Home › Category › Our Campaigns Initiatives ›

Satellite Sentinel Project

Satellite Sentinel Project Solves Mystery of Sudan Cellphone Video

Posted by Mollie Zapata on Jul 20, 2012

Few have ever heard of the Nuba Mountains village of Um Bartumbu, and fewer still have been there. It is located in the conflict-torn state of South Kordofan, Sudan, where troops fighting for the government of Sudan, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-North, or SPLM/A-N, have been fighting since June 2011. But for new eyewitness reports obtained by citizen journalists, the recent discovery and release of a cellphone video, and new confirmation from DigitalGlobe and Landsat satellite imagery, the world would never know of the razing of the village and the forced flight of its inhabitants.  Read More »

Satellite Sentinel Project Confirms Razing of Village in Sudan as George Clooney Helps Relaunch High-Tech Documentation of Mass Atrocities

in
Date: 
Jul 20, 2012

Satellite Sentinel Project Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jonathan Hutson, jhutson@enoughproject.org, +1-202-386-1618

WASHINGTON -- The Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, has released new satellite imagery confirming the intentional burning of Um Bartumbu village in Sudan’s conflict-torn border region of South Kordofan. SSP’s latest report, which also includes new eyewitness reports and photos embedded with GPS codes, solves the mystery of an undated cell phone video, which appeared to show a unit of Sudanese forces called the Match Battalion razing an unnamed village.

At least 80 buildings in the Nuba Mountains village of Um Bartumbu, which appear to be consistent with civilian residential structures and comprise approximately 90 percent of the village infrastructure, were intentionally destroyed by fire, sometime between November 12 and November 28, 2011, according to Satellite Sentinel Project analysis of near infrared imagery used to detect evidence of fire.

George Clooney, who co-founded the SSP with Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast, stated:
“Burning civilians out of their homes is a crime against humanity, caught on camera by the Satellite Sentinel Project in the sky and by citizen journalists on the ground. We’ve got irrefutable visual proof of a mass atrocity that happened last year in a village that’s not even on most maps. This partnership between DigitalGlobe and the Enough Project represents a game-changing leap forward in how to document evidence of crimes against humanity.”

Imagery was captured in November 2011 by Landsat 7 -- a satellite operated by the United States Geological Survey in a joint initiative with NASA -- and confirmed by analysis of additional imagery taken in January 2012 by DigitalGlobe. SSP’s findings corroborate new eyewitness reports, obtained June 16, that a joint unit of forces comprised of Sudan Armed Forces and Popular Defense Force, or PDF, militia members razed the village in late 2011.

In addition, SSP has obtained new videos and photographs taken by Eyes and Ears Nuba, a team of citizen journalists based in rebel-held territory in the Nuba Mountains. The team traveled to Um Bartumbu with GPS-equipped cameras on June 16, to document evidence of the razing of this village, which sits in a no-man’s-land between opposing forces in Sudan’s ongoing conflict. An Um Bartumbu elder reported that the now-abandoned village had contained 50 homesteads of Muslims and Christians, numbering approximately 250 adults, plus an unspecified number of children.

An undated cell phone video obtained by SSP from Eyes and Ears Nuba, and available on NubaReports.org, shows Sudanese forces who call themselves “Katiba Kabreet,” Sudanese Arabic for “Match Battalion,” setting fire to a village. In the video, Sudanese men fire guns and carry torches as residential compounds burn. Most wear matching uniforms and boots, and are dressed in a manner consistent with Sudan Armed Forces. Some wear mismatched uniforms and tennis shoes, and are dressed in a manner consistent with PDF militia forces.

“Matches, where are the matches? Burn this house,” one soldier commands in Sudanese Arabic. A group of soldiers stands in front of a grinding mill, and discusses whether to loot the food inside before setting fire to the mill. Humanitarian sources interviewed by the Enough Project confirmed that Um Bartumbu hosted a grinding mill, as well as a clinic, a mosque, storage facilities, and a Sudanese Church of Christ.

Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast stated:
“The continuing bombing and starving of the residents of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state must be addressed more forcefully by the United Nations Security Council. It is not enough to press for a deal between Sudan and South Sudan. There also must be a process dealing with the conflict in Sudan that addresses the political grievances of the people of these regions as well as Darfur and the East. Absent that comprehensive approach, there will be no sustainable peace between the Sudans, and the people of Blue Nile and South Kordofan will continue to be hammered.”

The multi-media report marks SSP’s first published research on evidence of war crimes since the conclusion of the project’s successful 18-month pilot phase in June. On July 18, SSP published an evaluation of its formation, goals and accomplishments to date. A team of professional geospatial analysts based at the DigitalGlobe Analysis Center in Longmont, Colorado, has replaced the team at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which led SSP’s imagery analysis efforts since the launch of its pilot phase on December 29, 2010.

Download or view the DigitalGlobe satellite imagery, together with new photos obtained by SSP from Eyes and Ears Nuba: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enoughproject/sets/72157630562277682/

Download or view the latest SSP report, “Match Battalion: Confirmation of the Razing of Um Bartumbu Village, South Kordofan, Sudan”: http://satsentinel.org/report/match-battalion-confirmation-razing-um-bartumbu-village-south-kordofan-sudan-report

Download or view SSP’s previous report on its 18-month pilot phase, “Making the World a Witness: Report on the Pilot Phase”: http://www.satsentinel.org/report/making-world-witness-report-pilot-phase-report

Download or view Eyes and Ears Nuba reports and photographs at http://www.NubaReports.org

Download or view undated cell phone video filmed by the Match Battalion and obtained by SSP from Eyes and Ears Nuba: http://www.youtube.com/user/SatelliteSentinel

About the Satellite Sentinel Project

The Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, a partnership between the Enough Project and DigitalGlobe, conducts monitoring of the border between Sudan and South Sudan to assess the human security situation, identify potential threats to civilians, and detect, deter and document war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Enough Project provides field research, policy context, and communications strategy. DigitalGlobe provides imagery from its constellation of satellites and geospatial analysis from the DigitalGlobe Analysis Center. SSP is funded primarily by Not On Our Watch.

 

TIMELINE: Tracking Compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2046

Submitted by Mollie Zapata on May 31, 2012 - 10:10am
in
TIMELINE: Tracking Compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2046

The Enough Project has produced an interractive timeline and tracker table to track the compliance of Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North's, or SPLM-N's, compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2046.

On May 2, the United Nations Security Council enacted a resolution addressing recent violence that has flared along the poorly defined international border separating Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the nearly year-long conflict between Sudanese government forces and the Sudan Revolutionary Front, or SRF. It was an important move, and a significant one given the political gridlock the Security Council often faces when considering issues related to the two Sudans.

But the value of the Security Council’s action will hinge on compliance and consequences, and in the two weeks since the resolution was adopted, the parties have traded accusations of ongoing violations.

In an effort to track Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North's, or SPLM-N's, compliance with those conditions on which the resolution places corresponding deadlines, the Enough Project has produced a new timeline. The timeline identifies the deadlines for conditions provided for in Resolution 2046 and chronicles indicators of actors’ compliance, or lack thereof, with each of those conditions in color-coded categories along the timeline (below).

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2046 requires the governments of Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the SPLM-N, to meet a number of conditions or face the imposition of sanctions under Article 41 of the U.N. Charter. The resolution places deadlines on the actors’ compliance with certain conditions, while leaving other conditions without corresponding deadlines.

View timeline infographic full-screen.

In addition to the timeline the Enough Project has produced a table to track the actors’ compliance with those conditions on which the resolution does not attach a corresponding deadline. The table identifies conditions from Resolution 2046 and lists indicators of actors’ compliance, or lack thereof, with each of those conditions.

