DTN News: Sudan TODAY December 5, 2009 ~ Sudan Summons Top UNAMID Official To Protest Reports Of Non-Cooperation

DTN News: Sudan TODAY December 5, 2009 ~ Sudan Summons Top UNAMID Official To Protest Reports Of Non-Cooperation *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) KHARTOUM, Sudan - December 5, 2009: The Sudanese government on Thursday summoned the acting head of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to voice anger at accusations of lack of cooperation reported this week to the UN Security Council. Nigerian peacekeeping soldiers from the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol in Osha IDP's camp in Nyla, southern Darfur. Law and order have collapsed in Darfur where international experts say at least 200,000 people have been killed, while Khartoum says 10,000 have died. The undermanned peacekeeping force has found itself caught in the middle of an increasingly chaotic conflict involving bandits, rival tribes, government militias and rebels. "UNAMID has been facing some serious challenges relating to its freedom of movement, Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet, told the UN Security Council on Monday. He further said they raised the issue with Senior Sudanese officials in New York on September 28 and transmitted a detailed list of incidents to Sudan’s mission to the UN. Sudanese foreign ministry conveyed strong protests to the UNAMID Acting Joint Special Representative, Henry Anyidoho over the non-cooperation of the government in the deployment of the hybrid forces, said the official news agency SUNA on Thursday. Mutrif Siddig, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Anyidoho for clarification about the circumstances of the report which does not reflect the government’s cooperation in the deployment of the hybrid operation. Displaced Sudanese women walk past an armoured personnel carrier (APC) of United Nations-African Union Mission in Nyala, southern Darfur March. Law and order have collapsed in Darfur where international experts say at least 200,000 people have been killed, while Khartoum says 10,000 have died. The undermanned peacekeeping force has found itself caught in the middle of an increasingly chaotic conflict involving bandits, rival tribes, government militias and rebels. The foreign ministry further said this report goes against what came out of the seventh meeting of the tripartite mechanism between Sudan, the African Union and the United Nations held in Khartoum on October 16. According to SUNA, the Acting Joint Special Representative pledged to investigate the issue and brief Sudanese government about the outcome of his probe. In a report issued on 16 November, the UN secretary general said freedom of movement continues to be a serious concern for UNAMID and many of the agencies in Darfur. He said Sudanese government frequently denied access to the camps of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the restive region. He added that "UNAMID patrols have been confronted with warning shots, guns pointed at convoys and low overflight by SAF military helicopters in a threatening manner". The UN chief further spoke about direct threats against the mission by the Sudanese officials. "On 17 August 2009, UNAMID received a letter from the Civil Aviation Authority in El Geneina stating that two UNAMID helicopters had flown over a Government military base, and warning that if that were to reoccur, the Sudanese military would shoot down UNAMID aircraft."