A dusty road, partly tar, partly dirt; two government check-points where Sudanese soldiers appear familiar with the United Nations (UN) internal forms for movement of personnel; and an endless landscape of huts made out of wood and straw mats. This is Zam Zam, 10 km west of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, and home to more than 49,000 internally displaced people (IDPs).

The Camp Coordinator, who is used to such visits, welcomed the UNAMID delegation with professionalism. Senait Berhane, a Human Rights Officer, came to monitor the situation in the camp and to introduce Marie Therese Keita, the Officer-in-Charge of UNAMID’s Human Rights Office.

The coordinator briefed the team about the past and current activities at Zam Zam. “Presently we are trying to separate the 9,800 IDPs, who recently joined the camp, in two groups,” he said. “Some of them are economically displaced – they did not flee due to fighting but rather because of poor harvest. Once this is confirmed, we hope to assist them back in their villages with the help of the World Food Programme.”

Abu Shook and Al Salam, the two other camps located outside El Fasher, cannot accept any more people. All IDPs thus come to Zam Zam. It has become increasingly difficult for the coordinators to assist everyone.

Most IDPs in Zam Zam come from the Zaghawa tribe, originally based in West Darfur. Some fled from attacks, others from harassment. An Omda, a community leader, took the delegation to meet the families in order for the team to understand the difficulties they face. A man from Dobo Madrassa, who came to the camp with fifteen relatives, described how government soldiers forced him to leave by denying him the right to cultivate – despite this being the only way to support his family. Another said he came with four relatives, yet only receives assistance for three. Marie Therese Keita promised to look into the matter.

The head of UN Human Rights Office in Darfur expressed her concerns. “Much is being done, but sadly it is not enough,” she said.

“I am worried by the lack of infrastructure for the people here. There are only five doctors covering 49,000 people. Children receive no education after primary school – and we need to bear in mind what happens to children who receive no education and are kept idle. We have to react now if we want to create a secure Darfur for tomorrow.”

Past a few more huts, the team met with representatives of Mini Minawi’s faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA/MM). In May 2006, this movement signed the Darfur Peace Agreement with the government of Sudan. Since then, the government has delegated authority to SLA/MM to control some areas, formerly strongholds of the former rebel movement. The security of the camp is now under SLA/MM responsibility, along with UNAMID.
Their office was located in a tent, on a small plot of land. The only concrete building housed seven detainees, which the Human Rights team was granted permission to interview. One soldier watched from a distance. Out of the seven prisoners, all males, only one had committed an offense by trying to highjack a car. He said his wrist was broken by the soldiers who seized him. The others had been imprisoned for a week, sometimes one month, due to acts committed by relatives. One was in jail because his daughter had killed someone. Another said his brother stole. All of them were there waiting for their families to raise enough money to compensate the victims’ families – in accordance with customary law. If not, they could remain in jail indefinitely.

“It is outrageous to see innocent people being jailed, but the situation is not that simple. If they are released without paying compensation, the family of the victim may kill them,” said Senait Berhane.

Marie Therese Keita concluded: “It is very unfair. Traditionally, there were no jails. People would work to compensate the victim’s family. Now, people are arrested and have to pay as well. They have double penalty. We have to sit with the authorities and the community leaders to make them understand.”

UNAMID was established on 31 December 2007. Its core mandate is to protect the civilian population and support humanitarian activities. Its civilian component engages daily with the people of Darfur in order to provide a lasting solution to the crisis.