UNAMID, Sudan discuss security situation in Darfur volatile camp
August 11, 2008(NYALA) — The deputy head of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur discussed with the Sudanese authorities the deteriorating security situation in one of the largest and most volatile camps in the region after the announcement of arms seizure.
By the end of July South Darfur authorities said they seized large quantities of arms and ammunition inside Kalam camp. According to the police the arms seized included Dashek canons, 85 mm mortars, RPG, a Grinov machine-gun and a quantity of varied weapons and ammunition.
Henry Anyidoho, during a one day visit to Nyala on Sunday, met with South Darfur governor Ali Mahmoud, IDP Sheikhs at Kalma IDP camp, and members of the UN team and INGOs, to discuss appropriate solution to address the problems involving the IDP camp.
The deputy AU-UN representative discussed with the governor measures to be taken in order to search presence of armed elements or weapons in the camp. He also invited the the governor to cooperate more with the peacekeeping mission “especially when dealing with issues relating to the camp;” said UNAMID spokesperson in a press statement issued today.
“The Governor expressed his readiness to work with UNAMID Forces and Police and invited UNAMID to develop a joint strategy to address the problems at the IDP camp.”
Hussein Abu Sharati, the representative of Darfur displaced and refugees, told Sudan Tribune last week that Sudanese authorities didn’t respect an agreement reached with the U.N. related to measures to implement before undertaking security operation to search weapons caches or disable armed elements.
The displaced at the time, denied government statements about arms seizures. They accused the government of fabricating the weapon seizure in order to fright the IPDs and force them to leave the camp.
During a meeting held with the IDPs delegates “Sheikhs” at Kalma camp, the peacekeeping mission official pledged to improve the security situation in the near future and admitted that the current limited UNAMID resources.
“UNAMID will continue to do everything possible to provide a secure environment for you to return to your homes one day,” he said.
(ST)