From Radio Dabanga this morning:
The Saudi Red Crescent Corporation stopped temporarily its activities in Bileil and Kalma camp till efforts are made to ensure the safety of its workers. The commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs in South Darfur, Sabil Ahmed Sabi l informed Radio Dabanga the organization’s pull out from Bileil health centre and Kalma. Last Sunday several villagers and displaced people held a demonstration against threatening workers. They protested in front of the UNAMID’s headquarters against the government’s plan to build a road passing through their camp.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Day 291 - January 25th
- Chadian Rebels (backed by the Government of Sudan) attacked yesterday the villages of Martego, Wagd, and Magti in North Darfur near the town of Malit, reported Radio Dabanga this Morning. Civilians complained to the radio that the rebels entered into these villages house by house, terrorizing the villagers, looting homes, and destroying properties. No reports of death or injuries.
- In a fresh round of bombings,as recent as yesterday - Sunday, the Sudan Air Force bombed villages of Kulbus, Abu Gamra in West Darfur near the border with Chad.
From Radio Dabanga:
Government warplanes bombed yesterday morning the Jebel Moon’s Koujuk reservoir area. The bombardment caused the injury of 4 people according to Treibo Ibrahim Juma, one of the JEM commanders in the region. Bombs led to the death of twenty camels and thirty sheep as well damage to water sources. Juma told the government warplanes still continue to fly around the area.
Witnesses from Abu Gamara told Radio Dabanga Sudanese military warplanes bombed the region for a second day in a row until Sunday morning. Saying the strike hit a number of sites in Abu Gamara and Kulbus.
- In a fresh round of bombings,as recent as yesterday - Sunday, the Sudan Air Force bombed villages of Kulbus, Abu Gamra in West Darfur near the border with Chad.
From Radio Dabanga:
Government warplanes bombed yesterday morning the Jebel Moon’s Koujuk reservoir area. The bombardment caused the injury of 4 people according to Treibo Ibrahim Juma, one of the JEM commanders in the region. Bombs led to the death of twenty camels and thirty sheep as well damage to water sources. Juma told the government warplanes still continue to fly around the area.
Witnesses from Abu Gamara told Radio Dabanga Sudanese military warplanes bombed the region for a second day in a row until Sunday morning. Saying the strike hit a number of sites in Abu Gamara and Kulbus.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Day 286 - January 20th
- Areal bombings continue in Darfur. New villages are bombed.
From Radio Dabanga:
JEM accuse the government of bombing the Western Darfur area Abu Gamra. The bombardment on Monday caused the loss of sheeps and camels told JEM’s commander in chief Suleiman Sandal Radio Dabanga. The SLM of Minni Minawi held the JEM secretary for Humanitarian Affair, Hamid Nour Shugar directly responsible for the attack. Saying that Shugar had implicated JEM in the region and this prompted the violent government reaction.
The attack forced many families seek shelter in the mountains and valleys according to the SLM. It increased the detoriating situation of the civilians.
Suleiman Sandal downplayed SLM’s accusations as unfounded and saying the SLM is to blame for the attack as long as Minni Minawi is part of the government in Khartoum.
- Famine threatens lives of IDPs (internal Displaced People) in some camps in Darfur.
Leaders in the idp camps in the area of Zalengi told Radio Dabanga this morning that there is severe shortage of food and basic necessities hitting the camps and villages in the area of Zalengi, West Darfur. The leaders said the people outside Darfur should not believe the government's lies that there is "Food Gap but no famine". Other leaders in Kalma, the largest camp in South Darfur, complained bitterly to Radio Dabanga that there is acute shortage of food, medicine, and drinking water in the camp.
- In Ma;it area, North Darfur, the Chadian rebels (backed by the Government of Sudan) continued to wreak havoc in the area. Due to lack of security, prices of necessary commodities shot through the roof.
From Radio Dabanga:
Food and water priced in Milliet increased after Chadian opposition rebels attacked a private owned waer well. Local residents told Radio Dabanga they fear the same encounter. Residents told the price of a water container (better known as Khurug) has exceeded to fifteen Sudanese pounds.
- Clashes continue between GoS and the rebels in the area of Ain Siro, North Darfur.
From Radio Dabanga:
UNAMID send an investigation team along with medical supplies to the area of Ain Siru in North Darfur. The area is witnessing clashes between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Abdul Wahid. Spokesman Noureddine Mezni told Radio Dabanga the agreement to send a team was an important change to the movement’s position. Earlier the SLM did not allow free entry to its combat zones.
From Radio Dabanga:
JEM accuse the government of bombing the Western Darfur area Abu Gamra. The bombardment on Monday caused the loss of sheeps and camels told JEM’s commander in chief Suleiman Sandal Radio Dabanga. The SLM of Minni Minawi held the JEM secretary for Humanitarian Affair, Hamid Nour Shugar directly responsible for the attack. Saying that Shugar had implicated JEM in the region and this prompted the violent government reaction.
The attack forced many families seek shelter in the mountains and valleys according to the SLM. It increased the detoriating situation of the civilians.
Suleiman Sandal downplayed SLM’s accusations as unfounded and saying the SLM is to blame for the attack as long as Minni Minawi is part of the government in Khartoum.
- Famine threatens lives of IDPs (internal Displaced People) in some camps in Darfur.
Leaders in the idp camps in the area of Zalengi told Radio Dabanga this morning that there is severe shortage of food and basic necessities hitting the camps and villages in the area of Zalengi, West Darfur. The leaders said the people outside Darfur should not believe the government's lies that there is "Food Gap but no famine". Other leaders in Kalma, the largest camp in South Darfur, complained bitterly to Radio Dabanga that there is acute shortage of food, medicine, and drinking water in the camp.
