Darfur peacekeepers continue their mission despite attacks – UN
December 11, 2009 (NEW YORK) — The head of United Nations Peacekeeping Department stated that Darfur blue helmets would continue to conduct their duties in the restive region of Darfur with high morale despite the hostile attacks on the ground.
“The force remains very committed and it’s clear that they will continue their job,” said Alain LeRoy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, in press statements made on Wednesday at the UN headquarters.
Troops are on high alert in the wake of the attacks, but they are pressing ahead with their work “which is for the sake of peace and protection of the people of Darfur,” he stressed.
Since the deployment of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur in January 2008 some 22 peacekeepers lost their lives in the war torn region. The mission also suffered at least 200 attacks.
Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Susana Malcorra, who recently wrapped up a visit to Sudan, told reporters in the same press conference that one of her top priorities is to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel in the face of increasing challenges.
“We are facing a changing reality,” Ms. Malcorra said, adding that her office is looking into “how to take care of the safety and security of our staff in a more systematic manner.”
On Saturday August 29, two UNAMID personnel were kidnapped in Zalingei, 100 klm southeast of El-Geneina the capital of West Darfur state,. They, one woman and one man, were taken at gunpoint by gunmen from their residence to an unknown destination.
(ST)
silake comba
Darfur peacekeepers continue their mission despite attacks – UN
PEACEKEEPING IS A NOBLE MISSION
For someone who lived or who has been living the conflict situation in Darfur from the beginning can hardly find any difficulty in appreciating the extremely important role of peacekeepers in this region. People can remember the shape of things in 2004 when the brave and faithful men of the AU Cease-Fire Commission under the leadership of General Okonkow landed in Darfur. That was by no means an easy task. Though very small in size and limited in mandate, they were highly able to make great difference in the shape of things on the ground. The peacekeepers were able to effectively facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to inaccessible remote areas whether through escorting humanitarian relief convoys or through the rapid deployment of Military Group sites (MGSs) in the most tension ridden areas. They were able to effectively monitor the Cease-fire and observe and repor violations, which redcued the degree of violence and its impacts on the civilan populations throughout Darfur.They were able to create a conducive atmosphere to more security and humanitarin agreements. Sadly enopugh,throught its history in Darfur, the peacekeeping mission has been subjected to a number of irresponsible perfidous cawardice attacks.These attacks are in reality against the civilan population in Darfur, in the forefront the IDPs and the conflict affected at large. Any attack, intimidation, harassment, hinderance against peacekeepers in Darfur should be seen that context, beacuse these will have their impact negatively on the civilans lives and livelihood. Any negative act against the peacekeeping mission should be interpreted by Darfurians as a poisonous arrow directed against them, their mothers, sisters and childern. UNAMID should find ways to interact more effectively with the Darfurians at large in order to provide security to its personnel.This will have positive impact on the lives and livelihhod of the whole population.I’m deeply confident our brothers in the mission will not give up or surrender to acts of few wicked irresponsilbe coward elements or gangs, whether they are organized or not.I say to our valiant brothers in UNAMID go a head all Darfur is behind you. Take inspiration from your brothers who established this mission from none.History will remember you all in Mahjeriya, iin SHARIA, in Graida, in Kutum, in Kabkabiya, in Sortony, in the no-man lands of West Darfur, in Shangle Tobay and Tawilla, in the desert of Tina and Um Barou,inthe missionHQ in El-Fasher, in short, history will remember you in allover Greater Darfur.
Silake Ali Comba,
El-Fasher- [email protected]
Time1
Darfur peacekeepers continue their mission despite attacks – UN
UNAMID peacekeepers should not allow themselves to be frightened off by the NCP, peacekeepers should not trust the Sudan army if they want their mission to be succesful, otherwise they will continue to be kidnapped or shot by unknown gunmen.