In Darfur, UN Has No Answer on Militia, Only Whispers of Bombings

By Matthew Russell Lee

 

UNITED NATIONS, November 24 -- Darfur must be mentioned alongside the UN's failure in Eastern Congo, where peacekeepers under the command of Herve Ladsous did nothing as the M23 mutineers took over Goma and now other towns.

 

The UNAMID mission in Darfur has been left with only an interim leader for months now. It issues good news and spin as new militias form, bombs drop, and civilians are killed.

 

On November 23 Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's three top spokespeople to "please state UNAMID's / DPKO's knowledge of and if applicable action on allegations that North Darfur Governor Osman Youssef Kibir is forming a private militia."

 

More than three hours later, it was Ladsous' spokesman Kieran Dwyer who purported to respond. But on this, all he said was "I am looking into this." And in the twenty hours since, no information has been provided.

 

In the interim, the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdelwahid Nur say they have taken over an army base near Kebkabiya, 150 kilometers west of El Fasher where UNAMID's headquarters are. So far, nothing from the UN about it.

 

Back on November 22, Inner City Press asked the UN another Darfur (or South Sudan) question:

 

Inner City Press: South Sudan is saying that Sudan has bombed its territory, it’s been brewing for a couple of days where Sudan said that it was going to bomb a rebel group that set up shop, they claimed it is in Sudan, in Darfur, and South Sudan says it is in its territory. Since there is two peacekeeping missions there — UNMISS, double S, and UNAMID — did this bombing take place? What is the effect of the bombing and where did it take place?

 

Deputy Spokesperson Eduardo Del Buey: Well, from what I understand, the bombing, if it took place, it took place outside of the zone where UNMISS is, so we have no comment on that. We have no information.

 

Inner City Press: in South Sudan or…?

 

Deputy Spokesperson: I don’t know. I don’t have… I have seen the report you have seen, but from what we have here… let me just check and see, one second, we may have something here — I believe that the information that I have is that it was outside of the zone where UNMISS is mandated to act, and therefore, we don’t have anything to say on it.

 

Inner City Press: UNMISS covers all of South Sudan, I don’t think that there are zones that they don’t go to in South Sudan.

 

Deputy Spokesperson: Well, I’ll have to get that information for you, Matthew.

 

[The Deputy Spokesperson later said that the bombings reportedly took place in the north of the disputed 1-1-56 boundary. That's why we can't comment. It is out of our area of operations and that's why we haven't been able to verify.]

   This answer, referring to one of the two missions controlled by Ladsous, was only inserted into the transcript of the briefing -- it was not emailed or otherwise provided to Inner City Press, which asked the question.

  Perhaps it was read out over the UN's "squawk" system which is piped to the cubicles assigned to correspondents -- but this during a day of repeated Security Council meetings on Gaza and the Congo, which Inner City Press covered not from cubicle but from Security Council stakeout, asking questions to the Ambassadors of India, Israel, Morocco and the United States.

   At the Security Council stakeout, on basic questions about the UN's failure in the Congo in the face of the M23 mutineers, Ladsous refused to answer any Press questions, and his spokesman Kieran Dwyer openly directly UN personnel not to give Inner City Press the microphone to ask, "Would the UN defend Bukavu?"

  This is the UN of Ladsous, and ultimately Ban Ki-moon. We'll have more on this.

UN Complaints of Gambari's Shirking of Retreat, $620000 on Mansion, End?

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, May 21 -- When the UN paid for its far-flung envoys to travel to New York for a retreat at the Greentree estate last week, many were surprised and angry that Darfur envoy Ibrahim Gambari appeared only briefing, for the photo op and conclusion, and otherwise "did personal business" in New York.

  As exclusively reported by Inner City Press on February 3, Gambari spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to build himself a "hard shell on the hill" estate in the UN's El Fasher peacekeeping camp. As peacekeeping budget missions are now reviewed in the UN's Fifth (Budget) Committee, Inner City Press has be informed by whistleblowers of the full cost: $620,000.

  They opine, in Press style, that "how many IDPs could be sheltered in this sumptuous, air-conditioned dwelling, fifty? A hundred? Not bad for an occasional residence, no? 

