The UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region has condemned looting and other acts of vandalism on its facility in the area, saying they constitute a blatant violation of international norms governing the presence of peacekeepers across the world.
UNAMID in a statement on Wednesday said on the eve of its scheduled handover of its Sector West Headquarters in El Geneina, an unruly crowd forcefully intruded into the super camp, where they looted UN property and contingent-owned-equipment, vandalized premises and put the lives of its staff and personnel at grave risk.
Quoted reports, UNAMID said the crowd of looters included elements inthe Sudanese police and military.
“Earlier in the day, the intruders had gathered in front of the main gate, blocked it and later in the evening forced their way into the camp” it claimed.
The mission said it profoundly regrets these actions, “which are contrary to peaceful behaviour”.
UNAMID added: “We strongly condemn this incident and call on the relevant authorities to take every possible step to bring the uniformed personnel who were alleged to have been part of the looting to account”.
Meanwhile it commended the quick action taken by the commander and troops of the Ethiopian battalion responsible for securing the camp, who avoided confrontation with the uniformed elements that had joined in the looting and gathered UN staff into one location and ensured their safety and security.