PRESS RELEASE

Government searches IDP camp in El Fasher

El Fasher, 23 January 2011 – The Sudanese Government has today conducted an extensive cordon-and-search operation in the Zamzam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, located on the outskirts of El Fasher, North Darfur. Authorities informed UNAMID of their plans nearly three hours after they were set in motion.

The reasons invoked for the measure, which started at approximately 06:00hrs, with parts of the camp cordoned off by a combined Sudanese Military/Police force in as many as 100 vehicles, was to search for and arrest criminal elements, seize weapons and confiscate illegal substances.

As the action did not abide by an agreement between UNAMID and the Government, requiring notification and consultations prior to any actions regarding IDP camps, the senior leadership of the Mission urgently contacted Government security officials and the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur to address the matter.

Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari called on the authorities to act with the utmost restraint, particularly with regard to the use of force, and ensure that no one is harmed.

Concurrently, the JSR instructed that the Mission rapidly dispatch an integrated team of its civilian, police and military personnel, joined by an inter-agency assessment group led by OCHA and UNHCR, to the camp to ensure that the safety and the rights of the community were respected. A UNAMID patrol and team were initially denied access for security reasons, but were eventually allowed to proceed.  

The operation resulted, as reported by Government authorities to UNAMID, in the arrest of 37 individuals, for reasons unknown, the impounding of ten 4x4 vehicles, the seizure of three assault rifle magazines, unspecified quantities of ammunitions, and suspected stolen goods and illegal substances.

The teams reported that, although the atmosphere was tense and the IDPs apprehensive, no shots were fired and no violence, harassment or destruction/theft of property took place.

UNAMID has strengthened the presence of its police in the camp, now amounting to 60 Formed Police Unit personnel and 30 police advisors, who will overnight in Zamzam. The Mission will follow-up and monitor the situation, including the status of those arrested.
 
While the protection of civilians is at the heart of the UNAMID’s mandate, security for all is ultimately the primary responsibility of the Government of the Sudan.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Chris Cycmanick, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations; cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436