- As tensions escalate between Sudan and Chad over the Darfur-Chad border, Chadian warplanes bombed two villages in western Darfur on Jan. 7.
- On Jan. 8, only one week after the deployment of UNAMID, Sudanese soldiers shot at a UNAMID convoy, critically injuring a driver and destroying a fuel tanker.
- Richard Williamson, the new US envoy to Sudan, was sworn in on Jan. 7.
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Situation on the Ground
One week into 2008, the situation on the ground for Darfurian civilians remains deadly, especially with escalating tensions [1] on the Darfur-Chad border. In response to the government of Chad threatening to attack Sudan after Chadian rebels allegedly took refuge in Darfur, Sudan Armed Forces spokesman Mohammed al-Aghbash said "military bases in western Sudan are ready to deal with any attack [2] launched from Chadian territory."
On Jan. 7, Chadian warplanes bombed two villages [3] near the West Darfur capital, El Geneina, the second such air strike in 2008. The Chadian government said its armed forces are ready to carry out further attacks [4] on the Darfur-Chad border as long as it perceives a threat from Sudan. World leaders, including the African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative for Darfur, expressed deep concerns [5] over these rising tensions.
Swiss authorities took steps to clarify whether a Swiss-built Pilatus plane was used [6]by the Chadian air force in attacks on Darfur.
Darfurian refugees continue to flee into Chad to seek refuge from violence. According to AmeriCares, more than 200,000 Sudanese have fled into Chad [7] since 2003.
As non-combatant civilians continue to be targeted for mass atrocities, Refugees International says the government of Sudan is obstructing humanitarian relief and peacekeeping [8] in the region.
On Jan. 5, an Islamic militant group known as Ansar al-Twahid in Sudan claimed responsibility [9] for the shooting of the US government aid officer on Jan. 1. The authenticity of the claim is unclear.
Hybrid Peacekeeping Force
On Jan. 7, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said full deployment of UNAMID must occur as soon as possible, given the low current troop levels [10]. As of Jan. 7, only 9,000 of the promised 26,000 blue helmets are on the ground in Darfur.
On Jan. 8, Sudanese soldiers shot at a UN convoy [11] that was clearly marked "UNAMID" on its way from the town of Um Baru to Tine in West Darfur, critically injuring a driver and destroying a fuel tanker. With the attack occurring only one week after the deployment of UNAMID, the UN secretary-general condemned the attack [12].
International Action
US President George W. Bush said he was "deeply troubled" [13] by the unending crisis in Darfur and called for rapid deployment of UNAMID. As the new US envoy for Sudan Richard Williamson was sworn in on Jan. 7, the United States is "preparing for a new push [14]" in Darfur.
Germany became the first country to donate to the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund [15], which was established to support development of local livelihoods alongside other efforts for peace and security.
Sudan and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
The Enough Project outlined three upcoming milestones [16] critical to the implementation of the CPA between Khartoum and Southern Sudan: the population census in April 2008, national elections by July 2009 and a self-determination referendum for southern Sudan by March 2011.
Activism from Around the Network
- Pressure is building in the state of Pennsylvania to divest $10 billion [17] in state pension funds.
- Jerry Fowler, former director of the Committee on Conscience at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, has been named the new executive director [18] of the Save Darfur Coalition.
Other Areas of Concern
Burma. As the military dictatorship continues to repress [19] Burmese society, the world remains impatient [20] as no progress has been made for democracy. In eastern Burma, mass atrocities and discrimination continue against ethnic minorities, as they are denied medical aid [21], subjected to forced labor [22], and victims of land confiscation [23].
Democratic Republic of the Congo. After some 800,000 people fled their homes and thousands of innocent civilians have been brutally massacred in 2007, a nine-day summit has been convened [24] between Gen. Laurent Nkunda's men and the Congolese government to address the ongoing violent crisis in the North Kivu region of the country.
Kenya. The violence that has erupted as a result of controversial elections on Dec. 27 has been devastating [25] the western region of the country. At least 250,000 people have been displaced and up to 600 people have been killed in the past week. The UN and the European Satellite Agency has been tracking [26] the conflict using satellite imagery. Human Rights Watch called for an immediate, independent review [27] of the elections to put an end to the violence as soon as possible.
Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government officially decided to pull out of a 2002 ceasefire [28] with the rebel group, Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam. Violence has escalated [29] as a Sri Lankan government minister was killed [30] on a roadside bombing on Jan. 8.