10 February 2009 -- The Force Commander of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), General Martin Luther Agwai, has pledged that the mission will help the residents of two South Darfur towns rebuild their lives after recent hostilities led to many casualties and displaced thousands of civilians.

General Agwai yesterday visited the UNAMID camps near the towns of Muhajeriya and Labado, heard briefings from local commanders with the mission and spoke with umdas (native administration representatives) and other internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“We will help you find a way out of this,” General Agwai told representatives of an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 IDPs who have fled their homes in Labado and gathered in makeshift dwellings around the nearby UNAMID camp for safety. The umdas said attacks by Janjaweed militiamen had left the residents in fear of their lives.

“I understand your fears and concerns. We want to work with you to find a solution,” he added, saying more UNAMID troops could be posted in Labado to reinforce the existing contingent. A meeting is also expected to be held between UNAMID, Sudanese Government officials and the residents to discuss their concerns.

General Agwai said UNAMID troops would step up existing daytime and night-time patrols of the town so that residents can return to their homes and rebuild their lives. He voiced particular concern about the impact of the displacement on the many children, who are now not attending school.

In Muhajeriya, large numbers of civilians have gathered next to the UNAMID camp after fighting there between Sudanese Government forces and members of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The fighting followed deadly clashes in the town last month between JEM members and the Minni Minawi wing of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA).

General Agwai received a briefing from the commanding officers of the UNAMID contingents in Muhajeriya and Labado, and he thanked the troops serving in both towns for their efforts.

“I am proud to say that you have stood your ground,” he told troops in Muhajeriya. “We will do everything we can to support you. Remember: when the going gets tough, only the tough get going.”

In Labado, he told troops that he was impressed with the professional manner in which they had conducted themselves and handled the recent crisis.

General Agwai’s visit took place a day after the Joint Special Representative of UNAMID, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, led an assessment team to Muhajeriya to inspect conditions on the ground. Mr. Adada stressed in his meetings with Darfurians that UNAMID is here to stay and will continue to protect them, as outlined in its mandate.

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