UNMIS condemns killing of peacekeeper in Darfur
UNMIS condemned on 26 May the killing, during an armed robbery, of Lt. Colonel Ehab Nazih, one of its Egyptian military staff officers serving in Darfur under the Light Support Package (LSP) to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). The attack is still being investigated, but it is known that three armed men wearing civilian clothes broke into the private house shared by Lt. Colonel Nazih with other LSP staff. After taking money and valuables from the other occupants, the armed men demanded money from Lt. Colonel Nazih, who gave them all he had and was then shot.
The Lt. Colonel was rushed to AMIS' hospital, where he was pronounced dead early in the morning of 26 May. A farewell ceremony was held for Lt. Colonel Nazih at the UNMIS Air Terminal, Khartoum, on 27 May.
UNMIS will cooperate with Sudanese authorities to apprehend the killers of Lt. Colonel Nazih, and is also taking urgent measures, in coordination with Sudanese authorities, to prevent further such attacks from taking place. Security Council approves structure of UN/AU Darfur force The UN Security Council approved on 25 May a joint UN-AU report setting out the mandate and structure for the planned hybrid UN-AU Darfur peacekeeping mission, and called for its immediate implementation.
"The Security Council notes that agreement between the African Union and the United Nations on this joint report is an important development in the comprehensive approach to the peace process in Darfur," the 15-member body declared in a statement read out by its May President, Zalmay Khalilzad, of the United States.
The new mission, with mostly African troops, will be the final phase in the UN's three-step process to support and enhance AMIS. As part of the first phase, known as the "light support package," the UN handed over to AMIS medical support items ranging from a fully equipped ambulance to pharmaceutical products.
Security and Humanitarian Developments in Darfur
South Darfur
The two-week long consultations of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) Preparatory Committee in South Darfur ended on 24 May. The first round gathered input from stakeholders on the future organization of the DDDC and paved the way for the process to be replicated at the local level. The Wali of South Darfur told the UN that the DDDC was the last option in saving the Darfur peace process, urged the Preparatory committee to continue its work and offered government assistance in organizing the meetings.
Two armed men attacked a convoy of two INGO trucks en route from Nyala to Khor Abeche on 24 May. The armed men looted all the drivers' personal belongings, but no casualties were reported.
Fighting broke out between the Tarjem and Rezeigat Abbala tribes near Bulbul Abujaso (55 kilometres northwest of Nyala) on 22 May, with unknown casualties. The same day, the Rezeigat Abbala accused the Tarjem of kidnapping a boy in Bulbul Dalalangara, which sparked a clash between the tribes and resulted in the death of two Rezeigat. The boy was released the following day.
West Darfur
Unconfirmed reports received on 26 May indicated that about 1,000 Sudanese rebels had crossed the border from Chad into Darfur and were concentrating in the area northwest of Masterei, (45 kilometres southwest of El Geneina). The UNDSS has informed all INGOs working in the area to be vigilant.
Members of the Zaghawa tribe attacked the village of Manjura (10 kilometres west of Silea) on 25 May. One man was killed during the incident and another critically injured. Sources believe the event occurred in response to the killing of a Zaghawa man at a water point six days ago.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Bendisi attacked an INGO on 24 May during distribution of plastic sheets, which some people did not receive. The IDPs started throwing stones at the INGO compound, broke into it and damaged a vehicle, injuring several people during the act. The police initially tried to control the crowd but left the scene after being threatened by the IDPs.
Security and Humanitarian Developments in Southern Sudan and
Transitional Areas
A dramatic increase in reports of violence between villagers and nomads in areas of traditional nomad migration in Southern Kordofan has been noted. Such violence has been reported over the past week (20 to 24 May) in the Lagawa-Julud corridor (El Bataya, Tabak, Wali and Sonout villages) and the Talodi-Kauda-Dilling corridor (Angarto, Karkar and Dalami villages).
* All UNMIS News Bulletins are available at www.unmis.org