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The Darfur Monitor December 5-11, 2010
Weekly Darfur Summary Report
Security Situation
General
South alleges new series of attacks by northern amry on Bahr El Ghazal, north
denies
· December 7: (Sudan Tribune) The Southern Sudan government accused today the northern
Sudanese army of bombing positions in the greater Bahr el-Ghazal province while the latter
denied the allegations. An administrative headquarters of Aweil west county, Isaac Lual Chol,
county commissioner of the area, confirmed the attack. He further said voter registration in
areas along the north-South borders have been interrupted by the aerial bombardments. The
Sudanese army spokesperson Al-Sawarmi Khaled dismissed today the accusations but
reaffirmed it will continue to hit Darfur rebel groups without violating the southern Sudan
border.
Soldier killed
· December 7: (Radio Dabanga) Two gunmen assassinated a Sudanese soldier in Ed Daein in
South Darfur.
Three Latvian aircrew freed
· December 8: (BBC World News, Radio Dabanga, Sudan Tribune, UN News) The three
Latvian men working as helicopter aircrew for the United Nations World Food Programme’s
humanitarian air service in Darfur have been freed after more than a month in captivity. The
three men – Captain Artjoms Nalbandjans, co-pilot Janis Gindra and mechanic Kaspars
Reihlers – were seized by gunmen in the South Darfur capital of Nyala on 4 November while
carrying out vital humanitarian work for the UN in Sudan. “Throughout their detention, WFP
was assured that they were safe and well. WFP worked closely with the Government of Sudan
at all levels for the safe release of the three men,” stated the agency. The circumstances of
their release are still unknown, a WFP spokeswoman in Sudan said. She added that no
ransom had been paid for the three men, who were helicopter crewmen contracted to the
WFP. Their abduction was the latest in a series of kidnappings of foreign aid workers in Darfur
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in recent months. Sudanese intelligence and security forces secured the release of the men
from an armed group, South Darfur governor Abdel Hamid Kasha said. He added that the men
were in good health but did not identify the armed group responsible for the kidnapping.
High number of rape cases
· December 11: (Radio Dabanga) Six women from Zamzam displaced camp were raped by
government soldiers during the last week. The perpetrators were guards of ‘city gate’ south of
Zamzam. Witnesses said that the last rape cases occurred four days ago, when three girls
under the age of 18 were raped by those guards. One of the victims was a 12-year old girl
whom six soldiers took turns in raping. Witnesses said the families of the rape victims were
unable to get treatment for them at the hospital in El Fasher, preferring instead that they heal
at home. They explained that the process to get approval for treatment is too difficult.
According to sources in the region, getting approval for treatment requires first opening a
police case. Families of victims fear that police would intimidate and terrorize anyone trying to
open a case, because police investigators would want to protect their counterparts in the
regular forces who are usually the perpetrators of such crimes. International organizations
have come up with figures of roughly 20 rape cases per week in Darfur. Impunity for the crime
has continued throughout the seven-year conflict.
Main level: Government vs. Rebels
Security forces raid TDRA and SLM office
· December 5: (Radio Dabanga) A joint force of heavily armed Central Reserve Police and
National Security officers raided the offices of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority
(TDRA) and the Darfur Reconstruction Fund in the Al Azma district of El Fasher. The TDRA
was established under the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in 2006 as principal instrument for
the implementation of that agreement and as a means of enhancing coordination and
cooperation among the three Darfur states. The security forces arrested everyone present in
the headquarters and seized computers and a generator, as well as two cars belonging to the
Authority. The Transitional Darfur Regional Authority was formed in accordance with the 2006
Darfur Peace Agreement. Until earlier this year, it was headed by Minni Minawi. A witness
said the security forces began a hunt for members of the Minawi movement to arrest them.
