Key Developments:
SRSG Pronk returned on 16 Aug. from a two-day trip to Muzbad, Jebel Marra and Mihageria in North and South Darfur. During his visit he met with SLM/A commanders, including the Secretary General of the SLM/A Minni Minawi and the Force Commander Hagar. Issues discussed during the meeting were the Abuja talks and the planned Darfur Conference for which a date has not been set so far.
On 16 Aug, PDSRSG Zerihoun met the Eastern Front leadership in Asmara to discuss the talks with the Government The Front asked for assistance with capacity-building, which UNMIS has undertaken to discuss in conjunction with interested partners.
Political:
On 16 Aug., the SRSG met National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members in Khartoum to discuss pending issues from the Cairo Agreement. The discussion focused on NDA participation in the Government of National Unity and integration of the NDA forces in the East into a future national Sudanese army.
The constitution for Southern Sudan has been completed. However, the 40-person committee to review the constitution drafting committee's work has yet to be formed and the process of nominating persons to serve on the committee is underway. It is not clear whether the review committee will work in Juba or Rumbek. The constitution has to be reviewed, and the Assembly of Southern Sudan has to be formed to pass the new constitution into law before the inauguration of the GoSS on 9 Sep.
Khartoum
Public Information:
The UNMIS Public Information Office published its first newsletter in both English and Arabic. The newsletter which is to come out every two weeks provides a regular update of the mission's activities. It is going to be distributed to cultural centres, universities and institutes in Khartoum and other regions of Sudan. The newsletter can also be downloaded from the mission's website : http://www.unmis.org/English/publications.htm
South Sudan
Security
The OLS security assessments scheduled for Pibor and Lekengole on 16 Aug. were postponed due to poor weather conditions. They are expected to be rescheduled for early next week.
Return
A three-day training for 29 field protection monitors began today at the SRRC building in Rumbek. The training was opened by representatives from the SRRC, the OCHA AC for Lakes, the County Comissioner for Rumbek centre and the Supervisor of Lakes State. This is the fifth training in a series of six trainings supported by OCHA and SRRC to establish the tracking and monitoring system. The field protection monitors will supervise the registration of returnees by the enumerators, monitor protection issues and assess basic needs in the places of return.
UN Police
A GoS Police liaison officer was appointed to coordinate activities between the UN Police and the local Police in Wau. Preliminary visits were also made to the Prison Wildlife Departments where useful discussions were held with the officers in charge on protection and wildlife protection matters.
UN Police attended a meeting between SPLM/A and GoS Police in Kurmuk (Sector V). The idea of a joint training programme was discussed and a workgroup was established for that purpose.
North Darfur
Humanitarian
Two NGOs operating in SLM/A-held areas have jointly completed a 3-day headcount exercise on 15 Aug. in six village clusters in El Fasher rural area. Preliminary results obtained indicate 10,222 individuals. The agencies will soon conduct a similar exercise in the remaining seven village clusters in the area, and food distribution will follow after the completion of the headcount.
Following a meeting held in Abu Shouk on 16 Aug., the decision was taken to build a dam to protect the area of the camp where the flow of water was the heaviest. Protective barriers will also be constructed on three sides of 60 plots to direct the flow of water past the settlements. GoS authorities will provide the engineers and machinery but have requested support for labour and running costs of the operation.
An INGO has completed its assessment of the flood damage to Al-Salaam camp, and has identified 159 families in need of both food and non-food assistance. Much of the food stocks were destroyed by the floods, and some non-food items, such as jerry cans, washed away.
South Darfur
Civil Affairs
On 16 Aug, CA team in Nyala received a letter of protest from a group calling themselves the Executive Office of IDPs in Darfur (EOFI) against the postponement of the Abuja negotiations. The letter calls for all those concerned to put an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur, and for negotiations to resume on 24 Aug as agreed, bearing in mind that the IDPs and refugees have agreed to the Declaration of Principles (DoP) reached in Abuja.
UNMIS Military:
Sector II (Wau)
The Sector conducted a patrol on the road to Tonj on 15 Aug. and visited Kuajina, a SAF military camp located about 45 km and two hours distance from Wau. During discussions with the camp commandant and his officers it was reported that no militia are operating in the area. Three tanks, two field guns and two mortars were seen in the camp. No check points, which were previously manned by SPLM/A, were seen on the road from Wau to Kaujina. Ahead of Kuajina towards Tonj, a sixteen km stretch of road is reportedly mined.
Sector V (Ed Damazin)
Due to the heavy rains the camp site is almost flooded and it seems impossible to camp there for the time being. Some alternatives are being studied for recommendation to Khartoum
DDR: NSTR
Mine Action: NSTR
Logistics: NSTR
Safety of Personnel: NSTR
Casualties: No casualties reported