United Nations Mission In

THE WEEK In Focus

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE UNMIS NEWS BULLETIN AND RADIO MIRAYA 4-10 May 2007

HEARD on RADIO MIRAYA: Ki-moon concerned about bombing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern on 9 May over On rumours circulating in aerial bombardments in North Darfur, which reportedly occurred over the past Juba that SPLA Deputy three weeks. He noted that the attacks had brought more destruction and loss Commander in Chief Lt. of life and that a school had been struck by rockets fired from a government General Paulino Matip and helicopter. The Secretary-General strongly urged the Government of Sudan GoSS Vice-President Riek Machar have died… (GoS) to cease all attacks and comply fully with the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), Security Council resolutions and international humanitarian law.

Darfur Commission says bombing took place “I am currently recovering well while resting at Nairobi’s The Darfur Peace Agreement Joint Commission (JC) said on 9 May that Grand Regency hotel, and will bombardments by the GoS had taken place in the region, particularly in North be taking medication and rest Darfur. The aerial attacks were criticized, but the meeting took note of the for seven days before GoS’s explanation that they were carried out in self defence. Members called resuming my job as advised by on all parties to cease hostilities, so that ongoing efforts to revitalize the my South African doctor. I have personally informed the political peace process could succeed. South Sudan President Salva

The JC drew attention to intensified banditry targeting international aid Kiir Mayardit and his Vice- agencies in Darfur, and expressed serious concern over the increase in scale President Riek Machar that I’ll be returning to Juba in two to and frequency of tribal clashes. It also condemned continued attacks against three days.” AMIS, particularly the abduction and killing of its personnel. On disarmament, it endorsed ongoing efforts to finalize the Disarmament Plan, Lt. General Paulino Matip calling on the Joint AMIS/GoS Committee, established for this purpose, to SPLA Deputy Commander in accelerate its work. Chief (May 8-original interview in Nuer) Special Envoys conclude third visit to Sudan The UN and AU Special Envoys for Darfur, Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed “All these rumors on the death Salim, respectively, concluded a two-day visit to Sudan on 10 May. They met of the comrades Matip and with the UN/AU Joint Mediation Support Team to discuss their efforts so far, Riek Machar are all baseless and political steps to come. The envoys also met with First Vice-President and untrue. They are generated by the enemies of and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir regarding the SPLM initiative to bring DPA non-signatories on board the the people of South Sudan, in order to create confusion and peace process. In addition, they met with Presidential Advisor Majzoub Al disturbance. But the two Khalifa and members of the Khartoum diplomatic community. comrades are alive, and we’re in contact with Matip, Ki-moon welcomes Sudan- Agreement who is doing well and is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on 7 May the bilateral currently recovering in agreement between Chad and Sudan signed in Riyadh on 3 May by Chadian Nairobi.” President Idriss Déby and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. He said the Major General Kuol Diem Kuol agreement was a positive step in normalizing relations between Chad and Sudan People’s Liberation Sudan, which was vital in resolving conflicts in Darfur and eastern Chad. Army Spokesman (May 8)

THE WEEK In Focus ● By UNMIS Public Information Office ● 4-10 May 2007

On critical declarations by Libyan leader Moammar Al Medical support delivered to AMIS Kaddafi about the Saudi- During a formal ceremony held in El Fasher, the UN handed over to AMIS brokered agreement medical support items in the Light Support Package, including pharmaceutical between Chad and Sudan, products and a fully equipped ambulance. The hand-over ceremony took following renewed border clashes last month… place at AMIS Forward Headquarters and was attended by senior AMIS and UNMIS officials. “’s agreement came to secure the border between WFP receives 30 million euro donation for Darfur both countries, thanks to the

The World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed on 4 May a 30 million euro efforts to the Libyan President. As for the agreement which donation from the European Commission to help feed over two million people was signed in Saudi Arabia, in Darfur. The funds will help the WFP purchase and pre-position food aid in we believe it has a proac tive the region before the rainy season, which is about to start and will last until status, and a positive October. influence in the region, aimed at reviving the Tripoli The European grant will also help WFP purchase food in ways that benefit agreement, in addition to local markets and farmers, according to the agency. The WFP anticipates that restoring trust between Chad and Sudan.” 32,000 metric tonnes of food will include more than 15,000 tons of locally- produced sorghum, 2,230 tons of local salt and 4,000 tons of beans