Yesterday Ahmed Yagub, director of the Office of Compensation, was reported among those
arrested. The raid coincides with growing hostility between the government and its erstwhile
peace partner, SLM-Minawi. Pro-government newspapers last week alleged that his forces
had begun moving southward from Darfur toward the South Sudan border, a move that the
army considered hostile. A source said the security forces have occupied the headquarters of
the Minawi movement in El Fasher and set up a security cordon around it. Some of Minawi’s
forces have taken up defensive positions around Zamzam Camp on the outskirts of El Fasher,
another witness said. Two days ago, President Bashir issued a decision appointing Gaafar
Abdalhakim to lead the Transitional Darfur Authority. The decision also made the commissions
of the Transitional Authority dependent on the states governments of Darfur.
· December 6: (Radio Dabanga) Security authorities yesterday morning arrested about 18
people in El Fasher who were working in the offices of the ex-rebel governance body known
as the ‘Transitional Authority.’ They also stormed the headquarters of the Minawi faction of the
Sudan Liberation Movement in Nyala, where they arrested five people who were in the
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building. Moreover, according to the spokesman of the Minawi faction, large numbers of police
forces with heavy weapons were recently deployed near the main headquarters of the
movement in Omdurman. Minawi, who was senior presidential advisor after he signed a peace
deal with the government in May 2006, had been given special resources including access to
the presidential motor pool. Yesterday the security authorities in Khartoum seized all cars of
the Republican Palace that Minawi and his followers had used.
Minawi removed from position as head of TDRA
· December 5: (Sudan Tribune) Sudanese President Al-Bashir has reportedly removed the
head of Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) Minni Arcua Minnawi from his position as head of the
TDRA only few days after the Sudanese army said that it considers his forces a military target.
The Sudanese Media Center believed to be run by the intelligence services reported that
Minnawi was replaced by West Darfur governor Al-Shertai Ga’far Abdel-Hakam upon a decree
from Bashir.
Army clashes with Minnawi troops
· December 9: (Sudan Tribune) The Sudanese army clashed yesterday with troops loyal to the
former Darfur rebel leader Minni Minnawi heading to southern Sudan, Sudan’s military
spokesperson stated. Al-Sawarmi Khaled, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) spokesperson accused
Minnawi of moving his troops to southern Sudan in order to prepare for war, declaring the
troops a target for the Sudanese army. “We are searching for them and will engage them,” he
said.
Army attacks SLA Minawi in Khor Abeche
· December 10: (Arab News, Reuters, UNAMID, UN News) The village of Khor Abeche, South
Darfur, located 80km northeast of Nyala was attacked by government forces hunting for the
SLM. The incident took place at approximately 10:30hrs on 10 December, reportedly by
Sudanese Armed Forces against elements of the Sudan Liberation Army faction of Minni
Minawi. According to initial reports, as many as 500 civilians fled to UNAMID’s nearby camp
for protection. However, the number has now been revised to between 200 to 250 individuals.
UNAMID is investigating the incident and continues to provide security for civilians in the area.
The Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari expressed his concern about the attack
and called on all parties to refrain from hostilities and respect their obligations under
international humanitarian law to safe guard innocent civilians.
· December 11: (Arab News, Reuters, Sudan Tribune, UNAMID, UN News) Anothre ground
attack was carried out today at approximately 11:00hrs by Sudanese Armed Forces on Khor
Abeche. The incident marked the second of its kind in the locality, known to host supporters of
the armed movement, against elements of the Sudan Liberation Army faction of Minni Minawi
in the past 24 hours. The attack resulted in five confirmed injured civilians and several burning
houses. UNAMID’s team site dispatched fire trucks to put out the fires, provided medical care
to the casualties, and is patrolling the village. The injured are currently treated at UNAMID’s
level I clinic in Khor Abeche. As many as three of the wounded are listed to be in critical
condition and will be evacuated to better medical facilities. UNAMID Joint Special
Representative Ibrahim Gamabari reproached the government at the highest level for the
attacks on the village to cease.
(Radio Dabanga) Minni Arkuo Minawi said government forces attacked Khor Abeche, burning
down houses, pillaging and killing, and raping a woman and ransacking the property of
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citizens and their livestock in Shearia area, which he said was a headquarters for government
militia.
