Cablegate: Southern Sudan: Heavy Fighting in Malakal

VZCZCXRO2452
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2765/01 3341104
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301104Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5435
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002765

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, AND AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS CASC UN SU
SUBJECT: Southern Sudan: Heavy Fighting in Malakal

1. Summary: Fighting erupted in Malakal late on Nov. 28 between
South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and former SSDF troops aligned
with the SPLA, resulting in numerous casualties. Combat intensified
on Nov. 29, with Sudan Armed Forces elements supporting the SSDF,
and employing mortars, RPGs, and tanks. Fighting ended on the
evening of November 29. Early reports claim 100 soldiers and an
unknown number of civilians dead. The UN evacuated non-emergency
staff and international NGO staff, including several AmCits; there
are no reports of U.S. casualties. GoSS President Kiir returned
early from his trip to South Africa to address the situation. End
Summary.

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Retaliation Effort against Cdr. Tang Sparks Fighting
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2. According to UN sources, fighting began in Malakal, Upper Nile
State, on November 28 around 6:15 p.m. when former South Sudan
Defense Forces troops aligned with the SPLA (SSDF/SPLA) attacked the
home of SSDF/Fangak commander Gabriel Tang. The attack may have
been in retaliation for an attack by Tang's forces last week on the
home of John Meluit, an SSDF/SPLA commander and
commissioner-designate for Fangak. Tang's primary grievance with
the SPLA is that he was not named commissioner of Fangak. Several
other events preceding the fighting, however, are also cited as
leading to the outbreak of violence.

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Escalation - SSDF/SPLA Forces Attack SAF Base
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3. During the attack on his home, Tang escaped to a Sudan Armed
Forces (SAF) base adjacent to the airport. The UN then evacuated
Tang on November 28 in hopes that this would defuse the situation;
it also has plans to evacuate Meluit. After a lull, the battle
re-erupted overnight when the SSDF/SPLA forces attacked the SAF
base. The heaviest fighting then followed over the next several
hours involving rocket-propelled grenades, T-55 tanks, mortars, and
thousands of rounds of rifle ammunition.

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Situation Stabilizes, Calms on Evening of November 29
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4. The situation calmed down on late November 29, and remained so
on November 30. The UN appealed to Government of Southern Sudan
(GoSS) Vice President Riek Machar to intervene for a ceasefire.

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Casualty Tolls Hit 100 Dead, 40 Wounded
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5. The SAF and SPLA are now reporting 40 hospitalized and 100 dead,
with totals expected to increase. The SAF has requested mechanized
assistance from the UN to begin digging graves. The UN reports two
minor injuries to local staff, one of whom was a driver caught in a
cross-fire.

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UN Evacuates Staff, INGO Reps
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6. The UN initially established three safe-havens for its staff and
international workers under force protection on November 28. The UN
evacuated 242 non-emergency UN, UNMIS, and INGO personnel on
November 29, with 50 core staff remaining. Three flights lifted the
evacuees to Juba, Rumbek, and El Obeid. On November 29, the UN
Secretary General expressed concern about the situation, and

SIPDIS
referred to the hostilities as a serious violation of the security
arrangements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Furthermore, the
UN has declared the Malakal area as a Level 3 security zone.

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Delegation to Investigate; Ceasefire Violation Cited
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7. A Joint Military Delegation comprising high-level officers from
the SPLA, SAF, and UNMIS arrived in Malakal on November 29 to assess
the situation. The UN called a special meeting of the Ceasefire
Joint Military Commission on November 29. Participants agreed on
three points: a ceasefire violation had occurred, there would be an
investigation, and those found responsible would be disciplined
through military proceedings. The Ceasefire Political Commission
meeting of November 30 is on hold pending the return of UNMIS Force
Commander Lt. General Lidder from Malakal (septel).

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GoSS Pres. Kiir Cuts Short South African Trip to Return
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KHARTOUM 00002765 002 OF 002

8. GoSS President Salva Kiir cut short his trip to South Africa,
and returned to Juba on the morning of November 30.

HUME

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