SLM rebels want to meet UNAMID over deteriorating situation in Darfur
March 2, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur said they want to meet with the political and military leaderships of the hybrid peacekeeping operation (UNAMID) to discuss the deteriorating situation of civilians and displaced persons in Darfur.
“The leadership of the Sudan Liberation Movement wants to meet with the Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari and the Force Commander Patrick Nyamvumba to discuss cooperation on issues related to the protection of civilians and humanitarian access,” said SLM spokesperson Nimir Abdel-Rahman.
The rebel official said the continued attacks by government in Darfur generally and in Jebel Marra particularly since last July forced 500,000 civilians to flee their villages. He also said 250 civilians were killed by the regular forces and the militiamen.
UNAMID reported today that a16-year-old girl was killed and three other people were wounded during an attack carried out by unknown gunmen on Um Dersay camp for IDPs located 10 km south of Shangil Tobayai in North Darfur.
Nimir further said the need to provide security and humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable villagers will top the agenda of the talks with the peacekeeping mission.
Such cooperation will help the peacekeepers and the aid groups to reach civilians in the SLM controlled areas, he said.
Last month the governor of South Darfur expelled a French group, Médecins du Monde (MDM), from Jebel Marra. It was the only group authorized to work in the stronghold of the SLM-AW rebels since 2008.
Recently the government authorized the UNAMID to have access to the mountainous area.
Two months after his appointment in 2010, Gambari met with Al-Nur in Paris to discuss ways to enhance humanitarian situation and the protection of the civilians. Gambari held a similar meeting with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
(ST)