Although the Sudanese army has not confirmed the latest attacks, Army Spokesman Al
Sawarmi Khaled said last Thursday that the army had attacked the ex-rebel group. He
accused them of joining the rebel forces. He also said it was clear that the Minawi forces were
heading south to the autonomous South Sudan. When asked about this, however, Minawi
denied that any clashes occurred in Darfur on Wednesday. Minawi had been a nominal
government ally since signing the Darfur Peace Agreement in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2006. He
became senior assistant to the President of the Republic, a position he held until this year. He
also headed the Transitional Regional Authority, a governance body for Darfur staffed by exrebels.
Tribal level
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Banditry
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Peace & Justice
Pre Trail Chamber I of the ICC will confirm charges against Jerbo and Banda on
Wednesday
· December 5: (Radio Dabanga) The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court will
hold a public meeting on Wednesday to confirm the charges against Abdallah Banda and
Saleh Jerbo. According to a statement issued by the court, the session will be held in the
absence of the suspects, who waived their right to attend the confirmation hearing. On 17
June, the suspects had appeared voluntarily before the Court. The two Darfuri rebels face
charges of war crimes, suspected of having led a deadly attack against the Haskanita base of
African Union peacekeepers in September 2007 by about 1000 attackers consisting of two
allied forces, one allegedly led by Banda and Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, and the other under the
command of Jerbo.
JEM says peace deal signed without it will not lead to peace
· December 6: (Radio Dabanga) The Justice and Equality Movement downplayed the
significance of the peace deal that rival LJM could sign this month with the Sudanese
government. The movement’s spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam said any agreement
reached without JEM as a party will lead to failure and will not achieve peace
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Women take part in conflict resolution, peace building exercise
· December 6: UNAMID Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) in collaboration with
Nyala University’s Peace Studies Center today began a two-day training on conflict resolution
and peace building. The event, which brought together over 36 participants comprising
Hakamas (traditional female singers) and Murshidad Al Khalwai (women leaders at religious
centers), is aimed at providing the women with basic negotiation skills in order to fast-track the
Darfur peace process. The Deputy Chair of DDDC, Mr. Abdi Yunis, applauded the partnership
and cooperation between the DDDC and the Peace Center which he said has produced
significant results in the search for durable peace in Darfur stressing that “Hakamas and
Murshidad are very influential in Darfur society and I hope that women will be the pioneers of
peace.’’ In her speech, the Director of the Peace and Development Centre, Dr. Nagla
Mohamed Al Bashir, stated that the Center’s strategic objective is to re-activate the role of
women as an integral part of the peace process in Darfur.
Mediation team holds international meeting on Darfur peace agreement
· December 6: (Sudan Tribune) The mediation held today a Technical Workshop on Darfur
attended by Sudan’s envoys from the African Union, Arab League, OIC, EU, UN and other
international partners including Austria, France, Germany, Japan, and Netherlands. The
meeting is part of a series of consultations conducted by the mediation before the proposal of
a final peace agreement to be signed by the Sudanese government and the rebel Liberation
and Justice Movement (LJM) on December 19. Tadjadine Bechir Niam, LJM top negotiator,
said his group is committed to meet the deadline set by the mediation for the signing of the
peace agreement but stressed they will not sign this deal if Khartoum does not accept the
establishment of one administrative authority for all Darfur.
IDP community calls on rebels to unite
· December 7: (Sudan Tribune) Darfur internally displaced persons (IDPs) urged rebel groups
to reunite and coordinate positions before launching any peace talks with the Sudanese
government. The two main rebel groups in the restive region of Darfur have said they are
considering ways to resume or to start talks with Sudanese government in Doha, the official
venue for the peace process. A delegation from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is
still discussing with the mediators on the resumption of the peace talks. Abdel Wahid Al-Nur,
leader of a Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction, concluded a series of meetings with his
group and is expected to organize a meeting in Paris to define the positions of the SLM for
peace talks with Khartoum. Hussein Abu Sharati the official spokesperson of Darfur IDPs
independent body called on all rebel groups to unite under one leadership and to determine
one stance to adopt a joint negotiating position including the basic demands of the people of
Darfur. Abu Sharti further said the IDPs and refugees have to be part in the peace process on
all the issues of concern. He condemned the voluntary return operations organized by the
state governments in Darfur saying “we are witnessing actually forced return.”
