Sudan: Sudan government - "Kalma Camp should provide security for civilians, not serve as an operation base for bandits"

Source - Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan - The latest incident in Kalma camp and the subsequent response of the UNAMID to the Governments decisive actions are not only a classic demonstration of the international community's refusal to hold criminals accountable for their actions but also it's subtle way of reinforcing the culture of obstruction. It is a bewildering phenomenon that has pervaded throughout the duration of the Darfur crisis and has only emboldened them in their intransigence, thus prolonging the suffering of the people of Darfur to this very day. The recent violence was one clearly meted out by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur's SLM against the LJM in retaliation for the latter's participation in the Doha peace efforts to bring about an end to the restiveness and the Humanitarian crisis.

The UNAMID is supposed to be in these camps to guarantee the safety of the people from heinous acts and criminals of the kind. It is there to facilitate peace by ensuring that no danger befalls the civilians. Yet not only has it failed to fulfill this mandate, it is now protecting the very perpetrators of this violence. The UNAMID has refused to handover Al-Nur's supporters who killed the LJM supporters and in the process driving over 25,000 civilians away from the camp. How does it defend itself? It risks being seen as a conspirator. It is not the first incident either. This particular camp has been a safe haven and base of operations for armed bandits who have continually jeopardized the security of the residents. It is these weapons used in such senseless acts that the government sought to confiscate two years ago when it entered the camp with a warrant only to be fired upon. Scores of innocent civilians were killed in the crossfire. And just a day afterwards, a peacekeeping aircraft was shot down in that camp. Those that are serious about security have to wonder what the point of maintaining such a lawless camp is.

These reprehensible acts are preceded by other egregious atrocities which should have left the world under no illusions as to the real motives of some of these so-called rebel forces. And as Sudan has long insisted, the international community and UNAMID have given SLM Al-Nur and his likes a license to act with impunity by their refusal to hold them accountable for the crimes they commit.

The government has a responsibility towards its people, and a commitment to the resolution of the crisis through peaceful means. Any such acts of obstruction should not be tolerated by anyone who professes to be pursuing peace in Sudan and they will certainly not go unanswered by the Government. The culprits have to account for their actions in front of the Sudanese national judicial system. The Sudanese authorities and all self-respecting institutions expect cooperation and facilitation of this legal process, not obstruction based on prejudices. Sudan is serious about achieving peace and reemphasizes its cooperation with any body working to positively facilitate these efforts.