  Conditions in UNSC Resolution 2046 without Corresponding Deadlines   Indicators of Implementation or Lack Thereof  
 

Unconditional withdrawal of Sudanese and South Sudanese armed forces to their respective sides of the border (Operative Para. 1(ii))

   None to date.  
 

Sudan and South Sudan cease the harboring of and providing support to rebel groups in the other state (Operative Para. 1(iv))

  

4 May 2012: President Bashir accuses the leader of the SPLM-N rebellion in South Kordofan, Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu, of being “a mere façade of the foreign powers” that fund the SPLM-N’s activities, an implicit reference to South Sudan’s suspected support of SPLM-N forces.

10 May 2012: President Bashir proclaims, “"If they [South Sudan] want to change the regime in Khartoum, we will work to change the regime in Juba. If they want to attrite us, we will attrite them. And if they want to support our rebels, we will support theirs."

  
 

Sudan and South Sudan activate an ad hoc committee under the JPSM to receive and investigate complaints and allegations made by one party against the other (Operative Para. 1(v))

  

June 2012: Both Sudan and South Sudan submit their respective nominees for the ad hoc committee. However, Sudan conditions the commencement of the committee's work on the establishment of the SDBZ and the activation of the JBVMM.

  
  Sudan and South Sudan must immediately cease all hostile propaganda and inflammatory statements (Operative Para. 1(vi))  

9 May 2012: Chairperson of the Security Committee of South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly announces that South Sudan will again attack Heglig if SAF forces continue to attack South Sudanese territory.

11 May 2012: President Bashir proclaims "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" policy in any future attacks by South Sudan against Sudan. President Bashir went on to say, "We have fertilized the soil with their [South Sudan’s] dead," and SAF forces "will defend the country and chop off any hand stretching to take it."

  
 

Immediate cessation of attacks against property or religious and cultural symbols belonging to nationals of the other state (Operative Para. 1(vi))

  

18 June 2012: Reports indicate that the GoS demolished two church buildings in Khartoum.

  
 

Sudan and South Sudan extend full protection of nationals of the other state in line with international principles and consistent with the Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the Other State and Related Matters initialed in March 2012 (Operative Para. 1(vi))

  

14 May 2012: Humanitarian airlifts begin to evacuate an estimated 12,000 South Sudanese previously stranded in Kosti, Sudan to Juba, via Khartoum. The airlifts are organized by the International Organization for Migration, or IOM, and supported by the governments of Sudan and South Sudan.

18 May 2012: The International Organization of Migration, or IOM, continues airlifts of stranded South Sudanese out of Sudan. Flights have been increased from two to four a day and IOM plans to further expand the number of flights to six per day.

  
 

GoS and SPLM-N extend full cooperation with the AUHIP and the Chair of IGAD to reach a negotiated settlement (Operative Para. 3)

  

8 May 2012: The SPLM-N calls for “a comprehensive peaceful settlement” to conflict in Sudan.

9 May 2012: The leadership council of the NCP, chaired by President Bashir, states that it does not agree to elements of UNSC resolution 2046 regarding negotiations with the SPLM-N.

10 May 2012: Commander in chief of SRF forces and SPLM-N chairman, Abdel-Aziz Adam El Hilu, says that "the root cause of conflict in Sudan can never be addressed through selective dialogue. It is requires comprehensive understanding and settlement."

14 May 2012: Sudan’s parliament rejects negotiations with the SPLM-N.

25 July 2012: The SPLM-N and the GoS agree to hold negotiations over humanitarian access to South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

7 September 2012: The GoS accuses the SPLM-N of undermining negotiations "in execution of foreign agendas. The SPLM-N refutes the charges.

  
 

GoS and SPLM-N acceptance of the tripartite agreement for humanitarian access to Blue Nile and South Kordofan (Operative Para. 4)

  

8 May 2012: SPLM-N reiterates its acceptance of the Tripartite Proposal and expresses its willingness to initiate a “humanitarian cessation of hostilities” to allow for the Proposal’s implementation.

