AU, SLM-MM and local tribesmen agree to ease tension in Darfur

Um Barro / N. Darfur, 18 May 2007 – Breakthrough negotiations at Um Barro – a small village north of Darfur – between the African Union, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/M), Minni Minawi faction, and local tribesmen ended in consensus today as negotiators agreed to put the welfare and security of the local Um Barro inhabitants first.

UM Barro made the headlines last April when armed men attacked AMIS Protection Force soldiers at a water point near the AU military site killing five Senegalese soldiers. The African Union forces acknowledged killing three other persons, reportedly among the attackers

A high level AU delegation lead by Ambassador Hassan Alieu Gibril, Deputy Head of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) flew to Um Barro this morning to meet with SLA representatives and tribal leaders to discuss means of ending the weeks of tension following the fatal incident.

Ambassador Gibril spoke to the congregated representatives of the concerned groups, assuring them that the AU troops were in Um Barro to keep the peace and help the local population. He conveyed his deep condolences and those of the African Union to the families of those who lost their lives. The deputy Head of the African Union mission also conveyed his condolences to the families of the fallen Senegalese forces.

In his statement, he said it was “of critical importance to consolidate cooperation between the AU, SLA and the people of Um Barro and to work relentlessly to resolve issues that may cause unnecessary misunderstanding and contentions,” he added, “the ultimate aim for which we are here is peace in Darfur”.

The negotiations were dominated by issues related to the pending investigation into the April attack; water rights and water management in Um Barro and resuming AU patrols and military escorts at Um Barro and the areas surrounding it.

The parties agreed that following the initial investigations that were carried out into the April attack, an independent Board of Inquiry – with the participation of all stakeholders i.e. the tribal leaders, representatives of the African Union and the SLA – will be established to fully investigate the incident and advise on compensations (known as Deyia in tribal customs) where and to whom due.

It was also agreed that the African Union will work with contractors and local partners to ensure that water resources in the community are well managed and that water rights are established fairly without jeopardizing neither the rights nor security of any of the parties. It was also agreed that the AU will look into establishing a new water point for the benefit of the villages surrounding Um Barro in order to alleviate water shortage in the area.

Negotiations culminated in a consensus that the AU is to resume its peace keeping patrols of UM Barro and the surrounding area following a 72 hours grace period to allow tribal leaders and SLA representatives time to inform local stakeholders of the agreement.

During the course of the negotiations both the SLA and tribal leaders requested the African Union to continue to extend medical services and supplies to the local community. Ambassador Gibril assured that the humanitarian aspect of the AU operation will continue uninterrupted within the utmost capacity and resources available to the AU. “We stand firm in our commitment to help and share what we can with the people of Um Barro, over and above the call of duty”.

The SLA commander in UM Barro said, “The SLA has signed the Darfur Peace Agreement and we are committed to peace. We need to continue an open dialogue in order to solve the roots of our problems and not to allow ideologies of violence to dominate”.

The Omda (local governor) of Um Barro emphasized that excellent relations dominated the relation-ship between the inhabitants of the area and the AU peacekeepers until the April attack awakened tensions. He said he hoped the current agreement signals the continuation of the exemplary cooperation between the people and the peace-keeping troops.

Notes to Journalists

– Um Barro is located on N 15o’ 04’10’’ E 23o 40 ’56’ in North Darfur Region.
– The inhabitants are predominantly from the Zaghawa tribe.
– The ongoing Darfur conflict has impacted greatly on Northern Darfur, leading to the desertion of most settlements in the region.
– The area presently falls under Sector 5 (AMIS), with Senegalese Battalion serving as the Protection force (PF). 3 Major Group Sites (MGS) are located in Sector 5, Tine, Kulbus, and UM Barru.

There are about 260 AMIS military personnel in UM Barru alone. Also, the area is controlled primarily by Sudan Liberation Army Minni – Minawi (SLA/M) faction. The GOS are also present in area.