UNAMID: Abdel Wahid gunmen threaten Kalma camp leaders over Doha participation

Gunmen affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Army of Abdel Wahid Al Nur (SLA-AW) threatened leaders of Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDP), in South Darfur, according to a statement from the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Leaders of the camp reportedly came under assault for their participation at a civil society peace forum at Doha. The SLA faction is boycotting the peace talks hosted in Doha, Qatar in the Arabian Gulf.  The Public Information Division of the peacekeeping mission issued a statement yesterday saying that sporadic shooting was heard around midnight the night before at Kalma camp. According to UNAMID police, gunmen identifying themselves as members of the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid faction began shooting indiscriminately from about 00:20 hours until 01:30 hours. 

UNAMID: “One person sustained a gunshot injury, but no fatalities have been reported. Two suspects have been arrested by the authorities for the attempted assault of a sheikh (tribal leader). Five sheikhs have sought refuge this morning at UNAMID’s nearby location, fearing for their lives. UNAMID peacekeepers have increased their patrols in the area and the Mission is currently negotiating with the camp’s leaders to prevent a further escalation of violence.”

Kalma camp has over 100,000 IDPs and is the second largest in the world after Gereida camp in South Darfur. Tensions had been rising in the settlement since the conclusion of the latest round of Doha talks last week, when the representatives who claimed to represent IDPs returned from Doha for the first time since 27 June. The peacekeepers stated yesterday: “All envoys were elected by their constituents after months of deliberation, gatherings and training workshops, many of which were facilitated by UNAMID.”