Summary of insecurity incidents in Sudan’s Darfur 2005-2006

Aug 10, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The attached report, from the UNMIS, presents a summary of insecurity incidents in the Darfurs from February to July 2006 compared with the incidents that occurred over the same period in 2005. Similar to previous reports, the incidents are defined according to the following categories: – Armed clashes between rebel groups/Militia/SAF/foreign armed elements/Tribal and clashes as a result of livestock theft. – Incidents involving UN, (I)NGOs and AU. -Attacks on/harassment/killing and rape of IDPs. – Banditry/looting/attacks on/of humanitarian commercially hired trucks/vehicles that do not carry humanitarian staff. – Banditry/looting/attacks/killing on general commercial travel and public. The over-all number of incidents over the reporting period escalated to 979 in 2006 from 439 in 2005, or an increase of 123%. By category: The incidents of armed clashes doubled during the reporting period (101%), and attacks among actors by 74.6%. Highlighted in 2006 were inter-SLA fighting, hostilities between actors that are either supporting or opposing the DPA, fighting involving the Chadian Armed Opposition Groups (CAOGs) rebels and the Chadian Army (FANT) in the Sudan/Chad border region, and clashes between the armed militias (allegedly supported by SAF forces) and the SLA troops when the Government of Sudan decided (in April) to (re)gain control over the road from Nyala to Buram, currently under control of the SLA/MM. These clashes resulted to the displacement of approximately 40,000 people. Incidents involving UN, INGOs/IOs and the AU altogether were similarly higher by 139% compared to last year. Separately, UN targeted activities decreased by 10.9%, while activities targeted at INGOs/IOs and AMIS increased by 75.9% and 912.5%, respectively. INGO targeted activities were mainly related to break-ins, banditry, and hijacking of vehicles. Specifically, the number of hijacking of INGO/IO vehicles in 2006 was 30 compared to nine in 2005; while seven incidents of AU/PAE vehicle hijacking was reported over these months compared to none in the previous year. The tragic consequence of the insecurity was underlined with the deaths of three INGO national staff members and three other workers of a Governmental Organization (GO) in July 2006. The total number of incidents involving IDPs may reflect a 637% increase in the current period compared to last year’s. However, it is explained by the inclusion of reports from the AU CivPol who is present within the IDP camps which was not made in last year’s reported statistics. Relatedly, the number declined from May to July 2006, which is again a case of under-reporting, following the withdrawal of the AU CivPol from the IDP camps after the incident on 8th May in Kalma IDP Camp (east of Nyala) when an AU interpreter was killed and their station destroyed. Due to the insecurity in and around the IDP camps, AU CivPol has since then not returned. Incidents of banditry/looting of humanitarian commercially-hired trucks – specifically WFP locally-contracted transport company carrying General Food Distribution (GFD) commodities – peaked in May and June of last year. This year, WFP pre-positioned food before the onset of the rainy season, and hence there were no convoys on the road in May and June explaining the decline in the number of incidents. Recently (in July) seen new trend involved ambush of GFD convoys in North Kordofan State before reaching the Darfurs. Incidents of banditry was high in February 2006 – which was related to the decline in the over-all security in the Darfurs – but has stabilized over the ensuing months. The number of deaths from violence reported during the recent period is 1655 or an increase of 376% from 348 in 2005. Over-all, the state with the highest number of reported incidents remain to be South Darfur, followed by North and West Darfur. At present, due to the fighting between the NRF on one side and SLA/MM and SAF on the other side, the security situation in North Darfur is worsening. Darfurs_Summary_of_Security_Incidents.pdf (United Nations)

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