Darfur attacks on civilians underscore lack of protection – HRW
October 24, 2008 (New York) — A rights watchdog group said today that continued attacks and killing of civilians in Darfur underscore the lack of protection for local population in the troubled area.
More than 40 civilians were killed earlier this month during attacks carried by the Sudanese army and the militiamen in operations against rebel forces near Muhajariya, 80 kilometers east of Nyala,, South Darfur, between October 5 and 17, 2008,South Darfur.
The fighting, in which more than 40 civilians were killed, shows that the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) still lacks the capacity to protect vulnerable civilians. Armed Janjaweed on horses and camels surrounded villages and were followed by government forces in vehicles mounted with weapons, the HRW, reported.
“Once again, civilians are bearing the brunt of fighting in Darfur, and the peacekeepers cannot protect them,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Life in Darfur is far from ‘normal.’”
Muhajariya has long been a stronghold for the Minni Minawi faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) and has been attacked many times over the course of the Darfur conflict.
During the same period, President Omar al-Bashir told the media that life was “very normal in Darfur,” and announced a new peace initiative with much fanfare in North Darfur.
The spokesperson of the IDPs and refugees in Darfur, Hussein Abu Sharati earlier this week told Sudan Tribune they had delivered a memorandum to the U.N. asking for the deployment of robust Western troops in the region. they said the hybrid force mainly African is not capable to provide security to them.
On October 5 and 7, government forces and Janjaweed attacked Sineit village, 16 kilometers southeast of Muhajariya, killing nine civilians. On October 6, Janjaweed attacked Brangal village, 12 kilometers northeast of Muhajariya, resulting in seven civilian deaths. On October 8, they attacked Kilekile and villages in the Mijelit area, northwest of Sineit, resulting in an unconfirmed number of deaths.
The full extent and circumstances of civilian casualties remain largely unknown. After gunmen shot at a UNAMID convoy on October 14, UNAMID forces have not tried to enter the area. In recent months, UNAMID has increasingly become the target of attacks and banditry, including in South Darfur.
The mission has deployed less than half of the 26,000 military and police mandated by UN Security Council Resolution on July 31, 2007, and is still missing critical equipment, including attack helicopters.
(ST)