Key Developments
- Secretary-General Annan addressed the
African Union Summit in Sirte, Libya on 4 July and included in his remarks
a call to the international community to increase its collective support
to the AU force in Darfur.
- In Abuja, talks continued on 4 July on the draft Declaration of Principles (DoP).
Security Issues
North Darfur
It was reported that on 2 July, a tribal clash between Medob and Ziadia tribesmen erupted over the stealing of livestock by Ziadia tribesmen. It is alleged that Ziadia tribesmen left Kuma for Heglig where they stole about 400 sheep belonging to the Medob tribesmen. On their way back to Kuma, they were stopped by Medob tribesmen at a location about 10 km south of Heglig where fighting erupted. Medob tribesmen suffered two casualties and re-took possession of their stolen livestock. The number of casualties from the Ziadia tribe could not be confirmed but is reported to be high. GoS is sending troops to the area.
On 3 July, it was reported that the GoS forces had surrounded Kassab IDP camp denying the IDPs entry to or exit from the camp.
On 1 July, a member of a nomadic tribe was allegedly attacked by about 30 SLA rebels near Tawilla. He managed to run to safety and immediately reported to GoS police. The GoS police confronted the SLA fighters and an exchange of fire ensued. Two SLA members were killed and the others retreated. No casualties reported on GoS police side. The situation is reportedly tense.
UNMIS received a report that on 4 July, an armed man tried unsuccessfully to force his way into the house of two employees of WFP. He then fired four shots into the air before leaving the scene. The intention of the man could not be established.
South Darfur
On 1 July, along the Al Salam-Nyala road, an unknown number of bandits reportedly attacked and shot at a passenger vehicle. As a result of the shooting, four passengers were killed while six others sustained injuries. The incident was reported to GoS police. The injured persons were rushed to Nyala Hospital for treatment.
On 30 June, a resident of the Kalma IDP camp reported that while in the bush near the camp, some unknown armed men attacked and injured him. They also robbed him of cash 745 SD. The victim reported the incident to Bilel GoS police and was issued a medical form.
Break-in attempts into compounds of humanitarian agencies are on the rise in Nyala town. During the night of 2 July, both an INGO office (unsuccessful attempt) and the compound of a UN agency were visited by intruders, but no valuable items were stolen.
West Darfur
UNMIS received a report that on 2 July, unknown armed men robbed some members of a nomadic tribe of their belongings near Tiara Higo village.
On 3 July, reports were received that the security situation in Masteria village was tense and unstable due to the constant harassment of villagers by bandits.
It was reported that on 2 July, in the area of Rosi some armed tribesmen attacked a group of people and seriously injured one woman.
Eastern Sudan
On 1 July, a convoy involving a private truck and a GoS Land Cruiser reportedly detonated an anti-tank mine. No casualties were reported.
Protection Issues
North Darfur
UNMIS is coordinating a workshop between 3 and 7 July for AU personnel, focusing on humanitarian rights.
The second phase of the relocation of IDPs from Abu Shouk to Al-Salam started on 3 July. During the first phase 2,300 households were moved. The relocation will be completed by 18 July and involve a total of 4,800 households (around 23,000 people).
West Darfur
OCHA travelled to Golo on 5 July to meet with humanitarian actors there. The area was declared No-Go for UN agencies more than six months ago due to repeated fighting between GoS and SLA forces.
Abyei
135 IDPs in three buses arrived in Abyei on 4 July. The IDPs will continue on foot to the South because of the bad road conditions.
South Sudan
Wau: Small numbers of IDPs are arriving in Wau town from Warap (numbers not available). Between 26 June and 3 July, 1063 IDPs arrived in Malual from Almariam, Mujlad and Khartoum by foot. Political Affairs:
In Abuja, discussions continued on 4 July on the draft Declaration of Principles (DoP). While the GoS and JEM indicated they were prepared to agree to it, the SLM continued to raise a variety of objections. Despite the day-long efforts of the mediation team, including SRSG Pronk, the SLM refused to agree to the document in the end. On the 5th, efforts to persuade the SLM are set to continue before the talks close with a set of plenary sessions.
The African Committee for Reconstruction in Sudan, formed after the signing of the CPA in January, met yesterday in Sirte, Libya. According to press reports, the meeting discussed mechanisms for executing the tasks assigned to the committee on both ministerial and technical levels as well as preparations for the African Donors Conference scheduled for the beginning of next year in Khartoum. Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan and Kenya participated in the meeting.
The spokesperson for the National Constitutional Draft Commission, Dirdiri Mohamed, informed that a few minor amendments proposed by the members of the Parliament are under review. The proposed amendments are: the right of the states to impose sector taxes and the amendment of companies' profit taxes, and a proposal for a Federal Auditors Chamber with a Branch in the South, in place of having two separate Auditor chambers.
Human Rights
The National Criminal Court for Darfur Crimes began its first court hearing in El- Fasher into the case of three soldiers and three civilians accused of armed robbery in the surroundings of Zam Zam village (approximately 12 km South of El Fasher) in November 2004. Three more prosecution witnesses appeared before the court to give evidence. The Court adjourned the trial until 6 August 2005 to hear another prosecution witness who is at present in Chad.
Humanitarian Affairs
Food/NFIs
North Darfur
On 3 July, Relief International (RI) started distribution of shelter materials and blankets to 2,000 IDP households in Jebel Si.
