Renewed Fighting in Jebel Marra

Reports out of Jebel Marra indicate increased violence and conflict between the Sudan Liberation Army faction of Abdul Wahid Mohammad al-Nur (SLA-AW) and the Sudanese government.

The Jebel Marra region has been repeatedly fought over throughout the Darfur conflict. In 2002, it was attacked and seized by Sudanese forces and pro-government militias, who targeted civilians in a vicious campaign. During the attacks, schools, markets, and water supplies were decimated out of sight of the western world. 
 
Despite these repeated attacks, Jebel Marra is once again a SLA-AW stronghold and currently home to an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 civilians.   
 
Eight years later, violence has flared up again. The limitations on news from the region, makes Darfur expert Julie Flint’s reporting on the situation even more deeply troubling. It appears that the casualty toll is rising, as the UN already estimates that up to 400 people have been killed and that tens of thousands of may have already been displaced.
 
Similar to 2002, the combination aerial and ground attacks are targeting civilians and are being carried out Sudanese troops and militiamen. UNAMID is reporting that 35,000 regular troops and 12,000 militiamen are currently in the area. They appear to be taking advantage on infighting within the SLA-AW. Ms. Flint writes that the fighting stems from perceived discrimination between the “Fur from Jebel Marra proper (jebeliin) and those from the lowlands (suru kwa).”   
 
With the April elections drawing near, it appears that President Omar al-Bashir is determined showcase a win to prove the legitimacy of his rule. It looks like the Khartoum government intends to solve the “Darfur situation” by the beginning of the elections. 
 
On March 2nd, the United States State Department issued a statement expressing concern “about reports that Government of Sudan forces are conducting offensive operations against Sudan Liberation Army/Abdel Wahid (SLA/AW) positions in the Jebel Marra area of Darfur that have reportedly caused significant civilian casualties, displacement, and the evacuation of humanitarian organizations”.
 
Since then, we have not heard from the State Department about what is being done to create access for the UN and humanitarian groups and what is being done to prevent the killing and displacement of civilians.
 
Please call 1-800-GENOCIDE today to ask Secretary Clinton to take action. Already, over 200 calls have been made by activists.
 
More commentary from Julie Flint on the situation in Jebel Marra can be found here and at Making Sense of Sudan.