Security situation in Malakal returns to normalcy – UN
Dec 3, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Security situation in the capital of Upper Nile state, Malakal is progressively returning to normalcy, a UN news bulletin said on Sunday. A series of confidence building measures have been adopted.
Joint SAF-SPLA patrolling units by, local police as well as UN Military Observers and UN Civilian Police are started on Saturday 2 December. SAF and SPLM troops are deployed to their positions before the fighting.
The UN established a relief cell in Malakal and three separate medical teams were formed. Medical assistance have been provided to more than 300 civilians, in addition to the to 115 battle casualties of SAF and SPLA.
“Regarding reports on water contamination, only three bodies have been found and retrieved so far from the Nile River, though it is not yet clear whether the bodies belong to people who died during the clashes or in different circumstances.;” the bulletin said.
Nonetheless, “UN Agencies have been distributing to the local population water purification tablets at the water points.”
Sudan’s north-south peace agreement formed separate north and south armies with joint armed units in main towns including Malakal, the capital of the Upper Nile region and potentially one of the most oil-rich regions in Sudan, which produces at least 330,000 barrels per day of crude.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement also shared power and wealth between the north and south, but implementation has been slow on key issues such as the demarcation of borders and ownership of oil fields.
The United Nations has some 10,000 peacekeepers in the south to monitor the agreement, help train police and human rights workers and provide other services.
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Below the full text of the UNMIS news bulletin issued by the offices of the spokesperson on Sunday 3 December 3, 2006.
The security situation in Malakal has been progressively returning to normalcy following the extensive efforts undertaken by the high command of SAF, SPLA and UNMIS. The positive role played by the United Nations during the crisis has been acknowledged by the leadership of both the SAF and the SPLA.
Currently, the focus of all stakeholders is on the urgent high priority areas of action, namely: ensure security in the town of Malakal; provision of medical treatment and medical supplies; burying the bodies of those who were killed during the clashes; and provision of clean water supplies to the population.
Regarding security, following the decisions of the emergency CJMC meeting in Malakal on 29 November, an AJMC meeting was held on 1 December and endorsed a series of confidence building measures, notably that joint patrolling by SAF, SPLA, local police as well as UN Military Observers and UN Civilian Police are to be carried out. The joint patrolling has started in the morning of 2 December. The joint patrolling has been well received by the local population and authorities and is contributing significantly in restoring calm and order in Malakal.
Furthermore, UN Military Observers have been monitoring the redeployment of SAF and SPLA troops to their respective positions before the clashes in accordance with the CJMC decisions at its emergency meeting held in Malakal on 29 December. Both parties had completed their redeployment and they have been actively patrolling their areas of control. UNMIS Deputy Force Commander is still in Malakal and he is working on the ground in close cooperation with the leadership of the SAF and the SPLA to ensure complete return to normalcy in Malakal.
Information received by UNMIS from its office in Malakal indicates that normal business had largely resumed in all areas of the town. Damage caused to property and the town’s infrastructure is reported to be limited considering the intensity of the fighting and heavy loss of life, though no reliable casualties’ figures are available yet.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has continued its relief assistance.
UNMIS military relief efforts are concentrated mainly on the medical and to assist the authorities in burial of the dead.
Following the clashes between SAF and SPLA, UNMIS Military mobilized immediately to provide urgent medical aid to both the warring parties as well as to the affected civilians. A relief cell was established at the Sector Headquarter in Malakal and three separate medical teams were formed. These medical teams equipped with more than 150 kg of trauma care and consumables and four ambulances were tasked to treat the casualties on location. The teams split into two separate groups and went to southern and northern areas of the town to treat the SPLA and SAF soldiers at their respective camps.
The medical teams were deployed in an open area next to the Nile River. UNMIS medical teams provided medical assistance to more than 300 civilians, in addition to the to 115 battle casualties of SAF and SPLA. .
Furthermore, UNMIS Military engineers helped both SAF and SPLA in the burial of the dead bodies. This task is considered a public health high priority.
The relief coordinating cell is working 24×7 to extend all kinds of help required by the town.
Regarding humanitarian needs, an assessment mission was conducted in Malakal on 1 December. The assessment team included the Deputy Resident Humanitarian Coordinator and the Acting UNMIS Coordinator for South Sudan, David Gressly, the head of OCHA in Southern Sudan, UNICEF and WHO officials.
In a press release issued on Friday 1 December by the Office of the UN Deputy Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, it was reported that medical staff and supplies were urgently needed to step-up treatment to those wounded by the fighting in Malakal. Priorities include nurses, surgical supplies and three-months worth of first-aid kits.
The survey indicated that although international and local doctors and health workers in Malakal have been able to manage the caseload, reinforcements were necessary to provide care to the remaining victims. The United Nations has appealed for volunteer nurses and support staff from within the local population and is soliciting supplies from the international community.
Of particular concern is the population’s access to clean water in a city where cholera outbreaks are common. The United Nations has reported that civilians are drawing drinking water from the Nile River because some of the town water pumps have broken down. Regarding reports on water contamination, only three bodies have been found and retrieved so far from the Nile River, though it is not yet clear whether the bodies belong to people who died during the clashes or in different circumstances.
Furthermore, water purification being part of any emergency relief operation; UN Agencies have been distributing to the local population water purification tablets at the water points.