The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is concerned about the continued tension in El Geneina town and around Mouli village, 15 kilometers south of El Geneina, West Darfur. The tensions developed after an unidentified armed group attacked Mouli village on 9 January, displacing a large number of inhabitants to El Geneina. The affected civilians then demonstrated in front of the Wali’s office in El Geneina on 10 January, leading to the closure of schools and commercial businesses in the town.

The Mission has been receiving reports of continuous unrest and sporadic firing across El Geneina and in Mouli with an undetermined number of casualties. UNAMID calls on the government authorities to exert their utmost efforts to contain the situation and investigate the incidents.

UNAMID emphasises the importance of restraint by all parties and stands ready to assist the state authorities as well as the Darfuri people in their efforts to arrive at a peaceful resolution of the situation.