Daily Darfur: Rebel Reunification, Police Patrols, and Helicopters

by Michelle . · 2008-10-16 05:30:00 UTC
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Two rebel movements in Darfur announced plans to join forces and pool resources in their effort to defend Darfur against government attacks. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and splinter group the Sudan National Liberation Movement (SNLM) signed a reunification agreement earlier this week, saying, "It is the result from our firm conviction that no solution for Darfur conflict without our unity," and added, "This agreement was achieved without external mediation and without external pressure." The group urged other SLM factions to pursue unity, and said more such agreements are forthcoming.

The splintering of the Darfur rebel movement has been a serious impediment to peace negotiations. The SLM first split in November 2005, and saw the proliferation of further fragmentation after the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006. (Only one rebel faction entered into the deal, which was never really followed or enforced.)

A Bangladeshi police unit serving with the joint-AU/UN peacekeeping force, UNAMID, started conducting night patrols at the Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur. Kalma was raided by the Sudanese government in August, in a move condemned by the UN as an “excessive, disproportionate use of lethal force” by Sudanese security forces.

Daily Kos blogger 'scribbles' weighed in on Darfur, in response an event with the International Rescue Committee:

"A person in the audience asked what could be done. Pelley and Rupp explained it was a difficult situation, but having several helicopters would help by enabling the IRC and other agencies to quickly assess and act decisively when violence erupted. They both wondered why it’s so difficult to attain several helicopters.

Then Pelley comment that "our" helicopters are tied up in another war."

The U.S. can, however, provide support for nations more able to donate helicopters. A report issued in July identified countries with available helicopter capability--Czech Republic, Italy, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, and India--and detailed support functions for the US and other nations.

Michelle . has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns.
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