South Darfur: Five Kalma camp injured still critical

Five of the displaced people who were wounded when Sudanese forces violently dispersed a peaceful demonstration at Kalma camp in South Darfur on Friday 22 September, are still in critical condition at the Unamid headquarters. Two others were transferred to the Turkish hospital in the state capital of Nyala.

Six people were killed and 28 other wounded when, in the morning of 22 September, for the fourth consecutive day, peaceful protests took place against a visit by President Omar Al Bashir near Kalma camp. Sudanese forces violently dispersed the demonstrators near the location of the presidential roadshow, in Bielel locality.

The incident prompted a chorus of international condemnation, with Unamid calling for restraint, and a harsh rebuke issued by the US Embassy in Khartoum.

Hussein Abusharati, the spokesman for the displaced persons and refugees association, told Radio Dabanga yesterday that Unamid has discharged 18 of the wounded and handed them over to their relatives at Kalma camp for further recovery.

He explained that two cases have been transferred to the Turkish Hospital in Nyala, as there were no ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists available at Unamid headquarters.

Unamid delegation

Abusharati said that on Tuesday, a delegation from Unamid in South Darfur, headed by the head of the mission accompanied by the army commander, heads of protection and civil affairs, humanitarian affairs, and political affairs visited camp Kalma to offer condolences to the families of the victims.

He said that a representative of the camp administration addressed the Unamid delegation and thanked them for the treatment of the wounded and handing the bodies of the dead to their families.

Yet, the representative of the camp administration criticised the statement issued by the mission about the massacre and described it as wrong.

He accused Unamid of lack of credibility and called for its immediate departure and replacement of its forces. He also called for fact-finding on the massacre and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

He called on all activists at home and abroad to unite and stand together against the violations at the camps.