Over the last several days, we received reports from contacts on the ground in Darfur that janjaweed militiamen have been massing around Hassa Hissa, an internally displaced persons camp near Zalengei, West Darfur. The Sudan Tribune reported that the tension in Hassa Hissa stemmed from a scuffle between camp residents and two janjaweed after several camp residents found the janjaweed attempting to rape a woman working on the outskirts of the camp. One militiaman was killed in the confrontation.
In retribution, the approximately 30 janjaweed militiamen surrounded the camp. According to UNAMID, the men shot sporadically into the air, set at least five main water pumps on fire, and destroyed electricity generators. Although a UNAMID team was dispatched to the area to calm tensions directly following the incident, we continued to receive reports from Darfuris that the janjaweed were harassing civilians. From sources on the ground, we have heard that over 100 water pumps and irrigation systems were at least partially damaged and the main line supplying drinking water to the camp was completely destroyed, leaving camp residents without water for multiple days. As of the weekend, the residents remained without water. Leaders from Zalengei sent a list of those injured in the attacks, including an eight-month old boy. Reportedly, two have died.
At the same time these events were unfolding near Zalengei, the ICC prosecutor was informing world leaders at the U.N. Security Council that genocidal acts are still occurring in Darfur. Are they listening? As of this writing, Darfuris already displaced by violence and insecurity are facing another day with a lasting source of water. In recent weeks, we have seen an upsurge in violence with a direct impact on the civilian population, despite a government proclaimed unilateral ceasefire. Sexual violence against women and girls remains rampant.
Sudanese President Omar al Bashir has recently claimed that he is committed to finding a peaceful solution to the violence in Darfur, in hopes of securing a suspension of the ICC’s case against him. A good start to this commitment would be disarming the janjaweed and publicly prosecuting incidents of sexual violence by members of the armed forces. But President Bashir has shown no signs of doing either. Sadly, the suffering residents of Hassa Hissa are just another example of how his promises continue to fall short. Read the report written by Refugees International and commissioned by the coalition in June 2007 for more information on the need for law reform and accountability for rape in Darfur.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
