UN, Unamid condemn intercommunal violence in West Darfur

The United Nations and the UN-AU hybrid Mission in Darfur (Unamid) have expressed their concern about reports of intercommunal violence in West Darfur.

The UN Secretary-General condemns the violent intercommunal clashes that have taken place around El Geneina in West Darfur, the deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement on Friday.

The Secretary-General stresses the importance of finding peaceful and durable solutions to the situation in Darfur that address the key drivers of conflict in that region. In that regard, he reaffirmed his strong support to the ongoing negotiations in the framework of the Sudanese peace process, the statement reads.

He called on the authorities swiftly to investigate these incidents and to hold the perpetrators accountable. He also urged them to redouble their efforts to provide a secure environment for the populations of Darfur, in particular the most vulnerable.

The Secretary-General further reiterated the commitment of the UN to accompany the government and the people of Sudan during the transition.

‘Deeply concerned’

Unamid said on Friday that “In the wake of these egregious intercommunal clashes”, it is “deeply concerned about the loss of life and injuries among civilians, widespread displacement and deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in El Geneina and the surrounding area”.

The AU-UN peacekeepers condemn the violence and stress the importance of “resolving all disputes in a peaceful and amicable manner.

“While the Mission acknowledges the efforts exerted by the government to contain the situation, it further calls upon the relevant government authorities to maximize their efforts to establish a protective environment and restore peace and order in and around the greater El Geneina community. It is a matter of priority to engender an environment which is conducive to the resumption of uninterrupted humanitarian operations, given the dire needs of the affected population for basic services.”

To ensure the safety and security of UN and Unamid personnel in El Geneina, the Mission relocated a total of 32 UN and NGO personnel to Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur.

Attacks

Fighting broke out on Sunday evening allegedly after a young Masalit tribesman killed an Mahameed herder at El Bursa Market in Kerending camp. In response the relatives of the victim attacked relatives of the perpetrator and killed two of them, wounded others, and torched the market. The attacks continued on Monday. A number of the districts of El Geneina were attacked, as well as villages north-east of the city.

More than 80 people were reportedly killed and at least 190 others were injured. At least 80,000 people have been effected. 8,111 families fled their homes. The El Geneina Crisis Committee formed after the violent events accused the West Darfur government of complicity.

A high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and the Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemeti’, arrived in El Geneina on Wednesday to assess the situation, and establish a fact-finding committee.

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