Darfur IDPs express concern over camps security
September 22, 2008 (ELFASHER) — Leaders from two Darfur camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) met with a senior official from the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) on Sunday to express concern at the deteriorating security situation in their camps.
IDP representatives from Abu Shouk and El-Salam camps in North Darfur state asked Deputy Joint Special Representative Henry Anyidoho why it was taking so long to deploy UNAMID forces and police on a 24-hour basis. The forces are meant to check military activities and other security threats in the camps.
Anyido said that UNAMID is facing problems with logistics and deployment of troops and “Formed Police Units.” The two IDP camps in question are close to El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
“The Deputy Joint Special Representative reaffirmed UNAMID’s commitment to working together with the IDPs towards a lasting peace in Darfur so that the IDPs can return to their original homes,” said UNAMID.
There are currently about 10,000 UNAMID troops deployed in Darfur, a number that is not expected to exceed 13,000 by the end of the year, according to remarks made on Sept. 18 by Alain LeRoy, the UN official who recently replaced Jean-Marie Guehenno as head of UN peacekeeping operations.
The UN Security Council has authorized the use of up to 26,000 troops and police for Darfur.
Today’s meeting was held after a request made by the IDPs on Sept. 11 amid continuing violence directed against civilians and offensive military operations conducted in violation of a Ramadan truce. Attacks on IDP camps have occurred throughout Darfur over the last month, including shootings at Um Shalaya, Zamzam, and Kalma camps.
Minni Minawi, a former rebel leader whose deteriorating relationship with the government has thrown the security situation of IDP camps in North Darfur into further doubt, reportedly reached a deal with the government over the weekend.
(ST)