Muhageriya IPDs fear Sudan militia attacks
February 2, 2009 (NYALA) — Darfur displaced expressed fears for the safety of civilians and IDPs in the disputed town of Muhageriya where the government warplanes bombed the area today, a matter that become part of the daily live there since two weeks.
Hussein Abu Sharati, the spokesperson of the internally displaced people in Darfur said they were in contact with the IPDs in Muhageriya who said they want to move from the area but expressed fears they could be attacked by the government backed militias there.
Since January 15, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) retake the town of Muhageriya from a former rebel group led by Minni Minnawi. The Sudanese army deployed important troops and surrounded the rebel positions.
The hybrid peacekeeping mission said Khartoum warmed about the military operation it intends to launch very soon to dislodge JEM rebels. The UNAMID said its peacekeepers will remain there in order to fulfill its mandate related to the protection of civilians.
Abu Sharati said there are IDPs belonging to Misseriya, Fur, Barti and Zaggahwa ethinc groups there. He regretted that no serious effort is undertaken to evacuate them from the conflict zone. He also added they are in a difficult situation due to the lack of food and humanitarian aid.
The UNAMID said that two persons were injured during an explosion that occurred earlier during the day and were taken to a hospital in Muhajeria.
He also said the 190 peacekeepers stationed there could not provide a real protection to the IDPs if the government and its militias attack the town.
But the head of UN peacekeeping operations, Alain Le Roy told reporters in Addis Ababa that they took a difficult decision and would maintain their force there in order to protect the displaced there.
“We have decided to remain in Muhajaria because more than 10,000 displaced people are there and we cannot leave them without protection,” Le Roy said.
Some 300,000 people have died in Darfur since the eruption of a rebellion six years ago in Darfur, according to the United Nations. But Khartoum disputes the figure saying only 10,000 people have died.
(ST)