Key Developments
- The Abuja peace talks on Darfur resumed
on 10 June in Nigeria, but stalled soon after.
- A decree issued by Sudan's Chief Justice, Jalal-el-Din Mohamed Osman, establishing Special Criminal Courts for Darfur crimes.
Security Issues
North Darfur: On 10 June, truck drivers reported the hijacking of 3 trucks in Kebkabiya by unidentified gunmen. Tracks of the trucks on the road suggest that they were rerouted from the main road.
Dirma village was allegedly attacked on 9 May where four girls were allegedly raped and 8 people wounded by armed tribesmen from Um Jalbah village.
South Darfur: On 11 June, the AU Sector Commander led a group of MILOBS on a confidence building patrol to Marla and Marfayeen villages to reassure the villagers who were fleeing towards Nyala in fear of attacks by Zaghawa Rutana militia. The villagers agreed to return to their villages but requested humanitarian assistance. The AU will inform the relevant NGOs to address the food situation in the village.
On 11 June, an ambush of a commercial vehicle near Hamada village reportedly led to the deaths of three people.
On 9 June, four armed men suspected to be members of tribal militia attacked two commercial buses at Juruf village, on the Nyala - El Fasher road, between Duma and Manawashi. While the armed men stopped the first bus, the second bus succeeded to turn back towards Manawashi. The armed men opened fire towards the escaped bus, but there are no reports of casualties.
On 8 June, a commercial vehicle transporting food and passengers from Menawashi to Sheria was attacked by unknown armed men en route at Uraydimah. The driver, a man and a woman were killed. Two persons were reported missing. The bodies of the dead were transported to Menawashi on the morning of 9 June by GoS troops who went to the scene after receiving a report on the incident.
On 8 June, two armed bandits attacked a convoy of two vehicles belonging to an international NGO at Um Seafa. The vehicles that were carrying food items were on their way to Labado. The bandits robbed the drivers of all their money and personal belongings.
West Darfur: UNMIS has received a report that one GoS policeman and a civilian were allegedly abducted on 3 June and 9 June respectively in Zalingei by unknown assailants.
Protection Issues
West Darfur: On 8 June a meeting for Reconciliation, and Peaceful Coexistence was held between the tribes of Zalingei, Kabkabiya and Jebel Marra. The meeting was part of a series of meetings in Um Shalaya, Aboni and Zalingei.
South Darfur: The GoS-imposed Kalma blockade is still continuing whereby no commercial traffic to the camp is allowed, and IDPs cannot travel to Nyala.
North Darfur: Enfants du Monde launched a child guidance and orientation centre at Abu Shouk camp. The centre will focus on family training on secure home environments for children, and will provide psychological support for vulnerable children.
Political Affairs
African Union-mediated talks to resolve the crisis in Darfur resumed in Abuja on 10 June after a six-month break. The new round brought the Sudanese government together again with the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The GoS opposes the presence of Eritrea. The Chairman of the talks, Salim Salim, will have consultations on this issue. In the meantime, he will continue deliberations with the parties in settings other than the plenary session.
Sudan's Chief Justice, Jalaleddin Mohamed Osman, announced that alleged war criminals will face trial in a newly formed court. He is quoted as saying that the Sudanese judiciary remains competent in carrying out justice and returning rights to people "without favouritism, fear or succumbing to influence." Khartoum warned that the decision by the ICC to investigate alleged war crimes in Darfur could poison efforts to bring peace to the conflict-ravaged region.
Humanitarian Affairs
North Darfur: Relief International reported a high incidence of diarrhoea cases at their health clinic in Tawilla. This may be due to insufficient sanitation conditions in the town.
South Sudan: The aluminium sulphate stock available for the water treatment plant in Bentiu (Unity State) has run out, meaning that the plant shall now be pumping untreated water. Furthermore, the plant does not have the ability to pump water into its elevated tanks for distribution around the town. Residents therefore have to walk long distances to come to the plant to collect water. Another crucial issue is the need to address the technical capacity of the WES team that is managing the water treatment plants.