UN: Intensified fighting in Darfur endangers UNAMID'S work

UN Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous on Wednesday said the recent intensification of the conflict in Darfur, western Sudan, represents security challenges to the joint African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and highlights the need for humanitarian assistance for the civilian population. UNAMID was established by the Security Council in 2007 to protect civilians in Darfur where over 300,000 people were killed since 2003 due to fighting between rebel groups on one side, and Government forces and their allies, mainly Janjaweed militiamen, on the other. Ladsous told the Security Council as it discussed the situation in Darfur that his department is negotiating with troop- and police-contributing countries to ensure that UNAMID uniformed personnel, about 20,000 of them, are "properly equipped, trained and prepared" to operate in the "very challenging security environment." But he assured the Council that "despite the very challenging circumstances, UNAMID remains resolute in its commitment to provide much needed protection to civilians, facilitate the delivery of aid and provide support to the peace process." He also announced that to ensure that the hybrid Mission has the resources, configuration and procedures it needs, the UN has begun a review of UNAMID, in consultation with the AU, the results of which are expected to be released in February. Addressing the Council through video link from Khartoum, Joint Special Representative Mohammed Ibn Chambas, who is also head of UNAMID, said that the situation in Darfur is marked by limited progress in the peace process, a troubling security situation and the continued need for substantial humanitarian assistance, "The security situation in Darfur and threats to UNAMID and humanitarian personnel continue to be a serious concern," he said. He complained that the inter-tribal conflicts continue to plague the region and have led to a large number of civilian casualties, mass displacement and attendant humanitarian tragedy, further complicating the situation. He also complained that denial of access, restriction of movement, as well as bureaucratic impediments remain a challenge that negatively impacts the work of the humanitarian personnel in affected communities. Regarding the peace process, Chambas reported that he remains engaged with the rebel movements that have yet to sign the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) - which forms the basis for a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive peace agreement to end the fighting - in an attempt to find common ground for advancing the peace process. The Sudanese Government and two major rebel groups have committed to the DDPD so far. The Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) signed the document last year and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) signed it in January 2013.