Key Developments:
- Following the Council of Ministers
meeting on 16 Oct., Omer Mohamed Salih, Secretary General of the Council
of Ministers, informed the press that the Council reviewed a report on
the implementation of the CPA, presented by Vice-President Taha. Salih
announced that the formulation of the draft laws of all CPA Commissions
were finalised and submitted to the Presidency. Accordingly, the coming
period would witness the formation of commissions and the Constitutional
Court.
- On 18 Oct., FVP Salva Kiir issued decrees establishing 22 ministries to form the council of ministers of the GoSS. Mr. Abdout Agua Jok was appointed as Secretary General of the Council of Ministers and Elijah Malok as Governor of the South Sudan Bank
Security Issues:
Eastern Sudan
- On 14 Oct., an anti-person landmine exploded 3 km south of Wadsharifay refugee camp. No casualties reported.
- On 17 Oct., there was a mine incident in Gulag (33 km east of Kassala). A 21 year-old person was tending goats and accidentally detonated a suspected anti-personnel mine. The person's left leg was severely injured and it was amputated. He also sustained injuries on the left arm.
Southern Sudan
- There is an upsurge of banditry along the Warawar-Meriam road. This has stopped the movement of traders and people along the route. OCHA has informally advised agencies and NGOs to avoid the area.
- A large NGO in Malualkon has lost all its food from its stocks under mysterious circumstances. Level 3 security has been declared within the compound.
West Darfur
- On 11 Oct., six armed men, five in military uniform, attacked one light truck with 15 people on the road from Geneina to Adikong. The driver and the passengers were robbed of all their money and their belongings.
- On 15 Oct., two armed men tried to ambush another Land Rover along the El-Geneina road. The vehicle was carrying two GoS soldiers who returned fire after they were shot at. One of the soldiers was injured in the attack. The two attackers escaped and ran away into the bush.
- On 16 Oct., 10 armed men attacked two trucks transporting 400 bags of sorghum near Guldu, 20 km north-east of Nertiti (Jebel Marra).
- On 17 Oct., Barri village was allegedly attacked by armed tribesmen, and one person was killed.
- On 15 Oct., there was a clash between the SLA and armed nomads at Buro, northwest of Nertiti. No further information available.
- On 15 Oct., there were fighting between armed cattle and camel herders at Korare village north of Zalingie. Six wounded persons were evacuated to Zalingie hospital.
- On 16 Oct., 10 unknown armed men attacked three commercial trucks conveying 200 bags of harvested sorghum each from the Jebel Mara to Nyala market at Guldo (25 km NE of Neriti). They looted the personal property of the drivers and also all of the 600 bags of sorghum on the vehicles.
South Darfur
- On 14 Oct., seven armed men attacked a commercial truck at Thiroum (64 km east of Nyala along the railway line). Two passengers were reportedly killed and a large sum of money robbed.
- On 14 Oct., unknown armed men attacked a commercial truck carrying goods to Nyala at Um Gonya near Gereida. They looted all the goods on the truck. There were no casualties.
- On 16 Oct., a commercial truck with 16 passengers was attacked by eight armed men on the road from Gereida to Nyala near Donkey Dereisa. One person was reportedly killed and three wounded.
- On 17 Oct., three to four men on horseback shot in the air in front of the MDM compound in Kalma camp. IDPs in the neighbourhood were startled but the men left the scene without further incident.
North Darfur
- On 13 Oct., armed tribesmen attacked villages at Nadi and Timtim. Five villagers were killed and several wounded at Kinin. A hut was burnt in the village.
- On 16 Oct., armed clashes were reported six km southeast of Kutum between SAF and SLA Forces. This was as a result of an alleged attack by SLA on a GoS military/police post and retaliation by the SAF forces. Casualties could not be confirmed.
Protection Issues:
West Darfur
- On 16-18 Oct., IRC conducted training in Zalingei town on IDP Guiding Principles for HAC personnel and for PDF members.
