Protection situation update , October 2020

The overall security situation remained relatively stable in the camps, return and conflict affected areas of , Kordofan and states, however, unpredictable with current concerns due to the dynamic security environment. Sporadic violence and clashes in some areas continue to cause human casualties, displacement, damage to houses and belongings of population, thus creating high vulnerability. During October, a total of 27 protection incidents have been recorded including: twelve cases of generalized violence, eleven cases of Armed attack, two cases of abduction and two cases of intercommunal armed conflict. Major concerns include:

Central Darfur - In Hamedia, Khamsa Daqeq and Hasahisa camps IDPs expressed their concerns about their physical safety and protection following UNAMID withdrawal. Specifically, they referred to the presence of armed nomads, occupation of their lands in areas of origin and inability of the GoS to protect them as the nomads are not part of the Juba peace agreements and like in the past enjoying impunity.

- In Toga and Sabanga areas of Jabal Mara, IDP women are risking their physical wellbeing outside the area of displacement during the farming or firewood collection period due the presence if illegal armed groups and individuals. Additionally, all the IDPS further suffer from movement restrictions caused by the presence of SLA Mubarak Alduk faction. It was further reported by the IDPs that approximately 40 persons were killed in Daya and surrounding villages due to fighting between SLA/AW and SLA/Mubarak Alduk. They also reported 15 rape cases prior to displacement and three more during displacement allegedly committed by SLA/Mubarak Al Duk in the same location. Community leaders reported that 413 HHs remained unregistered in Sabanga since their displacement in August. They also lack access to WASH, health, nutrition, and education services. Cases of separated and unaccompanied children, arbitrary arrests and detention, lack of livelihoods and limited freedom of movement were also reported.

South Darfur - HAC reported that 8,920 people (1,784 families) have been displaced in Gereida after intercommunal tensions on erupted on 20 October between Massalit and Fallata and 697 families/3,485 individuals to Mellovi village of Yasin locality. Additionally, more than 100 armed men on horses attacked villages in the same area, killing around 24 people and injuring many others soon after the initial displacement.

- 150 families were displaced to Kidgneer and Menawashi as a result of ongoing skirmishes between SLA-AW commanders in East Jabal Marra. In another incident, on 15 Oct, due to clashes between two groups of youth from Kiraish and Belenda tribes, three youths and a policeman were injured at El Radoum settlement.

East Darfur - On 06 October, four houses were destroyed and 4 others partially damaged due to fire outbreak at Al Neem IDP camps in El Daien. A number identified GBV cases were referred to GAH GBV focal point in El Ferdous settlement. Furthermore, additional criminal incidents were reported in different location, such as the killing of a refugee and a SAF solider, robbery, theft etc

West Darfur On 03 October, four female Sudanese, who had returned from Chad to Malabieda village of Jabal Moon locality to check on their farming land were attacked by armed nomads in El Geneina, which resulted in the killing of one and injury of the second. Other two were not affected.

South Kordofan: Intercommunal clashes erupted in Gadier (Kalogi locality) on 30 October between Kwahala and Hawazma Dar-Ali Arab pastoralists tribal groups over land ownership. The clashes led to an unknown number of injuries and deaths. This follows earlier reported clashes between the same groups in July-August 2020, which resulted in over 20 deaths and injuries at both sides. The conflict will negatively affect humanitarian interventions in the eastern corridor, especially in Talodi and Eleri localities, which host IDPs and refugees, therefore, requires advocacy at the state level.

Provided response by the GoS: • In order to settle the conflict in Greida, the governor has established a new reconciliation committee, and HAC has facilitated an inter-agency assessment mission from 9 to 12 October. • Following the intertribal clash between two youth groups from Kiraish and Belenda, police forces were deployed to El Radoum settlement to defuse its further escalation. Lack of police posts in this settlement continue to remain unaddressed; • Security forces were deployed to Masteri and three additional military units were stationed in strategic areas south, west and north of Masteri - Tarbyba, Faganta and Melibida villages respectively; • East Darfur Wali sent a delegation to Kario to reinforce the internal dispute resolution committee work and to remove imposed restrictions by the host community. Therefore, humanitarian activities resumed at Kario camp following this intervention; • On 31 October, the Wali imposed an emergency curfew in Kalogi locality. On 1 November, the Governor visited the locality and met representatives of both tribes. Consequently, the Wali announced a three-month curfew to allow peaceful resolution to the conflict. Furthermore, community leaders in Shurum village, Yasin locality settled a tense situation that was over crops and reactivated the crop protection committee.

Protection response: • The above reported incidents, identified issues and cases were discussed by the members of the PWGs, recommendations and decision on the level and type of intervention; • Planned activities, including missions to the field, protection by presence and protection monitoring were conducted in Golo, Nertiti, Sortony, Kalma IDP camp, Sheria and Gerida localities. In addition, an inter-agency assessment mission is being planned for 15-21 November to Deribat, Soni and Jawa in East Jebel Marra to assess the situation of people believed to have been displaced into these areas following infighting between splinters of the SLA/AW movement in August/September 2020. • On 13 October UNHCR, HAC and the Wali held a meeting with the members of the State committee on POC of East Darfur, chaired by the Governor in attendance of Police, Military, RSF, National Security, Justice, representatives of Native Administration, Youth, Women, IDPs, Freedom and Change Forces and Resistance Committee. It has been formed in line with transition and exit of UNAMID in December. The government stated in the meeting that they will take full ownership and responsibility of protecting the civilians as its primary role. • Orientation sessions on women centre activities, case management and referrals as well as legal aid support by UNHCR partner and monitoring of the implementation of funded projects were conducted in different locations of east Darfur locations. • Meetings with Sultans, members of CBCPNs and youth on joint awareness/sensitization campaigns on the importance of birth registration were held in Kario refugee camp. • Advocacy meetings with relevant officials on free and fair access to justice, simplification of the process of access to lawsuits and opening of cases of refugees were conducted in east Darfur; • A joint mission with Civil Registry to El Radoom locality, aiming to launch a campaign for registration and certification of 1100 children from SSR and CAR refugees were conducted; • Community awareness session was conducted to 25 individuals (14 females and 11 males) in Assalaya locality, Ma’ali villages on GBV, Case Management and referral pathways. End