UNAMID calls on Sudan to halt unilateral actions in IDP camps
October 23, 2008 (EL FASHER) – The African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on Thursday indicated that a government official had wrongly characterizing an agreement they reached recently.
The peacekeeping mission reminded the government of its promise not to take any more unilateral action in Kalma camp in South Darfur after a bloody incident there in August.
He reportedly also called for the “evacuation” of Kalma IDP camp. Such rhetoric is not uncommon from public figures in Khartoum. In an interview in late September, Islamist leader Hassan Meki said that the government has to disarm and relocate internally displaced people.
UNAMID stated that it “wishes to recall that following the incident of 25 August 2008, where 33 civilians were killed and at least 85 injured during a law enforcement operation at the camp, Government officials and UNAMID leadership held a series of meetings, during which the Government of Sudan committed not to make any unilateral decision regarding Kalma IDP camp.”
Since the attack, UNAMID leadership has visited the camp on a regular basis. During the most recent visit by Joint Special Representative Rodolphe Adada on Oct. 19, the IDPs requested additional UNAMID presence in the camp. The mission is now providing round-the-clock presence in and around the camp.
UNAMID acknowledged that the “alleged” presence of weapons in the Kalma camp is of concern, but stressed, “any action to be taken to address the issue needs to conform to international humanitarian law.”
“UNAMID is mandated to ensure the protection of civilians in Darfur, including the IDPs,” said the peacekeeping mission.
U.N. experts estimate that more than five years of fighting in Darfur have already killed 300,000 people and driven more than 2.5 million from their homes, prompting the world’s largest humanitarian operation. However the Khartoum government says less than 10,000 have died.
(ST)