Situation in Darfur became increasingly hostile to humanitarian efforts. AU-sponsored peace talks, which resumed end November after Darfur rebels agreed to present unified front, showed little substantive progress. UN grounded aid flights and evacuated workers in response to government- backed militia and Sudanese army attacks in western and southern Darfur that displaced 7,000 Darfuris; rebels killed 20 in retaliatory attacks. Clashes between Arab nomad communities over local resources killed 60, adding to Darfur insecurity. Tensions increased with Chad, which accused Sudan of supporting Chadian rebels’ attack on its security forces near border. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo proceeded with investigation into Darfur atrocities, despite ban by Sudanese government from entering region. Southern Sudan constitution signed into law 5 December in important step for implementation of January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Situation in Darfur remained dire. New round of AU- sponsored talks postponed until 29 November “for logistical reasons”; growing rifts in main Darfur rebel group Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) believed reason for delay. Secretary- General Minnawi elected new SLA president 3 November during Unity Conference boycotted by current President El- Nur. AU and U.S. mediators pressed SLA to resolve internal disputes: factions agreed on common position before resumption of Abuja talks. UNSG Annan warned Darfur descending into complete lawlessness: clashes in south displaced 15,000, while 62 Justice and Equality Movement rebels killed in attacks involving SLA and armed tribesmen. Rebel National Movement for Reform and Development demanded to participate in peace talks after attacking West Darfur town 29 November, killing 37. Fighting in Western Equatoria state between Dinka and Zande tribes left several dead and forced humanitarian agencies to evacuate.

Rebel  disunity,  growing  violence  and  deteriorating Sudan-AU relations marred sixth round of AU-mediated Darfur talks; next round due 20 November. Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) president refused to attend conference to resolve internal splits. Darfur security severely deteriorated: UN Security Council condemned deaths of 4 AU peacekeepers and 2 contractors in SLA ambush; breakaway faction of rebel Justice and Equality Movement kidnapped but later released 38 AU workers; 34 aid workers taken hostage by refugees 25 October but later freed in Kalma camp; SLA-Sudanese army clashes killed 5 civilians North Darfur. UN to evacuate non- essential staff in response to violence. South Sudan formed autonomous government 22 October, including wife of late SPLM rebel leader John Garang.

New national unity cabinet sworn in 22 September; President al-Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party, fronting for Sudan’s hard-line Islamist movement, retained key ministries including defence and energy; former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement given foreign ministry. South’s legislature officially inaugurated 29 September. Sixth round of Darfur peace talks between Sudanese government and 2 Darfur rebel groups opened mid-month in Nigeria. But violence spreading and clashes between government forces and rebels could jeopardise talks: Arab militias killed 34 in attack on refugee camp North Darfur; government threatened retaliation after Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) rebels overran South Darfur town of Sheiria 20 September; attack by Arab nomads killed 40 in retaliation for August SLA raid. NATO agreed to extend mission to airlift AU troops to Darfur by month. UN Security Council extended UNMIS mandate to March 2006.

Despite untimely death of John Garang - leader of southern Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement and new Sudanese first vice-president - country’s fragile peace held. At least 130 killed in 3 days of violence in Khartoum and Juba beginning of month; thousands arrested. In relatively smooth succession, Salva Kiir, Garang’s long-time deputy, sworn in as new vice-president 11 August; pledged national unity and full implementation of North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Riek Machar, member of Nuer ethnic group, made vice-president of southern administration, raising hopes for agreement with government-aligned South Sudan Defence Force militia. Full new government to be announced early September. In Darfur, Sudan Liberation Movement rebel group called off AU-backed peace talks planned for late August; rescheduled for mid-September. AU warned of $173m funding shortfall for Darfur mission; UN Sec. Gen. urged mission be rapidly brought to full strength.

Leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), John Garang, killed in helicopter crash 30 July, leading to Khartoum riots and fears of serious disruption to implementation of January north-south peace agreement. Month began on high with ratification of new constitution 6 July and swearing-in of government of national unity 9 July with 52% of executive posts for ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and 28% for SPLM; Garang had become first vice- president. Newly-released PNC leader Hassan al-Turabi said group would protest NCP-SPLM division of power and warned of national “disintegration”. In Darfur, violence spiked at month end; 7 civilians killed in unconfirmed helicopter attack and 4 troops killed by rebels. U.S. Sec. State Rice, on visit to Khartoum, called for “action not words” from government. Earlier in month Sudan Liberation Movement, Justice and Equality Movement and government agreed ground rules for Abuja peace talks; meetings to reconvene 24 August. demolished townships. AU Envoy Bahame Tom Nyanduga left country 7 July without completing evaluation of demolitions, reportedly due to government obstruction. Zimbabwe signed trade deals with China to help rescue ailing economy.

