• Sudanese government planes bombed rebel positions in at least two villages which led to civilian casualties in West Darfur.
• A group of armed men, reportedly from the Janjaweed, overran a prison and released 90 detainees in South Darfur.
• The government of Sudan admitted to attacking a UNAMID convoy.

Situation on the Ground

Since Jan. 13, Sudanese government planes have bombed [7] Justice and Equality Movement positions in at least two villages [8] escalating the frightening levels of violence in the west Darfur region. These bombings, near the regional capital of el-Geneina, led to several civilian casualties [9]. This new series of violence between the government and the rebel group, Justice and Equality Movement, has significantly restricted humanitarian work [10] in western Darfur.

Meanwhile, in South Darfur, a large group of armed men driving pickup trucks overran a prison [11] in the town of Buram and freed over 90 detainees. The perpetrators have been reported to be Salamat Arab nomads who belong to Janjaweed militias. Also, on Jan. 15, violent clashes occurred [12] between the Sudanese army and JEM, who unsuccessfully tried to take over the Sheiria area with 18 trucks.

As violence continues to obstruct humanitarian access to internally displaced settlements, disease, particularly acute respiratory infections, malaria, and diarrhea, is a leading cause of morbidity [13] for Darfurians according to the World Heath Organization. Church World Services called the situation in Darfur a "chronic" emergency [14].

Peace Process

With the failure of the peace talks in Libya last October, United Nations and African Union envoys have been actively trying to reinvigorate [15] the peace process. They have met with some success [16] by getting the Unity faction of the Sudanese Liberation Movement, a group who demanded the postponement of peace talks, to agree to sit down with other factions and find a common position. However, they have thus far failed to persuade [17] other major rebel groups, such as the JEM, to participate.

Hybrid Peacekeeping Force

Watch [18] a short video clip of UNAMID in which the force's commanders warn of dangers that they face following an attack on a supply convoy [19] on Jan. 8 in West Darfur. The convoy was able to successfully return to its base [20] after the attacks. The government of Sudan admitted [21] on Jan. 10 that its troops opened fire on the convoy. The Office of the Spokesman of the Armed Forces claimed they mistook [22] the clearly marked UNAMID unit for rebel units and recommended that UNAMID only make its movements in the daytime. The Western Sudan Military Command also issued a formal apology to the UNAMID representative in the area.

Continuing to lack helicopters, ground transportation units and troops, UN undersecretary-general for peacekeeping Jean-Marie Guéhenno cautioned that UNAMID may remain ineffective [23] until mid-2008. Gueéenno said the "dramatic deterioration" in the security situation of Darfur will significantly delay full UNAMID deployment. He has appealed to the UN Security Council [24] to speed up the delivery of vital units and equipment and strengthen the political process. Furthermore, nations such as Sweden and Norway have dropped their plans [25] to be involved in the force due to opposition from Sudan, highlighting the impact that the persistent obstruction and foot-dragging by the government of Sudan has had on the force.

The UNAMID police commissioner, Michael Fryer, has been actively visiting internally displaced camps and has begun plans to protect civilians [26] in these camps.

International Action

The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned [27] the attacks by the Sudanese army against the UNAMID convoy and threatened action [28] against anyone hindering the deployment of international peacekeepers.

The Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act — passed with the efforts of Genocide Intervention Network members and allies to allow individuals, companies and states to divest their holdings from companies invested in Sudan — is beginning to affect [29] large investment funds such as Vanguard and Fidelity.

Activism from Around the Network

• Tracy McGrady, NBA superstar of the Houston Rockets, took a five-day visit [30]to three Darfurian refugee camps in eastern Chad.
• The Cambodian government barred Mia Farrow [31], US actress and activist, from holding a ceremony at a former Khmer Rouge prison as part of her efforts to draw attention to the crisis in Darfur.

Other Areas of Concern

Burma

The Burmese military has increased its presence [32] to over 90 battalions, comprising between 11,000 to 14,000 government troops, in the Karen state.

Human Rights Watch called on governments around the world to adopt targeted international sanctions [33] on Burma, especially on industries and businesses that substantially benefit Burma's military such as the gem industry.

Kenya

Especially after the opposition scored its first political victory [34] since the election by having one of its own members become speaker of the parliament, violence in Kenya has escalated. There have been deadly clashes [35] between demonstrators and the police. Members of the Kenyan president's Kikuyu ethnic group have fled [36] western Kenya, fearing for their lives. As tourism in the region has temporarily ceased, coastal resorts in the country have become ghost towns [37]. International efforts to provide aid [38] have begun.

Sri Lanka

As the ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers formally ended [39], humanitarian agencies have become increasingly concerned that fresh violence will impact civilians and impede aid [40] delivery. Amnesty International expressed its grave concerns and urgently called for the protection of civilians [41].