purchased regionally. Majzoub Al Khalifa Sudanese Presidential UNHCR wraps up repatriation from Ethiopia Advisor (9 May) A 17-truck convoy carrying over 600 Sudanese refugees completed a three- day journey to Blue Nile state from Bonga refugee camp in Ethiopia. The trip, On various initiatives organized by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the proposed to end the crisis is International Organization for Migration (IOM), marked the end of UNHCR’s Darfur… repatriation programme from that country before the rainy season. “I see that the various proposals to end the conflict UNHCR distributed such supplies as plastic sheets, buckets, mats, kitchen in Darfur have nothing new to sets and mosquito nets to the repatriated refugees, and the World Food offer, and it is an unhealthy Programme (WFP) provided food rations for three months. According to the phenomenon, which aims at UNHCR, it has repatriated 13,200 refugees to Blue Nile over the past year. confusing the citizens. I believe that we should adhere IDP teachers return to Southern Sudan to supporting and working The IOM announced on 4 May that it had worked with the GoSS Ministry of with the and United Nations initiative. All Education in assisting 50 internally displaced (IDP) teachers and 200 of their parties have to unify their dependents to return to Southern Sudan from Khartoum since November stand towards ending the 2006. An additional 28 teachers and their dependents are preparing to return conflict to realize stability and to teaching jobs in Unity and Eastern Equatoria states in May. peace for all.” Majzoub Al Khalifa Sudanese Presidential Advisor Security and Humanitarian Developments in Darfur (9 May)

North Darfur

Unknown armed men stopped two UN vehicles with four staff members (one international and three nationals) at gunpoint on their way from El Fasher to Shangil Tobayi on 9 May. UN Security located the staff 70 kilometres north of El Fasher, where the hijackers had dropped them off after stealing their satellite phones. The hijackers were arrested and are currently under

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MIRAYA HIGHLIGHTS

government police custody. Interviews

West Darfur Migration of foreigners into

Southern Sudan : Interview with UNMIS El Geneina conducted a field mission to Habbilah from 8 to 9 May, Alia Kosta, Deputy Director of confirming that Chadian civilians had been entering the area for the last three Immigration, in Central

months from Foro Baranga to Beida. The mission was told that between 1,000 Equatoria State (4 May) to 6,000 newcomers were currently in Mangarsa, 30 kilometres south of Corruption in Central Habbilah. Allegedly fleeing attacks in Chad, the Chadian civilians were Equatoria: Hon. Dr. Ghada reported to have brought their cattle and belongings with the intention of a long- James, Chairperson of term stay. Information, Culture and Youth, Central Equatorial Security in Kassab IDP camp (100 kilometres northwest of El Fasher) is Legislative Assembly, and Hon. reportedly deteriorating due to various groups around the camp as well as Joseph Aligo, member of the alcohol produced inside it. Women are unable to leave the camp during the day Information Committee, without being harassed by Arab militia. Central Equatorial Legislative Assembly (3 May)

Ndogo tribe (an ethnic group Security and Humanitarian Developments in in South Sudan): A discussion with Mr. Mahmoud Marajin Southern Sudan and Transitional Areas Laku, Chief of the Ndogo on the marriage, burial traditions, and other cultural activities of Sporadic firing erupted on 4 May in Malakal when a Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) his tribe (2 May). soldier began shooting at a patrol made up of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Darfur: The Road to Peace -- Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) and police. DDDC UNMIS’ Sector Commander intervened and held a meeting of the Area Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to prevent the situation from The second part of an interview with Abdullah Adam escalating. No causalities were reported. Khater, a journalist and Darfur Unidentified armed men attacked Okulu village (32 kilometres southwest of affairs specialist, discussing Torit) on 4 May. Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers in the area Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC). engaged the attackers, killing one and capturing another.

Armed men, allegedly SPLA soldiers, entered the residence of an Other Armed UN Mirror Group Consultative Committee senior officer on 3 May in Torit, attacking him and his three wives. The men kidnapped the officer and looted two million Interview with Billy Minga of Sudanese dinars, personal belongings, arms and ammunition. The Joint Military WFP in Rumbek. The Team has been investigating the incident, but the abducted officer has not yet programme also includes a been found. profile of the dilapidated conditions of the Deng Nyal primary school in Rumbek and another feature from Malakal on the reasons why students tend to congregate and study on Nile Street.

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