West Darfur lifts ban on Unamid vehicles

Vehicles of the UN-AU peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (Unamid) are no longer barred from entering El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur. Air and ground transportation were suspended for four days after clashes in the area which the Governor demanded be investigated.

Aircraft from the Mission are also allowed to use the state airport again, Governor (Wali) Fadlelmoula El Huja announced in a press statement that was published in newspapers on Monday.

The state government decided to prevent vehicles and aircraft of the Mission last Wednesday. The decision was taken after a flight that was chartered by Unamid to fly the Governor to Jebel Moon locality, to monitor the situation after deadly clashes between Darfur gunmen and a Chadian pursuit posse on Tuesday, was cancelled by the Mission, citing security and time concerns.

“Following this, on 3 November, the Mission’s air and ground operations in El Geneina were suspended owing to restrictions imposed by the Wali,” the Mission informed Radio Dabanga.