- In Ma;it area, North Darfur, the Chadian rebels (backed by the Government of Sudan) continued to wreak havoc in the area. Due to lack of security, prices of necessary commodities shot through the roof.
From Radio Dabanga:
Food and water priced in Milliet increased after Chadian opposition rebels attacked a private owned waer well. Local residents told Radio Dabanga they fear the same encounter. Residents told the price of a water container (better known as Khurug) has exceeded to fifteen Sudanese pounds.
- Clashes continue between GoS and the rebels in the area of Ain Siro, North Darfur.
From Radio Dabanga:
UNAMID send an investigation team along with medical supplies to the area of Ain Siru in North Darfur. The area is witnessing clashes between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Abdul Wahid. Spokesman Noureddine Mezni told Radio Dabanga the agreement to send a team was an important change to the movement’s position. Earlier the SLM did not allow free entry to its combat zones.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Day 284 - January 18th
- From Radio Dabanga:
NCP students attack Darfur colleagues in Omdurman
OMDURMAN (18 Jan.) - Darfur students say that a group of students of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) attacked a dormitory compound mainly inhabited by Darfur students in Omdurman. The President of the Darfur student Association at the University of Khartoum, Osman Mohammed Ibrahim Al Noujemi told Radio Dabanga that the attack happened on Friday evening. The attackers burned down eight rooms and caused damages to students’ properties according to Al Noujemi. He added the attack did not only result in property damages but also led to the injury of more than 13 students including the President of Darfur Student Union at the Faculty of Education.
NCP students attack Darfur colleagues in Omdurman
OMDURMAN (18 Jan.) - Darfur students say that a group of students of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) attacked a dormitory compound mainly inhabited by Darfur students in Omdurman. The President of the Darfur student Association at the University of Khartoum, Osman Mohammed Ibrahim Al Noujemi told Radio Dabanga that the attack happened on Friday evening. The attackers burned down eight rooms and caused damages to students’ properties according to Al Noujemi. He added the attack did not only result in property damages but also led to the injury of more than 13 students including the President of Darfur Student Union at the Faculty of Education.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Day 283 - January 17th
From Sudan Tribune:
Sudan military court hand death sentences on 18 Darfur stationed soldiers: report
Sunday 17 January 2010.
(KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese military court sentenced 18 soldiers to death charging them with insubordination and mutiny, a newspaper reported this week.
The members of the Sudanese army belonged to different ranks, according to the pro-SPLM Ajras Al-Hurriya newspaper, refused to deploy from Al-Obayid city in Kordofan state to the town of Umbro in Northern Darfur and instead went to the Al-Fasher capital city in a convoy of 26 vehicles.
The report did not say what prompted this action from the soldiers. During the peak of the Darfur conflict in 2003-2004 there were numerous reports of mutiny among Darfuri pilots and soldiers in the army who refused to carry out orders of attack in the war ravaged region.
The defendants were found guilty of violating articles of the Armed Forces Act, including violation of instructions the commander in chief. Families of the convicted soldiers appealed to the Sudanese president and the minister of defense to overrule the sentence.
The court sentenced 17 others to imprisonment for a period ranging from five to six months while others have been acquitted. The attorneys told the newspaper they are planning an appeal.
A spokesperson for the Sudanese army declined to confirm or deny the report when reached by Ajras Al-Hurriya.
The army commander of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Suleiman Sandal hailed the “bravery” of the soldiers.
“They have done the right thing and sided with the people, refusing to carry orders of the Bashir who is the commander in chief of the army” Sandal told Sudan Tribune by satellite phone from an undisclosed location
“Bashir is a war criminal indicted by an international court so complying with his orders is a violation of international law and humanitarian norms” he added.
Sandal called on the appeals court to bear in mind that what the convicted soldier “were in compliance with the law” and urged the defense lawyers to stress this in their filings.
- From Reuters:
Darfur rebels say Sudan army attacks market area
Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:22pm EST
KHARTOUM, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Darfur rebels said Sudan's army had attacked their troops in a populated area of the western state of North Darfur on Saturday, escalating fighting ahead of peace talks due to open this month.
Tensions were already high in oil-producing Sudan which is gearing up for presidential, parliamentary and state governor elections in April.
Saturday's attack follows an assault by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) on the government garrison town Golo in Jabel Marra last Wednesday after days of government bombardment of rebel positions in Sudan's remote west.
"The government attacked our areas in the market area of Furug," SLA commander Ibrahim el-Helwu told Reuters. "This is a heavily populated area," he added.
The army spokesman's office was not immediately available to comment and the U.N.-African Union peacekeepers (UNAMID) said they were checking the reports.
"All the areas under the control of SLA (Abdel Wahed)...are a no-go area for us," UNAMID spokesman Noureddine Mezni said.
The rebels accuse the mission of working too closely with Khartoum and refuse to allow them to enter their areas.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2009 for war crimes during a brutal counter-insurgency campaign in Sudan's west after rebels took up arms in 2003 demanding more autonomy.
Darfur's fighting sparked a humanitarian crisis which the United Nations estimates has claimed 300,000 lives and driven more than 2 million from their homes.
Fighting has largely subsided since the early battles, but sporadic clashes have since pushed rebels out of the main towns and into the vast swathes of arid countryside.
Sudan military court hand death sentences on 18 Darfur stationed soldiers: report
Sunday 17 January 2010.
(KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese military court sentenced 18 soldiers to death charging them with insubordination and mutiny, a newspaper reported this week.
