Camp leaders, Dar Masalit sultan absent at reception for Tijani Sese

Displaced people in West Darfur oppose as ‘incomprehensive’ the peace deal signed by SeseThe displaced people in camps in El Geneina, who reside in some 13 camps, refused to receive Dr. Tijani Sese, head of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA), who arrived there on Tuesday.

Local leaders were also absent from the reception, most notably the sultan of Dar Masalit. A meeting which was arranged to be held in Abu Zar camp yesterday afternoon was cancelled because of the refusal of the displaced people, who blockaded the building where the meeting was to be held. Leaders of displaced people from the camps in El Geneina said that the reason for their refusal to go and receive Dr. Sese was because of their belief that the agreement which he signed was short of expectations and incomprehensive.

The leaders stated that the cars that tried to go to the camps to bring the displaced people to receive Dr. Sese returned unoccupied. They called on the international community and Security Council to provide more security, protection and freedom of expression to the displaced people and to not coerce them into any particular agreement.

It is believed that Dr. Tijani Sese and the Qatari mediator and Minister of State Al-Mahmud held a meeting with the political parties and civil society groups in the city yesterday.