Camp protest turns into deadly clash between factions for and against Darfur peace talks

Up to seven people are reported killed and many others injured after fighting broke out during a peaceful demonstration organized by internally displaced persons (IDPs) against the Doha initiative. The demonstrators were on their way to the UNAMID Centre in Kalma Camp to hand over a petition. The protesters accused a pro-Doha group of helping armed men to attack the mass of demonstrators and open fire on them. The other side accused the anti-Doha faction of responsibility for the violence.

In the disturbances the camp centres 1, 2 and 3 were partly burned as were the Shataya market, hospital posts and aid agency premises. The fighting lasted for hours. The pro-Doha faction claimed that three of its supporters died while the other side had four deaths. Hundreds of people fled toward Nyala while the rest of the population sought protection at their homes in the camp. An eyewitness related that hundreds of people fled to the UNAMID Community Policing Cenre to seek protection. UNAMID told them that it was unable to protect them, according to one report, and the woman and children fled in the direction of Nyala. UNAMID today in a statement denied this and said that over 7000 IDPs have gathered the Mission’s site oustide the camp, and added that it has stepped up security measures and is working with aid groups to provide medical assistance.

Mayor of the Balil district Mohammed Hamed Khames told that his district already absorbed large numbers of refugees from Kalma camp. He also stated that there were at least four bodies and two injured. He explained that the clash was between the protestors and the anti-Doha faction.

Sheikh Salah Abdallah Hassan, who is pro-Doha and an active participant in the latest Doha meeting, accused the anti-Doha group of creating unrest in the camp. According to him they opened the fire on the people. He also accused the Abdel Wahid movement of being behind this action. Furthermore, he claimed that three of his relatives died in the fighting on the side of the pro-Doha faction. He did not know about casualties on the other side.

UNAMID stated that the tensions peaked yesterday afternoon, when hundreds of IDPs took to the streets in rival protests. “Many were armed with sticks and machetes, and sporadic shooting was heard throughout the camp.”

The movement of Abdel Wahid Al Nur denied any involvement in the violent action in Kalma camp. The Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) suspected the National Congress Party (NCP) of being behind the action. He accused the government of bringing NCP people into the camp to create fear and exercise terror to drift people apart and to dismantle the camp.

Other sources in Nyala told that the governor of South Darfur, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, held a meeting three days ago where aid agencies and the UNAMID were present. He announced the government intends to dismantle Kalma camp and he gave two alternatives:  

1. Distribution of the land to the IDPs in Kalma Balil 
2. Distribution of social housing in new villages. These newly built villages are ready for use.

In a statement, the government of South Darfur accused Abdel Wahid of being responsible for the latest event in Kalma camp. It stated that the rebel group opened fire and are responsible for the fire in IDP houses and the loss of human lives and the material damage. Six people were killed and fifteen people are wounded. The government of South Darfur stated that it will make every effort possible to provide the IDPs with support and suitable housing.

The Doha peace initiative involves camp representatives in an advisory role. The initiative has stoked controversy in the camps over whether to participate or whom to send as delegates. At Hamadiya camp near Zalingei similar factional fighting broke out on Wednesday. Three people died. They were identified as supporters of the pro-Doha Liberation and Justice Movement, according to United Nations peacekeepers.

Photo: A protest in El Fasher in May 2010.