Gambari escalates rhetoric on arrest of UN staff

Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations- African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) called publically for the immediate release of arrested Darfuri staff member. One staff member, Hawa Abdullah, was arrested by National Security personnel at her home in Abu Shouk IDP camp on 6 May, a fact confirmed by UNAMID. The name of the other arrested staffer is not yet known to Radio Dabanga.

In a meeting yesterday with UNAMID staff, Gambari called upon the Sudanese Government to release the two national staff members. He called for their “immediate and unconditional release.” 

UNAMID information officers, in a press statement, said the personnel “were detained in contravention of the Status of Forces Agreement between UNAMID and the Government of Sudan.” The same position held by the Darfur Bar Association, which announced earlier this week that Hawa Abdullah should have immunity under the agreement.

The Status of Forces Agreements states: “should the Government consider that any member of UNAMID has committed a criminal offence, it shall promptly inform the Joint Special Representative and present to him any evidence available to it […] The JSR shall conduct any necessary supplementary inquiry and then agree with the Government whether or not criminal proceedings should be instituted.” 

Gambari said he has received no such information on the staff being held.