Particularly since it was neither planned nor budgeted. Where did the money come from? Guess those poor blighters of staff members will have to wait a bit more for the improved accommodations and life enhancing welfare facilities this money was earmarked for. Tough questions may be asked at budget discussions."

  Now, attendees at the SRSG retreat say that Gambari "has resigned, sensing he wouldn't be renewed," based on these spending scandals. But why use UN resources to come to New York and then miss most of the retreat? 

 

  Several other attendees complained at "how little some of these new Ban Ki-moon SRSGs know," not only about the countries they have been assigned to, but even thematic topics. "Things are going to the dogs," as one attendee put it. Watch this site.

As Darfur IDPs Won't Meet with UN, Failure to Protect Extends to Health Care

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, November 8 -- Outside El Fasher in Darfur, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Valerie Amos waited on November 7 to speak with internally displaced people in the Al-Salam IDP camp.

But given the UN's and Security Council members' failure to follow up on Sudan's arrest and harassment in Darfur following the UN Security Council's visit a month ago, Al-Salam leaders reportedly did not meet with Amos. If the UN can't or won't protect witnesses, why would people take the chance to speak with the UN?

Since returning from the Council trip, Inner City Press has repeatedly asked the UN and Security Council members, including this month's president Mark Lyall Grant of the UK, what is being done to investigate and act on the harassment and arrests that followed the visit to Abu Shouk camp on October 8.

Despite the passage of a month, and the request that UN Peacekeeping and its mission in Darfur, UNAMID, led by Ibrahim Gambari, confirm or deny that those arrested after the visit did not meet or plan the meeting with Council members, nothing has been done.

Why then is the UN surprised by this report:

“On Sunday at Camp al-Salam on the outskirts of El-Fasher, the capital of the western region of Darfur, elders scrapped a planned meeting with Amos without giving reasons for their decision. 'I hope that there is no fear,' Amos told reporters after the camp leaders failed to show up for their meeting.”

Why wouldn't there be fear?

Meanwhile, even when the UN does respond to questions about actions in Sudan, it is usually with platitudes, not investigation. On November 5 at the UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky:

Inner City Press: The SPLM [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] is saying that… they have come out with an allegation that Southerners who live in the North are being told, in Government medical facilities, are being told they’ll only get medical treatment if they vote for unity. I wonder if it’s something… it’s in the Sudan Tribune and I am assuming elsewhere. I am wondering if that’s something… I guess that would be an UNMIS [United Nations Mission in Sudan] issue, or perhaps… whether the UN system is aware of that allegation, what they think of it, if it is true and what they are doing to find out if it is true?

Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, at the very least, if they are reading the Sudan Tribune like you, they will have seen the same reports and I would assume that they are doing so. We will need to check whether they have further information that was not in this Sudan Tribune. But, I don’t have that right now.

Inner City Press: Okay. No, no, I mean I am pretty sure they would be aware of this, I just wonder if this is the type of thing that they feel a duty to investigate to see if it’s true or to make some statement about.

Spokesperson Nesirky: As I say, let’s first establish what they know about it.

It sounds like a needed and too rare process, disclosure by the UN of what it knows about human rights violations. Three days later -- not broken by any weekend in Sudan -- the UN responded:

Subject: Your question on Sudan
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
Date: Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 10:23 AM

In response to your question last Friday on reports that people who do not vote for unity in Sudan could be denied medical help, we have the following to say:

"We call on all the CPA parties to take steps to ensure a peaceful and inclusive referenda process, and in the time remaining, the Government of Sudan must demonstrate political will to ensure the credibility of the referendum."

But what about finding out if UNMIS has investigated the report, if it confirmed it, and what it will do about it? Watch this site.

As UN Confirms 2 Dead, 28 Wounded in Darfur, Nothing on Journalist's Arrest

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, November 4 -- As killing in Darfur escalates, the UN stays several days behind, belatedly reporting on November 4 on a deadly November 1 attack outside Tawila, and then only because asked.

On November 3 Inner City Press asked why the UNAMID mission had not spoken about the second deadly attack near Tawila. Hours later, the UN said it was investigating. A source asked Inner City Press, what's to investigate, since the UN has a peacekeeping base in Tawila itself?

