Sudan’s VP orders high commission for Darfur displaced

Sudan’s Second Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdel Rahman has instructed the Governor of West Darfur to form a high commission to concern itself with the camps for the displaced. The commission is to be especially concerned with regard to voluntary return, and planning of residential land, provided that its report be raised to the Vice-President. During a visit to Abu Zar camp in the state capital El Geneina, Abdel Rahman instructed the state government to utilise the SDG2 billion donated by the state in the planning of residential lands, provision of health and education services and places of worship for the displaced. This should go along with developing a clear plan for their voluntary return. Also, he announced donating 1,000 ploughs for displaced people to help with production. A further SDG4 million is to be evenly divided between women and the high commission for voluntary return. However, the spokeswoman for the displaced at Abu Suruj camp in Sirba locality, West Darfur, Halima Ishag Abdalah, doubted in the words of Vice-President telling Radio Dabanga that there are still obstacles on the ground in the security and development as well as the need to reach a peace deal with the armed movements. She said that her delegation attended the Vice President’s visit as representatives of the camps of Sirba locality but have not yet had the opportunity to speak. They then handed over a memorandum to an official at the Secretariat of the National Congress to pass to the Vice-President. The memo calls for the provision of security and development in the camps, a ceasefire, and release of all detainees. It also demands that the government to sit down with the armed movements to realise peace. File photo: A camp for the displaced in Darfur (Albert Gonzalez Farran/Unamid)