders intervened which resulted in a shootout with the hijackers who were arrested. No casualties were reported.

On 25 February, it was reported that a reconciliation agreement was signed between the Tarjum and Rezeigat tribes on 24 February. The agreement signed following the local Government intervention, reportedly includes compensation for lost lives and property of both tribes, and the rehabilitation of three Tarjum villages.

On 25 February, an INGO reported the spontaneous return of 838 households (3,712 individuals) from Yassin, Gereida and Assalaya to their area of origin, Esheraya (30km South-East of Yassin). The IDPs were displaced in June and July 2004, and are of the Birgit, Bargo and Rizeigat tribes.

A UN interagency team verified and distributed food for 4,300 newly arrived IDPs in Kass.

HAC has submitted a list of 6,000 more IDPs that are still awaiting verification. Non-food items (NFIs) have been distributed to most people in need.

West Darfur

The Sheikhs of Taiba Arab IDP camp in Zalingei reported that on 24 February, unknown armed men looted 40 heads of cattle from their homestead near Abata.

UNCHR distributed non-food items (NFIs) to 775 IDPs in Hassa Hissa and 569 IDPs in Khamsa Degeig camps in Zalingei .

Security and Humanitarian Developments in Southern Sudan and Transitional Areas

The President of the Judiciary of Lakes State requested UNMIS support in training Police investigators and court clerks to speed up the adjudicating process in Lakes State. The State is expected to receive 8 to10 new judges. The appointments are part of the Governor's plan for strengthening the judicial system and ensuring that cases are disposed of more quickly.

* All UNMIS News Bulletins are available at www.unmis.org