As it turns out, the UN did know what happened. On November 4 spokesman Martin Nesirky read a statement that on November 1, unidentified gunmen attacked two vehicles, resulting in two deaths and 28 wounded who were taken to an MSF clinic in Tawila. Eight of the more serious injuries were transferred to a hospital in El Fasher, which is UNAMID's base.

But why didn't UNAMID just routinely report this? Similarly, Jaafar al-Sibki the Darfur reporter for the Sahafa daily newspaper in Sudan was arrested by authorities, but UNAMID and UN had no response except to point to UNAMID's belated statement about a radio station's closure.

While the UN - African Union mediation in Doha has now been suspended until mid December, the UN had no statement on that either on November 4.

The Doha process does not include the supporters of Fur rebel Abdel Wahid Nur, nor the Justice and Equality Movement. The one group it does include, the Liberation and Justice Movement, has a leader who was a UN staff member at least until March 8, 2010, then (the UN says) resigned. We'll have more on this. Watch this site.

From the UN's November 3 transcript:

Inner City Press: on Sudan, I wanted to ask you two factual things. There are reports that at least eight people injured in Tawilla, where there is a peacekeeping base, have been taken to the hospital in El Fasher. I haven’t seen anything by UNAMID [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur]; I’m just wondering if it’s possible to get… whether UNAMID can confirm that this attack took place, who they think did it? There are also reports of the arrest of the leader of a refugee camp, Al Salaam in North Darfur, by the authorities. And I’m wondering, again … these things build up, but whether UNAMID can confirm these two incidents, and also, if these things are true, why these things are not being said in some way by UNAMID? And I know you may say “ask them”, but I’ve asked them and I’ve received nothing in return.

Spokesperson Nesirky: We will ask them. All right, thanks very much. Good afternoon, everybody.

[The Spokesperson later added that we are aware of these reports and are investigating them. UNAMID is concerned about heightened military tensions on the ground. There have been other incidents recently. UNAMID calls on all parties to refrain from the use of force.]

Fear & Loathing in Darfur, Of UN's Curfew & Low Morale, Gambari VIP Culture

By Matthew Russell Lee

EL FASHER, October 8 -- Even as spruced up Thursday for the visit of the UN Security Council, there was a feeling of fear and boredom and low morale at the joint African Union - UN Mission in Darfur. After the Council's delegation was met by protests at the gate of the El Fasher airport, its convoy rushed into UNAMID's compound, surrounded by concertina wire and earthen barriers against suicide car or truck bombs.

At and even before the Council's first meeting, limiting the program and visits was the topic, even though Internally Displaced People in a nearby IDP camp had been quoted as waiting to be visited by the Council.

Inside the UNAMID compound, when Inner City Press sought to leave the air conditioned space into which the media were shepherded, a UNAMID minder said “You are really not supposed to be wandering around. [Wherever you go] I'll go with you.”

Along the path to the restrooms, men lounged on the sidewalk, and offered greetings to Inner City Press. Later, without the UNAMID minder, Inner City Press was approached by and spoke with a range of people inside UNAMID's so called Super Camp, which military contractor Lockheed Martin was given a sole source contract to build, unsuccessfully.

UNAMID staff described a curfew imposed on them: none of the required four wheel drive vehicles can be used after 7 pm, and no two wheel drive vehicles or walking outside the camp after 10 pm.

Even staff whose job would seem to require leaving the Super Camp told Inner City Press they rarely if ever leave. Their highlight seems to be going on vacation.

After six weeks, these staff are given five days vacation and two travel days, seven consecutive working days in total. Those interviewed said they largely go to Europe, only to return against to what one called an unhealthy house arrest.

Isn't there a gym or work out facility? There is, was the response, but it is not a good one and is poisoned by what is called UNAMID's “VIP culture.” It was noted that UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari flies about in a Lear Jet, unlike his counterpart in South Sudan.

UNAMID 4x4, curfew, low morale & Gambari's Lear Jet not shown, (c) MRLee

This virus seemed to spread to the Security Council's dinner Thursday night. While initially two tables for journalists had been set up in their room, before it began the tables were moved outside. Even though two UNAMID staff later asked the Press if offense had been taken, the VIP message resonated.

