Cablegate: Darfur Roundup: Sla/Aw Claims Gos Attack On Korma; Abu

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OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKH #1035 2511346
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081346Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4391
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001035

NSC FOR MGAVIN, LELLIS
DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF KPKO AU SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR ROUNDUP: SLA/AW CLAIMS GOS ATTACK ON KORMA; ABU
SHOUK IDP LEADERS STILL IN CUSTODY

REF: KHARTOUM 934

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the
Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minnawi (SLA/MM) and Chadian armed
opposition forces have been positioned in the areas of Kutum, Abdel
Shakur and Al Dur in North Darfur, according to UN sources. Sudan
Liberation Army /Abdel Wahid (SLA/AW) commanders claimed that on
September 6, SAF and paramilitary forces attacked their positions in
Korma, though UNAMID has yet to confirm the attack. Meanwhile in El
Fasher, over a dozen IDP leaders detained following the murder of a
pro-government umda in Abu Shouk camp were cleared and released on
August 18, but have subsequently been re-arrested by National
Security agents , according to IDP contacts. The detainees have not
been mistreated, but are being kept in solitary confinement in Shala
prison outside of El Fasher. END SUMMARY.

2. (SBU) According to sources at the UN Department of Safety and
Security (UNDSS), on September 2 two SAF companies that had been
camping near Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDP)camp in El
Fasher dismantled their equipment and moved in a convoy northward.
The same sources also confirmed that two SAF helicopter gunships
and a combined military force of SAF, SLA/MM and Chadian armed
opposition forces had been positioned in the areas of Kutum, Abdelo
Shakur and Ana Bagi in North Darfur. The objective of this troop
movement is not known.

3. (SBU) SLA/AW commanders claimed that during the afternoon of
September 6, GOS forces combined with Arab militia and elements from
SLA/Free Will attacked their positions in Korma, North Darfur
(approximately 70 kilometers northwest of El Fasher). The fighting
is said to have lasted for about one hour. Three SLA/AW soldiers and
two civilians were reportedly killed, and six or seven SLA/AW
soldiers wounded. On September 7 UNAMID had not yet confirmed the
attack.

4. (SBU) Speaking to emboff on September 2, members of the Fur Shura
(elders' leadership) council in North Darfur stated that IDP leaders
detained in the investigation following the murder of Omer Adam
Ishaq (reftel) were cleared and released from police custody on
August 19, only to be re-arrested that same day by the National
Security and Intelligence Service (NISS). They are currently being
held at Shala prison outside of El Fasher, as well as at NISS
facilities. . The detainees have not been mistreated, but are being
kept in isolation without access to legal counsel.

5. (SBU) Camp Umda Abul Basher Ali Ahmed told emboff that the
majority of those arrested participated in a July 2009 meeting with
UN DPKO Undersecretary General Alain Le Roy during his visit to El
Fasher. Those attending expressed frustration to Le Roy over the
activities of government-backed Arab militias. Ahmed also stated
that he believes that in the absence of camp leaders, the government
intends to try and mobilize the IDP camps to support National
Congress Party (NCP) during the scheduled April 2010 national
elections.

6. (SBU) COMMENT: The positioning of GOS and paramilitary forces in
North Darfur indicates that the government may be consolidating and
possibly expanding its areas of control. It is surprising, however,
that such military actions would take place during Ramadan and at a
time when there are converging events focused on a political
settlement in Darfur. Post will continue to monitor the situation
closely and report any new developments.

WHITEHEAD

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