Leaving UN-commander in Darfur: ‘Rebels do not represent their peoples’
Posted on | 18 August 2009 | 1 Comment
EL FASHER – The UNAMID force commander, the Nigerian general Martin Luther Agwai will hand over his duties to a new force commander Lieutenant General Patrick Nyamvumba (picture) of Rwanda. He will be the commander with effect from 1 September. The transfer of powers will take place today. The ceremony will be attended by Al Hag Atta Al Mannan on behalf of the government. Also Minni Arkua Minnawi, senior assistant to the president and the only rebel leader who signed the Darfur Peace Agreement, will attend. Martin Luther Agwai blamed mainly the rebel movements for the current stalemate in the Darfur conflict. For the Indian national newspaper he said: “When the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed in 2006 less than a handful of movements were involved in the conflict. Today there are something like 30. As the movements have splintered into new factions, the prospects for a settlement have diminished. For too long these men have escaped censure, benefiting from the international community’s almost exclusive focus on the government in Khartoum to deliver peace. In fact they have been positively emboldened by it. These men with guns do not represent their peoples, the vast majority of whom yearn for peace. (…) The movements have had it too easy for too long. It is time for them to demonstrate that they are serious about peace. They must lay down their weapons and sit around the negotiating table with the government”. He defended himself against criticism for not having been able to provide security for the Darfurian population by stating that ‘There’s no peace for us to keep. The Darfur conflict has lasted almost as long as World War II, with the prospects of a lasting settlement looking less likely than ever”. He also blamed the lack of effectiveness of UNAMID for the lack of equipment, troops and helicopters. During his command UNAMID lost 39 people, most due to violent attacks. Amongst them were 24 troops, 9 police, 1 military observer, 1 international civilian and 4 local civilians (Source figures: UNAMID website).
One Response to “Leaving UN-commander in Darfur: ‘Rebels do not represent their peoples’”
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23 August 2009 @ 2:12 PM
I am a reqular listener to your radio transmission. I as citizen of Darfur origin and very much effected by the acrocities that befalling on our follow refugees,
I appreciate if you would show on your website the statement delailed by Advocate Mohamed Abdalla Eldouma, about the settlers of foreigners been addmitted to replace the our poor masters of the land.
Best Regards