Sudan opposition forces condemn attack on Kalma camp

A number of opposition forces and parties have strongly condemned the “brutal attack” by government forces on the population of Kalma camp for the displaced in South Darfur on Friday. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the National Umma Party (NUP) demand the “immediate halt to such operations”. On Friday, four displaced were killed, and 39 sustained various injuries when government forces attempted to disperse a mass demonstration of tens of thousands of Kalma camp residents with batons, tear gas, and live ammunition. The people protested against repeated raids on the camp by government forces during the past weeks, allegedly to search the camp for weapons, alcohol, and drugs. In the statement, signed by Malik Agar, the chairman of the SRF (an alliance of the main rebel movements), and Salah Manaa, assistant of the president of the NUP, state that “the authorities intention behind such attacks is the forcibly dismantling of Kalma camp”, currently hosting more than 160,000 displaced. “The attacks show that they choose to deal with problems without offering a solution, despite all the claims, documents, and partial agreements.” Both parties urged “the UN Secretary-General and all concerned parties, to immediately intervene, and stop these repeated massacres, and provide protection for the displaced and other civilians”. They also called for an urgent, independent investigation into these events, and bringing the perpetrators and the persons responsible for the killing to justice. Darfur Bar Association The Darfur Bar Association also released a statement, denouncing “the killing and wounding of Kalma camp displaced in a peaceful demonstration” on Friday. “Government forces and loyal militiamen besieged Kalma camp. They blocked the gates, and prevented the entry of food and water. No one could leave or enter the camp.” Mohamed Abdallah El Doma, chairman of the DRA, appealed through Radio Dabanga to national, regional, and international human rights organisations, to “take immediate action to stop the abuses against innocent displaced who have the right to express their opinion in peaceful demonstrations.” He demanded from the international community to “promptly investigate the attacks, and take the necessary and appropriate measures to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity”. Popular Congress Party The Popular Congress Party (PCP), led by Hassan El Turabi, also condemned the shooting on the demonstrators in Kalma camp. Kamal Omar, PCP’s Political Secretary told Radio Dabanga that the PCP strongly condemned the violent response by security forces on peaceful protesters in Kalma camp. “The right to express one’s opinion is guaranteed by the Constitution.” The party demands the formation of an investigation committee. “Those responsible for the killing have to be brought to justice”. Sudanese Congress Party The Sudanese Congress Party (SCP), led by Ibrahim Sheikh, currently held by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in the prison of El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan, also condemned the attack on Kalma camp. In a statement, the party demanded from “the political parties in Sudan, and the international community involved in the country, to intervene and stop the widespread abuses by government forces”. Mastour Adam, the Political Secretary of the SCP told Radio Dabanga that “what happened in Kalma camp confirms Ibrahim El Sheikh’s criticism of the militias”.   The leader of the SCP was detained on 8 June by security forces in his hometown En Nahud, West Kordofan, on charges of “undermining the Constitution” after he had publicly denounced the widespread attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, under the command of the NISS, on civilians in Darfur and Kordofan. Photo: The funeral of Khatra Awad Abdel Jalil (80) who died on Saturday of her injuries sustained during the attack by government forces on Kalma camp on Friday (Radio Dabanga) Related:‘South Darfur State governor a liar’: Kalma elders (7 September 2014) Four Darfuri displaced killed in Kalma camp mass protest (5 September 2014)