Genocide Monitor: Nov. 20, 2009

  • DARFUR: Two major reports on Darfur are released, as the first set of Ethiopian helicopters and pilots are preparing to deploy to western Sudan.
  • EASTERN BURMA: The Thai Burma Border Consortium compares the situation in eastern Burma to that in Darfur.
  • DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The Congolese army is documented as a major threat to civilians even as the Lord’s Resistance Army appears to be moving from the eastern DR Congo.
  • Take Action: Tell President Obama to Implement the Sudan Policy

Tell President Obama to Implement the Sudan Policy

One month ago, the Obama Administration released its new policy towards Sudan. On paper, the policy appears that it will bring peace to Sudan, but well-laid plans need effective implementation.

Today, we are asking you to call 1-800-Genocide and tell President Obama that presidential engagement is needed to bring about real progress toward peace in Sudan.

Call President Obama

Spotlighted Conflict: Darfur/Sudan

Situation on the Ground

Ethiopia is preparing to deploy five helicopters and crews as part of the UNAMID mission.1

A week after UNAMID mediation prevented fighting between the Zaghawa and Birgit over water, the two tribes clashed near the North Darfur town of Shangil Tobaya, killing ten Birgit.2

The Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Hasabu Abdel-Rahman, reported that the government plans to begin closing IDP camps in Darfur as early as March 2010. The displaced would have the option of returning to their homes or moving into government-built housing.3 It is yet unclear what the consequences will be if IDPs refuse to leave displaced persons camps.

Release of African Union Panel on Darfur Findings

After months of consultations and research, the African Union Panel on Darfur (AUPD) issued its report on ending the crisis in Darfur.

The AUPD report calls for the establishment of hybrid courts to try those accused of war crimes in Darfur,4 a step that ICC Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo says would complement ICC proceedings.5

To read the full AUPD report, click here.

UN Panel of Experts Report

The UN panel of experts on Darfur released a new report, detailing violations of the arms embargo by all armed groups. The report names JEM is the most active violator of the embargo.

To read the full report, click here.

Sanctions Renewed

On October 27, President Barack Obama renewed sanctions on Sudan for another year. The sanctions restrict trade with Sudan and freeze Sudanese government assets in the United States.6

Situation in South Sudan

Sudanese foreign minister Deng Alor said that South Sudan is likely to vote for independence in the 2011 referendum.7 According to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, the government in Khartoum has failed to make continued unity attractive.8

Inter-tribal fighting continued in South Sudan. In the most recent incident, eleven were killed when Shilluk fighters attacked a Dinka village in the northern Jonglei state.9 Fighting was also reported near the Upper Nile state capital of Malakal, where eight people were killed in the town of Nagdyar.10

The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continues to be a threat to South Sudan, killing five, including two Darfuris, during a late October attack near Bor town in Western Bahr el Ghazal state.11

Area of Concern: Burma

More Attacks in Karen State

The Burmese Army, known as the Tatmadaw, continues its attacks into Karen-majority areas in eastern Burma. In early October, the Tatmadaw attacked areas in the Nyaunglebin District of Karen state, displacing more than 1,500 villagers.

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Eastern Burma Equal to Darfur?

In a report released at the end of October, the Thai Burma Border Consortium compared the situation in Eastern Burma to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.13

The report, "Protracted Displacement and Militarisation in Eastern Burma" states that the scale of forced displacement in eastern Burma, affecting more than 470,000 people, is comparable to displacement in Darfur and is a strong indicator of repeated crimes against humanity.

To read the full report, click here.

Area of Concern: Democratic Republic of Congo

Army Atrocities Against Civilians

Since March 2009, soldiers in the Congolese army (FARDC) have reportedly killed at least 500 civilians across the eastern DR Congo.14 This includes the massacre of 62 civilians in the North Kivu town of Lukweti. The United Nations has suspended its support to the FARDC's 213 brigade, which allegedly carried out the massacre.15

Reports indicate that FDLR attacks on civilians in the eastern DR Congo continue, even in areas with a heavy FARDC presence.16

Update on LRA Movements

General Babacar Gaye, commander of the MONUC peacekeeping mission, said that the United Nations believes that between 50 to 100 LRA fighters remain in the DR Congo, primarily near the border with the Central African Republic.17 The UN believes that most of LRA is now operating in the CAR.