SLM-MM slams findings of investigation into UNAMID “cover-up” claims
October 31, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) has expressed shock and disappointment over the findings of the UN investigation on allegations that the joint peacekeeping force in Darfur (UNAMID) deliberately contributed to covering up crimes committed by government militias in the region.
The report concluded that U.N. officials in Darfur, fearing reprisals from an often hostile Sudanese government, self-censored their reporting on Sudanese abuses, leading to “under-reporting of incidents when government and pro-government forces were suspected to be involved”.
However, Moon insisted in a letter he presented to the Security Council along with the report on Wednesday that the report “did not find any evidence to support the allegation that UNAMID intentionally sought to cover up crimes against civilians and peacekeepers”.
SLM-MM spokesperson, Abdalla Mursal, said in statement extended to Sudan Tribune that the committees’ conclusion that “it did not find any evidence to condemn UNAMID was inaccurate and has not redressed the victims and supported the perpetrators of war crimes”.
He said that UNAMID ex-spokesperson, Aicha El-Basri, who disclosed the alleged cover-up underscored that the mission had lied about specific events including the attack of the pro-government Janjaweed militia on Kutum.
Mursal described the report conclusion that UNAMID officials “self-censored” their reporting on government abuses as “unsatisfactory” and a mere diplomatic answer.
“It is similar to the answer received by Elbasri when she asked the UNAMID officials why do you hide the facts? Their answer was: we handle these issues as diplomats,” he emphasised.
Elbasri, resigned from her job in April 2013 after claiming that she had been prevented from carrying out her responsibility of accurately informing the public about what was happening in Darfur.
In July, the UN general secretary, Ban Ki Moon, agreed to set up an internal probe to review the allegations that UNAMID peacekeepers had turned civilians over to armed rebels and covered up crimes by the Sudanese government, including lethal attacks against the blue helmets themselves.
POSITIVE INDICATORS
However, Mursal said they see some positive signs in the report including Moon’s expression of concern over the results of the investigation.
On Wednesday Dujarric said that Moon was deeply troubled by the report’s findings, saying he recognizes that UNAMID faces unique challenges owing to its complex mandate and operating environment.
“Nevertheless, keeping silent or underreporting on incidents involving human rights violations and threats or attacks on U.N. peacekeepers cannot be condoned under any circumstances”, she said.
The SLM-MM renewed demand for improving UNAMID’s performance by conducting a comprehensive review and evaluation of its work during the previous period besides reviewing its mandate to enable it carry out its responsibilities.
It further called for issuing a no-fly zone over the areas of armed conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile besides engaging blue helmets from countries which have the will, expertise and independence.
The statement accused UNAMID of failure to protect civilians besides complicity to transport fuel to government army camps, saying UNAMID’s planes have always been at the disposal of security and government officials.
It added the mission also failed to protect its premises, personnel and machinery, saying that killing, terror and looting incidents spread even inside the major cities.
“We have frequently said the mission does not pay attention to abuses and doesn’t bother to issue reports reflecting what is going on the ground and if these reports were issued, they would be misleading and consistent with the regime’s stances. Senior UNAMID officials had even offered the perpetrators certificates of good conduct”, the statement reads
Last June, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to investigate reports that the UNAMID deliberately contributed in covering up crimes in the restive region.
She asked the council to authorize a thorough, independent and public inquiry probe into allegations that the mission being subject to manipulation through acts committed with the intentional effect of covering up crimes committed against civilians and peacekeepers.
(ST)
Related stories:
Review team clears UNMAID from accusations of covering Darfur crimes
Report of the Review Team into allegations of manipulation of reporting on Darfur