At UN, As Sudan Admits Expulsions Are For Rape Detection, Offers Jebel Marra Access
UNITED NATIONS, August 23 -- After three weeks of blockade of the Kalma Camp in Darfur, the Security Council on Monday issued weak “elements to the press” calling for the camps to be demilitarized.
Inner City Press asked Council president Vitaly Churkin of Russia if this means the Council supports the government of Sudan's demand to be included, with the UN, in patrols of the camps.
“There was some discussion of that,” Churkin replied, adding that the “bottom line” is that the camps are “supposed to be demilitarized.” He said he wouldn't like to go into detail about how that would be accomplished. Video here, from Minute 1:39.
The UN-African Union envoy Ibrahim Gambari, according to at least six high profile residents of the Kalma Camp, threatened to turn them over to the government of Sudan unless they agree to and support government patrols of the camp. (The UN denies that Gambari made this threat.)
Inner City Press asked new Sudanese Permanent Representative Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman if his goverment expects the UN Mission UNAMID to turn the six over. He said yes, that Gambari is “collaborating” with the government and that after discussing “modalities, the hand over will take place.” Video here, from Minute 5:43.
Inner City Press asked him about the expulsion of UN officials from West Darfur, and about the exclusion of the UN and NGOs from Jebel Marra. Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman said that if anyone violates their agreement with the government, measure will be taken.
Inner City Press asked, Was this for collecting signatures for an anti-hunger petition, and distributing rape detection kits? Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman admitted, “Most probably this is the accusation directed to them.” Video here, from Minute 8:18.
Strangely, when Inner City Press asked if it isn't precisely the UN's job to distribute rape protection kits, Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman said that while the government is also concerned, it will not acccept that “some want to promote this culture.” What - the culture of rape detection?
The UN, meanwhile, has refused to comment on why its personnel were told to leave. The UN Spokesperson's office says it is still under discussion, while OCHA says it is not authorized to speak.
On the Jebel Marra exclusion, Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman blamed it on the Abdel Wahid faction and the “instability” it causes. Inner City Press asked if the UN is free to enter Jebel Marra. Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman said it was preferred the UN coordinate with the government.
“Will you escort them?” Inner City Press asked. “Sure,” replied Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman, adding that his government is coordinating with UNAMID on the “modalities.” Video here, from Minute 1:35.
Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman brings a new style to Sudan diplomacy at the UN. He thanked Churkin for this elements to the press, and afterwards asked Inner City Press, “How did I do?” There is talk of a dinner for UN correspondents, at the Sudan Mission to the UN.
Inner City Press told a representative of the US Mission, if you want your voice heard Susan Rice or in her frequent absences her deputies need to speak at the stakeout, as Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman did twice on Monday. But neither Rice nor the UN's Atul Khare appeared. It was Russia's Churkin and Sudan's Daffa-Alla Alhag Ali Osman, who thanked Churkin for his press statement. Only at the UN.