14 May 2012: Sudan’s parliament rejects the Tripartite Proposal.

27 June 2012: The GoS accept the U.N.-African Union-League of Arab States Tripartite Proposal concerning the delivery of aid to populations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. However, the GoS caveated its acceptance with nine so-called principles. These principles, among other things, "affirm the sovereignty of the Government of Sudan in supervising humanitarian aid operations in all territories in Sudan."

4 August 2012: SPLM-N signs a memorandum of understanding with the African Union, League of Arab States, and the U.N. concerning the delivery of humanitarian aid to South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

5 August 2012: The GoS signs a memorandum of understanding with the African Union, League of Arab States, and the U.N. concerning the delivery of humanitarian aid to South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

  
 

Protection and promotion of human rights in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law by all parties (Operative Para. 7)

  

11 May 2012: Navi Pillay, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemns Sudan’s "indiscriminate" aerial bombings of South Sudan, saying, "I am saddened and outraged to learn that such attacks which place civilians at great risk - and have already killed and injured some and caused many thousands of others to flee - have been taking place again in recent days." Pillay further declares, "Deliberate or reckless attacks on civilian areas can, depending on the circumstances, amount to an international crime."

31 July 2012: Sudanese forces attack peacefully protesting students in South Darfur, killing 12 and injuring 100.
 

  

The Enough Project will continue to monitor Sudan, South Sudan, and the SPLM-N’s compliance with Resolution 2046 and update our timeline and table accordingly.

Should any actor fail to comply with the conditions identified in the resolution, the U.N. Security Council should not hesitate to consider the imposition of sanctions. Bringing to bare the threat of sanctions made in Resolution 2046, when appropriate, is a critical way in which the international community can apply diplomatic pressure on Sudan, South Sudan, and the SPLM-N to work constructively towards addressing the conflicts within and between the two Sudans that currently undermine regional peace and security. Particularly given the government of Sudan’s demonstrated pattern of disavowing agreements to which it assents and abrogating international obligations placed upon it, the U.N. Security Council’s continued vigilance and action is essential.

 

Enough Project Briefs House Members on Recent Developments in Sudan

Posted by Annie Callaway on Apr 25, 2012

Last Thursday, the Enough Project's John Prendergast and Omer Ismail were on Capitol Hill to brief House members and staff on the current situation in Sudan, to bring the members up-to-date information and solicit bipartisan support for the Sudan Peace, Security and Accountability Act of 2012.  Read More »

Fulfilling the Pledge of ‘Never Again’

Posted by Tracy Fehr on Apr 24, 2012

In an unprecedented show of commitment and accountability by the U.S. to the prevention and elimination of mass atrocities around the world, on April 23 President Barack Obama announced the launch of the first-ever Atrocities Prevention Board, or APB. The board’s inception, which has been highly anticipated within the human rights community, marks a historic step within the U.S. government to work across agencies in collaborated efforts to prevent and respond to mass atrocities around the world.  Read More »

Reports: Satellites Show Buildup of Sudan Military Strike Aircraft in Range of South Sudan, Damage to Oil Infrastructure

Posted by Mollie Zapata on Apr 24, 2012

The Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, released two new reports, documenting the latest developments in the conflict raging on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. The conflict has become increasingly violent since the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, or SPLA, advanced on Heglig on April 9. Heglig (known as Panthou to the South Sudanese) is a disputed territory, with both nations claiming that it is within their borders. The area provides an estimated half of Sudan’s oil resources, making it an economically critical location.  Read More »

Satellites Reveal Destruction of Key Pipeline Infrastructure in Disputed Heglig Oil Field Between the Sudans

in
Date: 
Apr 22, 2012

Satellite Sentinel Project Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jonathan Hutson, jhutson@enoughproject.org, +1-202-386-1618

WASHINGTON – The Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) has published new imagery indicating that as Sudan and South Sudan clashed over an oil field near the disputed border town of Heglig, a key part of the pipeline infrastructure was destroyed. The damage appears to be so severe, and in such a critical part of the oil infrastructure, that it would likely stop oil flow in the area, according to SSP.

