Written by: Akoya hussen
11 May 2021
The entire World may never know but the Darfur conflict war that broke out in 2003 has so far left over 300,000 people dead.
According to the United Nations statistics, the conflict not only killed those many people, but it caused the displacement of over 2.5 million people from their villages.
It also led to the spread of the recent tribal conflicts, in the state of West Darfur (El Geneina) and other areas in Darfur, and the aftermath caused the deaths of thousands of people where many were injured, and some without limbs and resulting to a further new displacement.
It is a known fact that the conflict began when a group of people from the region took up arms against the government of ousted Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir under the pretext of marginalizing the Darfur region politically
and economically. Al-Bashir’s government launched armed militias, most of whom were Arabs, known as the Janjaweed. Several human rights organizations accused them of committing severe ethnic cleansing and rape.
The Sudanese people overthrew Al-Bashir in April 2019 after months of protests against him, and a political agreement was signed to share power between the military and civilians, and a transitional government was formed for a period of three years.
In October, the transitional government signed a partial peace agreement in Juba, the capital of the Republic of South Sudan, with rebel groups, including those fighting in Darfur. The Sudan Liberation Movement / Army, led by Abd al-Wahid Muhammad Ahmad al-Nur, which is supported by the Sudanese people and camp residents, was not a participant in this agreement yet.
The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur was established on 31 July 2007 based on Security Council Resolution 1769 (2007). On July 31, 2007, a mixed force was formed between the African Union and the United Nations, whose main mission is to protect civilians, and it has also been tasked with contributing humanitarian aid to those affected. It was also mandated to Monitor and confirm the implementation of agreements, assist the political process, contribute to strengthening human rights and the rule of law, and report on the situation in the Darfur region.
December 31, 2020, it was a very unfortunate decision for the citizens of the Darfur region to officially suspend the mission of “UNAMID”, after more than 13 years of its establishment, against the background of an armed conflict between government forces and armed movements that began in 2003.
Accordingly, the citizens who were displaced due to the war from their homes rejected the exit of the UNAMID mission and organized protests to demand their continued mission in the territory of the Darfur region, for fear of repeated violations and crimes against the people of the Darfur region. Yes, according to the resolution, UNAMID left the Darfur region. The Darfur region continues to witness so far clashes and wars against humanity, and repeated rape and armed robbery by the (Janjawid) and some members of the Rapid Support Forces.
The biggest problem currently in the Darfur region is the fear of displaced citizens, in the refugee camps, after the exit of UNAMID’s mission which has left “a big problem for the people of Darfur, because it has left them to face great danger and more violence.”
The Darfur region still remains volatile where most serious crimes against humanity are being practiced day after day and as we continue to report here. On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, an executive director in West Jebel Marra locality (Nertiti), coming from the city of Zalingei, was shot by armed Janjaweed, and the executive director (Mubarak Yaqoub Saleh) was martyred. On the same day and even up today citizens coming from the city of (Voranga) are attacked, and innocent citizens continue to be killed, after looting their properties.
Indeed, now Darfur has not been spared from all inhuman practices by the carriers of indiscriminate and disorganized weapons that have been armed by the Bashir government and some army leaders such as: (Burhan and Hemedti), the criminal Rapid Support Forces base.
We once again appeal to the African Union and the United Nations not to allow this injustice to continue or less appear to be contributing to the recurrence of crimes against humanity, atrocities and violations against the people of the Darfur region.
The whole world should come to the rescue of the people in Darfur region as Sudan is now so far in the hands of war criminals. All those wanted for justice like Al-Burhan and Hemedti including others must be apprehended without further delay and tried at the Hague for crimes against humanity.
It’s the fiercest urgency of now as Martin Luther put it, so that the conflict in Darfur region can be addressed without any further delay.
A picture of the executive director of West Jebel Marra (Nertiti) locality Mubarak Yaqoub Saleh, who was killed by the Janjaweed Tuesday May 11, 2021