Non-Arab Beja Congress launched offensive around Tokar, 120km south Port Sudan, 19 June, bringing violence to eastern Sudan. Sudanese government said Darfur’s Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Eritrea backing rebels. Government allegedly responded with air attacks in east. Beja Congress said would consider talks if government released prisoners and undertook independent investigation into January 2005 Port Sudan deaths. Separately, AU-backed Abuja talks between JEM and SLA rebels and Sudanese government began 10 June; talks deadlocked over basic principles, presence of Chadian mediators and rivalries within SLA and JEM. ICC announced investigations into Darfur crimes, prompting Khartoum response that Sudanese courts would deal with any allegations. Draft interim constitution based on Naivasha north-south peace accord agreed by multi- party constitutional commission 26 June; text remains to be approved by parliament and SPLM. Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of Umma opposition party, said would boycott power-sharing government due to begin July. Hassan al-Turabi, political rival of president, released from prison ahead of power-sharing. Earlier, 100 people killed in interethnic clashes in Duékoué - Forces Nouvelles insurgents and supporters of President Gbagbo blamed each other. Gbagbo undertook private visit to U.S.; attempt to meet U.S. Sec. State Condoleezza Rice rebuffed. 62 military jeeps found Abidjan port in potential violation of embargo in place since November 2004.

On Darfur, 26 May AU/UN Pledging Conference in Addis Ababa saw $292m (including $134m from Canada) committed to expansion of AU mission (AMIS) to 7,700 by September; NATO agreed to provide logistical support, but discounted possible military presence. UNSG Kofi Annan subequently travelled to Khartoum, Darfur and Rumbek urging stronger civilian-protection mandate for AMIS, and expressing concern over funding for implementation of north-south peace. AU-sponsored peace talks Darfur rebels to resume 10 June; insecurity ongoing but delivery of humanitarian aid improving. Sporadic violence elsewhere: 75 killed and 4,000 displaced in clan violence southern Lakes state; 30 died in resettlement riots in Soba Eradi IDP camp south of Khartoum; 5,000 displaced by Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army raids. Eastern Front rebels threatened uprising eastern Sudan and kidnapped 3 ruling party politicians near Eritrean border 24 May. Conference organised between government and eastern parties resulted in $88m aid promise to Red Sea state over 3 years. 2 international aid workers arrested - both subsequently released - in attempt to silence NGO criticism of human rights abuse. Government confirmed Sudan’s rejection of ICC referrals and stated plan for Sudanese court.

North-south peace fragile. Opening of National Constitutional Review Commission, planned to conclude by late March, delayed by opposition objections over allocation of seats; Commission to draft post-Naivasha interim constitution. Concern grew over southern militia groups, potentially peace spoilers; most failed to attend Nairobi “south-south dialogue” meeting with SPLA 18-21 April; all major southern political opposition groups attended. $4.5 billion development aid, mostly for southern Sudan, pledged at Oslo donors’ meeting, though fears remained over absorptive capacity of southern institutions; U.S. and Germany linked assistance to progress on Darfur. Situation in Darfur remains serious: ongoing insecurity hindering aid delivery; 17 killed in torching of village near Nyala 7 April and numerous Janjaweed attacks. Fifth round of AU-backed peace talks planned for early May in Abuja; SPLA leader John Garang said would attend. Government earlier held talks with smaller National Movement for Reform and Development rebel group in Chad. First UN peacekeeping contingent arrived southern Sudan; main force expected to begin deployment May. In positive move, AU said would increase Darfur peace monitoring force to 7,700 by September. UN passed names of 51 suspected of Darfur war crimes to ICC following March referral.

UN Security Council voted to strengthen Darfur arms embargo and impose asset freeze and travel ban on those deemed to impede peace – application to begin within 30 days. U.S. backed down from threat to veto resolution on referral of Darfur war crimes to ICC, having obtained immunity guarantees for U.S. staff. But situation in Darfur remained grim. UN said refugee crisis contained, but violence ongoing; pulled staff out of most of western Darfur following threats from Janjaweed militia; and raised its mortality estimates from 70,000 to at least 180,000, while accepting true figure might be higher. Security Council voted 24 March to send 10,000 troops and 700 civilians as peacekeeping mission in southern Sudan amidst fears over stalling implementation of north-south Naivasha peace. Mission also set to “foster peace in Darfur”.