Based on Harvard Humanitarian Initiative analysis of DigitalGlobe satellite imagery, SSP has concluded that what appears to be an oil collection manifold – equipment which allows for the diversion or combination of oil flows without interruption – was apparently blown up in some type of explosion. SSP says it cannot make a determination whether the damage resulted from aerial bombardment or ground action. Both nations have accused the other of deliberately damaging the oil field. Both sides claim sovereignty over Heglig, which South Sudan refers to as Panthou.

SSP stated: “The destroyed structure appears consistent with a collection manifold because of its shape and its location at the junction of multiple pipelines. The destruction of this particular collection manifold would likely result in the immediate cessation of oil flow in the area.”

Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast said:

As the conflict has escalated over the last few weeks, the costs now include both lost lives and damaged oil infrastructure. As the losses pile up on both sides, the danger of a full-scale war continues to increase.

Enough Project Executive Director John C. Bradshaw said:

This destruction of oil infrastructure benefits neither side. To avoid the mutually disastrous consequences of an all-out war, both Sudans must return to the negotiating table to iron out a comprehensive peace deal that resolves the underlying issues, including border demarcation and oil revenue sharing.

After reportedly repulsing an attack by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) positions in the town of Teshwin, on the South Sudanese border, SPLA retaliated by advancing into Heglig on 9 April 2012.

On 15 April, South Sudan's information minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, told reporters in Juba that the aerial bombardment of the oil facility in the Heglig region had caused serious damage. He stated, “They are bombing the central processing facility and the [oil] tanks to rubble as we speak.” On 20 April, South Sudan’s military spokesman, Col. Philip Aguer, announced that SPLA would withdraw from Heglig within three days. On 21 April, Sudan’s Acting Minister of Information, Sana Hamad, reported that the Government of Sudan possessed evidence of intentional sabotage to the oil installations carried out by forces of the SPLA.

Harvard Carr Center for Human Rights Policy Executive Director Charlie Clements, MD, said:

“The continuing conflict between Sudan and South Sudan endangers the human security of civilians on both sides of the border.”

Read the latest SSP report, Pipeline: Evidence of the Destruction of Key Oil Infrastructure in Heglig: http://satsentinel.org/report/pipeline-evidence-destruction-key-oil-infrastructure-heglig

View or download DigitalGlobe satellite imagery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enoughproject/sets/72157629504710896/with/6954029742/

###

About the Satellite Sentinel Project 

The Satellite Sentinel Project, http://satsentinel.org, combines satellite imagery analysis and field reports with Google’s Map Maker to deter the resumption of full-scale civil war between North and South Sudan and to hold all parties accountable for human rights crimes. Not On Our Watch provided seed money to launch SSP. The Enough Project contributes field reports and policy analysis, and, together with Not On Our Watch, pressures policymakers by urging the public to act. Google and Trellon collaborated to design the web platform. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative provides research and leads the collection, human rights analysis, and corroboration of on-the-ground reports that contextualizes the imagery. DigitalGlobe provides satellite imagery and additional analysis.

 

Satellites Show Buildup of Sudanese Military Strike Aircraft in Range of South Sudan and Evidence of Reported Looting in Heglig

in
Date: 
Apr 23, 2012

Satellite Sentinel Project Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jonathan Hutson, jhutson@enoughproject.org, +1-202-386-1618

WASHINGTON – The Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) has published new imagery confirming that the Government of Sudan has dramatically increased the number of military strike aircraft at two airbases and that many are in range to fly deep into South Sudan. SSP has also documented, through the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s analysis of DigitalGlobe satellite imagery, craters consistent with reports that Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) aerially bombarded an apparent civilian area near a strategic bridge in Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, South Sudan.