North Darfur
- Updated information from Tawilla indicates that the number of displaced residents has increased again, with an average of 1,500 people sleeping in makeshift shelters in an area adjacent to the AU base.
Political Affairs:
- On 16 Oct., informal consultations on wealth-sharing and security commenced in Abuja. Co-ordinator of the wealth-sharing commission, Ouedraogo, underscored the need for a formal agenda for the next round of talks planned for mid-Nov. In the meantime, discussions in the power-sharing commission made progress, with three agenda items done and talks due to begin on federalism.
- The governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal, Mr Mark Nyipouc Obong, arrived 18 Oct. in Wau Town.
- On 17 Oct., Mr Taban Deng, governor for Unity State, arrived in Bentiu in a convoy of over 30 vehicles escorted by SPLA from Kharsasana to Bentiu.
- On 16 Oct., the visiting Eritrean delegation, headed by the Acting Foreign Minister, held consultations with the leadership of the National Congress Party (NCP), led by deputy chairman for political affairs Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie. Discussion focused on the improvement of bilateral relations between the NCP and the ruling party in Eritrea.
Civil Affairs
- On 12 Oct., a reconciliation conference in Zalingei between Arab groups of Hootiya (cattle owners), Niyib (camel owners), Bagaara (cattle owners) and Abballa (camel owners) started, with the involvement of the Government of West Darfur. The conflict began with the rape of a Baggara women, and subsequent clashes in the area of Saraf Omra that claimed many lives from both sides.
- On 17 Oct., UNMIS attended a meeting in Khartoum organized by the Civil Society Peace Initiative and Southern Women Group to analyze the causes of the violence the death of John Garang. The discussion concluded that the violence which followed symptom of a long-term structural social breakdown, and marginalisation faced by non-Northerners in Khartoum. The SPLM stated that the only guarantee against a reoccurrence of such violence was the implementation of the CPA in letter and spirit, particularly the clauses focusing on the special status of non-Muslims in Khartoum, poverty alleviation, and better governance systems.
- On 17 Oct., UNMIS in Khartoum met with Teeba Press, a private sector publishing house engaged in reconciliation initiatives with families from IDP camps around Khartoum, and families from central Khartoum. They are promoting social peace using different media including national TV and Radio.
Gender
- On 16 Oct., UNMIS met with the Director of Salmmah Centre for Women's Empowerment in Khartoum, as part of UNMIS' effort to map national NGOs' activities on gender-based violence in Darfur. Salmmah noted willingness to collaborate for the upcoming sixteen days of activism against gender violence and to encourage civil society organizations to engage with the GNU in implementing Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
- On 17 Oct., UNMIS participated in the Sexual Gender-based Violence Forum coordinated by UNFPA. Discussions continued on the 16 Days of activism against gender violence and participants explored strategies to address sexual exploitation and abuse in relation to food distribution.
- On 18 Oct., the Gender Unit delivered a briefing on "Children in need of special care: Gender and sexual exploitation" to UN police advisors, as part of a 4-day Training of Trainers programme organized by the Child Protection Unit, held at the Sudan Agricultural Bank. The briefing highlighted the links between gender and sexual violence, and the responsibility of UNMIS police advisors to inform the local population about complaint mechanisms and to investigate allegations of sexual exploitation.
Human Rights
- UNMIS learned that Hafiz El Sheik, former Emir of the Missiriya Jabel, who was detained by Military Intelligence on 28 Aug and then temporarily released, is now released.
UNMIS Police
- On 15 Oct., a team from Sector I arrived in Yambio for a four-day visit to assess the ability to establish a UN Police Team Site. The assessment team included UN Police, Bangladesh Medical and the Child Protection Unit.
Humanitarian Issues:
General Humanitarian
West Darfur
- On 8 Oct., two Danish Refugee Council (DRC)-supported schools were opened in Zalingei town close to the Hassa Hissa camp.
