Sudanese government to disarm tribal militias in Darfur: official
December 20, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government has announced intentions to apply strict measures to disarm tribal militias and conflicting parties in Darfur simultaneously.
The head of Darfur peace follow-up office, Amin Hassan Omer, said in a press statement on Saturday the United Nations team visiting Sudan currently has acknowledged that several areas in Darfur enjoy total peace, noting that the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) will withdraw from these areas.
Omer underscored the security challenge in Darfur has receded due to a shift in the nature of the conflict which began as a conflict between the government and rebel groups but turned into tribal conflicts.
He emphasised the government wouldn’t rule out any option regarding disarmament including the plan being currently executed on the ground to remove heavy weaponry.
The Sudanese official further stressed the government intends to resolve these tribal conflicts through reconciliations, saying they will hold a seminar in collaboration with the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) to discuss ways for disarmament.
Last month, Sudan said it has informed UNAMID to begin an exit strategy from the restive region.
The move came in the wake of a crisis between the Sudanese government and UNAMID on investigating mass rape claims in a village in North Darfur state.
However, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping department, Hervé Ladsous, said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday that UNAMID will not bow to Sudan’s request to leave the restive region amid rising violence there.
He said that Sudan has asked them to form an exit strategy, stressing that exit was always an objective but Khartoum is doing it with a certain insistence and publicity which is a little bit special.
Ladsous added that a review of UNAMID had been completed and that he would consult with his African Union counterpart.
(ST)