The members of the Sudanese army belonged to different ranks, according to the pro-SPLM Ajras Al-Hurriya newspaper, refused to deploy from Al-Obayid city in Kordofan state to the town of Umbro in Northern Darfur and instead went to the Al-Fasher capital city in a convoy of 26 vehicles.
The report did not say what prompted this action from the soldiers. During the peak of the Darfur conflict in 2003-2004 there were numerous reports of mutiny among Darfuri pilots and soldiers in the army who refused to carry out orders of attack in the war ravaged region.
The defendants were found guilty of violating articles of the Armed Forces Act, including violation of instructions the commander in chief. Families of the convicted soldiers appealed to the Sudanese president and the minister of defense to overrule the sentence.
The court sentenced 17 others to imprisonment for a period ranging from five to six months while others have been acquitted. The attorneys told the newspaper they are planning an appeal.
A spokesperson for the Sudanese army declined to confirm or deny the report when reached by Ajras Al-Hurriya.
The army commander of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Suleiman Sandal hailed the “bravery” of the soldiers.
“They have done the right thing and sided with the people, refusing to carry orders of the Bashir who is the commander in chief of the army” Sandal told Sudan Tribune by satellite phone from an undisclosed location
“Bashir is a war criminal indicted by an international court so complying with his orders is a violation of international law and humanitarian norms” he added.
Sandal called on the appeals court to bear in mind that what the convicted soldier “were in compliance with the law” and urged the defense lawyers to stress this in their filings.
- From Reuters:
Darfur rebels say Sudan army attacks market area
Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:22pm EST
KHARTOUM, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Darfur rebels said Sudan's army had attacked their troops in a populated area of the western state of North Darfur on Saturday, escalating fighting ahead of peace talks due to open this month.
Tensions were already high in oil-producing Sudan which is gearing up for presidential, parliamentary and state governor elections in April.
Saturday's attack follows an assault by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) on the government garrison town Golo in Jabel Marra last Wednesday after days of government bombardment of rebel positions in Sudan's remote west.
"The government attacked our areas in the market area of Furug," SLA commander Ibrahim el-Helwu told Reuters. "This is a heavily populated area," he added.
The army spokesman's office was not immediately available to comment and the U.N.-African Union peacekeepers (UNAMID) said they were checking the reports.
"All the areas under the control of SLA (Abdel Wahed)...are a no-go area for us," UNAMID spokesman Noureddine Mezni said.
The rebels accuse the mission of working too closely with Khartoum and refuse to allow them to enter their areas.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2009 for war crimes during a brutal counter-insurgency campaign in Sudan's west after rebels took up arms in 2003 demanding more autonomy.
Darfur's fighting sparked a humanitarian crisis which the United Nations estimates has claimed 300,000 lives and driven more than 2 million from their homes.
Fighting has largely subsided since the early battles, but sporadic clashes have since pushed rebels out of the main towns and into the vast swathes of arid countryside.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Day 282 - January 16th
- From Radio Dabanga:
The Central Reserve Police of Sudan have clashed with the Border Intelligence Guards in South Darfur. According to the Border Intelligence Guards, a mutiny started within the battalion of the Central Reserve Police in Ferduz locality in South Darfur. The Central Reserve Police protested a wave of random arrests of civilians carried out by the Border Intelligence Guards. The protesting battalion was led by its commander Mohammed Al Rakib, the military spokesman told Radio Dabanga. The Central Reserve Police was heading towards the Border Intelligence Guards when an exchange of fire started injuring at least 3 guards. According to an eyewitness, there were tens of cars with mounted rocket launchers involved. After the confrontation turned into fierce fighting, the reserve police deserted quickly the area and went to the camps of the Revolutionary Forces Front (RFF) in the nearby area at Bahr al Arab. The RFF is headed by General Moussa Djadeen who merged with the rebel movement JEM in 2009. The Border Intelligence Guards is a unit of the Sudan Armed Forces. Several former Janjaweed militias were integrated into this unit. The Central Reserve Police are a heavily armed military unit and are often deployed along border areas or to defend the capital Khartoum. They have headquarters near Jebel Aulia, south of Khartoum.
- Death sentences:
This week 18 military personnel of the Sudanese were sentenced to death for desertion, for having refused to obey military orders in Darfur. Their battalion of 250 military personnel had been dispatched to Umboro near Kornoi to carry out a military action, but they refused. 65 of them were finally convicted, including the men on the death row.
- A delegation of opposition parties from South Darfur have requested the SPLM and all opposition parties to boycott the elections in April. The head of the Darfur delegation told Radio Dabanga that they don’t believe that the elections will be free and fair.The lawyer and member of the Communist Party, Adam Sharif, says that the government has not fulfilled its promises. ‘The voters registration was not correct, also the districts are divided in a way that the ruling parties are advanced to win. We discussed all these issues with the government during the Juba-coalition meeting. But the government did not comply with its promises to remove the obstacles. There is still no freedom of information, the Security Act has not been amended and the war in Darfur continues’, he explained to Radio Dabanga. The delegation arrived in Khartoum just hours after the SPLM announced the candidacy of Yasir Arman as presidential candidate.
- Comment by Mohamed Suleiman regarding the SPLM nomination to the presidency of Sudan in the coming Elections:
Yasir Arman is a good person and stood for long time with the causes of marginalized people in Sudan, but he has zero chance to win this elections for many reason. The followings are some of the reasons:
1- Staying in power is a matter of life or death for Albashir and NCP. Losing power, by any means, means NCP leaders will be brought to trials immediately inside Sudan ( even before ICC executes its warrants) to answer for crimes extend from 1989. No one has any chance to win these Elections (in the current conditions) but AlBashir.