ICC chief prosecutor will brief UNSC, confirmation hearing against Banda and Jerbo
commenced
· December 8: (Sudan Tribune) The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC)
will decide next year whether there are new cases that warrant investigations in Darfur. Chief
prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo will brief the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday
about the progress of his Darfur investigations. He said he will tell the council that crimes and
genocide continue to be committed in Darfur. Yesterday, the ICC judges commenced the
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confirmation of charges hearings against two rebel leaders accused of carrying out an attack
against African Union troops in 2007. The attack killed twelve soldiers and severely injured
eight others. It was the deadliest single attack on the peacekeepers since the beginning of
their mission in late 2004.
ICC chief prosecutor briefs UN Security Council on Bashir case
· December 9: (Al Arabiya, UN News) Genocide is still continuing in Darfur and Sudanese
President Omar al-Bashir, already indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), is
undertaking “enormous efforts” to cover up the crimes and manipulate the world community,
the Court’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo told the Security Council. He noted that in just
the last six months, hundreds of civilians in the Darfur region were killed and hundreds of
thousands forcibly displaced, while more than 2 million people suffer a subtle form of genocide
– genocide by rape and fear. The ICC in July issued a second arrest warrant for Mr. al-Bashir,
adding genocide to the list of charges for crimes he has allegedly committed in war-ravaged
Darfur. In March 2009, he became the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the Court,
which charged him with two counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity.
“President al-Bashir, in accordance with the chamber’s findings, issued the criminal orders to
attack civilians and destroy their communities. Logically, President al-Bashir does not want to
investigate those who are following his orders. President al-Bashir is using his promises of
justice to manipulate the international community and cover up the crimes,” Ocampo said.
Speaking to reporters following his briefing to the Council, Mr. Moreno-Ocampo called rape
and fear the “silent weapons” of genocide that slip below the radar of peacekeeping forces in
the region, which has been plagued by atrocities since war erupted in 2003 between the
Government, supported by the Janjaweed militia, and rebels seeking greater autonomy.
ICC prosecutor notifies court of Bashir’s possible visit to Zambia and Senegal
· December 10: (Sudan Tribune) The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis
Moreno-Ocampo officially notified the Pre-Trial Chamber I that the Sudanese president Omer
Hassan Al-Bashir may attempt to travel to Zambia and Senegal, both member states of the
ICC. Last Sunday, the Sudan official news agency (SUNA) reported that Bashir received an
invitation from his Zambian counterpart Rupiah Banda to participate in the Special Summit of
the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGR) which is scheduled to take
place in Lusaka on December 15. Senegal has invited Bashir last August for the 3rd festival of
Negro Arts that will take place in Dakar starting this Friday. Sudan has said at the time it will
participate but did not specify at what level.
IDPs opposed to peace agreement between LJM and government
· December 10: (Sudan Tribune) Darfur Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) expressed their
opposition to the signing of a peace agreement between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and
the rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) saying it would undermine their demand for
a just peace in Darfur. In statements from Kalma camp in South Darfur, IDP spokesperson
Hussein Abu Sharati said the signing of the GoS-LJM deal is another attempt to “undermine
our demands for justice and security”. He further highlighted that they informed the Joint Chief
Mediator about their demands, reiterating their support to the rebel leader Al-Nur “who
embodied our will on how to bring sustainable and dignified peace in Darfur”.
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Tabara investigations fruitless, citizens call for justice
· December 11: (Radio Dabanga) The investigation of the Tabara Massacre failed to result in
any prosecutions so far. Families of the victims of the massacre accused the Sudanese
government and particularly the Ministry of Justice of dragging their feet. The massacre was
carried out 2 September 2010 by armed men wearing military uniform mounted on camels.
