UNAMID denies Sudan’s claim that it aided Darfur rebels
February 3, 2010 (EL FASHER) – The African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) strongly denied that it had given supplies to rebels, dismissing the accusations recently made by the spokesman of the Sudanese Armed Forces that the Mission is in collaboration with the Justice and Equality Movement.
The Sudanese army spokesman said that JEM hijacked six trucks belonging to UNAMID, after which the peacekeepers did not report the incident to authorities. He also claimed that on January 25 another two trucks loaded with 70 barrels of fuel had gone missing.
JEM rebels in recent months are reported to have returned into Darfur from rear bases in Chad, due to improving relations between the capitals at Khartoum and N’djamena.
“UNAMID has never and will never collaborate in the form described with any parties to the conflict in Darfur. The Mission does not and shall not deviate from its responsibility and mandated obligation to serve as an impartial and honest broker in the peace process,” stated the Mission’s public information division.
The peacekeepers said that they have established good relations with the Government of Sudan at all levels, which these “unfounded allegations” will not affect.
The Mission added that it “remains committed to implementing its mandate and its priorities, as established by the new Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari, of enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in Darfur; continuing to provide proactive support to the ongoing peace process; and assisting in the normalization of relations between Chad and the Sudan.”
(ST)