Peace did not bring security, North Darfur displaced tell U.S. envoy
September 12, 2022- (ELFASHER) – Residents of Zamzam camp for displaced people in North Darfur complained to John Godfrey, the new U.S. ambassador to Khartoum, about the lack of security and the increasing attacks by armed groups.
From 10 to 12 September, Ambassador Godfrey was in North Darfur, on his first visit to a Sudanese region outside Khartoum since his arrival in Sudan a month ago.
Godfrey visited Zamzam camp, one of the largest DP camps in the country, housing tens of thousands of Darfur war-displaced persons, located 13 kilometres south of the North Darfur capital of El Fasher.
“We told the ambassador that murder and rape are still being committed by government-armed militias two years after the signing of the Juba peace agreement,” youth representative in the camp, Harun Bakhit Mohamed, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday after the visit.
The Sudanese authorities and their peace partners agreed to form joint units to protect civilians. However, Bakhit said that these forces have not yet been deployed.
“We told the (visiting U.S. diplomat) that these forces have not yet been activated, and he promised to raise the matter with the government leadership in Khartoum.”
On September 4, 2021, residents staged a two-week-long sit-in during which they blocked a major road in protest of the deteriorating security situation in the camp.
Representatives of the residents of the camp criticized the ruling authorities for failing to hand over ousted President Omer al-Bashir and other indicted officials to the International Criminal Court, according to the youth representative.
The security situation in the camp worsened last August when an armed group believed to be affiliated with the Arab tribes attacked the outskirts of the camp and several surrounding villages in search of stolen livestock.
The attack resulted in the death of a youth leader in the camp; over ten individuals were injured, and the kidnapping of others, including women and children. They were released through a mediation of security forces and tribal leaders.