- On 12 Oct., a NGO conducted a food distribution to a new caseload of 6,246 resident populations from Boldung and surrounding villages (north of Thur) in Jebel Marra with a 1=BD month's ration. It is also conducting a verification of lists of populations in need of food in Galol and will distribute 1=BD month's rations there once the lists are complete. Additionally, the NGO distributed NFIs to a total 3,685 households from Thur, Boldong, Kuturum and Qwilla. These included plastic sheeting, blankets, jerry cans, soap and kitchen sets as well as clothes for women and children.
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC) continues its agricultural training in Treij and surrounding damras (in Zalingei rural/Treij) for residents and IDPs. Since the end of July, over 670 farmers have completed the agricultural training, which includes guidance on different methods of weeding, thinning, top dressing, transplanting and other issues. Both men and women are participating in the training.
- IMC started its mobile health clinics in Treij in early Oct. The clinics run once a week.
- HAC Zalingei will extend the one-month blanket travel permits for humanitarian personnel until 20 Nov. These permits are valid only for Zalingei locality.
- In response to the travel restriction on all roads leading out of Geneina, the international agencies have organized six commercial convoys for transport of humanitarian goods over the last days.
South Darfur
- Although the 4 Oct. headcount in Kalma camp was conducted very smoothly, the IDP Sheikhs are now claiming that the day before the exercise, due to the tense situation, over 30,000 IDPs had left the camp to go to their villages. As the IDPs now have allegedly returned to Kalma, they also want to be registered. It is improbable that such a movement would have gone unnoticed by the humanitarian community or by the GoS police stationed near the camp.
North Darfur
- IRC has completed a three-day measles vaccination campaign for 400 children aged less than 5 years among the new arrivals in Al-Salaam IDP camp.
- Enfants du Monde/Droits de homme (EMDH) has completed a behavioural change training course for 75 teachers in Abu Shouk IDP camp, and has started the same training for 25 teachers in Al-Salaam IDP camp.
- On 17 Oct., the State Ministry of Health started a seven-day vector control campaign in Zam Zam IDP camp.
East Sudan
- The Wali called for a meeting with the humanitarian actors where he stated that education and sanitation are immediate priorities and that the involvement of community-based organizations is a key to ensure sustainability in intervention. Agencies raised concern about coordination between government departments and about humanitarian access. Regarding coordination, the Wali decided to form a high committee for coordination chaired by the Minister of Culture and Social Affairs with representation of agencies and departments. Regarding access, the Wali directed the HAC commissioner to issue pass permits to humanitarian workers, stating that card holders cannot be stopped at any check point in the state. This development constitutes an improvement in humanitarian access which had deteriorated since the beginning of the year.
- The evaluation of the polio vaccination campaign indicates 100 % coverage in all of Kassala state. Reportedly, one case of acute paralysis has been detected in Wadsharifay refugee camp, supposedly imported from Eritrea. The free movement across the borders constitutes a concern for further spreading of the disease. Another round of the polio vaccination campaign will take place on 15 Nov. 2005.
- IRC has begun the construction of two health facilities in Odi in Hameshkoreib locality. The security situation is reported to be calm in the area.
South Sudan
Bahr el Jebel
- In Yei, the MALTESER laboratory's microscopes remain missing and the lab is closed until the stolen equipment is found or new microscopes are purchased. The closure is a cause for concern as the lab is the only TB-testing centre in this part of Equatoria.
- The Director of External Relations for UNHCR Geneva and a donor group made up of representatives from ECHO, USAID and the governments of Norway, Finland, Germany and Sweden visited Yei on 18 Oct. to look at return and repatriation issues. The donor group met the Governor of Central Equatoria, Clement Wani Konga, and the Executive Director for Yei.
Unity State
- On 17 Oct., the UNMIS Force Commander visited Bentiu and had several meetings with various government officials, civil/military bodies and the UN team in Rubkona. In the meeting with UN agencies (WFP, UNICEF and OCHA), issues such as the number of women-headed households and the numbers of returnees and the services that would be available to returnees, were discussed.
