Cablegate: Slm/Mm Deny Amnesty International Accusations of Attacks

VZCZCXRO3478
PP RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1875 2200725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 080725Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4048
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001875

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KPKO PREF SOCI UN AU SU
SUBJECT: SLM/MM DENY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ACCUSATIONS OF ATTACKS
AGAINST CIVILIANS

1. Summary: Amnesty International issued a statement July 31
accusing the Sudan Liberation Movement faction led by Minni Minawi
(SLM/MM) of killing and raping civilians in attacks against Korma
and surrounding villages in North Darfur on July 4-8, 2006. On
August 3, the SLM denied the charges, stating it had not attacked or
tortured anyone. Amnesty's accusations are the latest in a string
against SLM troops that also include the detention and torture of
political opponents and civilians who oppose the Darfur Peace
Agreement. End summary.

2. Amnesty cited 72 killed, 103 injured, and 39 women raped. In
addition, the report states attackers looted large numbers of
livestock and other possessions. According to the Amnesty
statement, the attackers said the villagers were being punished for
opposing the Darfur Peace Agreement. The UN has investigated the
attacks and estimates that some 8,000 civilians were forcibly
displaced that week as a result of these attacks and other fighting
in North Darfur.

3. On August 3, Abdel Karim el-Sheikh, head of Minawi's advance
delegation in Khartoum, denied that the DLM had ever attacked or
tortured anyone.

HUME

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