(By Radio Dabanga)
THE HAGUE (8 Feb.) – The rebel leader Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, accused for killing 10 Nigerian peacekeepers in Darfur in 2007, will not be charged anymore by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The court issued a statement saying it declined to confirm the charges against Abu Garda due to a lack of sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that he could be criminally responsible for war crimes. (more...)
KHARTOUM (8 Jan.) – The French International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) worker Laurent Maurice is being freed by his kidnappers after 89 day in captivity. He was kidnapped on 9 November 2009 when he was inspecting the harvest. The kidnappers calling themselves Free Africa Eagles took him first into Chad and later in Darfur. Saleh Aldabakkah, spokesman of the ICRC told Radio Dabanga they are happy with the release of Maurice. He was released without any payment. (more...)
EL GENEINA (8 Jan.) - IDPs in Masteri camp in western El Geneina told Radio Dabanga they will leave for Chad. Since last December the Sudanese Red Cross organizations suspended its food distribution. The Sudanese Red Cross provided the food of the World Food Program (WFP). The organization stopped providing support because of the misuse of quotas. IDPs tried to collect food with fake cards.
JEBEL MARRA (8 Feb.) – A new wave of internal fighting around between the armed movements in Jebel Marra and Jebel Moon caused 10.000 people to flee the areas. 5400 people fled from the Jebel Marra to Nierteti. In the Jebel Moon 4000 people fled the region. UNAMID spokesman Noureddine Mezni told Radio Dabanga UNAMID is worried about the humanitarian and security situations in those two areas. Mezni made an appeal to the warring parties to allow the entry of his mission to the affected areas.
MALIET (8 Feb.) – The villages Katirai and Nuli, North of Maliet were attacked by Chadian forces on Friday. Kulkul chief, Mohamed Abubakar told Radio Dabanga the attackers have raped two girls, looted 15 cattle and took money from residents in the villages of Galab Al Baair, Mortobo, Sweiti and Wagad. Abubakar called on the governor of North Darfur to intervene to help remove the troops from the region.
