Sudan Government Memorandum to AU and Chad on Ceasefire Violations in Darfur

16 May 2004

KHARTOUM, May 16, 2004 (SUNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a memo to the Chairman of the African Union Commission and the Chadian mediator putting forward violations of the rebellions to the agreement of Cease-fire in Darfur. Hereunder SUNA publishes text of the memo:-

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of the Sudan presents its compliments to the Chairman of the African Union Commission and the Chadian mediator as well and herewith would like to put foreword violations of the rebellions to the agreement of Cease-fire in Darfur. The GOS noticed that the rebel attacks have increased so far in an attempt to anticipate the arrival of the African Union Delegation entrusted to evaluate the situation for the Cease-fire Monitoring Mechanism, more over they used to hoist banners on the attacked villages saying, "Liberated areas".

The magnitude of the violations is so serious and damaging to the ongoing process to get peace prevails in the area. The GOS would like to state the following incidences:

1. The recent killing of Zagawa King Muhammdain by the rebels drawn no condemnation from those who hastily condemn the GOS based on unverified allegations.
   
   
2. The two rebellion groups namely Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) have abducted in the area of Almalam four civilians namely Alhag Abdulgadir and Adam Muhammad Ahmad at one point, and Tamim Aduma Adm Suliman and Mossa Adam Arabi at another place on 31 April 2004 ;and 13th. April 2004 respectively.
   
   
3. The two rebellion groups on 15th. April, 2004 made a great number of recruitments amount from 600 - 700 recruits mainly from the youth in the villages of Shieria locality.
   
   
4. On 15th. April 2004 forces of the two rebellion groups approached the market area of the village of Shangil Tobaya on board of two big vehicles and two small ones, looted the market and abducted a civilian named Ibrahim Hassan Mudalal.
   
   
5. On 6th. April 2004, the forces of SLA and JEM attacked the market of Tapat which is located on the way between Alfashir and Niyala and looted two Toyota landcruisers and five commercial vehicles and also abducted five civilians whose names are : - Abdul Rrahman Omer Salih. - Abdul Alla Abdul gabar - Bashir Abdullatief. - Muhammad Ahmad Bashi - The son of Shaikh Abdullatief the Imam of the traditional grand mosque in Alfashir.
   
   
6. On 17th. April 2004 , the forces of SLA and JEM looted a number of cattle amounted 65 from the area of Sani Dalieba and took them to the area of Sail Gissa which is adjacent to the village of Daunkey Darissa which is part of the administration unit of the area of Algamih Ahuaguza A group of civilians composed of owner of the cattle, locally called Alphazah which is a traditional practice of getting back their cattle from the looters, reached the area and claimed the cattle. They were asked to refrain from entering the so-called liberated areas, however the looters suggested to receive a delegation to participate in the discussion with the view to handing over the looted cattle. The Phazah named three persons with the name of : - Ibrahim Salahuldin Abdelah - Muhammad Salah uldin Abdelah. - Muhammed Hamid Suliman. In order to conduct the dialogue, and when the delegation approached the looters, unfortunately they were abducted. In another attempt Alphazah sent a second delegation of two persons, Abdella Idris Adam and Abdella Adam Dauka to solve the problem, but they were also taken as abductees, and nobody returned as to the date of this note.
   
   
7. The forces of SLA and JEM have ambushed Toyota Landcruiser taking on board some civilians traveling from Tawilla to Alfashir on 30 April 2004, one civilian was killed in the incidence and many were injured. On the same date a force composed of eight rebels in a place five kilometers west of Almalam village have looted 515 of sheep, and abducted one of the herders named Ali Ahmad Ali Eissa and injured the owner of the sheep Bashir Elsair Adam, and disappeared with the sheep towards Vactor Camp.
8. On the second of May, 2004, the same rebellion groups launched an attack on the area of Goldy south of Niyala, captured tens of cattle belonging to Elumda Abdelraman Hassan Aligaily. The incidence was registered by the police in Niyala.
   
   
9. On Friday/Saturday 7th. , 8th. May 2004 the rebels attacked villages near Niyala Southern Darfur State in violation of recent Cease fire agreement signed in N'Djamena, completely burned five villages Umbatikha, Umlaouta, UmDalouka, Millaila and Rasalfel located eastern to Niyala city. The immediate result was the displacement of the entire population of the five villages, 12000 people. They currently live on the outskirts of Niyala City. The Governor of Southern Darfur state disclosed this information in a press conference and took representatives of the international as well as local NGO's to the site to see for themselves. The displaced villagers explained to the NGOs representatives their plight and losses.
   
   
10. On the 3rd. Of April 2004 the forces of SLA and JEM have ambushed a Toyota Landcruiser "Station" which was heading from Alobied to Niyala, a civilian named Hussein Yosif Abdelalla was killed. The police managed to detain one of the perpetrators by the name Adam Abdelhai Yosif he was caught red handed with looted items, and G. 3 rifle.
    

The above-mentioned incidences are part of many events that took place since the commencement of the cease - fire agreement. The GOS would like to request the good offices of the AU Commissioner and the Chadian mediator as well in order to stop the violations of the rebels to the agreement, in an effort to pave the way for a continence building and peace realization in Darfur."