‘Militias, banditry source of major concern in Darfur’: Unamid head

The head of Unamid, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, says that the spread of militias, criminality, and banditry remain a source of major concern in Darfur, despite the recent decrease in hostilities between the “main factions”. During his briefing presented to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on the recent developments in Darfur in Addis Ababa on 9 July, Ibn Chambas stated that although there has been a pause in fighting between the main factions in the recent weeks, the proliferation of militia groups, criminality and banditry, continues to be a source of major concern. “More needs to be done therefore to disarm these militias as part of the broader and concerted efforts towards the achievement of comprehensive peace in Darfur,” he stressed.  Ibn Chambas explained that inter-communal violence in Darfur continued mainly with renewed fighting between tribes competing for resources, and retaliating for acts of criminality, a Unamid press release, issued on Friday, stated. “Insecurity and intermittent restrictions of movement by government forces, militia groups, and armed movements, continued to present sporadic challenges to effective and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians,” the Unamid head said. “Following wide-spread attacks on communities in the first quarter of 2014, Unamid has been working hard to enhance its capacity to provide physical protection to civilians seeking refuge around its team sites.” Ibn Chambas furthermore explained that in accordance with the new strategic priorities of Unamid, the Mission has undertaken concrete measures to refocus its activities and resources to achieve greater effectiveness and cost-efficiency. He called on the AUPSC to recommend to the UN Security Council an extension of Unamid’s mandate for another year. File photo: Ibn Chambas (displayed at the screen) delivers opening remarks at the International Donors Conference for Reconstruction and Development in Darfur, Doha, 7 April 2014 ((Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related:ICC demands investigation of Unamid in Darfur (18 June 2014) Unamid peacekeeper killed, three injured in Kabkabiya, North Darfur (24 May 2014) Unamid re-constructs ravaged Khor Abeche camp, South Darfur (23 May 2014) Unamid denied access to newly displaced in Kutum, North Darfur (21 May 2014)

The head of Unamid, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, says that the spread of militias, criminality, and banditry remain a source of major concern in Darfur, despite the recent decrease in hostilities between the “main factions”.

During his briefing presented to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on the recent developments in Darfur in Addis Ababa on 9 July, Ibn Chambas stated that although there has been a pause in fighting between the main factions in the recent weeks, the proliferation of militia groups, criminality and banditry, continues to be a source of major concern.

“More needs to be done therefore to disarm these militias as part of the broader and concerted efforts towards the achievement of comprehensive peace in Darfur,” he stressed. 

Ibn Chambas explained that inter-communal violence in Darfur continued mainly with renewed fighting between tribes competing for resources, and retaliating for acts of criminality, a Unamid press release, issued on Friday, stated.

“Insecurity and intermittent restrictions of movement by government forces, militia groups, and armed movements, continued to present sporadic challenges to effective and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians,” the Unamid head said.

“Following wide-spread attacks on communities in the first quarter of 2014, Unamid has been working hard to enhance its capacity to provide physical protection to civilians seeking refuge around its team sites.”

Ibn Chambas furthermore explained that in accordance with the new strategic priorities of Unamid, the Mission has undertaken concrete measures to refocus its activities and resources to achieve greater effectiveness and cost-efficiency. He called on the AUPSC to recommend to the UN Security Council an extension of Unamid’s mandate for another year.

File photo: Ibn Chambas (displayed at the screen) delivers opening remarks at the International Donors Conference for Reconstruction and Development in Darfur, Doha, 7 April 2014 ((Albert González Farran/Unamid)

Related:

ICC demands investigation of Unamid in Darfur (18 June 2014)

Unamid peacekeeper killed, three injured in Kabkabiya, North Darfur (24 May 2014)

Unamid re-constructs ravaged Khor Abeche camp, South Darfur (23 May 2014)

Unamid denied access to newly displaced in Kutum, North Darfur (21 May 2014)