Amid Killing in S. Kordofan, What's Role of DPKO Peacekeepers There?
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, October 11, 2012 -- After the UN from Sudan belated
confirmed the killing of civilians in Kadugli, Southern Kordofan, left
unanswered is what is the mandate of the UN Peacekeepers who maintain a
"logistics bases" five kilometers outside of Kadugli town.
Again and again, the UN has said it cannot confirm events, fightings or
deaths in South Kordofan because it has no presence. After further Inner
City Press questions on October 9, it was specified that the UN has access
to government controlled parts of Southern Kordofan, but not those
controlled by the SPLM-North.
But even in and around Kadugli, what is the mandate (or commitment) of the
troops under the control of the UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations?
This is the type of question that should be answered by current DPKO chief
Herve Ladsous -- his predecessors Alain Le Roy and Jean-Marie Guehenno
responded to questions like it -- but Ladsous outright refuses to answer ANY
Press questions, <
http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous1noabyei092712.html>
because he hasn't liked coverage to date.
So who WILL answer these questions? Inner City Press spoke with several
representatives of Sudan's mission to the UN, who were dismissive of the
UN's role and performance around Kadugli. One might even infer a certain
pride in how constrained Ladsous' DPKO has agreed to be. The lack of answers
certain doesn't increase confidence in DPKO, nor does Ladsous' past history.
But questioning will continue.
Here's from the UN's October 9 transcript:
Spokesperson Martin Nesirky: Just one thing I wanted to come back to you on,
Matthew, that you asked about yesterday on South Kordofan... you asked about
aid, and why it is that the UN is in Kadugli, but is not providing aid in
other parts of South Kordofan. That is simply because the access has not yet
been granted. As I think you are aware, we are able to provide relief to
people affected by the conflict in Government-controlled areas. But, not so
far in those areas controlled by the SPLM [Sudan People's Liberation
Movement] North. But, those that have been helped, more than 120,000 people,
have received food aid since April of this year, and agricultural supplies
have been given to 64,000 families. On the health side, more than 1.6
million people have been reached with essential services and treatment.
Also, 200 health centres have been provided with medical services that reach
1.3 million people. So, what I am trying to say is that we need to have
access to those areas that are not Government-controlled. But help is being
provided to those that we can reach.
Inner City Press: Thanks a lot. The one questions I was left with was that
UNISFA, the mission in Abyei, was using the airstrip or has some kind of a
facility outside of Kadugli, does the sort of protection of civilians and
kind of observational mandate of UNISFA, which obviously applies in Abyei,
does it apply to UNISFA personnel for whatever time that they happen to
either land, take off or spend in Kadugli and Southern Kordofan? It seems
like the response is, 'we don't know.' Is a DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping
Operations] peacekeeper always a peacekeeper even on their way to the job?
Do you understand what I am driving at here?
Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, the point here is that there is no UN mission
presence, UNISFA presence, inside Kadugli itself. There is a logistics base
five kilometers away, to which UN staff from this UNICEF [United Nations
Children's Fund] compound were taken because of what had happened inside
Kadugli itself. The mission, of course, is monitoring what is happening, to
the extent that they can, given their remit and their location. Any other
questions?
Yes, there ARE other questions. But some questions, it is DPKO chief
Herve Ladsous who should answer them, particularly (but not only) when it's
Ladsous whose sent to the stakeout to purport to answer questions, including
on Abyei <
http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous1noabyei092712.html> and
UNISFA.
DPKO has a history of inaction in Southern Kordofan. As Inner City Press
reported, the previously UN report states, as simply one example, that 42.
On 8 June, UNMIS Human Rights witnessed the movement of four armed men (two
armed civilians and two Central Reserve Police) carrying weapons in and out
of the UNMIS Protective Perimeter without any intervention from the UNMIS
peacekeepers guarding the premises. The armed men conducted identity checks
on the IDPs. Eyewitnesses interviewed reported that the armed men abducted
three IDPs from the vicinity of the UNMIS Protective Perimeter on suspicion
that they were supporters of the SPLM.
It is time for answer from Ladsous. Watch this site.
Received on Fri Oct 12 2012 - 23:19:27 EDT
