Sudan lifts suspension of UN operations in Darfur
June 26, 2006 (PARIS) — Sudanese government announced the removal of the suspension imposed on the United Nations activities in Sudan’s troubled region of Darfur, after apologizes of the UN deputy envoy today in Khartoum, Radio France Internationale reported.
The Sudanese Foreign Minister spokesperson Jamal Ibrahim said in an interview with the French Language RFI, that the UN Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, had indicated in a meeting Monday with acting Foreign Minister Sidiq Mutaraf that the transport of Darfur rebel leader Suleiman Jamous was made in good faith and in humanitarian bases.
He further said Zerihoum had reiterated his engagement to respect agreement between Sudan and the United Nation and to notify details of UN flights to the Sudanese aviation authorities as it is stipulated in the agreement.
“Sudan has accepted the clarifications presented by the UN deputy envoy and the suspension is removed” said the Sudanese official.
Sudan imposed the ban Saturday 24 June because a U.N. helicopter had moved rebel leader Suleiman Jamous, who rejects a peace deal signed on May 5 without consulting the government in Khartoum. It excludes two bodies affiliated to the U.N. mission, the World Food Programme and the U.N. children’s agency (UNICEF).
Suleiman Jamous, is a dissident member from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) – Minawi, was taken Saturday from the main Darfur town of Al-Fasher to South Kordofan state on a UN helicopter flight.
On 20 May, Jamous, who was the former SLM-Minawi humanitarian coordinator, had been arrested and tortured by his group for opposition to the Darfur Peace Agreement.
He was released to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from Muzbat on 22 June 2006. He was taken to Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, where he nremained under UN protection. UN human rights monitors were allowed to visit him on 14 June 2006.
According to a humanitarian source, Jamous was appreciated by the UN and ONGs aid workers in Darfur for his good collaboration and competence.
(ST)