Taking Human Displacement in Darfur Seriously, Part 2 (Part 1 available: http://www.sudanreeves.org/?p=4025 )
Eric Reeves | 3 June 2013 | http://wp.me/p45rOG-12S
SECTION THREE (cont’d): Are there Meaningful “Returns” of Displaced Persons in Darfur? Who or what guarantees that the returns are safe and voluntary?
When addressing the question of displaced persons in Darfur, the UN and UNAMID inevitably speak of their success in beginning a program of “safe and voluntary returns.” The claims made are hotly disputed by Darfuris, and the success stories are often revealed to be shams or, worse, set-ups for violent confrontation with well-armed Arab group that have opportunistically seized farms and land; there are continuous reports of these Arab groups coming from Chad, Niger, Central African Republic, and even Mali. Certainly the UN and UNAMID are particularly culpable in failing to report “returns” that are unsuccessful, often dramatically so.
For such honesty would compromise a narrative that has been relentlessly and shamelessly promulgated for several years, viz., that safe and voluntary returns have begun in significant numbers, and that the UN and African Union have succeeded in Darfur. But the frequency and detail of Radio Dabanga reports indicate that the lands of sedentary African/non-Arab tribal groups displaced by violence remain too dangerous to return to. The numbers of “returns” the UN claims—in the tens of thousands and still dwarfed by the number of newly displaced persons—seem to be based on a counting method that takes little account of the violence that characteristically returning displaced:
§ Farmers attacked in West Darfur (Radio Dabanga [el-Geneina], August 2, 2012)
Farmers in West Darfur have been suffering several attacks by armed herders [i.e., nomadic Arab pastoralists] since Monday. Sources in East Geneina told Radio Dabanga that they were attacked by an armed group while working on their land on Monday. Two girls were raped, and four of the men received beatings after they had been tied. A displaced person of Kendeby Camp said that an armed group of 18 people beat, and attempted to rape several women and girls, who were working the land. Three of these women suffered hand and leg fractures. §
§ Mornei: More than 10 herders’ attacks in a week (Radio Dabanga [Mornei, West Darfur], October 15, 2012)
Residents of camp Mornei in West Darfur complained to Radio Dabanga about the recurring attacks carried out by herders against them and their farms, on Monday 15 October. According to a camp representative the displaced have been exposed to more than 10 attacks during the last week and that the most recent incident happened on Monday morning. The representative said a number of displaced persons were shot and beaten with whips when they tried to prevent herders from entering their farms in Wadi Jangary, south of Mornei. He added that beatings and looting against camp’s residents by herders have increased in the past two days, adding that on farms in all of Wadi Jangary, Arro, Toure, Korney Toura were targeted. §
§ Herders burn farms around Sirba camps (Radio Dabanga [Sirba, West Darfur], November 6, 2012)
Residents of Sirba camps in West Darfur complained about herders’ attacks on their farms, pointing out that some farms were burned down, Radio Dabanga has learned on 6 November. The herders, armed and riding camels, also stole cows and sheep from the farms in the areas of Ajre, Denta, Goz Siggiat in western Kendebe area, in addition to burning four millet farms in the southern area of Kendebe, according to residents. The stolen cattle led to numerous damages and significant losses. §
§ West Darfur land settled by people from Niger, Chad, Central African (Radio Dabanga [el-Geneina], June 22, 2012)
Displaced people in camps in El Geneina, West Darfur, revealed that around one hundred thousand square feet of their lands has been occupied by new inhabitants from Niger, Chad and Central Africa. A sheikh from Mornei camp told Radio Dabanga that the occupied land included the areas of Masteri, Beida, Dowany, Kokoriya, Jory, Gubeya, Jeing, Mornei and many other areas. He also stated that the new inhabitants have started changing the names of the area, cutting down large trees, demolishing graves and farming on it in attempts to erase the former symbols of the areas. §
§ Confiscation of houses “attempt to dismantle camp” in West Darfur (Radio Dabanga [Garsila, West Darfur], May 31, 2013)
In an apparent attempt by the Sudanese government to dismantle the camp for displaced persons in Garsila, West Darfur, authorities have been confiscating the houses of displaced persons and redistributing them to military commanders and other officials. Sources told Radio Dabanga that this is being done by presenting the displaced with a bureaucratic catch-22 situation. “The displaced are forced to present documents to prove ownership of the land, or to pay a SDG 500 ($115) fee “to complete the registration procedures.” Authorities have occupied the displaced houses and have redistributed them to leaders of the civil service, security, police, and army,” sources told Radio Dabanga. “The authorities of the area threaten the displaced: either pay or be removed from your lands.” The displaced say they do not have the money to pay.
