ReliefWeb

SRSG Pronk left Khartoum on 16 July for meetings in The Hague and New York. In The Hague, he will meet the ICC's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, to discuss the situation on the ground in Darfur before going on to New York to brief the Security Council on Darfur and the state of the CPA's implementation.

The Abyei Boundary Commission presented its report to President al- Bashir, first Vice-President Garang and Vice-President Taha on 14 July in Khartoum. SRSG Pronk welcomed the report, commended the work of the Commission and called on the people of Abyei to abide by the report's findings.

SRSG travelled to Asmara on 14 July for separate talks with President Aferwerki and the Eastern Front on the situation in Eastern Sudan. He returned from the meetings convinced that the Eastern Front is prepared to start serious negotiations with the Government with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the problems of Eastern Sudan.

Security Issues

South Sudan

A violent incident took place in Abyei between two SPLM/A battalions on 13 July that resulted in a number of dead and wounded. The cause of the internal fighting remains unknown.

North Darfur

On 14 July, a GoS admin convoy moving from El-Fasher towards Kutum was attacked at Sag Al Nakhara village 20 km from Kutum. The exchange of fire left one GoS soldier wounded. This reported is unconfirmed.

On 15 July, unconfirmed reports indicate that armed tribesmen attacked Saya village. One female civilian was reported shot and injured in the leg and the attackers stole 88 livestock belonging to the villagers.

On 15 July, there was an unconfirmed ambush of a GoS convoy by SLA near the Omm Checkpoint which killed one GoS soldier and injured five others.

On 15 July, four commercial trucks transporting WFP food were robbed near Ed El Nabak by two armed men on camelback. The drivers were not injured, but their personal belongings were stolen.

South Darfur

On 13 July, at Kalma, a night watchman at an INGO compound was attacked by seven armed men who fired at him but he managed to escape without injury. The suspects broke into the organisation's offices and stole some assorted drugs.

During the night of 14-15 July, seven men, one of whom was armed, forcefully entered the clinic of an INGO in Kalma camp, and held the guards. They fled when some guards raised alarm, and nothing was looted. Two nights before, another INGO compound was visited by armed men in Kalma (see above).

Break-in attempts into compounds of humanitarian agencies occur now almost on a daily basis in Nyala. During the night of 10-11 July, thieves unsuccessfully tried to enter the compound of a UN agency.

West Darfur

On 16 July, a man was killed on 5 July by unknown armed men while cultivating his farm at Salama near Kreneik village and had his goats stolen. This report is unconfirmed.

Protection Issues

South Darfur

An INGO reported that armed men fired some shots in Kalma camp during the night of 14 July. Sources claim that shooting in the camp has become an increasingly common phenomenon.

North Darfur

Throughout the week, OCHA received reports from various locations (including Shangil Tobayi, Galab, Kebkabiya and Saraf Omra) that increased AU presence and patrols have directly resulted in a decrease in both SGBV and general protection incidents.

An NGO suspended all activities in Zam Zam camp on 14 July after its driver was abducted on 11 July along with his vehicle. The driver and vehicle are still missing, and the NGO received warnings that it is a potential target. The NGO has suspended it activities pending sufficient guarantees that it will not be targetted.

Political Affairs

Civil Affairs

On 14 July, UNMIS in Nyala met Nazir El Tigani Abdulkadir from the Messeriya Arab tribe and three members of his senior council, to explain the UNMIS mandate and open a dialogue with all Darfurians to promote reconciliation. The tribal leaders expressed their frustration with the international community's rush to judgment without listening to their side of the story. They claim that their community was also a victim of the conflict. They mentioned that their people welcomed the armed

rebellion against the GoS due to the lack of development in Darfur and the failure of the government to share power, wealth and resources equitably. However, the rebels turned their weapons against their Arab brothers and sisters.

UNMIS CA was informed that some changes have taken place in the State Cabinet in Kassala and that further changes were expected very shortly. El Mahi Khalif Ullah, the Minister of Finance, cousin of Ali Osman Taha, and one of the principal allies of the current Wali resigned and left the country and was replaced by the former Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mr. Awad.

Humanitarian Affairs

Health

West Darfur

Actions are being undertaken to address the gaps found in a joint MoH/UNICEF mission from 4 to 10 July in the provision of primary and secondary health care as well as EPI services in the areas of Nertiti, Zalingei, Garsila and Mukjar.

North Darfur

Saudi Red Crescent now has Tuberculosis Management Units (TBMUs) operational at its clinics in both ZamZam and Abu Shouk camps. Health providers presented with suspected TB cases have been advised to send their patients for examination at the clinics, where investigation and treatment is provided free of charge.

Access

Eastern Sudan

INGO representatives in Kassala have complained that movement restrictions on their staff had become tighter in the last month as formerly weekly permissions to move out Kassala had to be obtained from the State Security, while now permission must also to be obtained from Military Intelligence. According to the INGOs, there has been no deterioration in security to account for this change in policy.

Returns

North Darfur

GoS authorities are pressuring Abu Shouk residents to return to their homes through the provision of cash, shelter materials and food. However, GoS prematurely collected WFP ration cards without making the necessary arrangements to have food assistance, nor any other kind of assistance, provided in the meantime. Moreover, GoS started this process without informing IOM of the return, as per the MCM agreement. In practice, this means that over 216 families in the camp who have not yet left, are now unable to receive WFP food distributions.

Mine Action

North Darfur

Informed sources report that mines have been laid recently along a stretch of road in North Darfur. UNMAS, other UN agencies and NGOs have been notified. The stretch of road in question is currently a NO-GO area for UN agencies.

Administrative Issues

West Darfur

OCHA opened a new satellite office in Garsila on 16 July. UNICEF and WHO opened a field office in Zalingei the previous week.