UN report says Eritrea, Libya, Chad supply arms to Darfur rebels

Feb 8, 2006 (NEW YORK) — A UN report accused Eritrea Libya and Chad of supplying arms and ammunition to the rebels groups in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

Members of Sudanese Liberation Army ride on a truck at Ashma village 30 km (19 miles) from Nyala, south Darfur, October 6, 2004. .

The UN Panel of experts to monitor the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by resolutions 1556 (2004) and 1591 (2005); in a report released today said that “the Government of Eritrea has provided, and probably continues to provide, arms, logistical support, military training and political support to both JEM and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)”. “Training of JEM and SLA has reportedly occurred at a number of camps in Eritrea on the Eritrea-Sudan border”, the report added. But the report says the panel was not able to determine whether material support for the rebels in Darfur emanating from Chad and Libya was official Government policy or rather the independent actions of Government officials”. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is also mention in the report as training provider and arms supplier to the Darfur rebel SLA. “The Panel has received multiple, credible reports that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) provided training and supplied arms and ammunition to SLM/A”. “It appears that shipments of arms facilitated by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army continued until at least August/September 2004, after Security Council resolution 1556 (2004) had been adopted. It also appears that SPLM/A stopped its official support when it appeared that the Niavasha peace negotiations would be finalized”. Regarding the Janjaweed militias, the report says it isn’t possible to deny arms to these militias. Because the militias are already formally part of the Government security organs or incorporated into those organs, especially the Popular Defence Force (PDF), the border intelligence guard, the central reserve police, the popular police and the nomadic police. Attached the full text of the UN Panel of Experts sanctions report: UNSC_Sanctions_Report.pdf (ST)

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