§ Armed men seize farms in West Darfur (Radio Dabanga [el-Geneina], July 13, 2012)
A group of pro-government armed men assaulted a number of farmers in West Darfur. After insulting and beating them, they burned down their farms. The men driving a land cruiser attacked the farmers on Tuesday evening in Jimmaizat Babiker and Hajer Bager, west of For Baranga. A farmer told Radio Dabanga that the militants expelled them from their lands and threatened to kill him if they returned. The farmer said the armed men warned the farmers the area is meant for grazing and not for agriculture according to our source. The commissioner of For Baranga, Suleiman Khater Zayed, visited the area on Wednesday and echoed the exact same words. §
§ Armed militias seize farms near Garsila, West Darfur (Radio Dabanga [Garsila, West Darfur], July 9, 2011)
Radio Dabanga was informed by a female refugee that displaced women from Garsila, West Darfur, are currently complaining about armed militias who apparently seized their farms, thus preventing their cultivation. The witness indicated that a group of the militia went to the Gedo, Gallinja and Gang Kosi areas, where several shepherds bring their herds, to take their land and set up their own farms with the Government’s support.
§ Farmers complain of herders’ invasion: Say they have started letting cattle graze on fields before the agreed deadline (Radio Dabanga [el-Fasher], November 11, 2012)
Farmers across all Darfur states complained to Radio Dabanga on Friday about their farms being invaded by herders. Radio Dabanga spoke to farmers from Kutum and Kabkabiya in North Darfur; Garsila, For Baranga and Mornei in West Darfur as well as Marshinj, El Malam and Shareiya in South Darfur. Farmers expressed their anxiety over the herders releasing their cattle on the farms before the agreed upon deadline. Farmers from Kabkabiya told Radio Dabanga, “Despite lodging a number of complaints to the local authorities and appealing to the sheikhs of the herders, we have not received any positive response. Threats and abuses against us by herders have increased.” §
§ Herders damaging crops in South Darfur: Farmers complain that they are being forced to abandon their fields (Radio Dabanga [Gereida, South Darfur], August 19, 2012)
Farmers in northwest of Gereida in South Darfur complained on Friday of shepherds [i.e., nomadic Arab pastoralists] leading their livestock onto their farms and thereby damaging their bean and corn crops. One of the farmers, told Radio Dabanga that entire villages in north and west Gereida were occupied by shepherds, who forced the farmers to abandon their crops. He added that farmers in other surrounding areas were facing the same fate. There are allegedly about 200 to 300 shepherds set up in and around the area whose activities have led to farmers leaving in despair. §
§ Foreign settlers claim lands in Kebkabiya area (Radio Dabanga [Kebkabyia], April 19, 2012)
Citizens of Ghara Zawiya village near Kabkabiya in North Darfur said that 1,000 new settlers coming from neighboring countries entered 12 of the villages in the area and have occupied them. They have taken over the farmland and ordered the original inhabitants to stay far from their lands. A citizen of Ghara Zawiya told Radio Dabanga that the new inhabitants came overland on camels and Large Land Cruisers which had machine guns fixed on them, besides many different types of weapons, despite the area having military protection. He pointed out that the inhabitants have settled in the villages of Um Jaras, Karikar, Hashaba, Um Duldi, Um Siyala, Taradona, East Taradona, Um Hatab, Um Rawaba Adhan Barid and Owen Rado. §
§ New settlers in Darfur chase returnees from their farming lands (Radio Dabanga [el-Geneina], June 17, 2012)
Displaced Darfuris in camp Kendeby of West Darfur have been chased from their farming lands in the area of Sirba, north of the capital el-Geneina. They told Radio Dabanga that several returning IDP’s have been threatened with weapons while they were trying to sow their seeds. They say that settlers instead of the returnees from the area have taken the fertile agricultural lands in the localities of Miraya, Agi Ra, Kurk and Dumta. Displaced Darfuris in camp Kendeby of West Darfur have been chased from their farming lands in the area of Sirba, north of the capital El Geneina. They told Radio Dabanga that several returning IDP’s have been threatened with weapons while they were trying to sow their seeds. They say that settlers instead of the returnees from the area have taken the fertile agricultural lands in the localities of Miraya, Agi Ra, Kurk and Dumta. According to a community leader, the settlers had beaten five women who went out of camp Kendeby for farming in Dumta areas last Thursday. The settlers confiscated their seeds after beating them with a whip. The men warned them not to come back again. §
§ Attack on voluntary return village leaves man dead (Radio Dabanga [Bilal, South Darfur], December 11, 2012)
Pro-government militias launched an attack on a voluntary return village located in Bilal locality, South Darfur, killing one man, the local commissioner told Radio Dabanga. The attack occurred at 11pm on Saturday, 8 December, on the area of Hujair Sambo, the commissioner asserted. He added the militiamen burned 10 houses and killed a citizen after “heavily firing gunshots in the air….” §
There have also been a great many highly suspicious fires in IDP camps and on farmlands belonging to the displaced, particularly over the past two to three years. Many of these have been clearly set with the intent to dissuade returnees from making claims on their lands. Most recently….
