UNAMID and JEM differ on accounts of released peacekeepers
UPDATE – On Tuesday, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) released three civilian employees of the joint UN/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), that it had detained on suspicion of affiliation to Sudan’s security service. The movement detained 52 UNAMID peacekeepers on Sunday accusing the force of entering the JEM controlled area without giving any ‘advance notice’. The 49 Senegalese soldiers were released yesterday. JEM spokesman Jibril Adam Bilal told Radio Dabanga the release took place after investigations to determine whether the remaining detainees had any link to the security service. Bilal said ‘the commander of military operations of UNAMID General Mansamusa Mondeh told JEM that the detainees were working as translators and had no link to Sudan’s security authorities.’ Mondeh also reportedly apologised to JEM for allowing UNAMID forces to enter the area controlled by the movement without permission, and promised to notify JEM of any future plans to enter those areas. UNAMID: ‘JEM were surrounded’ UNAMID confirmed the release of the three civilian personnel, consisting of two Sudanese translators and one Yemeni policeman. Deputy spokesperson for UNAMID Susan Manuel said to Radio Dabanga that the three employees traveled with the rest of the peacekeeping force back to UNAMID’s home base in Um Baru. The force could have left last night after receiving the 49 soldiers, but decided to stay and wait to leave with all their staff. Manuel said ‘the release came about as JEM knew they were outnumbered in armed personnel, we had reinforcements surrounding them.’ She added, ‘It was too bad it happened, it’s an international crime to attack peacekeepers, but we showed we are committed to our work in Darfur, which is to patrol and help provide a secure environment.’ Gambari: ‘non-signatories should join Doha peace process’ In a statement the head of UNAMID Ibrahim Gambari condemned the detention of the peacekeepers in Darfur, describing the detention as a ‘hostile action against peacekeeping forces and a violation of international humanitarian law’ potentially constituting a ‘war crime’. Gambari said UNAMID forces ‘continue to patrol all areas of Darfur on a daily basis to help bring peace to civilians who are still suffering the effects of the conflict.’ He said the mission is authorised to travel to all parts of Darfur. The UNAMID chief added that the peacekeeping force remains committed to comprehensively supporting the peace process including the implementation of the Doha peace agreement (Doha Document for Peace). Gambari said JEM’s action was inconsistent with the peace process which is welcomed by most people in Darfur. The head of mission called for ‘all non-signatory movements of the Doha peace agreement to participate in the peace process, to urgently respond to the needs of people in Darfur.’
UPDATE – On Tuesday, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) released three civilian employees of the joint UN/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), that it had detained on suspicion of affiliation to Sudan’s security service.
The movement detained 52 UNAMID peacekeepers on Sunday accusing the force of entering the JEM controlled area without giving any ‘advance notice’. The 49 Senegalese soldiers were released yesterday.
JEM spokesman Jibril Adam Bilal told Radio Dabanga the release took place after investigations to determine whether the remaining detainees had any link to the security service.
Bilal said ‘the commander of military operations of UNAMID General Mansamusa Mondeh told JEM that the detainees were working as translators and had no link to Sudan’s security authorities.’
Mondeh also reportedly apologised to JEM for allowing UNAMID forces to enter the area controlled by the movement without permission, and promised to notify JEM of any future plans to enter those areas.
UNAMID: ‘JEM were surrounded’
UNAMID confirmed the release of the three civilian personnel, consisting of two Sudanese translators and one Yemeni policeman.
Deputy spokesperson for UNAMID Susan Manuel said to Radio Dabanga that the three employees traveled with the rest of the peacekeeping force back to UNAMID’s home base in Um Baru.
The force could have left last night after receiving the 49 soldiers, but decided to stay and wait to leave with all their staff.
Manuel said ‘the release came about as JEM knew they were outnumbered in armed personnel, we had reinforcements surrounding them.’
She added, ‘It was too bad it happened, it’s an international crime to attack peacekeepers, but we showed we are committed to our work in Darfur, which is to patrol and help provide a secure environment.’
Gambari: ‘non-signatories should join Doha peace process’
In a statement the head of UNAMID Ibrahim Gambari condemned the detention of the peacekeepers in Darfur, describing the detention as a ‘hostile action against peacekeeping forces and a violation of international humanitarian law’ potentially constituting a ‘war crime’.
Gambari said UNAMID forces ‘continue to patrol all areas of Darfur on a daily basis to help bring peace to civilians who are still suffering the effects of the conflict.’
He said the mission is authorised to travel to all parts of Darfur.
The UNAMID chief added that the peacekeeping force remains committed to comprehensively supporting the peace process including the implementation of the Doha peace agreement (Doha Document for Peace).
Gambari said JEM’s action was inconsistent with the peace process which is welcomed by most people in Darfur.
The head of mission called for ‘all non-signatory movements of the Doha peace agreement to participate in the peace process, to urgently respond to the needs of people in Darfur.’
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