2- SPLM has made up its mind to secede with South Sudan as an independent state. It would be a dilemma to have a native Southerner (Kiir, Amum, Maschar, or any one of the prominent SPLM leaders) as a candidate for presidency of the Sudan. If that candidate wins, then as President of Sudan he/she would advocate for unity and having South Sudan in the greater Sudan even if the southerners would continue to be treated as second class citizens. If that candidate loses elections it would be difficult for him/her to advocate for the secession of the South, otherwise he/her would be seen as a sour loser. This move (of nominating Yasir) is seen by many as a way out for SPLM from that dilemma.
3- On December 14th (2009) when SPLM decided not to join the Northern opposition in a protest demonstration and, instead stroke a deal with NCP, now the the N. opposition are showing a cold reception to the news of Yasir candidacy. Moreover, the leaders of all the main Northern opposition parties are entering the race themselves (at least 3 has declared candidacy so far). This move by the N. opposition leaders for sure will weaken any support Yasir may expect from the northern opposition masses.
4- The root cause of the problems of Sudan is that since independence from the British in 1956, Sudan was ruled and controlled by the elites from the three Northern Nile Arab tribes (Gaalin, Shaygiah, and Danagla). Nile North is the only region that has never seen any war, military actions, or destabilization. Many marginalized on the web were repeating thus question at the news of Yasir's candidacy: Is this why 2 million people died in the South and 1/2 million others in Darfur to narrow the presidency race back to be a contest between the same ruling elite, or worse, either to elect AlBashir or his relative?
Symbolism here is very important. Majority of the marginalized people in Sudan has reaped nothing from Sudan but death and destruction. Instead of electing a marginalized -sympathizer, why not a genuine marginalized who has inherited the legacy of oppression and being treated as second class citizen in his/her own country?
I hope no one dismisses this last point as nonsensical. We have all witnessed how America made history and was greeted warmly by the rest of the world when it elected an African American as President of the United States of America.
Once more, Yasir Arman is a fine person. But problems of Sudan are not about an individual.
Mohamed Suleiman
The Central Reserve Police of Sudan have clashed with the Border Intelligence Guards in South Darfur. According to the Border Intelligence Guards, a mutiny started within the battalion of the Central Reserve Police in Ferduz locality in South Darfur. The Central Reserve Police protested a wave of random arrests of civilians carried out by the Border Intelligence Guards. The protesting battalion was led by its commander Mohammed Al Rakib, the military spokesman told Radio Dabanga. The Central Reserve Police was heading towards the Border Intelligence Guards when an exchange of fire started injuring at least 3 guards. According to an eyewitness, there were tens of cars with mounted rocket launchers involved. After the confrontation turned into fierce fighting, the reserve police deserted quickly the area and went to the camps of the Revolutionary Forces Front (RFF) in the nearby area at Bahr al Arab. The RFF is headed by General Moussa Djadeen who merged with the rebel movement JEM in 2009. The Border Intelligence Guards is a unit of the Sudan Armed Forces. Several former Janjaweed militias were integrated into this unit. The Central Reserve Police are a heavily armed military unit and are often deployed along border areas or to defend the capital Khartoum. They have headquarters near Jebel Aulia, south of Khartoum.
- Death sentences:
This week 18 military personnel of the Sudanese were sentenced to death for desertion, for having refused to obey military orders in Darfur. Their battalion of 250 military personnel had been dispatched to Umboro near Kornoi to carry out a military action, but they refused. 65 of them were finally convicted, including the men on the death row.
- A delegation of opposition parties from South Darfur have requested the SPLM and all opposition parties to boycott the elections in April. The head of the Darfur delegation told Radio Dabanga that they don’t believe that the elections will be free and fair.The lawyer and member of the Communist Party, Adam Sharif, says that the government has not fulfilled its promises. ‘The voters registration was not correct, also the districts are divided in a way that the ruling parties are advanced to win. We discussed all these issues with the government during the Juba-coalition meeting. But the government did not comply with its promises to remove the obstacles. There is still no freedom of information, the Security Act has not been amended and the war in Darfur continues’, he explained to Radio Dabanga. The delegation arrived in Khartoum just hours after the SPLM announced the candidacy of Yasir Arman as presidential candidate.
- Comment by Mohamed Suleiman regarding the SPLM nomination to the presidency of Sudan in the coming Elections:
Yasir Arman is a good person and stood for long time with the causes of marginalized people in Sudan, but he has zero chance to win this elections for many reason. The followings are some of the reasons:
1- Staying in power is a matter of life or death for Albashir and NCP. Losing power, by any means, means NCP leaders will be brought to trials immediately inside Sudan ( even before ICC executes its warrants) to answer for crimes extend from 1989. No one has any chance to win these Elections (in the current conditions) but AlBashir.
2- SPLM has made up its mind to secede with South Sudan as an independent state. It would be a dilemma to have a native Southerner (Kiir, Amum, Maschar, or any one of the prominent SPLM leaders) as a candidate for presidency of the Sudan. If that candidate wins, then as President of Sudan he/she would advocate for unity and having South Sudan in the greater Sudan even if the southerners would continue to be treated as second class citizens. If that candidate loses elections it would be difficult for him/her to advocate for the secession of the South, otherwise he/her would be seen as a sour loser. This move (of nominating Yasir) is seen by many as a way out for SPLM from that dilemma.
