Escalating violence: Unamid calls for unhindered access in South Darfur

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (Unamid) is deeply concerned over reports of an escalation in violence in South Darfur over the course of the past several days. The violence has resulted in the reported burning of a number villages and the displacement of a large number of civilians in the vicinity of Um Gunja, located approximately 50 km south-east of Nyala, Unamid said in a press statement issued today. The Mission has received reports of looting, arson and civilian casualties, as well as the arrival of newly displaced populations into El Salam and Kalma camps for the displaced in South Darfur. Peacekeepers have attempted to access the affected areas on several occasions, but have been denied passage by the authorities, Unamid stated. Unamid called upon the authorities to allow the peacekeepers’ mission “unhindered and immediate access to these areas, so that it can carry out its core activity for the protection of civilians as mandated by the African Union and the United Nations, and as consented to by the Government of Sudan”. File photo: A Unamid helmet (Radio Dabanga archive) Related: 18,000 newly displaced arrive at South Darfur camps; El Salam camp surrounded by militia forces (3 March 2014) Thousands displaced in attack on more than 35 villages in South Darfur (28 February 2014)