August 26, 2008
Winning Darfur's PR war
5am yesterday – Sudanese government forces surround Kalma camp for displaced persons in South Darfur
8.30am – Shooting begins after Sudanese forces enter camp, saying they are searching for weapons and suspects.
8.57am – Journalists receive first of many text messages from Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army faction left by Ahmed Abdel Shafie.
Hey, Over 100 GOS (Government of Sudan) vehicles surrounded Kalma camp this morning n prevented IDPs (internally displaced people) from leaving the camp from going on with their biz. Please call Abdelshafi 4 quick reaction.
Within the next hour other rebel groups and displaced people inside camp also phone in their updates, claiming many camp residents were killed and describing the incident as a “government attack”.
7.20pm – Reuters gets first quote from Sudanese army, saying armed camp residents started the fighting.
11.30pm – State news agency SUNA puts out first official statement about incident, denying death figures and claiming officers were fired on first.
Posted by aheavens at August 26, 2008 3:58 PM