3- On December 14th (2009) when SPLM decided not to join the Northern opposition in a protest demonstration and, instead stroke a deal with NCP, now the the N. opposition are showing a cold reception to the news of Yasir candidacy. Moreover, the leaders of all the main Northern opposition parties are entering the race themselves (at least 3 has declared candidacy so far). This move by the N. opposition leaders for sure will weaken any support Yasir may expect from the northern opposition masses.
4- The root cause of the problems of Sudan is that since independence from the British in 1956, Sudan was ruled and controlled by the elites from the three Northern Nile Arab tribes (Gaalin, Shaygiah, and Danagla). Nile North is the only region that has never seen any war, military actions, or destabilization. Many marginalized on the web were repeating thus question at the news of Yasir's candidacy: Is this why 2 million people died in the South and 1/2 million others in Darfur to narrow the presidency race back to be a contest between the same ruling elite, or worse, either to elect AlBashir or his relative?
Symbolism here is very important. Majority of the marginalized people in Sudan has reaped nothing from Sudan but death and destruction. Instead of electing a marginalized -sympathizer, why not a genuine marginalized who has inherited the legacy of oppression and being treated as second class citizen in his/her own country?
I hope no one dismisses this last point as nonsensical. We have all witnessed how America made history and was greeted warmly by the rest of the world when it elected an African American as President of the United States of America.
Once more, Yasir Arman is a fine person. But problems of Sudan are not about an individual.
Mohamed Suleiman
Friday, January 15, 2010
Day 281 - January 15th
- The center for women in Kalma camp was burned in an attack by three gunmen. The raid on the center which is run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) happened around two o’clock in the morning. It was reported that the attackers tried to set fire to the organization’s headquarters but vigilant residents were able to extinguish the fire.
Camp officials accused the Bileel security chief of plotting to cause damage and harm to the displaced people. They held him responsible for all attacks in and around the camp. They think the security chief of Bileel Municipality was behind the hiring of individuals to target displaced as well as international organizations in various IDP camps.
A camp official told Radio Dabanga that the attackers fled towards Bileel leaving behind anxiety and chaos among the displaced.
- A series of arrests of Darfuri activists in Egypt is reported by the Sudan Center for Contemporary Studies in Cairo. The center, which observes Sudanese activities in Egypt, said Egyptian security authorities continued for the second day to make arrests among Darfuri activists who live in Egypt as refugees. Sources told Radio Dabanga the new arrests have targeted a number of well-known Darfuri politicians including the SLM Cairo bureau official of the faction of Khamis Abakar.
With the arrest of an official of Khamis Abakar’s SLM faction yesterday, the number of those who were detained by the Egyptian security forces has risen to 12. Little was known so far about how the SLM official was captured and where he was taken to. Sources indicated an Egyptian force raided his apartment in Der Al Malak district in the early hours of Sunday morning and took him away.
Camp officials accused the Bileel security chief of plotting to cause damage and harm to the displaced people. They held him responsible for all attacks in and around the camp. They think the security chief of Bileel Municipality was behind the hiring of individuals to target displaced as well as international organizations in various IDP camps.
A camp official told Radio Dabanga that the attackers fled towards Bileel leaving behind anxiety and chaos among the displaced.
- A series of arrests of Darfuri activists in Egypt is reported by the Sudan Center for Contemporary Studies in Cairo. The center, which observes Sudanese activities in Egypt, said Egyptian security authorities continued for the second day to make arrests among Darfuri activists who live in Egypt as refugees. Sources told Radio Dabanga the new arrests have targeted a number of well-known Darfuri politicians including the SLM Cairo bureau official of the faction of Khamis Abakar.
With the arrest of an official of Khamis Abakar’s SLM faction yesterday, the number of those who were detained by the Egyptian security forces has risen to 12. Little was known so far about how the SLM official was captured and where he was taken to. Sources indicated an Egyptian force raided his apartment in Der Al Malak district in the early hours of Sunday morning and took him away.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Day 280 - January 14th
- The GoS continued intense areal bombing in wide areas in west Dafur. In areas close to South Darfur, military jets and bombers continued bombings in areas of Kas, Jabal Marra, and Gulu.
In East and West ElGeneinah (largest city in West Darfur), Antonovs and Miggs continued for the seventh day bombing the villages around Algeneinah and Jabal Moon.Eyewitnesses told Radio Dabanga that in one location a village of Tmur was bombed and 30 civilians were killed. In a phone call it was reported by an eyewitness that the military planes dropped much powerful exploding bombs this round. The eyewitnesses added that there are many families in the Jabal Moon area started to flee towards neighboring Chad. The GoS sources say that they are after the rebels.
- 2 of the 3 indicted by ICC for war crimes in Darfur are running for high offices in the coming Elections.
- Omer Albashir has officially filed for running for the Presidency of Sudan.
- Ahmed Haroun is nominated officially to run for the Governor post in South Kordofan.
Nafi Ali Nafi (who is also running for Parliament) announced the names of the NCP nominations for Governors posts across Sudan and the National Parliament. The names and faces are familiar (hardcore of NCP).
Nafi made scornful jokes about the opposition parties and declared that they (the opposition) are dreaming of Election's postponement. He declared that NCP will win "democratically" in the coming Elections and asked mockingly: isn't that what the opposition wants, democratic Elections?
In East and West ElGeneinah (largest city in West Darfur), Antonovs and Miggs continued for the seventh day bombing the villages around Algeneinah and Jabal Moon.Eyewitnesses told Radio Dabanga that in one location a village of Tmur was bombed and 30 civilians were killed. In a phone call it was reported by an eyewitness that the military planes dropped much powerful exploding bombs this round. The eyewitnesses added that there are many families in the Jabal Moon area started to flee towards neighboring Chad. The GoS sources say that they are after the rebels.
