By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, October 2, 2010 -- While Darfur rebel group of Abdel Wahid Nur has threatened to suspend any cooperation with the UN - African Union Mission UNAMID and the UN Security Council embarks on a trip to Darfur, Juba and Khartoum, the UN in New York has no comment.
Last month Inner City Press published leaked documents indicating the imminent transfer of five rebels from UNAMID to the Sudanese government for prosecution but ostensibly not execution. UN spokesman Martin Nesirky refused to comment on the documents the following day, saying that negotiations were continuing.
Then rebel leader Abdel Wahid Nur told Radio Dabanga that “if UNAMID agrees to a handover, its task in Darfur will have finished and it will have turned into an enemy and participant in the genocide with the National Congress Party... this would bring about an end to the cooperation between UNAMID and the movement.”
This seeming newsworthy, Inner City Press on October 1 while awaiting a visa to enter Sudan to cover the UN Security Council's trip asked UN spokesman Martin Nesirky for the UN's response:
Inner City Press: in light of those documents that emerged of Mr. Gambari preparing a letter and terms of, and additional terms to Ali Karti of Sudan — there has been a statement by Abdul Wahid Mohamed al Nur saying that if UNAMID agreed to the hand-over, its task in Darfur will be finished and will have turned into an enemy and participate in the genocide with the National Congress Party and will bring about an end to any cooperation between the Abdul Wahid Mohamed al-Nur faction and UNAMID. So I am just wondering what is, is the UN and UNAMID aware of this statement, and what do they make of it? Do they intend to go forward with its handover or do they not take it seriously?
Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, I would refer you to what I said, I think it was earlier this week that this, as we’ve said, also not just earlier this week, as we’ve, said this is a topic that has been the subject of intense discussions and those discussions continue and they are confidential. And I don’t have anything further to say on it.
Inner City Press: From those documents, things seem pretty close. I think that’s what they are, the, the…
Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, Matthew, as I said, this is something that is confidential and continues. It’s important that it’s done in that way.
Inner City Press: But it doesn’t have, you don’t agree I would assume that if they turn them over it would mean that UNAMID is somehow complicit in genocide in Darfur. I guess I just want a response to this comment.
Spokesperson: I mean, I answer all kinds of questions, Matthew, but not hypothetical ones.
But is it hypothetical? Watch this site.
