NGO driver killed in South Darfur
July 22, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — A driver who was hired by a local NGO and partner of the faith-based humanitarian operation of ACT-Caritas in Darfur, to take staff home, was killed on Wednesday, July 19.
Abdul Bagi Ahmed was driving the vehicle on behalf of SUDO (Sudan Social Development Organisation), when he was stopped on the road from Mershing to Nyala. A man carrying a weapon shot and killed Mr. Ahmed.
Ahmed and the vehicle had been hired by SUDO to take its staff
back to Mershing. SUDO is a partner of the ACT-Caritas operation in
Darfur, operating a health clinic and psychosocial centre on behalf of
ACT and Caritas, as well as implementing water and sanitation services
in the camps for displaced people in Mershing.
According to a press statement by ACT-Caritas, the vehicle was stopped by a man dressed in civilian clothes, about 10-12 km from Manaweshi, while returning from Mershing between 18:00 and 19:00 in the early evening. A public health officer from the Ministry of Health who was visiting clinics in the area was the only passenger. After questioning Ahmed, the armed man jumped into the back of the vehicle and shot him three times in the back of the head.
It is believed that Mr. Ahmed died instantly.
Two more men then joined the armed man and stole the bag from the public health officer, who escaped unharmed. The Ministry of Health
officer then walked back to Manaweshi, where he reported the incident
to the Government of Sudan military and World Vision, which also works
in the area.
It appears that the vehicle left Manaweshi in the early evening, even
though the driver had been advised by the Government of Sudan
security, SUDO staff and staff of World Vision not to leave at that
time. The Ministry of Health officer had no other option but to return
with the vehicle.
The area around Mershing and Manaweshi is known to be one of the least
secure in south Darfur. Following a series of attacks on vehicles
travelling along the road to Nyala, and a large attack on displaced
people’s camps at the beginning of this year, humanitarian
organisations have been advised to obtain an escort from the African
Union (AU) for missions to the area.
The AU is chronically understaffed and under-funded. There
have been plans since last year for a permanent AU base to be located
between Mershing and Manaweshi, but with the failure to obtain
funding, the base has not been built. However, it is believed that
this base will be a priority for the new battalions.
(ST)