UNAMID to investigate sheikh’s killing

Patrol team working in coordination with local leaders and police

The United Nations Africal Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has dispatched a patrol team to the Hamadiya camp in Zalingei, West Darfur on Wednesday, following the killing of a sheikh (local leader) in the settlement.The sheikh, Abbas Juma Barak, was shot twice in the chest on August 20 while on his way back home from offering his evening prayers in Zalingei.

A UNAMID patrol team was dispatched to the camp on a verification mission in the area given the unclear circumstances during the death. It has been in contact with local leaders, the family of the deceased and police to determine exactly what happened.

A coordinator of the Zalingei camps had accused government forces of being behind the murder. Though the motives of the attack are still unconfirmed, there is speculation that the leader was killed for his involvement in political activism within the camp.

The mission’s peacekeepers have increased patrols in the area and UNAMID Civil Affairs officials are working with camp leaders to resolve any issues.