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Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour

December 1, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – At least two people were killed and several wounded Wednesday in Zalingei, West Darfur, when Sudanese police fired shots in the air to disperse a crowd of students who congregated outside the university there.

Djibril Bassole (C) and Qatari Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud (R) stand together during a mediation visit to Zalingei town in west Darfur Dec 1, 2010 (Reuters)
Djibril Bassole (C) and Qatari Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud (R) stand together during a mediation visit to Zalingei town in west Darfur Dec 1, 2010 (Reuters)

The incident occurred in front of Zalingei University when the visiting Darfur mediators finished addressing the student gathering and left the campus.

Qatari State minister Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud and Joint Chief Mediator Dijibril Bassole held a meeting with civil society representatives organized by the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) when unrest began.

The students asked to speak with the Bassole who, accompanied by the minister Al-Mahmoud came out to address the crowd in an attempt to ease the tension.

However, after the mediator finished his exchange with the students and following his departure with the delegation that accompanied him, some students started to throw stones at the security convoy protecting the delegation.

A Sudanese man holding a cane scuffles with university students after clashes erupted in a protest during the visit of Darfur mediators in Zalingeion Dec 1, 2010 (Getty)
A Sudanese man holding a cane scuffles with university students after clashes erupted in a protest during the visit of Darfur mediators in Zalingeion Dec 1, 2010 (Getty)

The mediators were in Darfur to brief civil society on the ongoing peace talks held in Doha and to discuss with them the different options as they have to table a peace agreement to both Khartoum and rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) for signing within two weeks.

In a statement released this evening the Sudanese police said it fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd after students started throwing stones at its soldiers.

The police further accused the supporters of Sudan Liberation Movement leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-Nur) of stirring troubles. The town is a stronghold of the rebel leader who is currently holding consultations in Nairobi before returning to Paris for the SLM leadership meeting on the peace process.

A student source from Zalingei condemned police brutality adding that they just wanted to talk with the mediator to express their concerns about security in the region, and their demand for one region but also wanted to say Khartoum has no real political will to end the conflict.

He further claimed that the police killed three people, two student and civilian, beside three other students who were wounded and taken to the hospital.

In New York, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon regretted “the loss of life” and called to investigate the incident “to ascertain the facts”.

He further said that all parties in the Darfur conflict “must be able to express their views freely”.

Students shout as they surround UNAMID vehicles in Zalingei town in west Darfur Dec 1, 2010 (Reuters)
Students shout as they surround UNAMID vehicles in Zalingei town in west Darfur Dec 1, 2010 (Reuters)

On Tuesday the mediators faced tension in Nyala when a group of protesters supporting the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) disrupted a meeting with IDPs representatives at the troubled Kalma camp contesting the representation of delegates selected by the UNAMID.

Al-Mahmoud and Bassole are expected Thursday in Juba where they will hold talks with the Sudanese first vice-president Salva Kiir on the peace process in Darfur.

Sudanese government accused recently the semi-autonomous region of supporting the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). But Southern Sudan officials denied the accusations.

Before flying back to Doha, the mediation team will stop in Khartoum to meet Sudanese officials including the residential Adviser in charge of Darfur file Ghazi Salah Al-Deen Al-Attabani.

The visit of the mediation to Chad will talk place later during the next week.

A delegation from JEM is waiting the mediators in Doha to continue discussions on the resumption of the direct peace talks with Sudanese government.

(ST)

7 Comments

  • william
    william

    Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour
    The NCP will not satisfy with blood of sudanese people despite the fact that its president was indicted by ICC due to murdering citezen anyhowly still his policemen are murdering people day and night!!!! Therefore,make sure that what goes around comes around. May God rests their soul in peace.

    William Wol.

    Reply
  • Moluddit Demalou
    Moluddit Demalou

    Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour
    You NCP are you not tide of killing incents civilians everyday since 1905 up to now.
    Don’t you feel shame of what you are doing, completely are you out of your senses.
    Do you think killing incent civilians will solved the matter.
    Why do you disturbe African from their motherland while you were coming to Africa as traders of salt and you claim to be the citizen of Sudan inwhich you didn’t have such identity.
    Do you think UN and the World are blind for being observe by them.
    Please stupid Arab leaves African Alone in their motherland.
    Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame to NCP the national corrupted party led By ummar Haksen min Biskir

    Reply
  • Luthern King
    Luthern King

    Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour
    I would like to gave condolence to the our people who lost life in Darfur. May God rest there soul in peace.
    To NCP raise now and there will be time to fall ,Bashir is claim to be president of Sudan meanwhile, he is killing innocent people whom he is president for.
    MAY GOD BLESS SOUTHERN SUDAN.

    Reply
  • konacago
    konacago

    Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour
    Today is like yesterday so tomorow (not soonly as we wish)we hop it gonna change .the news from darfur or southern sudan it,s often sad?i use to ask my self:what did we do for all mighty god to be in ponishement,suffering ,starve and illnes
    and why we lead with Devil like omar bashir?

    Reply
  • Mercy Madit
    Mercy Madit

    Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour
    This is sad indeed. our government should not be so absorb in killing the innocent.
    May their souls rest in peace! Amen.

    Reply
  • Lokeji
    Lokeji

    Police kill two students in Zalingei as mediators wrap-up Darfur tour
    It’s only in sudan that the government every time attemps to solve a problem with another problem.It’s indeed unbearable to be govern with a government that always wants it’s citizens to list to it’s will.the sudanese government get to learn, how to manage such issues, force is not the only suitable solution to any problem.the more you concentrate on the policy of force, the more you increase the numbers of your enemies.These kind of policies are the one dragging this beautiful and resourceful country into political turmoil.

    Reply
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