Photo: "In Sudan - the beautiful desert" by Douglas Bratthall (Source: Yahoo!)
Kalma IDP camp is a political and military camp to serve SLM-NurIN a press conference held last Monday (09 August) South Darfur Governor, Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, described Kalma IDP (internally displaced persons) camp in South Darfur, western Sudan as a political and military camp to serve Abdul Wahid Al-Nur's Darfur insurgent faction SLM.
Kasha revealed that a joint meeting between the Sudanese government and the joint UN/AU peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) resulted in not allowing IDPs in Kalma camp to practice any military activities besides establishing a joint committee to investigate on the recent incidents.
He added that his government had prepared a plan for disarmament in three stages and taken the necessary measures to transfer Kalma camp to another location.
"The state government has developed a plan to collect arms voluntarily from inside the camp to establish social peace," Kasha said on Friday in statements reported by the official news agency SUNA.
He further presented an overview of the state government’s efforts to upgrade essential services of interest to the citizens in the areas of electricity and water.
For the first time a Sudanese government —State minister for humanitarian affairs Mutrif Sideeq — visited the camp with the head of the peacekeeping mission on Wednesday (11 August) and attended a meeting held between Ibrahim Gambari and six delegates who sought refuge at the UNAMID police center in the camp.
The six IDPs representatives told Sudan Tribune that Gambari tried to convince them to accept joint patrols by the Sudanese police and the peacekeepers.
New strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issueVice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha vowed to take into consideration the visions and proposals of all political parties in the new strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issue.
In his address to the consultative meeting he held with political forces for solving the Darfur issue at the Friendship Hall, the Vice-president affirmed that the government focuses on and will take on board positive contributions and opinions for achieving peace in Darfur. "We shall take on board the opinion of the Darfurian people and all the political forces in any consultation that lead to a comprehensive solution ", he said. The Vice-president described talk about excluding Darfur insurgent factions in any solution is not accurate.
Objectives and priorities of the new strategyDr. Ghazi Salah Addeen, the Presidential Advisor and the in-charge of Darfur File said that the objectives and priorities of the new strategy involve
(1) the achievement of a comprehensive settlement (2); enhancement of security; (3) the establishment of a political process in Darfur(4); acceleration of voluntary sustainable return of the displaced; (5) procedures to be taken by government for the execution of development projects; (6) and the organizing of viable consultations among the various components of the Darfurian society; (7) the implementation of justice for all; (8) the restructuring of humanitarian operations and directing them from relief aid to development; (9) the attraction of regional and international support; (10) the enhancement of reconciliation process amongst the people of Darfur; (11) working with our partners to conclude a final and comprehensive peace agreements.
Dr. Ghazi said that a copy of the strategy was handed over to General Salva Kiir, the First Vice-President of the Republic and President of Southern Sudan government and a copy will be submitted to the Council of Ministers. "It is a flexible strategy and not a rigid one and it can be amended according to developments", he said.
Many thousands of IDPs from Kalma remain unaccounted forMeanwhile, a news report published by AFP on Saturday (14 August) says Sudan must stop blocking aid agencies from reaching more than 80,000 displaced Darfuri refugees at Kalma camp, the UN's undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, John Holmes, said on Saturday, quote
"Many thousands of IDPs from Kalma remain unaccounted for.
"We need immediate access so we can respond to the needs and conditions of those remaining there. We also need to find out how many people have left, and where they have gone, in order to provide relief to them too.
"The United Nations has been in close contact with the relevant Sudanese authorities to restore access ... but until today progress has not been forthcoming.
"Five international NGOs and UN humanitarian agencies which have humanitarian programmes in Kalma are still being prevented from entering the camp by local authorities on the ground, despite recent reassurances that such restrictions had not been imposed."
60 cases of malnutrition in Kalma IDP campAccording to a news report by Miraya FM published yesterday (Sunday, 15 August) UNAMID has revealed 60 cases of malnutrition in Kalma IDP camp, as a result of deteriorating humanitarian situation. Also, the UNMAID stated in a press release that, sound of shooting are heard within the camp pointing out the relocation of majority of IDPs, who sought shelter near UNAMID's local Community Policing Center, to other parts of the camp.
No barring of humanitarian workers from accessing the needy
This morning (Monday, 16 August), Sudan Vision Daily Newspaper reported that the Government of Sudan has "slammed the claims made by the UN's humanitarian chief, John Holmes, to the effect that the government had barred relief officials from entering Kalma IDPs camp". Furthermore, Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mo'awia Osman Khalid, is quoted as saying, "No barring of Humanitarian workers from accessing the needy."
The report also reveals that "a joint meeting is to be held between the Government of West Darfur State and UNAMID Chief, Ibrahim Gambari within the coming two days with the aim of consultation on Hamedia Camp of Zalinji, besides, studying the situations of all other camps in the state. Also, that the State's Humanitarian Aid Deputy Commissioner, Ismail Adam reported that the meeting targets more coordination and consultation between the two sides on what had been agreed upon in respect of disarming in the camps and protection of people therein. He noted that all camps witness stable security and humanitarian situations".
