UN speeds relocation of Darfur refugees in Chad amid rains, security issues
The arrival of the rainy season and security concerns at the Chad-Sudan border is compelling the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to expedite the relocation of refugees from Darfur who crossed the border fleeing ongoing tribal clashes in Sudan.Darfuris are continuing to cross into Tissi as tensions persist in Central Darfur’s Umm Dukhun, located about seven kilometres to the north, the UNHCR said in a press statement on Monday. It noted that last week’s shelling of Umm Dukhun could be heard from the Commission’s compound.The UNHCR says that Darfuris continue to cross into Tissi and around 90 per cent of refugees currently in the border area are from the Salamat tribe. Most are women and children, sleeping in the open and at risk from waterborne diseases.To date, the Commission has registered 29,634 refugees mostly from Sudan and also a small number (458) from the Central African Republic in Tissi area. More than 1,800 refugees were transferred last month to Goz Amir, an established camp 240 kilometres further north in eastern Chad.The Commission expects to transfer 20,000 to Ab Gadam, 30 kilometres northwest of Tissi by the end of this week. Should the numbers exceed 20,000, the Commission is exploring the possibility of opening up additional sites. After Tissi, UNHCR will continue to relocate the people who are scattered around Umm Dukum.“Virtually deserted”Monday 3 June saw the start of a reconciliation conference in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes, who have been fighting since early April in Central and South Darfur. Although representatives of the two tribes reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process during the opening ceremony, clashes between the two tribes continue.Local sources affirmed to Radio Dabanga last week that Umm Dukhun has become virtually deserted, saying that about 100 families remained in the town, while the rest of its inhabitants –about 80,000 before clashes first erupted – fled to neighbouring Chad.A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) released on Monday seems to confirm allegations of the involvement of government forces as agents provocateurs in the clashes.In the report, HRW also confirms Radio Dabanga’s previous accounts indicating the participation of Ali Kushayb, a suspected war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and leader of the Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira), in the same battles.Photo: Darfuris refugees in Chad (UNHCR/Zalmaï)Related:Sudan allowed its forces to attack civilians in Darfur tribal battles: HRW (3 June 2013)UNHCR reaches Sudanese refugees in remote region of Central African Republic (31 May 2013)UNHCR ‘in race against time’ to deliver aid to Sudanese refugees in Chad (17 May 2013)UNHCR relocating Sudan refugees to ‘safer areas’ in Chad (23 April 2013)
The arrival of the rainy season and security concerns at the Chad-Sudan border is compelling the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to expedite the relocation of refugees from Darfur who crossed the border fleeing ongoing tribal clashes in Sudan.
Darfuris are continuing to cross into Tissi as tensions persist in Central Darfur’s Umm Dukhun, located about seven kilometres to the north, the UNHCR said in a press statement on Monday. It noted that last week’s shelling of Umm Dukhun could be heard from the Commission’s compound.
The UNHCR says that Darfuris continue to cross into Tissi and around 90 per cent of refugees currently in the border area are from the Salamat tribe. Most are women and children, sleeping in the open and at risk from waterborne diseases.
To date, the Commission has registered 29,634 refugees mostly from Sudan and also a small number (458) from the Central African Republic in Tissi area. More than 1,800 refugees were transferred last month to Goz Amir, an established camp 240 kilometres further north in eastern Chad.
The Commission expects to transfer 20,000 to Ab Gadam, 30 kilometres northwest of Tissi by the end of this week. Should the numbers exceed 20,000, the Commission is exploring the possibility of opening up additional sites. After Tissi, UNHCR will continue to relocate the people who are scattered around Umm Dukum.
“Virtually deserted”
Monday 3 June saw the start of a reconciliation conference in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes, who have been fighting since early April in Central and South Darfur. Although representatives of the two tribes reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process during the opening ceremony, clashes between the two tribes continue.
Local sources affirmed to Radio Dabanga last week that Umm Dukhun has become virtually deserted, saying that about 100 families remained in the town, while the rest of its inhabitants –about 80,000 before clashes first erupted – fled to neighbouring Chad.
A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) released on Monday seems to confirm allegations of the involvement of government forces as agents provocateurs in the clashes.
In the report, HRW also confirms Radio Dabanga’s previous accounts indicating the participation of Ali Kushayb, a suspected war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and leader of the Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira), in the same battles.
Photo: Darfuris refugees in Chad (UNHCR/Zalmaï)
Related:
Sudan allowed its forces to attack civilians in Darfur tribal battles: HRW (3 June 2013)
UNHCR reaches Sudanese refugees in remote region of Central African Republic (31 May 2013)
UNHCR ‘in race against time’ to deliver aid to Sudanese refugees in Chad (17 May 2013)
UNHCR relocating Sudan refugees to ‘safer areas’ in Chad (23 April 2013)
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