30 October - 5 November, 2015

1. Darfur

“Darfur rape victims 'do not receive treatment, justice': Waging Peace” Tuesday 3^rd November 2015, Radio Dabanga, Independent source

• Rape has become normal in the region of Darfur. The majority of instances aren’t even investigated by the authority in this principality.
• 2/3 of rape instances when the victims left the UNAMID displaced persons camps.
• Waging Peace, an English NGO, collected data from 77 rape victims.
• The majority of these reports stated there are no hospitals where victims can receive medical attention. Only a few had received local medicines from their area.
•  A “Form 8” is required from each rape victim to report the event. The majority were reported unofficially and those forms submitted were not followed up by the police or UNAMID.
• Members of the police force have been charged with perpetrating rape.
• Gang rape was common in the majority of cases.
• This article reflects back to the 2014 mass rape in Tabit. Human Rights Watch released a report which detailed the mass rape by the Sudanese army. Three distinct missions were launched to terrorize this town. The siege of this town qualifies under crimes against humanity in international human right law.
• After a year the situation has not changed. International peacekeeping forces remain limited in their capacity to intervene. Russia’s denial of these attacks complicate UNSC implementing stronger responses to mass rape.

“Killing, gang-rape near Tabit in North Darfur” Wednesday 4^th November 2015, Radio Dabanga , Independent Source

• Janjaweed militias attacked two girls outside the town of Tabit last week.
• As there uncle attempted to protect his nieces he was shot and his body mutilated in front of his nieces.
• The women were then raped alternatively. A report was not filed with the police.
• The mass violence is escalating and consuming society. The Janjaweed militias have grown in power and have overtaken

 “Sudan Government to launch national conference on federalism “ Thursday 5^th November 2015, Radio Dabanga , Independent, domestic Source

• The second Vice President prepared the members of parliament on the government’s plan to decentralize authority in Sudan.
• In these preparations the current system will be evaluated on its ability to achieve national unity.
• The Sudanese government want to centralize governance. MP’s stated that the federal system has caused regionalism and an inability for national unity.
• The Darfur referendum has generated discussion on the federal system and how it is causing large costs for basic infrastructures.
• The rebel movements have supported a decentralized structure.

“Sudans NCP to advertise for Darfur Referendum “  Friday 30^th October, Sudan Tribune , Domestic Source

• The National Congress Party (NCP) led by President al-Bashir has stated it will support the Darfur referendum in April 2016.
• The referendum deadline has been extended on the basis that it might insight new violence in the Darfur. However, the referendum have been should have been signed at least a year after the expiration of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) in 2012.
• The NCP has promised to promote the referendum in relation to other political forces.
• Rebels groups do not support the referendum as they suspect the election will not be transparent.

“Sudanese, WHO officials inspect health situation in West Darfur “ Thursday 5^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune , Domestic Source

• Director of the World Health Organization in Sudan and state health minister Hisham Nurain has visited West Darfur to analyze the spread of Denque fever.
• 103 persons have died from the fever and 182 other persons are suspected to have contracted the disease.
• The health minister is meeting with local health organizations to hear their plan on how to control the disease.
• The spread of disease is largely due to the lack of humanitarian aid reaching this area. The Sudanese government is not cooperative with UNAMID supplies or building health infrastructure in these regions.
• The displaced people’s camps are located in this area and the disease has spread rapidly. 

2. Blue Nile State

“SPLM-N claims repelling fresh government attack in Sudan’s Blue Nile state “ Saturday 31^st October 2015, Sudan Tribune , Domestic Source

• The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) repelled a new force of government attacks near Jebel Kolgo, Blue Nile State.
• The rebels reported that the government forces suffered substantial losses in men and equipment.
• The government had led attacks on rebel groups despite issuing a two month ceasefire in September.
• The government are due to meet in Addis Ababa in mid-November to discuss a permanent ceasefire agreement.