Darfur rebel leader urges to review UNAMID mandate
December 10, 2008 (PARIS) — Darfur rebel leader, Abdel Wahid Al-Nur has urged the United Nation Security Council to review the mandate of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur in order to ensure effective protection to civilians in the war-torn region of western Sudan.
“While the International community marks the 60th anniversary of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I call on the UN Security Council and particularly the permanent members to change the mandate of the UNAMID and to task it clearly with the protection of civilians in Darfur.” Al Nur said.
He further added that the international community has to implement the declaration of human rights in Darfur especially the article 3 which says “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”
The current mandate of the UNAMID is to some extend similar to that of the African mission to Darfur (AMIS). The UN 1769 resolution says the hybrid mission has “To contribute to the protection of civilian populations under imminent threat of physical violence and prevent attacks against civilians, within its capability and areas of deployment, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of the Sudan.”
Accordingly, the peacekeeping force has a secondary role limited to “imminent threat” and “within its (…) areas of deployment.”
Last August when the Sudanese government attacked the civilians in Kalma camp, in South Darfur, the African Union and United Nations force was not able to intervene to prevent the shooting on civilians. Also last week, some Janjaweed tried to attack the Hassa Hissa camp near Zalengei in West Darfur after the death of a militiaman following quarrel with some residents of the camp. Also the UNMAID deployed troops to monitor the situation and to deter the eventual attack by their presence.
However, the IDPs, after a period of deception, seem now contesting the legitimacy of UNAMID. Because for them this force is there to protect and “not keep a peace that we reject” told Sudan Tribune last week Hussein Abu Sharati, the spokesperson of the IPDs.
He also said that the representatives of Kalma residents were unhappy and frustrated with the call for dialogue with Sudanese security services made by the Deputy Joint Special Representative, Henry Anyidoh during a meeting with them.
“The mandate of the UNAMID has failed because it can’t provide security and protection to the people of Darfur” stressed Abdel Wahid Al-Nur who is popular among the displaced and refugees.
The current mandate of the UNAMID does not allow them to ensure the right of live to Darfur people, I urge the US, France and the United Kingdom to review the attributions of this mission” he added.
In July 2007 while the Security Council deliberating of the UNAMID mandate China had been accused of weakening the Resolution 1769 and stripping it of a mandate to disarm combatants.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 authorized UNAMID to have a strength of up to 19,555 military personnel, including 360 military observers and liaison officers. However, the total number of UNAMID troops in Darfur reached 10500 in December this year.
(ST)