UN official apologizes over Security Council visit arrests: source

A top United Nations official has apologized to displaced people in Darfur over the UN-related campaign of arrests targeting the displaced, according to a Darfuri source. Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on Sunday met with residents of two camps near El Fasher, Abu Shouk and Al Salaam.Last month, the UN Security Council delegation visited the camps under the pretext of providing security and protection. However, the camp leaders who met with the delegation were arrested soon after meetings with the Security Council and other international officials visiting Darfur. The UN did nothing to protect those who were targeted for their interaction with the foreigners.

On the other hand, Valerie Amos denied that the residents of Kalma Camp are being coerced to return to their areas of origin. Valerie Amos told reporters in Nyala on Monday that the residents’ demands for security, stability and the provision of food must first be met before they can return. She said after visiting Kalma that most of displaced people told her they could not return at the present time.

Valerie Amos arrived in Sudan on 4 November. She has met with representatives from the government, donors, aid agencies and peacekeeperes.