UNAMID calls for calm following clash in IDPs camp in Darfur
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA)- The African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has called for calm in South Darfur following the killing of two and injury of one person in a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
In a press release on Friday, UNAMID has urged the different communities in South Darfur state to exercise restraint and maintain calm following Thursday]s incident in Kalma Camp, to allow police investigations into the killing of two people and injury of a third.
It said the victims – all believed to be members of the nomadic community – reportedly entered the IDPs camp after losing their way. The incident resulted in potential retaliatory threats and acts.
Observers believe the incident took new dimensions as it comes a day or two following the arrest by the international criminal court ICC of Koshayb, a militia leader accused of massive wrong doings and crimes in Darfur under the rule of ousted president Omar Bashir.
“In line with its protection of civilians mandate UNAMID responded immediately and deployed two formed police units and a military unit in and around the camp to avert any further violence or potential reprisals because of these killings. The deployed UNAMID force, along with a civilian team, are working closely with the Government of Sudan’s forces to defuse tensions and restore calm," the statement said.
It added that Jeremiah Mamabolo, AU-UN Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of UNAMID, implored the Kalma community to not allow the situation to escalate any further and encourages all parties to resort to legal means in addressing this crime.
“I would like to convey my heart-felt condolences to the families of the deceased and my wishes of a speedy recovery to the injured victim. Our thoughts are with you,” he said. “I also call upon all the communities involved to exercise self-restraint and seek justice through the appropriate judicial processes and refrain from meeting violence with violence.”
-0- PANA MO/AR 12June2020