Finally, news just in from UNAMID - Daily Media Brief dated Sunday, 15 August 2010 - excerpt:
"The security situation in Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur remains unpredictable, with sporadic shooting over the weekend. UNAMID troops continue to patrol the area, 24 hours a day. The majority of IDPs who sought shelter near UNAMID’s local Community Policing Center have relocated to other parts of the camp, suggesting an improvement in the security situation.
Humanitarian conditions in the camp continue to deteriorate. Fuel stores in the camp have been exhausted, and consequently motorized water pumps have ceased to function. Contrary to reports on 12 August, there are two functioning clinics in Kalma camp, albeit with limited resources. One of the clinics yesterday informed UNAMID of over 60 cases of malnutrition".
SOURCES: See 6 reports here below by Sudan Vision Daily, AFP, Miraya FM, Sudan Tribune, UNAMID.
South Darfur State Sets a Plan for Illegal Arms CollectionReport from Sudan Vision (SV) Daily News Paper - Official Website (Khartoum)/via Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C.
Date: Tuesday, 10 August 2010/ via ISRIA - excerpt:
South Darfur Governor, Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha said that the security situations are 90% stable, pointing out that the government is serious in applying rule of law.
Government announces new strategy on Darfur peace processReport from Sudan Vision (SV) Daily News Paper - Official Website (Khartoum)
/ via Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C.
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 - excerpt:
Vice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha vowed to take into consideration the visions and proposals of all political parties in the new strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issue.
Sudan blocking access to Darfuri refugees: UNReport from AFP (Khartoum)
Date: Saturday, 14 August 2010 - excerpt:
"We need immediate access so we can respond to the needs and conditions of those remaining there. We also need to find out how many people have left, and where they have gone, in order to provide relief to them too. The United Nations has been in close contact with the relevant Sudanese authorities to restore access ... but until today progress has not been forthcoming. I am extremely concerned about the welfare of the IDPs (internally displaced persons) at Kalma camp, to whom we have not been able to deliver relief for 13 days," said John Holmes, the UN's undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs. "If access is not urgently restored, the situation risks deteriorating rapidly," he added.
Sudan: 60 cases of malnutrition in Kalma camp, UNAMID saysReport from Miraya FM / via ReliefWeb
Date: Sunday, 15 August 2010
South Darfur to disarm Kalma campReport from Sudan Tribune
Published: Sunday, 15 August 2010 - excerpt:
August 14, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The South Darfur state will launch a campaign to retrieve voluntarily weapons in the restive Kalma camp, the governor said this week. Governor Abdel Hamid Moussa Kasha declared considering to remove the camp and relocate the IDPs in other areas. He said that the camp has become a den of criminals and outlaws. He stressed the proximity of the camp from Nyala airport and railway "increases the security threat for UNAMID planes".
UNAMID Daily Media Brief - Sunday, 15 August 2010Report from United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, August 16, 2010/ via APO:
Security situation update
The security situation in Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur remains unpredictable, with sporadic shooting over the weekend. UNAMID troops continue to patrol the area, 24 hours a day. The majority of IDPs who sought shelter near UNAMID’s local Community Policing Center have relocated to other parts of the camp, suggesting an improvement in the security situation.
Humanitarian conditions in the camp continue to deteriorate. Fuel stores in the camp have been exhausted, and consequently motorized water pumps have ceased to function. Contrary to reports on 12 August, there are two functioning clinics in Kalma camp, albeit with limited resources. One of the clinics yesterday informed UNAMID of over 60 cases of malnutrition.
UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 76 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 66 villages and IDP camps.
UNAMID police advisors conducted 119 patrols in villages and IDP camps.
Govt. Dismisses Holmes' Claims of Blocking Humanitarian Access to Kalma CampReport from Sudan Vision Daily News Paper - Official Website (Khartoum)
Date: Monday, 16 August 2010 by Mohammed Abdallah - excerpt:
The Government has slammed the claims made by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, to the effect that the government had barred Relief Officials from entering Kalma IDPs camp.
Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mo'awia Osman Khalid, said, "No barring of Humanitarian workers from accessing the needy." And further stating that the government respects international agreements and commitments and works for integrating the roles of the international partners for accomplishing the humanitarian objectives set for Darfur.
The spokesman underlined the importance of respecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country, adding that the government is properly discharging its responsibilities towards its people.
The government stressed the importance of adherence to security controls, stipulated in the humanitarian agreements; on the part of UNAMID and relief workers own safety against all risks. [...]
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Darfur's tribes dance during a rally to support Darfur peace talk
Photo: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir waves to Darfur's tribes during a rally to support the Darfur peace talk, in Khartoum 06 August 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nurdldin Abdallah)
Photo: Members of Darfur's tribes perform a traditional dance during a rally to support the Darfur peace talk, in Khartoum 06 August 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nurdldin Abdallah)
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