Dec 09, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The Amnesty International has urged the United Nations Security Council to extend its mission to Darfur for at least six more months as the government security forces have failed to protect civilians in recent months.
According to Amnesty International, more than 70 people, including farmers and the internally displaced people (IDPs), were killed by members of armed groups between July and September 2020 in Masterei, in West Darfur state, in Nertiti, Central Darfur state, and in Fata Borno, North Darfur state; areas that are under the control of Sudanese security forces.
The international organisation reported that at least another 78 people were injured in armed attacks in this period while looting and burning of houses, markets and shops were commonplace as thousands of people were displaced in Darfur.
During the time, more than 8,000 were displaced by the conflict between factions of the Sudan Liberation Army – Abdel Wahid (SLA-AW) in Central Darfur.
As the UN is about to complete its mission in Darfur, Amnesty international feels that if UNAMID leaves the area, there will be a security vacuum which will lead to disastrous consequences.
“With UNAMID’s mandate due to end at the close of the year, and UNITAMS which is meant to replace it still not yet staffed or operationalized, Amnesty International is concerned for future civilian protection in Darfur, particularly given the national security forces’ failure to step up and protect civilians from attacks in recent months, we fear a security vacuum may arise with disastrous consequences for the people of Darfur,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.
Residents also fear for their lives as some of their people have been killed during the attacks claiming that the security forces do not respond immediately.
“The attackers looted our properties and a large number of livestock. They burnt and ransacked the market and houses.” Said one of the residents.
“They killed nine people and wounded 17. They attacked and killed men inside the sit-in area. The attack continued from 7am until 3pm. Government security arrived after 4pm. UNAMID also came and treated the injured and took some to hospitals in Kutum and Al Fasher,” she added.
UNAMID has got only weeks remaining to to the end of the mission’s mandate.
