Cablegate: Darfur: Abduction of Amis Staff in El Fasher

VZCZCXRO3024
PP RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2835 3461646
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 121646Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5548
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002835

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PHUM PREF AU UN SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: ABDUCTION OF AMIS STAFF IN EL FASHER

1. According to AMIS contacts, at 5:30 p.m. on December 10, unknown
gunmen abducted Nigerian Major Adenyi Rak, Military Assistant to
Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Hassan Gibril, and a second AMIS
staff member along with their vehicle approximately 300 meters from
the residence of U.S. Military Observers (Mil Obs) in El Fasher.
U.S. Mil Obs heard two pistol rounds; 15 minutes later AMIS informed
them of the hijacking of the AMIS vehicle and staff.

2. AMIS does not have any information on the identity of the
assailants, or as to the whereabouts of the abductees. SLA and JEM
representatives to the Ceasefire Commission deny involvement of
their groups.

3. According to a European Mil Obs, European police representatives
in AMIS CIVPOL offered their assistance in the investigation; AMIS
Force Commander Major General Luke Aprezi declined their offer,
however.

4. General Aprezi consulted with the Sudanese Armed Forces on
December 12; according to AU contacts, an AMIS team left Khartoum to
conduct an investigation. El Fasher police have no information
about the abduction.

HUME

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