IDPs deny contraband was found in Zamzam, condemn raid

Internally displaced people in Darfur condemned the police raid last week on Zamzam Camp, one of the largest in the region. Authorities arrested 37 people in the raid on 23 January. The authorities claim to have found drugs and weapons in the camp, a charge that a camp leader denies.Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Omda Ahmed Atem, coordinator of camps in North Darfur, said that the government aimed to kill, terrorize and plunder Zamzam camp. He called the raid “unlawful” and speculated that it was part of a plan to forcefully dismantle the camp. He referred to the government’s strategy of “peace from within” as a cover for operations designed to dismantle the camps and perpetuate the genocide.

The IDP leader further accused the African Union – United Nations Mission (UNAMID) of standing by idly. He demanded that the Security Council of the United Nations and the international community intervene immediately to protect civilians in Darfur, and particularly those in displaced camps.
 
 For his part, the governor of North Darfur, Osman Kibir, said the inspection at Zamzam camp was meant to protect displaced people and secure the cities and the rule of law. He said that the government has to do its duties to protect citizens and prevent crime. He stressed that the raid did not result in any bloodshed. He said that the operation resulted in the arrest of a large number of members of the “non-signatory movements,” along with the seizure of weapons, 20 Land Cruisers and quantities of drugs and fuel.

Omda Ahmed Atem, on the other hand, denied that there had been any drugs, weapons or rebels in the camp as claimed by the governor. He said the invading troops brought these with them and planted them in the camp, claiming they had been found there.  If the authorities were sincere, they would have brought with them impartial witnesses such as UNAMID.  Instead, he said, the security was alone in the camp during the inspections and brought with it all of the contraband as a set-up.