§ Returnees’ homes, provisions destroyed by fire in West Darfur (Radio Dabanga [Shibait Urdu], May 30, 2013)
Eight families that returned voluntarily to the area of Shibait Urdu from camp Abu Suruj in Sirba locality, West Darfur are suffering under poor humanitarian conditions after fire destroyed their homes, shelter, belongings and stocks of food last week. A displaced woman from Abu Suruj told Radio Dabanga that the eight families representing a total of about 80 individuals returned to Shibait Urdu because of the difficult living conditions at the Abu Suruj camp. The source says that it was their intention to grow some food by working their fields. §
§ Fire destroys more than 250 homes, crops in North Darfur village (Radio Dabanga [Klaimendo Locality], May 31, 2013)
Houses and crops were destroyed when a fire broke out on Wednesday at Um Betein village in Klaimendo locality in North Darfur. A resident of the village told Radio Dabanga on Thursday that the fire erupted at 1:30pm. More than 250 houses were destroyed, and five people were injured. In addition, the fire destroyed large tracts of agricultural crops. The villager explained that the cause of the fire is still unknown, highlighting that the people who lost their homes are now living in the open with neither shelter nor aid. §
Khartoum again re-directs military efforts toward civilians
For more than a year, attacks on the camps and civilians have increased in scale and ferocity. To be sure, such attacks have a long history: Aro Sharow and Tawilla camps in West and North Darfur were the scenes of large-scale atrocity crimes in September 2005, and was reported as such by what was then the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS):
§ “On 28 September 2005, just four days ago, some reportedly 400 Janjaweed Arab militia on camels and horseback went on the rampage in Aru Sharo, Acho and Gozmena villages in West Darfur. Our reports also indicate that the day previous, and indeed on the actual day of the attack, Government of Sudan helicopter gunships were observed overhead. This apparent coordinated land and air assault gives credence to the repeated claim by the rebel movements of collusion between the Government of Sudan forces and the Janjaweed/Arab militia. This incident, which was confirmed not only by our investigators but also by workers of humanitarian agencies and NGOs in the area, took a heavy toll resulting in 32 people killed, 4 injured and 7 missing, and about 80 houses/shelters looted and set ablaze.”
“The following day, a clearly premeditated and well rehearsed combined operation was carried out by the Government of Sudan military and police at approximately 11am in the town of Tawilla and its IDP camp in North Darfur. The Government of Sudan forces used approximately 41 trucks and 7 land cruisers in the operation which resulted in a number of deaths, massive displacement of civilians and the destruction of several houses in the surrounding areas as well as some tents in the IDP camps. Indeed, the remains of discharged explosive devices were found in the IDP camp. During the attack, thousands from the township and the IDP camp and many humanitarian workers were forced to seek refuge near the AU camp for personal safety and security.”
