Sudan’s UN restriction ‘second genocide phase’: displaced

Displaced and refugees from Darfur consider Khartoum’s recently expulsion and imposed restrictions on UN employees in Darfur as a “second phase of genocide” in the region.Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a displaced noted that “Khartoum would not have given a free hand to pro-government militia and troops to carry out large-scale atrocities against us, systematically impoverishing us, if it could not make sure that aid, the UN or the international community would not be able to reach the displaced or take action against violations.”By ‘large-scale atrocities’, the source cited “murder, rape, looting and destruction of livelihoods, amid the signs of the failure of the current planting season.”Last Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed that “of the 37 UNHCR international staff based in Darfur, only 17 currently have valid permits to continue their work”, noting that the Sudan government has expelled 20 members of staff of the refugee agency.In the past Sudanese authorities have allegedly “expelled” more than ten NGOs working in Darfur and blocked the delivery of relief to victims of the Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile, said another source, suggesting this the “proof of Khartoum’s intentions”.Displaced and refugees are requesting that the UN and the international community, namely the USA, UK and France, “not to be satisfied with condemnation and denunciation, but also impose a no-fly zone against the government air force over Darfur” and directly intervene, assuring the delivery of relief to the affected people.Related: USA: concerns on Khartoum’s ‘willingness’ to uphold Darfur treaty after UN restrictions (7 August 2013)

Displaced and refugees from Darfur consider Khartoum’s recently expulsion and imposed restrictions on UN employees in Darfur as a “second phase of genocide” in the region.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a displaced noted that “Khartoum would not have given a free hand to pro-government militia and troops to carry out large-scale atrocities against us, systematically impoverishing us, if it could not make sure that aid, the UN or the international community would not be able to reach the displaced or take action against violations.”

By ‘large-scale atrocities’, the source cited “murder, rape, looting and destruction of livelihoods, amid the signs of the failure of the current planting season.”

Last Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed that “of the 37 UNHCR international staff based in Darfur, only 17 currently have valid permits to continue their work”, noting that the Sudan government has expelled 20 members of staff of the refugee agency.

In the past Sudanese authorities have allegedly “expelled” more than ten NGOs working in Darfur and blocked the delivery of relief to victims of the Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile, said another source, suggesting this the “proof of Khartoum’s intentions”.

Displaced and refugees are requesting that the UN and the international community, namely the USA, UK and France, “not to be satisfied with condemnation and denunciation, but also impose a no-fly zone against the government air force over Darfur” and directly intervene, assuring the delivery of relief to the affected people.

RelatedUSA: concerns on Khartoum’s ‘willingness’ to uphold Darfur treaty after UN restrictions (7 August 2013)