Reality Check

Well we have come to the end of our training in Khartoum and it has been an interesting last few days. There was a lot of discussion surrounding the safety, security, and hazards we may face while working in the field These include diseases and viruses, natural disasters, violent protests, and last, but not least, hijackings and kidnappings. My partner and I will be in Torit which we have been told is at a phase 3 security level. This means we may have a curfew to adhere to.



Vehicle Training at UN Base in Khartoum German and Australian Military



A history lesson on Sudan was very interesting. The rest of the team and I had heard about the fact that Osama Bin Laden had lived in Sudan for a period of time approximately 15 years ago after leaving Saudi Arabia and before entering Afghanistan. He apparently had and still owns businesses and land here. In 2005 Al Quaeda declared jihad against the UNMIS (United Nations Mission in Sudan). The security level went from a phase 1 to a phase 2 and later returned to a phase 1 after the threats were quelled. In 2007, the UN was declared an Al Quaeda target. The light blue helmets and hats are apparently no longer a shield from being attacked.

Where we are going in southern Sudan, the rainy season will be starting. Along with this will come a multitude of mosquitoes which brings malaria to the forefront when it comes to diseases. Malaria has already killed several people due to the fact that they tend to ignore the symptoms until it is too late. We all have medication and should be well protected. I lucked out and got the good shit. Not only does it protect me from catching it, but it is also a treatment for it. There has also been a recent outbreak of cholera down south, however, we have been told it has not affected our area of work yet. We have also taken medication to protect us from this.



Peacekeeper's Ceremony at the UN Base in Khartoum


Given that it is the rainy season, we may have flooding to deal with. When it rains there it pours and getting around by vehicle can be quite the ordeal. Haboob season is also upon us. A haboob is a sand storm that can come out of no where and are quite common. They seriously affect your visibility when driving and if you are outside, you should be heading for cover until it clears. We haven’t had one yet here in Khartoum since we arrived, but I am hoping to see one. I don’t thing they will be an issue once we are in the south.

In southern Sudan, it is very undeveloped in a lot of the smaller villages. There are over 500 different tribes in Sudan as well and a lot of them speak different languages which should be interesting. The people also lack the social skills we are used to which means a protest against government, military, the UN, can turn violent quickly and life does not have the same value as it does to us.

Our induction class was told that we have a 50% chance of being hijacked or abducted by rebel groups. We were also told that this may or may not involve some minor torture. For my posting this will mean we will be dealing with the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). We received a lecture and then had practical scenarios on what to do should we become involved in a situation like this.



Just after Hijack Training with the Rwandan Army



At the end of the day, only one person has been killed back in 2002, the details of this are unknown. We were told that they are looking for money, supplies, or your vehicle and will strip you of everything and in some cases even your shoes. The torture is basically that they will kick you around a bit if they do anything at all. Usually they just want what you have and as long as you cooperate, it will not be a problem. The practical scenarios were intense and very realistic. They used the Rwandan soldiers for our scenarios and they did a great job. We only had one minor injury. When rebels get you to lay flat on your stomach, don’t move or you might be eating gravel. It is meant to prepare us just in case so that we can remain calm if we find ourselves in this kind of situation.

In reality, the UN is doing their job by giving us the worst case scenario of what we could face in the field. This is a good thing. Prepare for the worst and anything that happens will be minor and we will be ready for. In addition, my partner and I will be living in the UN compound which has heavy security. There are also evacuation procedures in place should something go sideways. I am confident that we will be safe. I am just not sure that if everyone on the team had known of the potential hazards that exist, if they would have still come on the mission. I, personally, am more concerned about the fucking mosquitoes and the fact that I can only shower in the morning after sweating my bag off all day.

Asalaam Alykum,

Gonzo


Change of Command from one Contingent Commander to the next. No it's not a sceptre and yes it is a donkey whip.