Darfur rebels say UNAMID deviating from its mandate

January 8, 2010 (LONDON) — The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has pointed a blaming finger at the hybrid peacekeeping mission and urged the UN Secretary General to investigate the implementation of its mandate in Darfur.

“Sudan TV showed today a number of UNAMID vehicles dedicated to provide logistical support to the 21st National School Competition organized in El-Fasher this month. Also the North Darfur governor commended the hybrid mission for its logistical support the event.

Sudanese authorities said they want to prove the end of violence in the troubled region and government efforts to achieve peace in the region through the organization of this sportive national event there.

The Governor Osman Mohamed Yusuf Kibir said he wanted to have this competition in Darfur to prove to the international community the end of the conflict in the region.

“The logistics of UNAMID are used by the government to support the propaganda and the public relations campaign organized by the government of the National Congress Party” (NCP), said Ahmed Hussein Adam.

He further said they have reports that NCP officials are using the UNAMID helicopters in their movements adding that the South Darfur governor had used UN helicopters for his electoral meetings recently.

Ahmed said this misuse of UNAMID means is taking place while the peacekeeping mission is turning a blind eye to the core of its mandate which is the protection of civilian populations.

Also, he mentioned the UNAMID silence over violations of human rights committed by the Chadian rebels in Al-Sayah area in North Darfur last month after reports by local leaders about violence against civilians in the remote area. Khartoum transferred the rebels to this location in a goodwill gesture before a meeting with Chadian delegation to normalize relations.

He also spoke about fresh bombardments in West Darfur in areas controlled by his group. Al Tigani Kurshaom, a JEM commander told Sudan Tribune yesterday about bombing by Sudanese Antonov planes saying five civilians had been killed.

Ahmed said the operation had “at least to denounce these attacks on civilians”.

JEM spokesperson further called on the UN secretary general to investigate the mandate of and to assess its activities in order to get sure it does not transgress its mandate.

He stressed they appreciate the role and understand the constraints of the mission but the hybrid operation should not ignore the main purpose of their mandate in Darfur, he added.

“The UNAMID has to win the hard and mind of the people of Darfur before to fall in the hands of the NCP,” he said, adding the only way to do this is to “stay neutral and impartial”.

The former head of the hybrid mission Rodolphe Adada agreed with Jem leader Khalil Ibrahim, in February 2009 after a meeting in the Chadian capital, to create a joint mechanism allowing them to cooperate together to protect the civilians and the IDPs in Darfur and to enhance the humanitarian situation there.

But Hussein said no progress had been made in this regard.

(ST)