SITREP 11 10 DEC 04
SITREP 11 & 12
Village Meeting · SITREP 11 10 DEC 04 · GENERAL SITUATION:
With the exception of the ever problematic Darfur situation, things seem to be progressing rather well.
As regards Darfur, I think three points need to be raised.
The first point is that this is not genocide. By raising mass murder (horrible as it may be) to the level of genocide
we diminish genocide, which is the systematic and intended extinction of a specific group of people. The only true
genocide effort in recent memory is the attempt to eliminate the Tutsi people by the Hutus in Rwanda in 1994.
The second point is that while far too many people have been killed in Darfur, the press throws numbers around
that are at best unconfirmed. I am not an apologist for either side, but something approaching accuracy is called for.
The third point is that I have heard no one in the international press ask the obvious question: Why are all these people
going into what has to be known to be a terrible situation? One does not do this unless the situation from which one
comes is even worse.
The SPLM conference ended with resolutions to move forward with the peace process. Although this ended
positively, we were holding our breath for a week or so. There was well founded concern over a reported
power struggle between John Garang and his number two man, Kir Salva. This struggle could have had disastrous
consequences had it gone in another direction. Fortunately, the conference ended well with protestations of brotherly
love and claims of misunderstandings by the outside world. ( This despite published statements in the press by
Kir Salva that he intended to unseat Dr. Garang.) Further, plans were drawn and published for the reorganization
of the SPLM for a post Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) Sudan.
With the return of the senior SPLM delegates who were participating in their party congress, the CPA talks seem to
have picked up momentum. There is now talk of an agreement being reached by 20 DEC 04 and the signing by the
end of the year. The carrot (a trip to the White House for the signing) and stick (Congressional passing of sanctions
legislation) used by the U.S.A. has no doubt expedited this hopefully happy conclusion.
The sobering consideration in all this is, of course, that the truly difficult work will begin after the signing. Putting a
long war as well as tribal and religious differences behind will be problem number one. Making the transition from
a war footing with the opposing militaries keeping the peace to a civilian police force as yet not even in its infancy
will be the next problem. Organized gangs of criminals are already taking advantage of the CFA restrictions on
military movement and the approaching post CPA confusion to establish themselves. Lack of food will be a continuing
problem for the foreseeable future. Education must be expanded and upgraded radically. Infrastructure must be almost
instantly moved from the 19th to the 21st Century…or at the very least, the latter part of the 20th Century.
(See SITREP 7.) One positive note is that the “crisis of expectations” ; the all too frequent excessive promises that
are made to the public to win them over even though they will never be capable of fulfillment; will probably not be
as much of a problem in Sudan as they have been in other African countries.
But first things first: the CPA needs to be signed ASAP.
SECTOR 3 OPERATIONS:
Things went very well indeed in Sector 3 this last week. We seem to have resolved, or at least ameliorated,
several thorny issues.
The first was that another successful C.F.P.C. was held yesterday in the village of Rigifi. After getting this underway,
I then moved over to the lovely shade tree which seems to be a prerequisite for the establishment of any village
in the Nuba, and had a meeting with Sheik Suleiman and the village elders.
For SITREP readers who go back to the “early days”, you may recall my talking of my first meetings with the
good folks of Rigifi (SITREP 5, 29 OCT 04). At that time the people had sent a letter threatening to “violently reject”
the GOS Police detachment assigned to the village if the authorities did not immediately remove it. For “violently reject”
think running the gauntlet, being stoned or being driven out at gunpoint. By dint of careful explanation of the CFA
to the people by our SPLA National Monitor, promises to further investigate allegations of police misconduct and
to take action to correct them if substantiated , and on the spot elimination of one major grievance by the on the spot
turnover of the town’s only grinding mill to the community, we were able to defuse the situation. Our follow up in
influencing the replacement of the unsatisfactory local police chief, getting a crash course in police-community relations
for the inadequately trained force and generally treating the community fairly and honestly have contributed to an
environment in which the sheik and the elders essentially told us that they do not have any particular problems of
major concern now. Even my friend Moussa, although making it abundantly clear that he was not totally pleased with
living under a GOS civil administration, allowed as how he could probably tolerate it.
I do not mean to even suggest that this all happened due to the good offices of yours truly. The National Monitors,
the sine qua non of this whole operation were the ones who got the people to give us a chance. Most of the heavy
lifting was done in this case by W.O.1 Babakir (corrected anglicized spelling for those of you who don’t miss a trick)
with JMC providing transport to the locales where his good offices were required. But the reputation of the JMC teams
as fair, impartial and honest arbiters cannot be underestimated. I have heard the local people say on numerous occasions
that if JMC is involved ,they will try whatever we suggest.
Another success story started with a complaint of armed, uniformed PDF (GOS sponsored local militia) entering
a SPLM sympathetic village in the DMZ along the Al Reika-Frandalla road. And yes, faithful readers, this area is
a recurring theme. After investigating the complaint and several others related to it, we went to the GOS military
commander in the area with names, dates and places. After discussing the matter with us, the commander agreed
to see to it that the incursions stopped immediately; that some armed PDF in another village would be disarmed
if they had their weapons in their homes; that freedom of movement would be guaranteed throughout the DMZ and
GOS areas, and that he would provide case records of all the named detainees on our complaint list by this Saturday.
