Darfur aid ‘directly targeted’ in two months of worsening security

By Radio Dabanga -- KHARTOUM

(

25 Jun

.) -

The staff of the United Nations and its partner aid agencies in Darfur complained yesterday of worsening security in Darfur especially over the last two months. They claim that they are directly targeted in the rising violence. This statement comes after a spate of violent incidents in recent days: three peacekeepers died in a firefight, two Germans disappeared in a home abduction, dozens of fighters allegedly died in battles in east Darfur.

The UN statement, issued in the name of the humanitarian community in Darfur, referred to repeated kidnappings of aid workers, killing of peacekeepers, vehicle hijackings and banditry. It said that “the steady deterioration of security conditions, particularly in the past two months, is not only affecting the population but directly targets the humanitarian community.” The statement added that the insecurity has reduced aid activities or completely cut it off in certain cases.

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The $1 billion per year humanitarian operation in Darfur has been plagued by 17 kidnappings since March 2009. None of the kidnappers have been captured and prosecuted. Other more general threats and security restrictions stem from fighting between rebels and the government and among feuding Arab tribes. Two months ago, in early May 2010, the most militarily powerful rebel group in Darfur walked out of peace talks with the government, and the month that followed was the deadliest ever recorded by UN peacekeepers since their arrival in January 2008. Roads have been perilous and for weeks the government cited security concerns to deny permission for humanitarian flights in South Darfur. Besides the impact on humanitarian activities, the mounting insecurity has driven up market prices. One merchant reported to Radio Dabanga last week that there were more than 30 roadblocks along the road from Nyala to El Fasher, each manned by police, militia, armed forces or rebels demanding transit fees.

In a condemnatory statement on Wednesday, the European Union’s foreign affairs office deplored the killing of three peacekeepers on Monday and asked the Sudanese government to find and try the perpetrators. The Europeans called the security situation in Darfur “disturbing.”

 

(Photo: Radio Dabanga file photo from a Darfuri refugee camp)

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