Former rebels detain 38 peacekeepers in IDPs Darfur camp

July 2, 2008 (EL FASHER) – Troops loyal to the former rebel chief who signed a peace agreement with Khartoum detained 38 peacekeepers while they were patrolling a displaced camp in North Darfur before releasing them later.

Since the former African mission in Darfur, Minni Minawi troops are known for their hostile attitude with the peacekeepers on the ground. Actually this is the second targeting of peacekeepers in Zamzam IDP camp, this year. On 9 April, a UNAMID Police Advisor was beaten by SLA/M and two vehicles were hijacked.

On Monday June 30 at 8:30 am, Minawi troops detained 21 UN Police Advisors, 12 military protection force and 5 language assistants for over 5 hours at gun-point in Zamzam IDP camp. The former rebels were armed with AK-47 rifles and hand-grenades.

The former rebels justified their action against the hybrid mission forces by claiming compensation over a motorcycle accident occurred on June 25. The engine was hit by a UNAMID vehicle and the driver, a SLA member, was injured.

The UNAMID spokesperson Noureddine Mezni said Sudanese police is handling the case but SLA-Minawi commanders refuse to recognize the authority of the national police.

Sudanese government and a former rebel Sudan Liberation Movement faction led by Minni Minawi signed the Darfur Peace Agreement in Abuja, Nigeria on May 5, 2006. Accordingly, he is now the Senior Presidential Assistant and the head of Darfur Transitional Authority. Some of his aides are also appointed in federal government.

UNAMID Deputy Head of Mission, Henry Anyidoho condemned the attack against the peace keepers who were in patrol inside the displaced camp as part of their mission to protect Darfur civilians and particularly the displaced persons.

“We condemn the attack and we condemn restrictions over the movements of peacekeepers. Protection of civilians and bringing peace to Darfur define the main purpose of UNAMID’s mandate. We must be allowed to carry out our mandate without harassment.” Anyidoho said.

He further warned that UNAMID does not “condone any traffic violations by its own personnel.”

The peacekeeping mission said it rejects SLA demand for money without going through legal channels.

The 26000 stronghold troops has only around 9000 peacekeepers on the ground and the hybrid mission still lacks major capacities that will seriously compromise its ability to its mission. Observers say it faces the same fate of the African mission.

(ST)