UNAMID strongly rejects accusations in a Sudan Tribune report against its peacekeepers

Sudan Tribune [see copy in full here below] quoted Mr. Hussein Abu Sharati, presented as a spokesperson of Darfur IDPs and Refugees, as saying that “peacekeepers in the area were present but did not intervene to prevent the killing.”

UNAMID strongly rejects the implied accusation that its forces in the area of Deleij camp knew about the alleged killings but failed to perform their task of protecting civilians.

UNAMID investigated the allegations, meeting with IDPs and the Umdahs of Deleij camp who assured UNAMID that no killings took place as reported by the ST and that the voters’ registration process in the area was concluded with no problems.

UNAMID deplores that such serious accusations against its peacekeepers were published without even taking the pain to verify them, either independently or with UNAMID.

False reports of this nature can only ignite violence in the region and jeopardize lives, at a time when UNAMID relentlessly strives to protect civilians and end violence in Darfur.

Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
UNAMID Strongly Rejects Accusations in a Sudan Tribune Report against its Peacekeepers

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, December 1, 2009/APO - According to a Sudan Tribune (ST) news report published on 29 November 2009, “seven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were killed Friday in West Darfur following a wrangle between the residents and government troops which attempted to force them to take part in voter registration.” ST reported that the alleged killings took place in Deleij IDPs camp, some 280 km from El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.

Sudan Tribune quoted Mr. Hussein Abu Sharati, presented as a spokesperson of Darfur IDPs and Refugees, as saying that “peacekeepers in the area were present but did not intervene to prevent the killing.”

UNAMID strongly rejects the implied accusation that its forces in the area of Deleij camp knew about the alleged killings but failed to perform their task of protecting civilians.

UNAMID investigated the allegations, meeting with IDPs and the Umdahs of Deleij camp who assured UNAMID that no killings took place as reported by the ST and that the voters’ registration process in the area was concluded with no problems.

UNAMID deplores that such serious accusations against its peacekeepers were published without even taking the pain to verify them, either independently or with UNAMID.

False reports of this nature can only ignite violence in the region and jeopardize lives, at a time when UNAMID relentlessly strives to protect civilians and end violence in Darfur.

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See Sudan Watch, Monday, November 30, 2009: 7 killed, 30+ injured in clashes between IDPs and gov't forces in Deleij camp and Geneina town, west Darfur - The adviser to the Minister of Information in the Government of National Unity, Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati, denied the involvement of the Sudan Armed Forces in the incident.
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Copy of report published at Sudan Tribune, Sunday 29 November 2009 04:10:Sudan kills seven IDPs in Darfur camp

November 28, 2009 (PARIS) — Seven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were killed Friday in West Darfur following a wrangle between the residents and government troops which attempted to force them to take part in voter registration.



Burial ceremony at Kalma IDP camp (UNAMID/file)

The IDPs ask the government to disarm militia and to bring to justice responsible of atrocities committed in the restive region as well as to conclude a peace deal with the rebel groups before organize elections in the country.

However, the local authorities in Darfur launched a voter registration process in the three states of the province in a bid to count IDPs that the UN estimates their number to be 2.7 million.

Many of them resisted the Sudan fifth population and housing census conducted in April year. The total number of Darfur three states is estimated at 7 501 012 according to the figures published by the Sudanese authorities.

The Sudanese regular forces and militia in West Darfur state on Friday evening — at 05:00pm – killed seven people in Deleij IDPs camp, some 280 klm from El Geneina the capital of West Darfur state. The incident took place after attempts by local officials to persuade the residents of the camp to register in electoral lists.

In a discussion with the officials who were accompanied by regular forces from the army and police besides Janjaweed militiamen the residents reiterated their rejection to the electoral operation.

"They had a hot discussion with the officials after declaring their support to (the rebel leader) Abdel Wahid Al-Nur, then the regular forces and the militia started shooting on the innocent civilians," said Hussein Abu Sharati the spokesperson of Darfur IDPs and refugees.

He further said the peacekeepers in the area were present but did not intervene to prevent the killing.

Speaking on Saturday afternoon, the IDPs spokesperson added the regular forces had been withdrawn after the killing.

Abu Sharati also stressed that what was happened in Deleij could be repeated in two other camps in North Darfur.

According the spokesperson, the Sudanese authorities already visited Al-Maliha and Kassap camps today and threatened to arrest tomorrow those who refuse the voter registration operation.

"Today they already arrested seven local leaders (Mashaikh) from Kassap camp," he further said.

Sudan launched a one month voter registration operation inside and outside the country, ahead of general election scheduled to be held next April. The process is extended for one week during the next month. (ST)

Note that the report refers to the alleged killings taking place at Deleij IDPs camp, some 280 klm from El Geneina the capital of West Darfur state, but the file photo selected by Sudan Tribune shows a burial ceremony at Kalma IDP camp - a photo I seem to recall seeing years ago.

7 killed, 30+ injured in clashes between IDPs and gov't forces in Deleij camp and Geneina town, west Darfur

The adviser to the Minister of Information in the Government of National Unity, Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati, denied the involvement of the Sudan Armed Forces in the incident.

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 30 November 2009:

(Khartoum) - Seven people were killed and more than thirty others injured in the clashes between IDPs and government forces in west Darfur last Friday.

The clashes erupted when IDPs declared their support for Sudan Liberation Movement rebel leader Abdelwahid al-Nur and refused to take part in the voter registration exercise.

IDP spokesperson, Hussein Abu Sharati, described the incident to SRS on Sunday.

