Key Developments
- Interim Constitution was signed on 9
July by President al-Bashir at a ceremony in Khartoum. At the same ceremony,
Dr. John Garang was sworn in as First Vice President and Mohamed Taha as
Second Vice President.
- Violence erupted at IDP camps in West
Darfur on 8 July during a planned reregistration exercise. UN staff suffered
minor injuries and UN vehicles were damaged.
- The SRSG and PDSRSG paid a visit to Mr. Turabi, leader of the Popular Congress Party on 7 July. Mr. Turabi had been detained for a number of years and was recently released.
Security Issues
North Darfur
On 8 July, two missing INGO Staff, who went missing on 20 June and two local INGO staff, who went missing while on field mission to Birka (Korma) were released and were escorted safely to El Fasher. The vehicle is still unaccounted for.
On 4 July, the SLA allegedly attacked a civilian truck east of Om check-point and robbed the occupants of their personal belongings. One person was reported killed during the attack.
South Darfur
On 5 July, noise of sporadic shooting was heard in the direction of section 4B of Kalma camp. On the following day, AU police proceeded to the scene and found 22 empty cartridges of 7.62 special calibre. GoS Police were informed for necessary action.
On 7 July, the president of Nyala city council was kidnapped by unknown assailants when he visited his home village, Hejane Tono. His mission was to discuss the voluntary return of some IDPs. He was released after his relatives from the Fur tribe negotiated with the rebel group.
On 8 July, the GoS Military Commander of Fonu area filed a complaint accusing the SLA of being behind the attack on a military base at Tortora village. The attackers are believed to be SLA from Anfarrah village in Insuru area.
On 8 July, four armed men visited the INGO office in Kalma camp. Upon their arrival at the compound, the armed men fired shots in the air and asked the guards not to move. They broke the containers open and stole 40 plastic canvas sheets before leaving.
On 8 July, one person was arrested in connection with the killing of four passengers on a commercial vehicle on 1 July. The suspect is an IDP from nearby Mosey IDP camp and police suspect the rest of the killers to be IDPs from Nyala.
West Darfur
On 8 July, during a WFP re-registration process of IDPs in El Geneina IDP camps, there was an attack on WFP personnel. Ten registration personnel suffered minor injuries by stones or sticks. The most serious injury involved a broken nose and some stitches and was treated at the local hospital. All other injured personnel were released after treatment in the hospital, where a UNMIS doctor was present. Some evidence suggests that corrupt sheiks in the camps who are profitting from the current situation, manipulated events to ensure the exercise's failure.
South Sudan
The LRA attacked a village very close to Juba town on 3 July. Personal effects, food were stolen and a person was killed when he resisted the raiders.
Protection Issues
West Darfur
The two AU police posts that opened last week in Hassa Hissa and Hamadiya camps in Zalingei are now operating on a 24/7 basis as of 8 July.
South Darfur
The AU base in Kass is near completion. The AU expects to increase its presence from 14 to 250 personnel within a week.
Political Affairs
On July 9, President Bashir, First Vice President Garang and Second Vice President Taha were sworn into office during the inauguration ceremony attended by the heads of state and the representatives of governments from over 20 countries. President Bashir signed the interim Constitution which, for the first time, lays out freedoms of religion and expression and protection of human rights. The leaders pledged to uphold the new Constitution and the Peace Agreement in partnership during the six-year interim period. In his speech, which was broadcasted by Sudan TV and the international media, President Bashir said it was a historic day full of happiness and good things. President Bashir promised his cooperation with other leaders in the country by including them in the new Government as stipulated in the Constitution and stressed the importance of reconciliation.
The celebration pertaining to the appointment of Garang as the First Vice President of Sudan ended peacefully in South Sudan. A large celebration took place in Juba on 9 July at the football grounds in Buluk. Approximately 4,000 Sudanese, predominantly SPLA supporters, attended the celebration with their own banners and pictures of John Garang. Sudanese of different tribes had organized and displayed their own separate traditional dances as the part of their celebration. A number of GoS police and military were present to ensure peace and order during the celebration.
