10 civilians killed during air strikes in North Darfur - UNAMID
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May 23, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Darfur peacekeepers reported yesterday that
10 people were killed during a recent air attack by the Sudanese army
in the restive region of Darfur.
JPEG - 10.8 kb
a Nigerian soldier serving with the United Nations-African Union
Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
The joint peacekeeping operation stated last week it was sending teams
to investigate a number of air strikes reported in the region on 18
May. The Sudanese army slammed the announcement saying it has the
right to fight and pursue the rebels opposed to the peace process.
"A UNAMID patrol has confirmed air strikes on 18 May in the North
Darfur villages of Um Rayi and Hashaba, 72 km and 62 km northeast of
Kutum respectively. According to residents, the attacks resulted in
more than ten deaths," the peacekeeping operation said.
The hybrid mission further said that there were no casualties reported
from Baashim village, 80 km northeast of Kutum, also bombed by the
Sudanese air force on 18 May.
UNAMID, three years after its establishment, has become a central
partner for the humanitarian agencies and aid groups. It is also
subjected to attacks and criticisms from the government and rebel
groups in the region.
A media outlet known for its connections with the ruling party and the
security services, SMC, disseminated a series of reports against
UNAMID accusing it of supporting the rebel groups.
The largest peacekeeping operation also hires many local employees to
facilitate its various activities in the IDP camps in Darfur where the
Sudanese security service arrested, earlier this month, a local staff
member named Hawa Abdella.
The SMC claimed that Hawa is an active member of the rebel Sudan
Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur and said it she was
arrested for carrying out “extensive Christianization” of children
inside IDP camps.
UNAMID chief, Ibrahim Gambari, last week called for the immediate
release of two civilian members of staff arrested by Sudanese
authorities.
In a meeting with the mission staff Gambari said the arrest of the two
local staff members contravened the agreement signed between the
hybrid mission and the and the Government of Sudan.
In accordance with the signed agreement "should the Government
consider that any member of UNAMID has committed a criminal offence,
it shall promptly inform the Joint Special Representative and present
to him any evidence available to it…" he told the meeting.
"The JSR shall conduct any necessary supplementary inquiry and then
agree with the Government whether or not criminal proceedings should
be instituted," he added.
The head of the mission however said he has so far received no such
information on the staff being held.
(ST)
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