Darfur: Continual targeting and attacks on villages and IDPs

SOAT

1. On 23 October 2005, fifty armed men reportedly the Janjaweed attacked and abducted nine Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kalma IDP camp, Nyala, Southern Darfur State. The IDPs were travelling from Kalma Camp to outside the camp by carts when they were attacked. The militias beat the IDPs with the butts of their guns and flogged them. The militias also looted six carts. Two of the IDPs managed to escape, their details are as follows:

1. Ahmed Ali Ahmed, (35 yrs), Fur tribe

2. Halima Ibrahim, Fur tribe, (F)

2. On 23 October 2005, security officers in Nyala arrested two prominent IDP leaders from Kalma IDP camp. The IDPs were arrested whilst attending the International Rescue Committee (IRC) clinic inside Kalma Camp. The details of the IDPs are as follows:

1. Omda Soulieman Abaker Taha, (56 yrs), Fur tribe, leader of the Sheikhs

2. Tigani Ahmed, (37 yrs), Fur tribe, Sheikh

Initially, the IDPs in Kalma reported the arrests of their leaders to Africa Union (AU) troops inside the camp. The AU refused to intervene as it is outside their mandate, following this response; the IDPs kidnapped and held hostage eighteen employees of WES, a governmental organization working jointly with Rural Water Cooperation on water and rail projects in Darfur. The IDPs demanded that they would release the eighteen people once the security forces release Omda Soulieman Abaker Taha and Sheikh Tigani Ahmed.

Police officers in Kalma camp intervened and fired live ammunition at the IDPs killing one person and injuring nine others. The injured IDPs are currently receiving medical treatment at Nyala Teaching hospital.

Omda Soulieman Abaker Taha and Sheikh Tigani Ahmed remain in detention at security forces custody centre in Nyala and are facing no charges. On 24 October 2005, four of the eighteen hostages were released. The remaining fourteen continues to be held hostage by the IDPs. Their whereabouts are unknown but it is believed they are inside Kalma Camp.

3. On 23 October 2005, armed men on horsebacks allegedly the Janjaweed attacked Tama village, 22 km North of Nyala. The attack took place at approximately 05.00am. During the attack, at least twelve of the villagers were killed and tens were wounded. Following the attack, the wounded villagers were taken to Nyala teaching hospital for medical treatment. Thus far, two of the wounded villagers have died in the hospital as result of their injuries.

4. On 20 October 2005, four armed men allegedly working for the military intelligence in Darfur attacked an IDP from Dereig IDP camp, Nyala using live ammunition. The armed men shot the IDP and looted his horse.

The IDP is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries at SOAT’s partner organisation in Nyala, the Amel Medical Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims in Nyala. The attackers left behind documents and details of their identity which has been submitted to the police in Otash. SOAT’s networks of lawyers are providing legal aid to the IDP. The perpetrators have yet to be arrested or charged.

5. On 18 October 2005, armed militias reportedly the Janjaweed attacked and looted Abu Odam village, 7 km north east Nyala, Southern Darfur State. During the attack, one villager, Adam Mahmoud Hamid, (37 yrs) belonging to the Dajo tribe was killed and approximately 50 livestock looted.

SOAT strongly condemns the continual attacks on civilians and on villages in Darfur. SOAT calls on the Government of Sudan to immediately disarm the Janjaweed militias and any other militias operating in Darfur; undertake an investigation into all attacks on civilians and ensure that perpetrators are brought before a court of law.

In addition, SOAT urges the government of Sudan to undertake an immediate comprehensive reform of the security forces including the immediate disarmament and reintegration of persons exercising police powers who are not part of the regular forces;

SOAT calls on the Government of Sudan to:

i. Investigate the attacks all the IDPs and on Abu Odam village and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought before an impartial tribunal and guaranteed procedural rights at all times;

ii. Immediately disarm the Janjaweed militias and all other militias that are operating in Darfur;

iii. End impunity for crimes committed by security officers and government proxy militias in Darfur;

iv. Immediately take all steps required to prevent attacks, threats, intimidations and any other form of violence against civilians;

v. Immediately cease attacks on civilians and take all steps required to prevent attacks, threats and intimidations on civilians;

vi. Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

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