اﻷﻣﻢ اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪة UNITED NATIONS
UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SUDAN
Office of the Spokesperson
UNMIS NEWS BULLETIN* 24 May2007
UNDP to support Southern Sudan Police and Correctional Service
The World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed on 22 May a 5.3 million dollars grant to increase the capacity of the police and reorganize the prisons to deliver professional services across Southern Sudan.
The grant, dubbed “Southern Sudan Police and Correctional Service Support”, is funded by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Southern Sudan (MDTF-S), which is administered by the World Bank. The project was jointly prepared and appraised by the Government of Southern Sudan, the UNDP and other stake holders.
Under the agreement, the UNDP will construct a network of police stations and training centres, provide equipment, train police forces, and facilitate the development of a code of ethics to enhance professionalism in the force. As for the prisons, the UNDP will improve the infrastructure, provide equipment and facilitate reorganization and training to ensure more humane treatment of prisoners.
The projects supported by the MDTF include the Rapid Impact Project that provides medical supplies to 840 hospitals and clinics in Southern Sudan. For schools the project delivered 40,000 education kits and 950,000 textbooks for primary schools and is supporting the construction of 100 new primary schools. This project also supports among other activities the renovation of government offices.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission appoints General Martin Luther Agwai as new Force Commander in Darfur
In a press statement issued on 23 May 2007, the African Union announced that the Chairperson of the Commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré, has appointed General Martin Luther Agwai of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as new Force Commander in Darfur.
The statement says that the Force Commander was appointed by the Chairperson of the AU Commission in consultation with the UN Secretary-General in accordance with the Communiqué of the 66th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 30 November 2006. The Force Commander will report to the AU-UN Joint Special Representative for Darfur and will serve first as the Force Commander of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) and ultimately as the Force Commander for the AU-UN Hybrid Operation. He will be assisted by a Deputy Force Commander.
General Agwai was born on 8 November 1948 in Kaduna, Nigeria. He has been Chief of Defense Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces since 1st June 2006. Before that, he held several senior positions in the Nigerian Army, including being Chief of Army Staff. In his military career, he also
UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200 served as Deputy Force Commander of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), and Adviser in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN Headquarters, in New York. Addis Ababa, 23 May 2007.
Security and Humanitarian Developments in Southern Sudan and the Transitional Areas
On 20 May, two of the four civilians abducted by the LRA in Dimo village in Central Equatoria state on 19 May were released. A Joint Monitoring Team (UNMIS-SAF-SPLA) visited Dimo Village (15 Km North East of Yei,) where the two other abducted civilians were still in the custody of the LRA.
A tribal clash between the Pakam tribe of Lakes State and Luac tribe of Warrab State took place on 22 May, resulting in the death of one member of the Pakam tribe. Policemen were dispatched to the area to help defuse the tension. The governor of Lakes States, the Police Commissioner, the Commander of SPLA and the UNMIS Head of Office are expected to pay an assessment visit to the location on 24 May.
On 23 May, a tribal clash occurred at Malual Baai village on the border between Gogrial West and Aweil East Counties. The clash reportedly started with a dispute between an Awan tribesman who was under the influence of alcohol and Luo tribe members who beat him up for misbehaving in public. Other members of Awan tribe got involved to assist their tribesman. Fifteen people were wounded. The Governors of Warrap State and Northern Bahr El Ghazal State will visit the area to resolve the issue.
Security and Humanitarian Developments in Darfur
South Darfur
On 22 May, Government of Sudan forces reportedly launched an attack on Leiba, (110 km North West of Nyala) and Fugoly against positions of SLA/Abduwahid Nour faction. Two SAF companies reportedly carried out the attack using eighteen Land Cruisers and four trucks. The attackers looted the market at Fugoly and attacked the water point. Eighteen pupils were wounded and two adult civilians killed. Some cattle were also killed and some looted. The GoS had reportedly mobilized its forces from El Malam, 95 km North of Nyala.
On 23 May, the presence of GoS ground forces with Land Cruisers and armed militia on camels and horses at Nyama, (28 km North West of Kass) was reported. The presence of SLA/ Abduwahid Nour faction was also reported in the area. Reports indicate that mobilization of GoS forces started from Zalingei two days earlier.
On 23 May, a group of borders officials approached an INGO convoy on its way to Yara at Haluf market, 21 km North of Nyala and asked them for fuel. When the INGO refused, borders officials started shooting in the air. The INGO staff members returned to Nyala. No casualties were reported.
On 22 May, the public prosecutor in Nyala decided to prosecute staff members of an INGO arrested on 21 May during a security training with a charge of public disturbance.
West Darfur
On 22 May UNDSS relocated eight national NGO staff from Abu Surug, (15 km West of Sirba) and Sirba, (48km North of El Geneina). The NGOs requested relocation of their staff due to the unpredictable security situation in the area.
UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200
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On 21 May, shots were fired in Krinding IDP Camp II, in El Geneina, by unknown people. Shortly after, the camp clinic, as well as the houses of some IDPs went up in flames. The fire was contained, but one child, two donkeys and sixty shelters were burnt. Since the beginning of 2007, Krinding II IDP camp has suffered three incidents committed by unknown people.
On 22 May, seven armed militiamen attacked 30 civilians returning from Kondobi to Birsiliba, (60 km North of El Geneina). One civilian was injured and brought to El Geneina for medical treatment while another was reported missing.
On 21 and 22 May, UNMIS El Geneina visited Abu Zar and Riyadh IDP camps to discuss the upcoming census, elections and the DDDC consultation process.
A UN field mission was carried out on 21 and 22 May in For Baranga, West Darfur. Local administrators confirmed to the mission mass movements of Chadian nomads into West Darfur. A local committee was formed to direct the nomads to settle in specific areas and 10,000 households have been registered. IDP leaders confirmed government support of the Native Administration committee.
* All UNMIS News Bulletins are available at www.unmis.org
UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200
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