(From the transcript of statement by Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on Darfur, October 1, 2005 [Khartoum]) §
Attacks on the camps and civilians have again more brazen, more brutal, and involve regular army forces (the SAF) more often. Khartoum continues to make clear that it is deadly serious about dismantling the camps and forcibly returning people to what were formerly their lands, regardless of the security environment. And the regime’s forces have been given complete impunity in killing, pillaging, and assaulting as “necessary” to accomplish their goal:
§ “Clean and crush the whole of East Jebel Marra” (Radio Dabanga, November 30, 2012)
Several sources stressed to Radio Dabanga that while beating them, militiamen were screaming that they are following official instructions to [NB] “clean and crush the whole of East Jebel Marra.” Besides, the militiamen were instructed to “clear the roads between El-Fasher and Nyala,” according to testimonies. Witnesses affirmed the instructions came from the Minister of Defense Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein and Sudan’s first Vice-President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha. The federal authorities, sources recounted, reportedly ordered the militias to “clean up the area within three months and report back to them once the job is done.” In addition, the armed groups brought very sophisticated weapons from Kutum, which were used during the looting “to make the locals poor” according to their systematic policy, sources said. §
There can be little doubt about the genocidal implications of such orders. Much of what we have seen in these months of terrible displacement and destruction is a direct result of these orders from senior officials within the NIF/NCP regime. The direct assault on civilians by regular army forces is explained in another Radio Dabanga dispatch. Failing to defeat the rebel forces, which as the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) have defeated Khartoum’s regular and militia forces on a regular basis, the regime has turned again directly to civilian destruction:
§ “Sudan forces now targeting civilians” camp leader says (Radio Dabanga [Nyala] May 9, 2013)
Approximately 1,321 families from villages in South Darfur have arrived at camp Attash [also Otash] in Nyala over the past two weeks. A sheikh has noted that people are fleeing their homes “because government forces now avoid attacking rebel formations and instead turn their weapons and aircraft on civilians.” Sheikh Abdel Karim Abakar told Radio Dabanga on Thursday that the displaced come from the villages of Umm Daraba, Umm Gunja and Abu Jabra. He stressed they are all experiencing terrible humanitarian conditions. Al Taher is concerned about the spread of diseases in the camp due to the lack of sanitation facilities for the large number of people already living at the site as well as the many new arrivals. §
§ Abu Tira members loot Zam Zam camp; Raid into the southern district (Radio Dabanga [el-Fasher], August 24, 2012)
A group of Central Reserve Force men, also known as Abu Tira, looted residents in the southern district of Zam Zam camp after breaking in on Wednesday. They stole 22 mobile phones from Abdo Sharif’s shop, 800 pounds (300USD) from a merchant Abdullah Canoon, and five sheep from a civilian named Abkar Abdullah. Witnesses furthermore told Radio Dabanga that a number of other shops had been destroyed and looted by the gunmen before they opened fire in the Bgadroa district, where the majority of the neighborhood’s Arab citizens live. According to witnesses, UNAMID forces were stationed 500 metres from the site of the incident but did not react on the inhabitants’ distress. §
§ Sudan army raiding markets in North Darfur (Radio Dabanga [el-Fasher], June 26, 2012)
The Sudanese Army, led by Colonel Ammar, and pro-government militias raided the Garwid Barsham-market on Sunday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that they entered the market in the Dar El Salaam area in North Darfur with seven (7) Land Cruisers and started looting the place. The Sudanese Army, led by Colonel Ammar, and pro-government militias raided the Garwid Barsham-market on Sunday. §
§ Unrest at Hamadiya camp continues with 9 separate incidents of looting reported (Radio Dabanga [Zalingei], July 13, 2012)
Tensions between displaced people from the Hamadiya camp and Border Guards rose with nine separate incidents of looting were reported and one kidnapping. Mustafa Mohamed Isa was kidnapped on Thursday while heading to the forest to gather firewood and food. The government paramilitary Border Guards took nine hostages after raiding the IDP camp on Tuesday. The group threatened to kill the hostages and attack the camp for a second time if a ransom of 900 million Sudanese pounds was not paid within 24 hours. §
§ Militia burn down village, residents flee (Radio Dabanga [Sag Al Nagam], March 29, 2013)
Abu Bakr Jazin Hamid was shot dead on Wednesday when militants stormed Sharif village near Sag Al Nagam in North Darfur. Pro-government militia riding in three cars attacked razing the village to the ground. Hamid was killed as residents fled in all directions, said a relative of Hamid. §
§ “Repeated militia attacks” on Gereida camps, South Darfur (Radio Dabanga [Gereida], June 2, 2013)
Pro-government militia attacks are increasing the suffering for the displaced of the Gereida camps in South Darfur, who complain that their livestock and belongings are frequently stolen during raids by armed militiamen. Speaking from the camp, a resident told Radio Dabanga on Friday that the displaced feel constantly unsafe inside the camp, not to mention outside the camp. On Friday, a group of militiamen threatened a herdsman and stole 30 cows near camp Foreeka. On Thursday, another group of militiamen on camels and horses entered Umm Asal camp and stole a horse and a donkey belonging to Imair Aldaif and Mohamed Abdullah Arifi under threat of arms.
