SITREP 13  24 DEC 04

GENERAL SITUATION:

We are still in a holding pattern awaiting the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The GOS
offered to secure operations near Darfur, but this may just mean that they have accomplished their tactical objectives
 for the time being. It is still a terrible situation.

SECTOR 3 OPERATIONS:

We were able to secure the release of one SPLA Regimental Sergeant Major detained by the GOS in retaliation
for the murder (non political) if a GOS soldier in the SPLM area in November. By doing this we were also able
 to secure the release of five GOS soldiers detained by the SPLA at Kurci market last Saturday in retaliation for the
detention of the RSM.

Hopefully we were able to convince both sides that the upward spiraling sequence of retaliatory arrests and
detentions is an exercise in futility.

We are all looking forward to a successful resolution of the issue of the reopening of the

Al Reika-Frandalla-Talodi road when the principals meet here in Um Serdiba on 28 DEC 04. Due to the excellent
 work of Rainer, the Sector 3 Commander, there is only one item that has not been essentially agreed to by both sides
 prior to the actual meeting. Unfortunately it the most contentious and difficult to resolve. It is in regard to the right
of the SPLM to levy “taxes”, which we would probably refer to as tolls, where the road passes through their zone.
 The GOS seem to think that by so doing they would concede a greater level of sovereignty to the SPLM than they wish.
The SPLM claim that the GOS have already agreed to this point in a previous meeting on the matter. The JMC position
 is  that it is not enough of a concession to really matter, and that the signing of the CPA in the very near future will
render the issue moot in any event. Keep your fingers crossed. The residents along this 50 km stretch of the only road
 through the area need it open ASAP.

Work toward Cross Faction meetings, both police as well as omdas and sheiks, is progressing well. All those
who will be participants are anxious for the meetings to begin soon. We have asked them to wait until after the meeting
 on the matter of the road reopening on 28 DEC 04, as the outcome of this meeting will have a profound affect on
 the lower level meetings no matter what its outcome is.

Dealing with complaints still takes up a huge amount of time. Two causes of constant trouble were told to get out
of the area until after the CPA this morning as a result of their repeated Cease Fire Violations (CFVs). They have been
 given until 28 DEC 04 to comply. We will also visit the area SPLA Commander tomorrow in order to elicit his
endorsement of this action. It will hopefully be forthcoming, as these constant troublemakers cause him as much
 aggravation as they do us.

MICHAEL’S WORLD:

SITREP 1431 JAN 04

GENERAL SITUATION:

Nothing new to report. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement talks and the cease fire talks in Nigeria
(in regards to the Darfur situation) are apparently still on hold. At least we have heard nothing concrete as
 to when anything positive might transpire.

SECTOR 3 OPERATIONS:

This was a rather disappointing week for Sector 3. Rainer, our Sector Commander, went to considerable
trouble to set up a meeting between the District Commissioners and senior Military Commanders of the GOS
 and the SPLM/A to discuss the re-opening of the Al Reika-Frandalla- Talodi road. Despite visits to both sides
 to confirm the agreed upon meeting, the GOS D.C. refused to come when the helicopter came to pick him up.
The GOS Military Commander also begged off, saying that he had just assumed command, had not been briefed
and required (unavailable) guidance from higher command before he could participate. Had they wished to cancel,
or if unforeseen problems had arisen, they had the time and the means to cancel or postpone the meeting prior to
 uplift time. This inexcusable behavior was an embarrassment even to the GOS officers who serve as our
National Monitors. While “face” is ever an issue among these men, even they felt compelled to apologize to their
colleagues for this deplorable performance by their superiors.

A further problem was that the SPLM/A contingent was here in full strength. This was an obvious slight to them
 and will make the setting up of a future meeting immeasurably more difficult. Meanwhile, the real losers are the
thousands of ordinary Sudanese citizens of both sides who depend upon this road for supply and commerce.

It is hard to believe that this action was taken without the direction, or at least the knowledge and consent,
of higher authorities in the GOS. Their rationale? Who know?

A number of good things happened in the sector this week, but unfortunately the bad news of the breakdown
of the meeting has far outweighed the good. The first round of complete Military Inspections for both factions is
nearly complete. Several complaints have been resolved. Three individuals have been released from detention as a
direct result of Sector 3 action. I visited a new village of returning IDPs of which the authorities were totally
unaware and recorded it. Our investigations have defused a number of potential problems before they could rise to
 a dangerous level. But the road that we had hoped to have opened is still closed, and relations at district and provincial
 level have taken a significant step backward.

MICHAEL’S WORLD:

By the time I send this I will have about 164 hours until take off time from Khartoum for my leave.
 But who’s counting? Next week’s Sitrep will come to you from Clarke County, VA, USA. I’m looking forward
 to seeing many of you then.

I am also carrying out a feasibility study for a possible project to introduce windmills to Sudan. Sitrep readers
have by now been made aware of the hardships endured by the people as a result of the difficulties they
experience getting water. I am deeply grateful to those who have responded so quickly to my initial inquiries
 and requests for guidance and assistance.