Global Issues
Violence in Darfur Reveals Security Issues
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 13 (IPS) - A peacekeeper from the African Union/United Nations hybrid mission ion Darfur (UNAMID) was killed and another injured on Sunday in line of duty in Nyala, South Dafur. The incident took place during late night. A gang appeared at the Otash camp for internally displaced people and fired at the staff. The peacekeeper was from Bangladesh's Formed Police Unit.
In a statement released here, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he deeply regrets the latest attack on peacekeepers in Darfur, which occurred during the early morning hours, when unidentified armed assailants confronted peacekeepers of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) who were manning the Mission’s community policing center inside the Otash Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Nyala, South Darfur.
One police officer from the Bangladeshi Formed Police Unit was killed and another injured. The Secretary-General has urged the Government of Sudan and UNAMID to conduct a full investigation into this incident.
The President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser strongly condemned the attack. The Acting Joint Special Representative, Aichatou Mindaoudou, said this incident constituted “a war crime under international law.” “The attack on our peacekeepers is cowardly deplorable and our thoughts go to the families and friends of the fallen and the injured,” said Mindaoudou.
Since the deployment of UNAMID back in 2007, a total of 38 peacekeepers have been killed from hostile actions. Meanwhile, in North Darfur the issue of security was discussed last Sunday, August 12, in Kutum. A meeting was held between Lieutenant Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, UNAMID Force Commander, and leaders from Kassab internally displaced persons (IDP) camp.
The recent violence around the area has led to a deterioration in security and humanitarian situation. The arson attack on the Sudanese Police post in the Kassab camp, the looting of a market, and the killing of a Commissioner from the district of Alwaha in Kutum town and his driver are the three main incidents of violence to transpire in early August.
Due to these attacks, UNAMID deployed a 24/7 protection force presence in affected IDP camps to protect civilians. “As commander of the forces, I have requested that permanent forces are stationed in Kassab camp, they have instructions to protect and defend the civilians on the ground,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of IDP leasers, Yousif Musa Ali said “protection is our main concern and that is why we agreed to meet and work together with UNAMID. Without protection on the ground, it is very difficult to tell our people to go back.”
Both incidents in South and North Darfur have happened after the Security Council decided, in July 2012, to extend for another year the mandate of UNAMID. However there are some structural changes to the mission.
“The reconfigured force, although smaller in number, would be better equipped and more rapidly deployable than at present to address emerging threats to civilians,” said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The resolution 2063 stated a decrease strength in military personnel – 19,555 authorized in 2007 to 16,200 – and also in the police personnel – from 6,432 to 2,310.
© Inter Press Service (2012) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service