19 Jan 12 - UNAMID Chief addresses IDPs in North Darfur

19 January 2012 - During his first encounter with representatives of the community from Kassab and Fataborno internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Kutum, North Darfur, African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari reaffirmed UNAMID's continued commitment to implement its core mandate and support the peace process.

The JSR addresses to the IDP representatives. Below, a woman shows her sorrow for the increase of rapes. Photos by Albert González Farran

Some women of the camp told the AU-UN envoy that rapes in and around the camp had increased and requested for more security. JSR Gambari vowed to take up the concern with the local authorities. “I have been taking up the issue of impunity with high level officials of the Government of the Sudan. Where the people who are engaged in criminal acts are known, they must be brought to justice. As a result of our pressure, now they [the Government of the Sudan] have appointed a special court and a special prosecutor [for Darfur],” he added.

“We have to bring this conflict to an end. The people of Darfur have suffered too long and too deeply,” said Mr. Gambari. “Let us continue to work together because, as the United Nations Secretary General said, ‘when we work together, nothing is impossible’.”

The envoy also met with UNAMID troops from South Africa stationed in the area and was briefed on the operational activities and the challenges facing the Mission. He stressed that the troops should double their efforts by increasing the number of patrols including night patrols in the area.

Finally, the JSR met the Commissioner of Kutum Locality, Mohammed Kamaldin El Sayed Abu Shouk, who expressed appreciation to UNAMID and noted the need to implement more developmental projects in the area. Mr. Gambari assured the Commissioner that UNAMID will continue to do more for the people of Kutum and for Darfur.