UNAMID: Security situation in Darfur relatively calm

Report from UNAMID communication and public information division:

UNAMID / Security situation in Darfur

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, March 3, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The security situation in Darfur has been reported to be relatively calm; UNAMID forces are conducting their normal activities, including robust patrolling, and they are closely monitoring the situation throughout the region.

UNAMID was informed by Government authorities in El Fasher that a military show of force would be conducted in El Fasher tomorrow between 0930 and 1600 hours.

Force Commander visits Egyptian engineering company

UNAMID Force Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai, today visited the Egyptian engineering company that is based in El Fasher and commended them for their efforts in constructing and expanding several UNAMID camps in Darfur and upgrading the El Fasher Airport since their arrival in the middle of last year.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Radewan, commander of the engineering company, briefed General Agwai on recent developments. The company has a total strength of 335 peacekeepers, including one road platoon, one construction platoon, one water supply platoon, a combat engineering platoon, an administrative and medical section and a protection force platoon.

Meanwhile, the final batch of additions to the Egyptian infantry battalion, consisting of 93 personnel, arrived in El Fasher today. They will join the rest of the battalion, which is deployed in the North Darfur town of Umm Kaddada.

Shooting incident in El Fasher, North Darfur

Further to yesterday’s report about a shooting incident at the Manawashi Market in El Fasher, North Darfur, UNAMID was advised that a group of militiamen were firing in the market and had attempted to loot shops, allegedly due to their discontent with not having received salaries. One person was killed and six wounded in the incident.

Upon his return from Khartoum to El Fasher later in the day, the Wali of North Darfur visited the wounded in the local hospital. An outraged crowd demonstrating against the looting reportedly began throwing stones at his vehicle, prompting the Wali’s close protection team to begin shooting in the air. No injuries were reported.