They brutally murdered about 64 people in the village market, targeting mainly men. After the
attack, the Justice Minister promised to investigate and bring the perpetrators to trial. The
grieving families called for an intervention by the UN Security Council and the International
Criminal Court to investigate the massacre and bring the perpetrators to trial.
ICC battling with Bashir
· December 11: (Al Arabiya) The International Criminal Court will face a new battle of wills next
week with Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir as its top prosecutor says the wanted leader is
increasingly encircled. Bashir, who faces ICC warrants for genocide, war crimes and crimes
against humanity in Darfur, has been invited to a summit in Zambia on Wednesday and to
attend a festival in Senegal later this month. ICC statutes dictate that any member country
should arrest him if he visits. Bashir is defiant, however, the African Union supports him, and
this year he has been to Kenya and Chad, both signatory countries which refused to detain
him. “President Bashir will continue to travel, nobody will be able to restrict him,” Sudan’s U.N.
ambassador Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman said. Following ICC complaints and some
international pressure, some diplomatic doors have closed, however. “He is not under house
arrest, he is under country arrest,” ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said as court
signatory countries met at the United Nations. Ocampo has asked the ICC to inquire about
reports that Bashir could attend summit of Great Lakes Region leaders in the Zambian capital
on Wednesday, diplomats said.”Zambia invited him but it is not saying clearly what it will do if
he goes. This will be a test of the new trend against Bashir,” said one Security Council
diplomat. Human rights groups in Zambia have criticized the government for making the
invitation. Zambia is an ICC member, as is Senegal, where rights groups have also opposed a
government invitation to Bashir to attend an arts festival.
Humanitarian Situation
Flu endemic in Chadian refugee camp
· December 7: (Radio Dabanga) Flu is now endemic to Djabal Camp for Sudanese refugees in
eastern Chad, a doctor stated. He said that since last week the health center at the camp
received visits from between 30 to 40 children who were ill. He attributed the outbreak of the
disease to a sudden drop in temperatures.
IDPs mark Human Rights Day with a pledge for security and freedom
· December 10: (Radio Dabanga) Displaced persons in Darfur, on the occasion of International
Day for Human Rights, asked for justice and security, protection, freedoms and
comprehensive peace in Darfur. The displaced people described the conditions of people in
the camps as human rights violations.
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Development
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Repression by the Government
Group of lawyers and political leaders asks for immediate release of detained Darfuri
activists
· December 6: (Radio Dabanga) A group of lawyers and political leaders asked the authorities
to release activists from Darfur that were arrested in late October or to present them to a fair
trial. Among the most prominent detainees are the lawyer Abdelrahman Al Gasim, a member
of Darfur lawyers association, and Abdelrahman Adam Abdelrahman, an editor for Radio
Dabanga, as well as Jaafar Sabki, editor of Al Sahafa, among others. The leader of the
national consensus forces, Farouk Abu Eissa, spoke at an event on behalf of the detainees,
describing their detention in prisons as an immoral act. Abu Issa said that the government
refuses to allow the detainees access to lawyers. He demanded the disclosure of the
whereabouts of the detainees and their immediate release. The event was organized by the
Darfur Bar Association. The defense lawyer for the Darfuri prisoners, Mustafa Abdelgader,
pleaded for the release of all detainees or for a fair trial by a judge. He stressed that the issue
is of concern to all Sudanese, not only for the people of Darfur. Mustafa Abdelgader also
disclosed that more than 30 lawyers have volunteered to defend the detainees.
Seminar regarding the arrest of 14 Darfuri activists held in Umma Party
headquartersin Khartoum
· December 8: (Radio Dabanga) Umma Party politicians, lawyers and civil society groups held a
seminar on Wednesday evening in solidarity with the detained Darfuri journalists and activists.