§ Sudanese army shoots inside Hamidiya (Radio Dabanga [Zalingei], October 2, 2012)
A Sudanese army patrol heavily fired shots inside Hamidiya camp in Zalingei, [formerly West] Darfur, just past midnight on Tuesday, 2 October. There are no reports of casualties at the moment. A Zalingei camps coordinator told Radio Dabanga that a Sudanese army convoy stormed the camp and fired in the air for about 45 minutes. §
§ Assaults continue in North Darfur camps; Residents panic as government helicopter swoops down on Zam Zam (Radio Dabanga [el-Fasher], August 11, 2012)
A number of refugees in North Darfur’s Zam Zam camp have been injured as a result of a government operation on Wednesday. Refugees from the camp were put in a state of panic when three (3) government helicopters swooped down and flew at a low altitude over the camp. Inhabitants of the camp said that Central Reserve Forces (also referred to as Abu Tira) opened fire indiscriminately on the same day adding to panic and fear among residents. §
§ Zam Zam Camp terrorized by Central Reserve Police (Radio Dabanga [el-Fasher], August 1, 2012)
Saturday night, soldiers from the Central Reserve Police Abu Tira discharged their weapons again and again in the air, in Zam Zam Camp for displaced people, near el-Fasher, North Darfur. This caused great fear among the displaced people, and they complained about it to UNAMID. §
§ Sheikh shot dead in Hamidiya; coordinator of Zalingei camps accuses government forces of carrying out the killing (Radio Dabanga [Zalingei], August 21, 2012)
A sheikh in Hamidiya refugee camp in Zalingei, West Darfur was allegedly shot dead on Saturday by gunmen loyal to the Sudanese government. Witnesses said that the perpetrators shot Sheikh Abbas Juma Barak twice in the chest by a creek between Zalingei town and Hamidiya refugee camp. The incident took place when Sheikh Abbas was on his way home in the camp after his evening prayers in Zalingei. The coordinator of the Zalingei camps told Radio Dabanga that camp leaders had informed the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) of the incident. “The government coordinated the killing of Sheikh Abbas. He is a member of the committee of food distribution of the camp,” the camp coordinator told Radio Dabanga. §
§ Civilian shot dead in Saraf Omra (Radio Dabanga [Saraf Omra], August 24, 2012)
A civilian was shot dead by a member of the local militia in Saraf Omra, North Darfur on Tuesday. A relative of the deceased, Abdul Aziz Abkar Abdullah, told Radio Dabanga that the incident had happened when Abdul Aziz was headed back to his village after shopping in the city with other villagers. As they wanted to cross the city’s checkpoint, located on the outskirts, the militia guarding it asked the group to pay two pounds per person to be granted access out of Saraf Omra. Abdul Aziz refused and was shot twice; one bullet hit his head, the other one his chest, which led to his immediate death. §
§ 5,000 South Sudanese forced out of Darfuri camp (Radio Dabanga [Sharef, South Darfur], April 16, 2013)
South Sudanese citizens living in a camp in the Sharef area of [formerly South] Darfur had their homes burned down and destroyed on Monday by a group of militia. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga their camp was completely looted yesterday including the clothes they were wearing. They said militants came back and indiscriminately burned down their homes forcing traumatised camp residents out into the surrounding areas. §
The engine of human displacement continues to race in Darfur, and the vast and rapidly growing population far outstrips the capacity of relief organizations, which is in fact contracting as security deteriorates even further. And as in the early days of the Darfur genocide, displacement and morality will remain grimly correlated. The rainy season is about to begin; human needs could not be greater; and yet there is no leadership in the UN or UNAMID. Rather we have seen a disastrous parade of prevaricating Joint AU/UN Special Representatives: Rodolphe Adada, Ibrahim Gambari, and presently Aichatu Mindaoudou. These weak leaders—instead of challenging Khartoum—make every effort to provide a narrative of events in Darfur that will not offend the regime. This extends to:
• Silence on the barring from Darfur of the UN expert on human rights in Sudan, as well as a critical UN assessment mission to the ravaged Kassab IDP camp in North Darfur:
§ UN human rights expert denied travel to Darfur (Radio Dabanga [Khartoum], June 15, 2012)
The newly appointed UN expert on human rights in Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin said on Thursday that the Sudanese government refused to give him a travel permit to travel to Darfur, during his five day Sudan tour, despite his requests to visit. At a press conference in Khartoum Baderin said, ‘we requested that we wanted to visit Khartoum and Darfur, but the time limit I was informed was short to make the arrangements. §
