• A series of clashes between the government and rebel groups in late December increased tensions in Darfur.
• UNAMID, the UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping force, officially deployed on Jan. 1. The force still lacks ground transportation units and helicopters.
• On Dec. 27, south Sudanese ministers rejoined the national government.
• Triggered by controversial election results, an explosion of ethnic violence has affected hundreds of thousands of civilians in Kenya. President Mwai Kibuki has accused his rival, Raila Odinga, of inciting genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Situation on the Ground

Almost five years into the conflict in Darfur, the situation on the ground continues to remain dismal for non-combatant civilians.

Doctors Without Borders reported how many homeless Darfurians' fears of insecurity have been compounded by being repeatedly, forcibly resettled [1] to multiple internally displaced persons camps throughout the region. Many of these camps are already operating at maximum capacity.

Violence between the Sudanese government and rebel groups has continued. On Dec. 25, the Sudanese government launched both air and ground offensives [2] against the Sudanese Liberation Army in West Darfur. On Dec. 27, the Justice and Equality Movement shot down a government Antonov plane [3] over West Darfur and unilaterally declared a no-fly zone. Also, on Dec. 29, the JEM attacked government positions [4] in Silea in North Darfur.

Following the attack in Silea, the Sudanese government arrested [5] six JEM officials who were serving as observers for the African Union force. These arrests raised concerns [6] because one of the officials is the JEM Representative to the Ceasefire Commission of the UN Mission in Sudan.

On New Years Eve, John Granville, a US diplomat from the US Agency for International Development, and his driver were shot dead [7] in a seemingly well-planned attack.

Tensions have escalated on the Sudan-Chad border as the Sudanese government accused Chadian aircrafts [8] of bombing two areas in western Darfur. The Chadian government has also accused Sudan of violating existing peace agreements by sheltering and rearming Chadian rebels who have fled across the border.

Hybrid Peacekeeping Force

UNAMID [9], the joint United Nations–African Union peacekeeping force, took control [10] over the operations of the 7,000-strong African Union force on Jan. 1. The United States, which funds a quarter of UNAMID's budget, formerly issued a statement of support [11] regarding the transfer of authority and stated its ongoing commitment to peacekeeping in Darfur. States continue to pledge ground troops. Egypt sent 1,200 troops [12] to Darfur on Jan. 2.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that UNAMID has critical gaps because [13] the international community has yet to pledge enough ground transportation units and aviation assets. The UNAMID force still urgently needs 24 helicopters [14] to effectively carry out its mandate in Darfur. British envoy Michael Hoare said the UK mission to the UN will convene a conference [15] of donor countries to coordinate proposals for helicopters.

Observers have expressed varying degrees of skepticism [16] regarding the impact of UNAMID [17].

International Action

Libya took over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council and its diplomats have said Darfur will be a key issue [18] for the decision-making body in January [19].

After Andrew Natsios resigned his position, President Bush appointed Richard Williamson [20] to succeed Natsios as his special envoy for Sudan.

France extended Abdel Wahid Mohammed al-Nur's stay [21] in France for another three months, with the understanding that he will participate in upcoming peace talks on Darfur.

Sudan and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement

Two months after leaving their posts to protest the lack of progress in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ministers from South Sudan rejoined [22] the national Government of Unity on Dec. 27.

Khartoum has missed a deadline [23] to withdraw its troops from southern Sudan. Furthermore, the fate of the oil-rich region of Abyei [24], a critical issue for the 2009 national elections, is still in question.

International Activism

• The Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act [25] was signed [26] into law by President Bush [27]. The measure prohibits government contracts with companies fueling genocide in Darfur and authorizes divestment from these companies.
• The Ask the Candidates campaign [28] has been making progress. Presidential candidates have made Darfur a prominent issue in their media outreach [29]. Manute Bol, a former NBA star, invited presidential candidates [30] to a press conference in Iowa to discuss the current situation in Sudan.
• Activists are increasingly using Internet communication tools [31] such as Facebook to increase awareness on the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
• Adam Sterling, the director of the Sudan Divestment Task Force, was featured [32] in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum's podcast.

Other Areas of Concern

• Burma. The Burmese government significantly increased the cost of satellite TV [33] so it is unaffordable for most Burmese. This action effectively cuts Burmese off from international sources of information.

• Kenya. In just three days, over 300 people were killed and as many as 100,000 people have been displaced [34] in an explosion of ethnic violence [35] triggered by controversial election results in Kenya. President Mwai Kibuki has accused his rival, Raila Odinga, of inciting genocide and ethnic cleansing [36] against Kikuyus and other ethnic groups. Odinga had called [37] for 1 million people to attend a rally against Kikuyu's presidency on Jan. 3. However, the rally was postponed [38] in order to put an end to the violence. The crisis has also significantly affected the Kenyan economy [39] as stocks have been suspended and company operations frozen.