The event held at the headquarters of the Umma Party was attended by a large number
human rights activists and public figures. Speakers at the event criticized the arrests as ‘racist’
and ‘illegal’. Mustafa Abdelgader, chief defense counsel for the Darfuri citizens who have been
detained since the end of last October, said his lawyers committee so far has not been
allowed to speak with the detainees or to identify their places of detention. Members of the
audience declared their solidarity with the Darfuri detainees and called for their immediate
release without conditions. According to Abdelgader, the state security prosecutor notified
some members of the defense team orally and informally that cases have been opened
against the detainees. Abdelgader said that the measures taken against the detainees have
been in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure. He called on the people of Sudan to
advocate for the detainees. Speaking on behalf of the Imam Sadiq Al Mahdi, leader of the
Umma Party, and Mohammed Mehdi Hassan, head of the Political Bureau of the Umma Party,
reiterated the position of the Umma Party in favor of the detainees and the need to release
them or preset them to a fair trial.
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Sudan justice minister orders investigation of Zalingei killings
· December 8: (Radio Dabanga) Minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara Dosa ordered an
investigation of the killings at the recent demonstrations in Zalingei. He issued a decision to
form a committee to investigate the shooting citizens at the University of Zalingei last week
during the visit of a delegation of the joint AU-UN mediation team. Commenting on the
decision, one of the student leaders said the commission of inquiry should not be run by the
government, but called for an impartial international one. The student leader further said
security authorities began chasing students, evicting them from university housing and
indicting them, and closed down the university. He expressed his belief that these measures
were intended to prevent the Commission of Inquiry’s access to witnesses.
South Darfur assembly demands more funds from Khartoum
· December 9: (Radio Dabanga) The State Legislature of South Darfur yesterday suspended its
second session in protest of lack of funding from the central government. Some legislators are
opposed to the decision by a fiscal allocation and monitoring commission from Khartoum to
reduce the state budget. The state budget committee reported that it is entitled to 19 million
per month, but instead was given 5.65 million per month, which created a fiscal deficit in the
state. The commission also refused to adopt a report by the state committee of experts on
allocation of revenues. In a strongly worded statement, the legislative council voiced anger
and resentment at the central government over its policies toward the state. The legislature
has formed a delegation to meet top leaders in Khartoum including the Vice President of the
Republic.
Miscellaneous
Zambia invites Bashir to summit
· December 5: (Sudan Tribune) Sudan’s President Al-Bashir had received an invitation from his
Zambian counterpart Rupiah Banda to participate in the Special Summit of the International
Conference on the Great Lake Region which is scheduled to take place in the Zambian capital
of Lusaka on December 15. Zambia, which became a full member of the International Criminal
Court (ICC) in 2002, is legally obligated to execute the arrest warrant against Al-Bashir for
charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide once he sets foot in its
territories. Several African countries justify inviting Bashir by saying that they are committed to
an African Union (AU) decision stating that no country in the continent shall cooperate with
ICC in apprehending Bashir.
Diplomats of UN Security Council countries visit Darfur
· December 7: (UNAMID)UNAMID received at its headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur,
ambassadors and representatives from member states of the current UN Security Council
accredited to the Sudan, for a one-day field visit. After a briefing by UNAMID senior officials,
the envoys travelled with Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari to Shangil Tobaya,
located 65 km south of El Fasher. The itinerary included an overview of the Mission’s activities
in the area and visits to the nearby internally displaced person (IDP) camps of Shaddad and
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New Shangil Tobaya to gain first-hand knowledge of the Mission’s escort and patrolling
responsibilities, community policing program and gender awareness training.
Activities promoting women’s rights in Nyala
· December 9: (UNAMID) UNAMID, in collaboration with the South Darfur Legislature and the
State Committee for Combating Violence Against Women, organized a workshop in Nyala on
Strengthening the Protection of Women through Legislation. The event, organized in the
framework of the 16-Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and in celebration of
Human Rights Day, was attended by 31 parliamentarians of the South Darfur Legislative
Council. The topics of discussion included the role of Islam in fighting violence against women,
women’s rights in national and international laws, forms of violence against women in times of
war, and early marriage. On 8 December, a one-day training was held at Nyala University
aimed at increasing students’ awareness on Gender-Based Violence. The event was
organized by UNAMID in coordination with the University.
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