SSP has also identified visual evidence consistent with reports of looting by Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and southern-aligned forces at a SAF military base in the disputed border town of Heglig. The destruction or seizure of enemy property may violate international law governing the conduct of land warfare.

SSP concluded that the military aircraft identified at Sudan’s airbases in El Obeid, North Kordofan, and Kadugli, South Kordofan, “may represent a significant portion” of SAF’s total combat-capable air assets. SSP states that at Sudan’s El Obeid airbase, it found five Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft, five apparent MiG-29 fighters, three Nanchang Q-5 fighters, and three Antonov transport aircraft of the type that SAF reportedly uses as bombers. SSP also identified eight Mi-24 helicopter gunships, at SAF’s airbases in El Obeid and Kadugli.

Enough Project  Co-founder John Prendergast said:

The increased concentration of Sudanese army and air force firepower within striking distance of its border with South Sudan signifies that we may not have yet seen the worst of the fighting. It is imperative that crisis diplomacy be enhanced, in particular by finding a way for China and the US to work together in support of a negotiated stand-down. Ultimately, the only way full-scale war will be averted is if a comprehensive peace deal can be struck that addresses the issues dividing Sudan and South Sudan, creates a process to address the escalating civil war within Sudan, and ends proxy support to each other’s rebels. If any of these issues is left unaddressed, the Sudans will continue to burn.

Harvard Carr Center for Human Rights Policy  Executive Director Charlie Clements, MD, said:

“This report documents evidence of disregard for basic laws of war by all parties to this widening conflict. All parties have responsibilities under international law to protect civilian lives and property.”

Read the latest SSP report, Escalation: Evidence of SAF and SPLA Combat Operations: http://satsentinel.org/report/escalation-evidence-saf-and-spla-combat-operations

View or download DigitalGlobe satellite imagery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enoughproject/sets/72157629513977712/with/6958153848/

###

About the Satellite Sentinel Project

The Satellite Sentinel Project, http://satsentinel.org, combines satellite imagery analysis and field reports with Google’s Map Maker to deter the resumption of full-scale civil war between North and South Sudan and to hold all parties accountable for human rights crimes. Not On Our Watch provided seed money to launch SSP. The Enough Project contributes field reports and policy analysis, and, together with Not On Our Watch, pressures policymakers by urging the public to act. Google and Trellon collaborated to design the web platform. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative provides research and leads the collection, human rights analysis, and corroboration of on-the-ground reports that contextualizes the imagery. DigitalGlobe provides satellite imagery and additional analysis.

The Crisis in the Sudans: The Urgency of U.S.-China Cooperation

Posted by John Prendergast on Apr 13, 2012

This op-ed co-authored with actor George Clooney originally appeared on Time.com.

On the surface, our recent trip to the rebel-held areas of Sudan’s Nuba Mountains hauntingly echoed earlier visits to Darfur and South Sudan. A huge group of people—targeted by their government in Khartoum because of their ethnicity, the rich land they live on, and their resistance to dictatorship—are being serially bombarded, raped, abducted, and starved in this case for the second time in the last two decades. The culprit remains the same as well: the Khartoum regime led by General Omar al-Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. This human rights catastrophe within Sudan is unfolding alongside a virtual state of war between Sudan and South Sudan, playing itself out in the border oilfields not far from the Nuba Mountains.  Read More »

Satellites, Social Networking, and Arms Control

Posted by Mollie Zapata on Apr 03, 2012

“Today, any event, anywhere on the planet, could be broadcast globally in seconds,” stated Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller in an address delivered to a group of students in Moscow recently. She cited the Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, as an example of the future of monitoring mechanisms. “The neighborhood gaze is a powerful tool, and it can help us make sure that countries are following the rules of arms control treaties and agreements,” Gottemoeller said.  Read More »

Syndicate content