- 2 of the 3 indicted by ICC for war crimes in Darfur are running for high offices in the coming Elections.
- Omer Albashir has officially filed for running for the Presidency of Sudan.
- Ahmed Haroun is nominated officially to run for the Governor post in South Kordofan.
Nafi Ali Nafi (who is also running for Parliament) announced the names of the NCP nominations for Governors posts across Sudan and the National Parliament. The names and faces are familiar (hardcore of NCP).
Nafi made scornful jokes about the opposition parties and declared that they (the opposition) are dreaming of Election's postponement. He declared that NCP will win "democratically" in the coming Elections and asked mockingly: isn't that what the opposition wants, democratic Elections?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day 279 - January 13th
- From Radio Dabanga:
Authorities in North Darfur closed 27 Schools in the Tagabu and Siyyah area two days ago. The closure happened two days ago because residents of those areas refused to allow their children to go to school for fear of being intimidated and attacked by Chadian opposition forces. The regions reportedly became in recent days the scene of killing looting and rape by the Chadian opposition forces. Mohamed Yahya, spokesman for the Siyyah association told Radio Dabanga the residents started to express their concern about the presence of Chadian opposition forces since they were moved there a month ago. He added that the presence of those forces not only caused anxiety among residents but also caused hundreds of citizens to flee the region.
- From Radio Dabanga:
Residents of Kabkabiya have stayed last night in a state of fear and panic after gunmen used heavy machine guns and abundantly fired in the air. In the first moments people thought that Chadian opposition forces had attacked the city but later they found out that the shots were fired by a group of border guards who were said to be celebrating the retrieve of a vehicle looted earlier by armed militias. Local residents in Kabkabiya raised concern about loosing the city and several other areas in North Darfur State to Chadian opposition forces, calling on the government to intervene and stop the violations.
- Sudan 365 - Op-Ed:
President Obama: Hear the Beat of the Drums…Now
January 9 marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the 20 year North-South War in Sudan. That war resulted in over 2 million deaths and 6 million displaced persons. It destroyed the infrastructure of the South and devastated lives, trust and hope. Today, the CPA is at risk of collapse. Sudan is in danger of returning to full-scale war. Only President Obama’s personal involvement with world leaders can salvage the CPA. But, time is running out.
The CPA established a new political, military and economic system based on the values of justice, democracy, and human rights. It also provided a process to determine borders between North and South, for popular elections in 2009 (postponed to April 2010), and for a referendum in 2011 for the South to separate if unity is not attractive. It includes a model for other marginalized areas of Sudan or could be amended to include other marginalized areas within its terms.
Assistance by and pressure from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Norway were essential to negotiating and signing the CPA. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the international community’s support for implementation and enforcement has been woefully insufficient. It now must make up for lost time.
The National Congress Party (NCP), Sudan’s ruling party, came to power by military coup in 1989. It has continued its governing tactic of “divide and rule” despite the CPA and has successfully maintained the poverty, malnutrition, and lack of education and health care affecting Christians and animists in the South. It has similarly marginalized the Beja in the East, the Nuba peoples of Kordofan province, and the Shilluk and Dinka of the Upper Nile. And, of course, it continues to perpetrate genocide against my own people in Darfur.
Tensions related in part to the NCP’s obstruction of the CPA have provoked renewed violence in South Sudan. Its intransigence has prevented conditions essential to free and fair elections. An election in April rigged to legitimize the NCP and its leader (President Omar al-Bashir indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity) threatens the integrity of the referendum and easily could push the country into full-scale war. It would enable the NCP to complete its “final solution” in Darfur. Millions of additional lives would be at risk. Destabilization of the entire region is a realistic possibility.
Human rights activists around the world recognize the need for immediate re-engagement with Sudan through diplomacy by world leaders. On January 9th, “Sudan 365: A Beat for Peace” kicks off an international campaign urging intensive and coherent diplomatic support to prevent increased violence and provide civilian protection. Some of the world’s most famous drummers are coming together to create a ‘beat for peace’ in Sudan. Sudan 365 will release a film of this global beat for peace upon launch of the campaign.
Sudanese in the U.S. and concerned Americans have been calling on President Obama since his campaign to assume personal leadership in facilitating peace in Sudan. He has not heard our words. I can only hope that he will respond to the beat of the drums—long a symbol of freedom for Africans. The lives of my relatives, friends and countrymen in Sudan depend on it.
_______________
Authorities in North Darfur closed 27 Schools in the Tagabu and Siyyah area two days ago. The closure happened two days ago because residents of those areas refused to allow their children to go to school for fear of being intimidated and attacked by Chadian opposition forces. The regions reportedly became in recent days the scene of killing looting and rape by the Chadian opposition forces. Mohamed Yahya, spokesman for the Siyyah association told Radio Dabanga the residents started to express their concern about the presence of Chadian opposition forces since they were moved there a month ago. He added that the presence of those forces not only caused anxiety among residents but also caused hundreds of citizens to flee the region.
- From Radio Dabanga:
Residents of Kabkabiya have stayed last night in a state of fear and panic after gunmen used heavy machine guns and abundantly fired in the air. In the first moments people thought that Chadian opposition forces had attacked the city but later they found out that the shots were fired by a group of border guards who were said to be celebrating the retrieve of a vehicle looted earlier by armed militias. Local residents in Kabkabiya raised concern about loosing the city and several other areas in North Darfur State to Chadian opposition forces, calling on the government to intervene and stop the violations.
