January 4, 11

NEWS / Darfur: UN-African mission protects thousands displaced by recent clashes

4 January 2011 – The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region (UNAMID) is maintaining “a robust presence on the ground” to ensure the safety of thousands of people displaced by recent clashes.

In an update on the fighting that erupted last month between the Government and rebel movements, UNAMID said today that security in all affected areas in North and South Darfur was reported to be calm, with the resumption of public transportation to some locations. Aid continues to reach the thousands of displaced people, many of whom have sought shelter outside nearby UNAMID team sites, it added.

The mission is also looking into reports of inter-tribal violence between the Misseriya and Rizeigat communities in West Darfur.

UNAMID was set up to protect civilians and quell the violence in Darfur, where nearly seven years of fighting between the Government, its militia supporters and rebel groups seeking greater benefits for the vast region, has killed at least 300,000 people and driven 2.7 million others from their homes.

The latest fighting erupted in December between Government troops and forces of the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi (SLA/MM).

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37194&Cr=Darfur&Cr1=