Darfur JEM accuses Sudan of killing local chief over anti-census protests

April 13, 2008 (LONDON) — The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) condemned the killing of a local chief “Ummda” in Darfur last week accusing the Sudanese government of trying to eliminate traditional leaders in Darfur displaced camps

Ahmed Hussein Adam, the spokesperson the Darfur JEM accused the Sudanese security service of killing Hassan Abdalla Tajo and wounding gravely Ahmed Hajr Karam Eddin, both are Ummdas in Kalama camp in South Darfur.

The two local leaders were attacked because they were actively involved in the organisation of anti-census protests inside the Internally Displaced People camps, Ahmed said.

He pointed out that the IDPs have the right to say their opposition to the census and the general elections before the settlement of the current crisis in Darfur and their return to their villages.

He further said that no census can be conducted in an atmosphere of fears and panic without home and shelter. “Homelessness deprives people of their dignity and humanity and this what they want first” he said.

He disclosed that JEM has information about a government plan to liquidate the traditional, and civil society leaders inside the camps in order to suppress the voice of the IDPs and to prevent any joint action among them.

The rebel spokesperson urged Darfur peacekeeping mission to shoulder its responsibilities and to provide the necessary protection for the displaced. Particularly that “the UNAMID mandate enables the mission to protect the civilians” he said.

He further warned that Khartoum government does what it can to create disillusion and disappointment among the IDPs making them believe that the UNAMID is not able to protect them to prevent attacks against them.

(ST)