N. Darfur governor says investigations proved mass rape claims to be “fabrications”

December 30, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The governor of North Darfur state, Osman Youssef Kibir, said the probe conducted by the special prosecutor for Darfur war crimes has proved that claims of mass rape in the village of Tabit were mere “political fabrications”.

A Darfuri media outlet based in the Netherlands reported accusations last month that Sudanese soldiers had raped some 200 women and girls in Tabit, a village 45km south-west of North Darfur capital El-Fasher.

Following these allegations, Sudanese authorities initially prevented a verification team from the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) from probing the claim but allowed them to visit the area one week later.

After the visit, UNAMID said they found no evidence confirming the mass rape claims.

However, Sudanese officials were angered by the remarks of UN officials who stressed the need for further investigation mentioning the heavy presence of military and police during the first probe.

Since then , Sudan refused to authorize a second investigation and called publicly for an exit strategy for the joint mission from Darfur.

Kibir, who addressed a session of the Council of States on Tuesday in Khartoum, said that rape is a physical crime that cannot be proven by mere words, stressing that no criminal charges were filed against any person.

He underscored that his government and several villagers from Tabit will take legal action against Radio Dabanga which first reported the allegations.

The governor however, acknowledged deterioration of security situation in North Darfur, stressing the need to tighten the security grip to impose the state authority.

He accused UNAMID of spending money on administrative aspects rather than implementing projects, pointing there are some people working behind the scenes to serve their own interests.

Kibir announced the construction of al-Ingaz road is nearing completion, considering the move the adequate response to the rebel groups’ claims about marginalization of Darfur region.

He further said that voluntary return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their original villages is going well despite the difficulties it faces including provision of transportation, securing returnees and offering return supplies.

He pointed out that his state witnessed 526 crimes this year including killings, rape, looting, illegal drugs, banditry and arms smuggling noting that the crime rate has dropped compared to the year 2004 which registered 3,788 crimes.

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003.

The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict.

(ST)