Civil Affairs
Civil Affairs conducted several market interviews in El Fasher to gauge the opinion of the general public on the recently signed Declaration of Principles in Abuja. In general, people welcomed the signing of the DoP with optimism. However, they still have some concerns that the process will take too long to implement, which would extend their suffering. In the meantime, the local radio announced its support for the Abuja agreement, and encouraged IDPs to return to their places of origin to cultivate their fields, rather than depending on outside assistance and on relief.
The Migration Routes Committee in North Darfur is still waiting for funds from Khartoum to start work on the reopening and demarcation of migratory routes. The committee fears that livestock movement from South Darfur could begin during this delay, causing animals to get stuck on the borders of North Darfur. However, according to the AU, large scale migrations have yet to take place.
A large UNMIS delegation including the military, police and civilian components of the mission participated in a three day workshop (from 4 - 6 July) which was facilitated by the Upper Nile University South Sudan Students' Association in Malakal. The objective of the workshop was to introduce UNMIS to a diverse cross-section of the community. The 120 participants, including tribal chiefs from Nuer, Murle, Dinka, Anyuak, Mabaa, Equatoria and Shilluk, presented a wide range of issues, concerns and recommendations to UNMIS. The community strongly urged that a series of such workshops be conducted in the rural areas as well.
Humanitarian Affairs
General
North Darfur
IDPs affected by last week's flooding in Danouj camp (Kabkabiya) are currently being relocated to higher ground.
South Darfur
On 9 July, WFP/Care and the IDP Sheikhs of Kass signed an agreement to hold a head-count as soon as possible.
West Darfur
Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating with fast rising flood waters and impassable wadis.
Following heavy rains in Mornei camp, around 1,000 IDPs are currently being relocated.
South Sudan
Kosti: On 7 July HAC Kosti called for an emergency meeting with the humanitarian agencies to organize a response to the destructions caused by rains in Migainis. Reportedly 820 civilian houses, a school, a dispensary and 1000 livestock have been affected by the floods. The GoS has requested support from the UN and NGOs. A humanitarian assessment mission is planned for this week
Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Abyei
WHO has announced the opening of a regional office in Kadugli which will also cover Abyei. A WHO mission made a one-day assessment mission to Abyei on 7 July in order to assess ways to strengthen the health service in the area. A FAO mission arrived in Abyei on 9 July to assess the possibilities of establishing an office.
Returns
South Sudan
Malakal: 25 Nuer IDP families (79 people) arrived from Kosti on 7 July (originally travelling from Kenana in White Nile State) heading towards Nasser and Tonga localities.
Western Equatoria, Mundri county: An inter-agency rapid needs assessment of returnees in Mundri East, West, Maridi, Ibba, Yambio and Nzara counties was recently completed. The aim was to assess the food, health care, NFIs, water and education needs of the returnees. The core team consisted of OCHA, WFP, UNHCR and SRRC. Key findings indicated that the food security situation is deteriorating due to delayed rains, the added pressure of returnees and the destruction of cultivated fields by the cattle of the Mundri-Bor cattle camps. Health facilities were observed to be unequally distributed and inadequate. Malaria affected many of the population surveyed and many children were observed to be suffering from anaemia. Water supply was also poor and in Mundri county the water table was observed to be very low. Follow up interventions are being planned in conjunction with the participating agencies. The survey also corroborated previous reports of taxation, looting and harassment of returnees from DRC. The returnees interviewed claimed that this was happening on the DRC side of the border.
UNMIS Deployment
Abyei
The UNMIS Abyei start-up team is now complete with the arrival of two CIVPOL officers. The team is now comprised of the OIC, Admin Officer, three UNMILOBS, and two CIVPOL officers. The newly arrived CIVPOL have been introduced to the local Head of Police and to the SPLM/A delegation.
Sector One (Juba)
The Russian TCC Reconnaissance Team returned to Khartoum from Sector I (Juba) after completing their two days visit. Final de-brief with the team is scheduled on 10 July.
Reconnaissance of 3 sites for establishment of Team Site in Maridi was completed.
An UNMO Team was deployed to Torit on 7 July for four days. The team has been tasked to establish additional contacts with SAF/SPLA and local community.
Sector Four (KADUGLI)
UNMIS personnel from the Team Site (TS) are conducting visibility patrols but heavy rain makes it more and more difficult to reach villages.