- On 18 Oct., the new state governor, Mr Taban Deng held a public rally in Bentiu. He encouraged returns to the villages of origin and promised to provide the basic services; education is to be considered a priority. He said that SPLM/A was working closely with other armed groups, and that recruitment is prohibited by the CPA.
Returns
Kosti
- Between 15 and 18 Oct. 94 households (392 individuals) arrived in Kosti en route to other destinations by road. Eleven households (31 individuals) are now awaiting barges at the Kosti Wharf. At present, no barges are scheduled to leave the wharf.
North Darfur
- On 16 Oct., an inter-agency assessment, with the participation of UNJLC, UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, GAA and OCHA, was conducted in Mellit, in response to the reported new arrivals in Abassi IDP camp after villages were looted and burned in the area in early of Oct. According to a recent verification by GAA, 158 families have arrived in the camp over the past two weeks. Most new arrivals are women and children, and the men should be joining them shortly. The priority needs of the IDPs are security, water, food and shelter. Some food, NFIs and shelter material have already been distributed
Kassala
- On 17 Oct., 176 POWs from SAF were handed over by SPLM/A at Shelaloub (Eritrean border point) under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) On 18 Oct., former prisoners were transferred to Khartoum by the ICRC with the assistance of Sudanese Red Cresent (SRC). They had been held for more than five years in eastern Sudan in connection with the former conflict between SPLM/A and GoS.
- IRC is in the process of rehabilitating 10 health facilities in Kassala state; five in Kassala locality, four in El-Gash and one in Hameshkorieb. In addition IRC is establishing a new water system in Tahjer and rehabilitating water systems in Jebelhabouba and Humadab.
Bentiu
- On 17 Oct., 53 returnees arrived.
UNMIS Military:
Sector III (Malakal)
- On 18 Oct., the FC visited Nassir and Melut to inspect possible team sites.
- On 18 Oct., the first Sector III AJMC meeting was conducted at Malakal. The key points were that the Parties agreed to provide further information on force structure, disposition and movement they agreed not to hinder humanitarian work and demining activities.
- Preparations for the first meeting of AJMC in Sector III are underway with the agenda points being handed over to the parties (16 Oct.)
Sector IV (Kadugli)
- On 17 Oct., TS Dilling UNMO team visited the village of Fragil village to inform the population about the CPA and UNMIS' role in the area.
Sector V (Ed Damazin)
- The SPLA reported that about 1,200 SPLA troops have started moving on 16 Oct. from Kurmuk towards the JIU location in Dindiro, and they were expected to reach their destination on the same day. Similarly one company of SAF troops have started moving towards Dindiro from Ed Damzin and will likely arrive by 16 Oct. On 17 Oct., another Company of SAF troops started for the JIU location in Dindiro. The Div Commander of 4th Div of SAF and the SPLA Generals are also going to Dindiro to receive their forces.
Sector VI (Abyei)
- On 16 Oct., a patrol was sent north to the Goli-Diffra area to monitor the southward migration of the nomads. The first nomads were met on the north side of Goli, 32 road km from Sector HQ Abyei. There were approximately 350 head of cattle in the first wave, divided into two groups, accompanied by seven people. The second wave was met just south of Difra, 45 km from Sector HQ Abyei. They had approximately 450 head of cattle, with two persons in their group. Both groups were carrying weapons (AK-47), and said the reason for carrying them was protection from wild animals.
- On 17 Oct., a patrol was sent north to Higlig to gather information to increase local situational awareness. A second patrol was sent to Muglad to investigate the feasibility of establishing a temporary UNMO TS.
On 18 Oct., the second AJMC meeting was held in Abyei. Several key pieces of information were provided which will require early UNMO action. The key points of the meeting the demining of seven suspected mine fields, scattered UXO's, the disarming of some 71 child soldiers within the SPLA's ranks. On this last point, the SPLA requested the assistance of a child protection officer in reintegrating the children back into their communities.