Earlier on Thursday, when the UN plane from Juba was found to have one too many people aboard, a Sudanese journalist who had been permitted for the flight and to report from Darfur was ordered by UN Security to get off the plane or be “forcibly” removed.

After his backpack was thrown to the floor, the three other Sudanese journalists left with him in solidarity. Still the Council has had nothing to say about what's viewed as disparate treatment or even, to some, discrimination.

What is being accomplished by the Super Camp bound UNAMID? Inner City Press had wanted to ask UNAMID chief Gambari about detailed reports it has received about UNAMID peacekeepers refusing to leave their bases to protect civilians, saying they must await “permission.”

Inner City Press earlier obtained and published an internal UNAMID document to this effect, show inaction after the murder of at least 47 people in the Tarabat Market:

“At about 1800hrs on 02 Sep 2010, UNAMID Police Advisors received unconfirmed information from locals in Tawilla IDP camp that unidentified armed men attacked Tabarat Market near Maral village about 28kms southwest of Tawilla, where about 30 people were killed and more than 70 others were injured.

“The information was received by the PF Force Commander Major Aimable Rukondo from relatives of victims in Tawilla IDP camp. At about 2030hrs, people from the Tawilla IDP camp gathered near the gate of Tawilla UNAMID Base requesting for assistance to evacuate their relatives who were in Tabarat market. The PF Commander together with the Acting Team Site Commander advised the relatives that prior approval from El Fasher Headquarters is needed before proceeding to the place and with that they were advised to be back to Tawilla Base tomorrow morning for possible medical evacuation movement to Tabarat market once it has been approved by the higher Headquarters.”

Gambari has yet to explain this document. But on Thursday night, Gambari approached Inner City Press, not about this but another exclusive publication of leaked documents: Gambari's drafts to Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti, showing Gambari on the verge of turning over five supporters of rebel Abdel Wahid Nur to the regime of Omar al Bashir, already indicted for genocide and war crimes. These documents have led Abdel Wahid Nur to say that if the turn over occurs, UNAMID will have become complicit in genocide.

After Gambari's outburst -- first reported here -- Inner City Press was told that there had been a “security incident” regarding which no further description would be provided to Inner City Press, since “you'll probably get the scoop.” A UNAMID staff member was kidnapped. In a guest house surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled -- virtual house arrest -- Inner City Press sat down under an overhead Pak Fan and set about transcribing Gambari's remarks. Watch this site.

Pro Bashir Protest Greets UN Council in Darfur, IDP Camp Visits in Play

By Matthew Russell Lee

DARFUR, October 7 -- Chants against the US and the International Criminal Court greeted the UN Security Council's 15 Ambassadors when they arrived in Darfur on Thursday. Inside the airport, a group of women chanted their devotion to Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, who has been indicted by the ICC for war crimes and genocide.

At the airport gate, a larger crowd including children for a time blocked the Council's convoy, which ultimately broken through and rushed behind the barbed wire perimeter of the Super Camp of the joint African Union - UN Mission in Darfur, UNAMID.

Once inside, the Ambassadors were whisked in to meet with Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari and other UNAMID officials. Inner City Press went in too, for the promised photo opportunity at the beginning of the session.

But in the corner, Gambari and Security Director Reddy were in intense conversation with US Ambassador Susan Rice, accompanied by her UK and Uganda counterparts Mark Lyall Grant and Ruhakana Rugunda.

Rather than freedom of movement for UN Peacekeepers and protection of civilians, the discussion seemed to revolve around the next days program of work: either a close-by internally displaced persons camp and then a Saudi-funded hospital, or an IDP camp some 20 kilometers from Al Fasher. Inner City Press, upon request, is not publishing the name of either camp. The impact of the protest that greeted the Council at the airport is not yet known.

Footnote: inside the UNAMID Super Camp, the Press was led to a welcome Internet cafe. But in seeking to leave the air conditioned container, Inner City Press was told that “you're really not supposed to wander around... I'll go with you.” Essentially, a minder system.

Nevertheless UNAMID has its beauty: a V shape of birds in the sky, lit up periodically by lightening. After the call to prayer, people dropped to their knees in a larger, carpeted container. A UNAMID staffer said he rarely leaves the base. That's what the rebels say.