Sudan calls on UNAMID to use force against attackers
January 24, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government has asked the United Nations – African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to invoke its mandated right of self defence against attacks on its personnel in the troubled western region.
The latest attack on the mission occurred this week when unknown gunmen attacked one of its patrol in East Darfur state, killing one Nigerian peacekeepers and injuring another.
The under secretary of Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs, Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, said during a meeting with the United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General for rule of law, Dmitry Titov, that his country wants UNAMID to use the right of self defence to protect its personnel against attacks launched on them in Darfur.
UNAMID, the world’s largest UN funded peacekeeping mission with an authorised strength of 26,000 personnel, has been unable to fully discharge its robust mandate, especially in the area of civilian protection and ensuring access of humanitarian organisations. This is largely due to restrictions on its movement by the Sudanese authorities.
The Sudanese diplomat said that the mission’s failure to defend itself encourages outlaws to attack its troops which in turn place an additional burden on the Sudanese army to protect the mission.
Sudan accuses Darfur rebel groups of being behind attacks on UNAMID personnel.
In the same meeting, Osman reiterated the Sudanese government’s requests for reduction of UNAMID forces in Darfur, citing improvements in the situation in the region.
Sudan’s ambassador to the UN, Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, last week made the same request to the UN Security Council, saying that recent positive improvements in the region and the start of the implementation of the Doha Peace Agreement justify such request.
Despite the lull in fighting between Darfur rebel groups and the government, UNAMID say that some banditry, crime and sexual and gender-based violence still persist.
(ST)