My team and I felt that we had done a good two days work, even if we did say so ourselves.
We are nearly caught up on our Military Inspections. We have only two more SPLA units to go, and one of
these is brand new.
The only thing which I would have liked to have been able to report as completed, but can’t, is the reopening of the
Al Reika-Talodi road. That could be announced at the Chairman’s Group Meeting Saturday in Al Reika, however.
MICHAEL’S WORLD:
Just counting down to leave. The foot is coming along, thank you. Cheers from Sudan. Michael
SITREP 12 · 17 DEC 04 GENERAL SITUATION:
Darfur continues to be a horror show. There is once again talk of a ceasefire in the area. Whether there will
actually be one or, if there is one, whether or not it can be maintained for any significant period are issues
that are doubtful at best. As always, I will avoid commentary on this situation due to my lack of first hand knowledge.
The Nivasha CPA talks progress, but due to setbacks discussed in earlier SITREPs, difficult issues and the
onset of the holidays, the prospects for a conclusion in 2004 are dimming with every passing day. The principals are
once again involved so there is still hope, albeit a rapidly fading hope. But let us still hope, and still pray, for a
speedy settlement so that the Sudanese people can return to something approaching a peaceful existence.
SECTOR 3 OPERATIONS:
Formal Complaints abound. Issues between the nomads and the local villagers must be dealt with, although Sector 3
is not nearly as bothered by this problem as are some of the other sectors in which the nomad migratory routes
are more heavily used.
With the CPA now a foreseeable prospect the factions are trying to set themselves up for a post CPA world.
The SPLM seems to be trying to gain strength in the villages in some of the DMZ and GOS mandated areas.
Active proselytizing, particularly when it involves degrading the other faction, is proscribed by the CFA.
We have been called in several times lately to remind SPLM sympathizers in the DMZ of the provisions of the CFA
and that their SPLM leadership agreed with these protocols. While these “reality checks” are usually not joyfully
received by the recipients, our excellent National Monitors help to make these bitter pills able to be swallowed if
not enjoyed. And in several cases our guidance sessions have opened the door to vastly improved inter-factional relations.
(See the account of events in Rigifi in SITREP 11.)
Another area in which we have been successful lies in persuading representatives of the GOS to deal with
problems emanating from their Areas of Responsibility (AORs). Only they can peacefully and effectively terminate
armed PDF incursions and other forms of harassment against the SPLM sympathizers in the DMZ and GOS areas.
Where they have cooperated in this, relations have improved significantly and rapidly. Events in Rigifi and Tsari have demonstrated how quickly professionalism by Police and Army Command elements can pay peace dividends.
I have started setting up a Cross Faction Police Conference in one of our major problem zones, the Al Reika-Frandalla
corridor for the near future. I hope to have the arrangements completed this coming week. This will hopefully be
followed soon after by a Cross Faction Omdas and Sheiks conference. As in most endeavors of this sort, the task is
to show the participants from both sides that the problems that should unite them far outnumber the problems that
divide them. (Northern Ireland next?)
Rainer, the Sector 3 Commander, has been toiling mightily since his return from emergency leave to set up the
meeting between the District Commissioners and Senior Military Officials of the two factions in Talodi District
to discuss reopening the road between Al Reika and Talodi. Rainer’s background of involvement in high level
conferences makes him admirably suited to deal with acceptable and compatible scheduling for busy officials,
setting effective combined agendas, and getting as many of the agenda items as possible understood or settled prior to
discussions actually beginning. The meeting, however, will unfortunately not take place until 28 DEC 04 despite all
efforts to move the date up.
Let me say a few words in praise of our National Monitors. These are serving officers or (in at least one case)
Regimental Sergeants Major in the GOS Army or the SPLA. Although we could in most cases get the mission
accomplished without them, the job would be far more difficult. They are frequently known and respected by the
people with whom we deal. They speak the language, and a harsh reality is more readily accepted by the people
when one of their own officers spells it out for them. In addition, they normally are intimately acquainted with the
geography and topography of the AO. Add to the mix institutional memory, official as well as unofficial pipelines
to their respective hierarchies, and understanding and ability to read situations and local people, and one has a
powerful force for mission success. · MICHAEL’S WORLD
Alive, well and full of P & V. Less than three weeks until I go on leave. Need I say more?
For those who may someday come to Sudan and have occasion to travel by foot with these quite prodigious
walkers, here are some definitions of Sudanese walking distance descriptions:
1. Right here: 1 mile or less. · 2. Very close: 1 to 3 miles.
3. Not far: 3to 5 miles.
Just in case the holidays cause a problem getting SITREP 13 out in time for those who are going away,
have a wonderful and Blessed Christmas. And don’t forget those who are in harm’s way for us. Michael