- Sudan 365 - Op-Ed:
President Obama: Hear the Beat of the Drums…Now
January 9 marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the 20 year North-South War in Sudan. That war resulted in over 2 million deaths and 6 million displaced persons. It destroyed the infrastructure of the South and devastated lives, trust and hope. Today, the CPA is at risk of collapse. Sudan is in danger of returning to full-scale war. Only President Obama’s personal involvement with world leaders can salvage the CPA. But, time is running out.
The CPA established a new political, military and economic system based on the values of justice, democracy, and human rights. It also provided a process to determine borders between North and South, for popular elections in 2009 (postponed to April 2010), and for a referendum in 2011 for the South to separate if unity is not attractive. It includes a model for other marginalized areas of Sudan or could be amended to include other marginalized areas within its terms.
Assistance by and pressure from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Norway were essential to negotiating and signing the CPA. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the international community’s support for implementation and enforcement has been woefully insufficient. It now must make up for lost time.
The National Congress Party (NCP), Sudan’s ruling party, came to power by military coup in 1989. It has continued its governing tactic of “divide and rule” despite the CPA and has successfully maintained the poverty, malnutrition, and lack of education and health care affecting Christians and animists in the South. It has similarly marginalized the Beja in the East, the Nuba peoples of Kordofan province, and the Shilluk and Dinka of the Upper Nile. And, of course, it continues to perpetrate genocide against my own people in Darfur.
Tensions related in part to the NCP’s obstruction of the CPA have provoked renewed violence in South Sudan. Its intransigence has prevented conditions essential to free and fair elections. An election in April rigged to legitimize the NCP and its leader (President Omar al-Bashir indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity) threatens the integrity of the referendum and easily could push the country into full-scale war. It would enable the NCP to complete its “final solution” in Darfur. Millions of additional lives would be at risk. Destabilization of the entire region is a realistic possibility.
Human rights activists around the world recognize the need for immediate re-engagement with Sudan through diplomacy by world leaders. On January 9th, “Sudan 365: A Beat for Peace” kicks off an international campaign urging intensive and coherent diplomatic support to prevent increased violence and provide civilian protection. Some of the world’s most famous drummers are coming together to create a ‘beat for peace’ in Sudan. Sudan 365 will release a film of this global beat for peace upon launch of the campaign.
Sudanese in the U.S. and concerned Americans have been calling on President Obama since his campaign to assume personal leadership in facilitating peace in Sudan. He has not heard our words. I can only hope that he will respond to the beat of the drums—long a symbol of freedom for Africans. The lives of my relatives, friends and countrymen in Sudan depend on it.
_______________
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Day 278 - January 12th
- From Reuters:
Chadian rebels attack, rape Darfuris--residents
Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:15pm EST
* Activists say UN probe needed, may be war crimes
* Recent rapprochement in sensitive Chad-Sudan ties
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Chadian rebels are raping, beating and looting villagers in western Sudan's North Darfur region, residents said on Monday.
Rights activists said the attacks might be war crimes and urged the Sudanese government and the United Nations to investigate them.
Chadian-Sudanese relations are key to the conflict in Darfur, and the two countries have accused each other of supporting rebels fighting for more power.
A rapprochement between the two neighbours last month included an agreement to form a joint border patrol force and to move rebel forces away from the long and porous frontier.
"We are asking the Khartoum government ... to immediately move these forces out of our areas ... and to compensate the victims of these crimes," a member of the youth movement from the al-Sayah area, Adam Shiekat, told Reuters by telephone.
Shiekat, who used a nickname for fear of arrest, said two teachers from the school in al-Sayah had been arrested by security forces and accused of disseminating information about the attacks.
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies said those committing the crimes should be held accountable. "These acts may constitute war crimes and (we) call on the government of Sudan and relevant UN representatives to initiate a full and thorough investigation," it said in a statement.
A source in the aid community in Khartoum confirmed there had been numerous attacks and said that since the Chadians moved to the area on Dec. 3, at least 20 women had been raped, a woman eight months pregnant had died from her injuries and four other people had been killed.
"These people are very, very poor and now they are suffering twice -- once during the Darfur war and now again," the source said, adding that the Chadians were stealing the precious little water, food and firewood in the area.
Sudan expelled 13 aid agencies last year, and those left are too scared to speak openly.
Violence in Darfur erupted in early 2003, when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government and Khartoum responded by mobilising militia to quell the uprising. The United Nations estimates the ensuing conflict claimed 300,000 lives and drove 2 million people from their homes.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant last year for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur, but Khartoum refused to recognise the court.
During the conflict between government militias and rebels, the Sudanese and Chadian governments accused each other of backing the other side's rebels, and groups of bandits have harassed and attacked local people and foreign peacekeepers.
Chad has accused Sudan of using Chadian rebels to quell the revolt in Darfur in return for helping them in their drive to overthrow Chadian President Idriss Deby.
U.N.-African Union peacekeepers (UNAMID) said they had observed the arrival of the Chadians in the area on Dec. 3, but said Khartoum bore ultimate responsibility for the forces.
"Serious concerns regarding these opposition forces have been reported by observers in this region since early December 2009," said Chris Cycmanick, a UNAMID spokesman.
Deby and his predecessor Hissene Habre were both installed by rebellions launched from Darfur. Sudan says the Sudenese rebels in Darfur are armed by and have bases in Chad.
- From Radio Dabanga:
SLM accuses government of Sudan of bombing Jebel Moon villages
JEBEL MOON (12 Jan ) - The SLM of Abdel Wahid Al Nur accused yesterday the Government warplanes of bombing West Darfur villages of Kerkrou, Hajar Hawan and Kundre in the Jebel Moon area. According to SLM Political Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed Nasser the attack left 37 sheeps and a donkey dead.