[Hussein Abu Sharati Arabic]: “On Friday, government forces and the Janjaweed militia came to register people in Deleij IDP camp and Geneina town, but the civilians refused to take part in the voter registration exercise, demanding that the government should bring peace by negotiating with the rebel groups in Darfur, disarm the militias and bring those who committed atrocities to justice. The IDPs said that they will only register if Abdelwahid returns to Sudan. That’s when the government soldiers and the Janjaweed started to force people to register. Then they asked the civilians to hand over the person that they wanted to vote for. Then they started shooting at people. They killed seven people and wounded thirty-seven others.”

However, the adviser to the Minister of Information in the Government of National Unity, Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati, denied the involvement of the Sudan Armed Forces in the incident.

[Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati]: “There is no evidence to prove these accusations. Maybe that incident was perpetrated by the Darfur anti-government groups who are divided into many factions. They want to disrupt the security situation, in order to send negative signals to other countries and bodies that support the anti-government groups in Darfur.”

Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati was speaking to SRS from Khartoum on Monday.

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UPDATE on Tuesday at 14:48 PM GMT UK December 1, 2009:

See Sudan Watch today: UNAMID strongly rejects accusations in a Sudan Tribune report against its peacekeepers

SLA-Nur's Hussein Abu Sharati "spokesperson of Darfur displaced" says IDPs not to cooperate with UNAMID

Hussein Abu Sharati, the spokesperson of Darfur displaced, slammed a statement made by the joint representative and head of the UN peacekeepers in Darfur, known as UNAMID.

"We have a minimum of 160 deaths every month and 56 women raped this month of April. This month also we have 136 people detained by the security forces," said Hussein Abu Sharati, referring to the displaced. The spokesperson further said they collected their information from all the IDPs camps.

He added that water shortages, cholera and polio outbreaks have affected the IDPs since the eviction of the aid groups — though the figures cited by Adada had only counted violent deaths.

Adada’s remarks had already provoked a reaction from a rebel leader serving under the Sudan Liberation Army command of Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur, who said that Darfuri civilians had handed a letter to the SLA founder declaring that they would not deal with the UN peacekeepers unless Adada retracts the report.

Abu Sharati today added that they decided to not cooperate with the UNAMID. He urged the UN and the African Union to replace Adada by another official. "We request the UN and the international community to give the necessary attention to ensure the protection of the displaced population there,” he said in Darfur by phone.

Source: Sudan Tribune Monday 4 May 2009:
Darfur displaced dismiss UN-AU monthly death figures

May 3, 2009 (NYALA) – A prominent figure among the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Darfur criticized statements made by the African Union-United Nations joint envoy in Darfur saying that violence in the war-torn region has subsided substantially.



Photo: Rodolphe Adada (ST)

Speaking before the UN Security Council, Rodolphe Adada said last Monday that some 130-150 people were dying each month due to violence in Darfur, versus the tens of thousands who were killed in 2003-2004. The number includes civilians, fighters and peacekeepers themselves, he added.

Yet people in the camps are still dying every day as result of the ongoing violence said Hussein Abu Sharati, the spokesperson of Darfur displaced, who slammed the statement made by the joint representative and head of the UN peacekeepers in Darfur, known as UNAMID.

"We have a minimum of 160 deaths every month and 56 women raped this month of April. This month also we have 136 people detained by the security forces," said Hussein Abu Sharati, referring to the displaced. The spokesperson further said they collected their information from all the IDPs camps.

He added that water shortages, cholera and polio outbreaks have affected the IDPs since the eviction of the aid groups — though the figures cited by Adada had only counted violent deaths.

Adada’s remarks had already provoked a reaction from a rebel leader serving under the Sudan Liberation Army command of Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur, who said that Darfuri civilians had handed a letter to the SLA founder declaring that they would not deal with the UN peacekeepers unless Adada retracts the report.

Rebels warned that UNAMID personnel would not be allowed into “liberated areas” until a retraction and apology were made.

Likewise, Abu Sharati today added that they decided to not cooperate with the UNAMID. He urged the UN and the African Union to replace Adada by another official. "We request the UN and the international community to give the necessary attention to ensure the protection of the displaced population there,” he said in Darfur by phone.

Nevertheless, the UNAMID spokesperson Noureddine Mezni had stood by the data, saying it was comprehensive.

Abu Sharati also urged Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur to not engage in talks with the government unless the government and its militias definitively stop violence and attacks on the civilians.

Sudan has more displaced people than any other country in the world. According to a report released Friday by the Norwegian Refugee Council, during the year 2008 the country had 4.9 million or about one in eight of the population, more than half of them in Darfur.

Comment on this article...

1 Comment

Darfur displaced dismiss UN-AU monthly death figures

4 May 2009 06:25, by Akol Liai Mager
United Nations has clearly misused Donors money. The monies were donated to feed/protect Darfur civillians, but UN got to pay these wrong groups: UNAMID, the Basole’s group, Thabo Mbeki’s group and who knows which group is next in the row.

IDPs and Ocampo are suppose to be recipients of Donors money. IDPs should get 80% of these donors’ money, 10% to "Save Darfur Now & Darfur Friends" for papers-work and 10% to protect Ocampo who has received several dead threats.

For Mr. Ocampo, IDPs’ Chairperson has more evidences for you to note; figures of monthly death and raped.

"Save Darfur Now" & "Darfur Friends" should lodge a join application to the UN’ Headquaters in New York to demand from it’s Secretary General Ban Ki-Mon to sack Adada, Mbeki and reconsider UNAMID’s roles in Darfur.

Down, Down with Adada!

Note activist groups referred to as: "Darfur displaced", "Save Darfur Now" & "Darfur Friends".