Central Darfur displaced resolute against model villages

The coordinator of Central Darfur camps has reiterated the refusal of the displaced to accept the plans of the government and the Darfur Regional Authority to build model villages. He accused the government of exerting pressure on the displaced sheikhs to force them to accept the model villages and of re-planning the camps as permanent housing. The coordinator explained that the main purpose of the Sudanese government is to “exert pressure tactics, coercion and intimidation” and “to exert force on the displaced and citizens in preparation for the upcoming elections”. The coordinator criticised the silence of the international community towards what is happening in Darfur and renewed his call for the UN Security Council to change the mandate of Unamid forces so as to be able to protect the civilians, displaced, and achieve peacekeeping in Darfur. File photo: Darfuri sheikhs at a congress in El Fasher, North Darfur (Albert González Farran/Unamid)Related:Sheikhs arrested in Central Darfur as displaced reject ‘model village’ (5 March 2014) Five Central Darfur camp sheikhs still detained (17 February 2014)More sheikhs arrested who reject West Darfur camp planning (14 February 2014)Sheikh arrested after West Darfur displaced eject ‘planning experts’ (5 February 2014)Displaced of Murnei camp in West Darfur arrested (17 January 2014)Darfur displaced question value of ‘model villages’ (24 October 2013)