UNAMID says monitoring closely tension in W. Darfur camp

December 3, 2008 (NYALA) — The hybrid peacekeeping mission announced today that it remains alert to the tension caused by the death of a janjaweed after a clash between two militiamen and some residents of Hassa Hissa camp, near Zanlingei in West Darfur state.

A displaced spokesperson, Hussein Abu Sharati told Sudan Tribune today that militiamen are still gathered at one kilometre from Hassa Hissa camp and shooting in the air sporadically in order to scare the IPDs.

He also raised alarm over water shortages in the camp saying the janjaweed are controlling the water wells which are outside of the camp and the residents of the camp have run out of water.

However the UNAMID said it dispatched troops to monitor the situation. Further, the Sudanese authorities and the hybrid mission are engaged in a negotiation process between the militias and the IDPs Sheikhs.

Abu Sharati, who confirmed the burning of five water pumps supplying the camp of Hassa Hissa, said one of the two militiamen was killed because he had tried to rape a woman working in a brick factory near the camp when a group of men from the camp saw him brutalizing the woman.

(ST)