Security situation in Darfur - Sep 28, 2009

Security situation in Darfur

The security situation in Darfur continues to be unpredictable
In the last 24 hours, UNAMID military forces conducted 93 patrols including routine, short and long range, night, humanitarian escort, and logistics and administration patrols in 53 villages and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. UNAMID police advisors conducted 83 patrols in the villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID continues to appeal for release of abducted staff members
Today marks the thirty-first day of the abduction of two international civilian staff members of the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) who were taken at gunpoint by four or five armed men from their home in Zalingei, West Darfur, about 400 kilometres from El Fasher, to an unknown location. The incident occurred at about 4.30 in the morning on Saturday 29 August 2009.

While the Sudanese authorities continue to work for the release of the two staff members, UNAMID renews its appeal to their abductors for their immediate, safe and unconditional release.

Police Advisors conduct community policing workshop in Nyala
UNAMID Police Advisors over the weekend conducted a workshop for community policing volunteers in the Duma internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Nyala, South Darfur. More than 97 volunteers participated, including the Sheikh of sheikhs and 27 women.

The workshop was held to broaden participants’ knowledge of community policing procedures and practices, particularly those relevant to issues of safety and security. They focused on topics associated with gender, rule of law and human rights, among others, while their awareness was raised on the work of state security agencies, including the Government of Sudan Police. The participants were reminded that as community policing volunteers, they would be mentors and role models for the camp’s residents, who would also look to them for guidance.

SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, September 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/Darfur/UNAMID Daily Media Brief