Central Darfur displaced condemn redistribution of land

The displaced persons who fled from the area of Al Malam in South Darfur since 2003 and settled in camps at Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, have “unanimously refused and condemned” a decision by state governor Yusuf Tibbin to distribute the lands from which they fled to what they called “the new settlers of Al Malam”. The decision by the governor to re-zone the Al Malam area as “model villages” in terms of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), has prompted the displaced to appeal to humanitarian and human rights organisations to intervene on their behalf. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Zalingei, a representative of the displaced from Al Malam underscored that “the settlement at Zalingei is temporary”. He pointed out that the displaced had fled their homes and lands “due to the circumstances of war and security”, stressing that they intend to return to their lands and homes once security is restored and a comprehensive peace achieved. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: Displaced ‘reject Central Darfur model villages’: Sheikh (4 July 2013)