Chadian rebels attack, rape Darfuris--residents
Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:15pm EST
* Activists say UN probe needed, may be war crimes
* Recent rapprochement in sensitive Chad-Sudan ties
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Chadian rebels are raping, beating and looting villagers in western Sudan's North Darfur region, residents said on Monday.
Rights activists said the attacks might be war crimes and urged the Sudanese government and the United Nations to investigate them.
Chadian-Sudanese relations are key to the conflict in Darfur, and the two countries have accused each other of supporting rebels fighting for more power.
A rapprochement between the two neighbours last month included an agreement to form a joint border patrol force and to move rebel forces away from the long and porous frontier.
"We are asking the Khartoum government ... to immediately move these forces out of our areas ... and to compensate the victims of these crimes," a member of the youth movement from the al-Sayah area, Adam Shiekat, told Reuters by telephone.
Shiekat, who used a nickname for fear of arrest, said two teachers from the school in al-Sayah had been arrested by security forces and accused of disseminating information about the attacks.
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies said those committing the crimes should be held accountable. "These acts may constitute war crimes and (we) call on the government of Sudan and relevant UN representatives to initiate a full and thorough investigation," it said in a statement.
A source in the aid community in Khartoum confirmed there had been numerous attacks and said that since the Chadians moved to the area on Dec. 3, at least 20 women had been raped, a woman eight months pregnant had died from her injuries and four other people had been killed.
"These people are very, very poor and now they are suffering twice -- once during the Darfur war and now again," the source said, adding that the Chadians were stealing the precious little water, food and firewood in the area.
Sudan expelled 13 aid agencies last year, and those left are too scared to speak openly.
Violence in Darfur erupted in early 2003, when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government and Khartoum responded by mobilising militia to quell the uprising. The United Nations estimates the ensuing conflict claimed 300,000 lives and drove 2 million people from their homes.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant last year for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur, but Khartoum refused to recognise the court.
During the conflict between government militias and rebels, the Sudanese and Chadian governments accused each other of backing the other side's rebels, and groups of bandits have harassed and attacked local people and foreign peacekeepers.
Chad has accused Sudan of using Chadian rebels to quell the revolt in Darfur in return for helping them in their drive to overthrow Chadian President Idriss Deby.
U.N.-African Union peacekeepers (UNAMID) said they had observed the arrival of the Chadians in the area on Dec. 3, but said Khartoum bore ultimate responsibility for the forces.
"Serious concerns regarding these opposition forces have been reported by observers in this region since early December 2009," said Chris Cycmanick, a UNAMID spokesman.
Deby and his predecessor Hissene Habre were both installed by rebellions launched from Darfur. Sudan says the Sudenese rebels in Darfur are armed by and have bases in Chad.
- From Radio Dabanga:
SLM accuses government of Sudan of bombing Jebel Moon villages
JEBEL MOON (12 Jan ) - The SLM of Abdel Wahid Al Nur accused yesterday the Government warplanes of bombing West Darfur villages of Kerkrou, Hajar Hawan and Kundre in the Jebel Moon area. According to SLM Political Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed Nasser the attack left 37 sheeps and a donkey dead.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Day 268 - January 2nd
- On Wednesday December 30th a Sudanese military aircraft terrified displaced people in Kalma camp when it flew at very low altitude over the camp causing at least one house to be uprooted and leaving many defenseless inhabitants in disarray. Meanwhile an official in Kalma camp said to Radio Dabanga the incident was part of the government intimidation campaign against local population in Darfur. Furthermore, he said they reported the incident to the UNAMID for further investigations.
- Militia men attacked and killed a Darfuri farmer near Kass in West Darfur, Reported radio Dabanga. A relative of the dead man said that the man was working in his tomato farm when these militia men (pro GoS) entered his farm and started to beat him with the end of the AK47s and sticks, eyewitness told Radio Dabanga. The man was taken to Kass hospital where he was pronounced dead.
- Militia men attacked and killed a Darfuri farmer near Kass in West Darfur, Reported radio Dabanga. A relative of the dead man said that the man was working in his tomato farm when these militia men (pro GoS) entered his farm and started to beat him with the end of the AK47s and sticks, eyewitness told Radio Dabanga. The man was taken to Kass hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Day 267 - January 1st
- Year 2010 is here, yet violence, insecurity, and IDP camps are the same.
- In the outskirts of the IDP (internally displaced persons) of Hasahisa in Zalengie, 3 women were raped and a man who came for the aid was killed, reported Radio Dabanga. The assailants, as reported by one of the leaders of the camp, were in military uniform of the Government of Sudan.
- The Chadian rebels ( protected by the Government of Sudan) are still wreaking havoc in the town of Sayah and the surounding villages, reported Radio Dabanga. The villagers told the radio that so far todate 18 women plus a girl were raped. Also there are reports of wide scale of looting, robberies, and violent assaults against civilians. The villagers told Radio Dabanga that the Chadian rebels are acting with impunity.
- In the outskirts of the IDP (internally displaced persons) of Hasahisa in Zalengie, 3 women were raped and a man who came for the aid was killed, reported Radio Dabanga. The assailants, as reported by one of the leaders of the camp, were in military uniform of the Government of Sudan.
- The Chadian rebels ( protected by the Government of Sudan) are still wreaking havoc in the town of Sayah and the surounding villages, reported Radio Dabanga. The villagers told the radio that so far todate 18 women plus a girl were raped. Also there are reports of wide scale of looting, robberies, and violent assaults against civilians. The villagers told Radio Dabanga that the Chadian rebels are acting with impunity.
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