§ UN denied access to Kassab camp (Radio Dabanga [Kassab Camp], November 20, 2012)
Sources from North Darfur announced that Sudanese authorities denied UN Special Rapporteur Chaloka Beyani access to Kassab camp, in Kutum locality, on Saturday, 17 November, they told Radio Dabanga. Beyani, who is currently in Sudan, was scheduled to visit various sites of displacement and return, and meet with displaced persons, local authorities and affected communities. Leaders and sheikhs from Kassab had reportedly prepared a reception to welcome the rapporteur to the camp, but were ‘surprised’ when UNAMID informed them that Sudanese authorities did not grant Beyani permission to visit the camp and assess the local conditions. §
• Acquiescence before Khartoum’s refusal to end the total impunity enjoyed by its various regular and proxy forces in Darfur:
§ Fourth special prosecutor for Darfur resigns (Radio Dabanga [Khartoum], June 13, 2012)
The Special Prosecutor of Darfur Crimes, Ahmed Abdel Mutalib, announced on Tuesday that he has resigned, but refused to give reasons for this decision, six months after he was appointed. Mutalib was the fourth person to be appointed to this position by the attorney general. Sources said the former three prosecutors including Abdel Daim Zumrawi and Nimir Ibrahim Mohamed found the task almost impossible as senior officials may have been implicated and subsequently tried in court. §
• Refusing to ensure access for critically needed humanitarian organizations in the face of Khartoum’s arbitrary suspension of work permits:
§ Radio Dabanga [el-Geneina], January 23, 2013
As of 1 January 2013, the government of Sudan halted the work of 50 percent of the NGOs working in El-Geneina camps, West Darfur’s capital, several sources told Radio Dabanga on Wednesday. Five out of the 10 foreign organizations were informed by the government in mid-2012 that they could no longer exercise their activities at the camps [beyond the end of the year], sheikhs from 10 different sites affirmed. They emphasized the organizations were not expelled from Sudan. Instead, [the sheikhs] continued, organizations were ordered to stay in El-Geneina, hand over their resources to camps’ residents and focus their programs on voluntary return villages. §
NB: Khartoum has proved relentless in its efforts to compel humanitarian relief organizations into the role of “development” organizations, tasked primarily with compelling the return of IDPs and shutting down IPD camps.
• The JSRs have consistently indulged in specious and meaningless promises of “increased security,” most recently and vaguely, Mindaoudou:
§ “New strategy for protection of civilians” (Radio Dabanga [el-Fasher], November 29, 2012)
Aichatou Mindaoudou, Acting Joint Special Representative of UNAMID, announced that the Mission is in the process of developing a new strategy to protect civilians in the regions. The process is based on cooperation with various parties in order to access some of the targeted areas and remedy the escalating violence, Radio Dabanga learned on Wednesday November 28. According to Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the Mission’s acting chief stated during a meeting in El-Fasher on Wednesday with the governor of North Darfur, Osman Kiber that the new strategy will be presented to the Government of Sudan in the upcoming days, via UNAMID’s head of the North Darfur sector. §
Six months later, security continues to deteriorate, more than 300,000 civilians have been newly displaced, and there is not a single indicator suggesting that the “new strategy” Mindaoudou announced has made any difference to conditions on the ground in Darfur.
As noted above, Ms. Mindaoudou has joined her JSR predecessors in offering a grossly distorted characterization of Darfur, declaring last month that “the numbers of people affected by violence had decreased each year between 2008 and 2011.” Of course UNAMID deployed officially on January 1, 2008, hence its use as a terminus a quo by Mindaoudou. But her outrageous mendacity does nothing to change the facts on the ground, specifically the realities of vast human displacement in Darfur during the years referred to and those subsequent. These cannot be wished away by expedient politicians.
What we are seeing—and what we have seen in previous UNAMID leaders—is not only a gross and continuing distortion of the realities that Darfuris confront every day, but an easy way for the international community to pretend that the notion of a “responsibility to protect” can somehow survive the failure of UNAMID and more than ten years of genocidal violence in Darfur. It cannot.