On 2 July, a WFP convoy with around 184 MT of food left El Fasher for villages in the Malha area. Another WFP convoy with 83 MT of food left for Um Shidig.
South Darfur
Kalma camp was partly flooded on 3 July, submerging most dwellings in three sectors. Food reserves that were kept in the IDP huts may have been lost. The total number of affected persons, together with their food and non-food needs was assessed on 4 July and the results are pending.
UNJLC is to support NGOs in Kalma Camp in the distribution of plastic sheeting (13- 14,000 pieces) and blankets (33,000 pieces) to Kalma IDPs
West Darfur
FAO reported that it has distributed almost 500 MT of field crop seeds, ICRC 48 MT and GoS 640 MT. In addition, CRS has distributed vouchers for a total of 50 million SD; the quantity of seeds procured will be known after all the vouchers are collected.
WFP successfully completed the head-count in Mornei on 4 July. The camp had resisted registration for many weeks.
Abyei
Following reception of 6.6 MT of cooking oil on 4 July, SC-US will begin the twomonth food distributions for a total of 955 beneficiaries (returnees and host population) in Abyei town.
South Sudan
Heavy rain over many areas of the south continues to impede both population movement and delivery of assistance. Delivery of food aid and NFIs to vulnerable populations in both Yirol (Lakes) and Akobo (Jonglei) has continued but has been hindered by heavy rain and lack of availability of Buffalo aircraft. Movement of the Mabia IDPs continues to progress steadily but slowly due to the rains. The majority of the group is estimated to be only 120 km away from the Dem Zubeir area and is expected to arrive in mid-July. The medical situation of the returnees continues to be monitored by the IOM doctor who is accompanying the group, and WFP has administered its third food drop of the journey.
Attacks on 2 of the 32 cattle camps moving from Mundri to Bor earlier this month have increased the vulnerability of the affected 519 IDPs. They remain in urgent need of food assistance, NFIs and in particular plastic sheeting due to the present heavy rainfall. PACT, who has coordinated the project is facing serious funding shortfalls. However, they intend to take forward coordinating a response to the recent attacks.
(Unity): Monthly food distributions in Mayom and Pariang have begun after delays caused by food pipeline break.
Health
Darfur
Results of the WHO-led Mortality Survey, finalized in June, showed that mortality rates have dropped significantly to 0.8 deaths/10,000/day, below the international crisis threshold of 1death/10,000/day. Last year's survey showed figures ranging from 1.5 in North Darfur to 2.7 in South Darfur, and 2.9/10,000/day in West Darfur.
North Darfur
On 3 July, RI also launched a Supplementary Feeding Centre in Kunjura and a mobile clinic to address nutrition and health needs in the area.
West Darfur
A first vector spraying campaign in the Zalingei camps was completed this week.
Oxfam completed 1,000 new latrines in Um Dukhun, and is now starting the construction of another 1,500 latrines in the surrounding areas.
South Sudan
(Wau): WHO, UNICEF and SMoH are conducting a health facility assessment in Western Bahr El Ghazal. The final report is expected on 15 July.
ACF is reopening the therapeutic feeding centre in Wau hospital. ACF handed over the centre to the MoH in Feb. 2004, but the nutrition unit closed down due to lack of resources. ACF nutritional survey indicates that global malnutrition rates in Wau have increased from 12.5 % in March 2004 to 13.1% in April 2005 and that SAM increased from 2.4 to 2.7% over the same period. The worst situation was recorded in the Eastern Bank IDP camps where GAM rose from 16.7 to 25%, and SAM from 3 to 3.8% over the same period.
Returns
South Sudan
Taxation continues to be a major concern for returnees and there have been numerous reports from IDPs of looting and taxing by army soldiers at checkpoints. Recent reports have come from returnees to Yei who claimed they were being taxed on the CAR side of the border and also from families of recent returnees to Panyijar.
(Jongli): Following the multi-sector assessment to Akobo (end of May) which confirmed the presence of 6-8,000 returnees in the area requiring assistance, Oxfam, WVI and ACF have been coordinating the distribution of NFIs (blankets, buckets, family survival kits, jerry cans, tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito nets and drinking cups) to Kier and Akobo. WVI and ACF are due to complete their distribution of NFIs in Akobo and will return to Lokichoggio on 4 July.
(Upper Nile): A barge left Kosti headed to Malakal on 29 June with 207 returnees on board. ADRA has provided 15 days food ration plus plastic sheeting, blankets and mosquito nets to the returnees.
WFP in collaboration with Islamic Dawa and national NGOs have started a school feeding project in 15 IDP primary schools expecting to benefit 6,544 student.
Khartoum
The second meeting of the Consultative Committee on Re-planning Areas of Displacement in Khartoum State, including GoS, donors, NGOs and UN representatives met for the second time on 4 July. The Committee is chaired by the Khartoum Wali and co-chaired by the EC. Discussion revolved around mechanisms for the relocation of some 6,000 IDP families from Soba Aradi to the planned city Al Shaheed Al Rasheed. The participants agreed to form a technical sub-committee to discuss service levels as well propose methodologies for the clear identification of families due to move to Al Shaheed Al Rasheed prior to the rainy season.
General
Abyei
Due to heavy rain, the northeast and southeast of Abyei are heavily flooded. No reports of house collapses or injuries. Airstrip is only accessible by helicopter.