Cablegate: Darfur: Update On Violence in El Fasher

VZCZCXRO1434
PP RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2827 3450910
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110910Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5535
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002827

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PHUM PREF AU UN SU
SUBJECT: Darfur: Update on Violence in El Fasher

REF: a) Khartoum 02808, b) Khartoum 02817

1. According to UNDSS and AMIS officials, at approximately 5:30
p.m. on December 9, Janjaweed shot and killed a shopkeeper in the El
Fasher central market. Youssif Kibir, Wali of North Darfur State,
and his cabinet attempted to visit the market to assess the
situation; Janjaweed fired upon their convoy, resulting in a second
fatality and eight to ten injured. After clashing with Government
security forces, the Janjaweed departed El Fasher. Approximately
500-700 are camped five kilometers north-northeast of the town,
according to an AU military observer. The Janjaweed involved in the
attack are described variously as "Chadian rebels" or "border
intelligence forces," as though incorporated into Government
security forces.

2. On December 10, the Government imposed a midnight to 3:00 p.m.
curfew on all civilians in and surrounding El Fasher. The curfew
purportedly is designed to prevent demonstrations similar to those
held in the aftermath of shootings of the week of December 3
(reftels).

3. Alayaam Daily, an Arabic newspaper, reported that North Darfur
State Wali Youssif Kibir and a group of his advisors, including the
Police Commissioner, offered their resignations last night, citing
their inability to maintain security and protect the citizens of El
Fasher. Their offers were not accepted. On December 10, a
high-level Government delegation, including Minister of Interior
Zubair Bashir Taha, Minister of Defense Lt Gen. Abdul Rahim Mohamed
Hussein, and Assistant to the President Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie visited
El Fasher. According to UNDSS, the delegation traveled to Jebel See
to meet Arab militia leaders.

HUME

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