Sudanese official admits to ‘violations’ in Kalma camp raid
August 29, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – A senior official in the regional government of South Darfur acknowledged “violations” during Monday’s raid by soldiers and security officers on Kalma IDP camp that killed at least 30 people and injured many more.
“The police went a little too far in Kalma camp” he added.
The South Darfur official complained that neither the government nor the signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) can enter the camp.
The Sudanese authorities had justified the raid by claiming to have received reliable intel about weapons smuggled recently into Kalma camp which is at a strategic position because of its proximity to the Nyala airport and railways.
Yesterday Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted Al-Bashir during the meeting as stressing “the importance of disarming the refugee camps particularly the Kalama camp for its negative impact on civilians living there”.
Mustafa promised to hold the individuals responsible for the violations in the camp accountable after investigation is complete by a committee formed by this week to look into Monday’s events.
He also claimed that forces around the camp have pulled back from its positions.
However Hussein Abu-Sharati spokesperson of displaced and refugees in the camp told Sudan Tribune yesterday that there is severe food and water shortage in Kalma camp because government forces are blocking humanitarian access.
“People are drinking rain water and still water. We received no food, water or medicine since Monday” Sharati said.
He also accused Al-Bashir of working to disband Kalma camp and evacuate the IDP’s.
The United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) issued a strongly worded statement yesterday condemning the “excessive force” used by Sudanese authorities against residents of the Kalma camp.
“UNAMID strongly condemns the excessive, disproportionate use of lethal force by the GoS security forces against civilians, which violated their human rights and resulted in unacceptable casualties” the mission said in an unusually harsh statement.
The US and the European Union (EU) demanded an investigation into the incident.
The Kalma assault comes more than a month after the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced in mid-July that he requested an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir.
Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder and accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.
Most of the Kalma camp residents are from the Fur tribe.
UN experts estimate some 300,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes. Sudan blames the Western media for exaggerating the conflict and puts the death toll at 10,000.
(ST)