January 2 - 2021 ZALINGEI / EL FASHER (UPDATED JAN 3 12:00)
On December 31, protestors hold up banners which demand the extension of UNAMID in Darfur (Social media)
Peaceful demonstrations were held at the site of the joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in Zalingei, Central Darfur at the start of this week as members of the public voiced their concern about security in the area.
Members of the joint security force consisting of Sudanese police, Sudan Armed Forces, and Rapid Support Forces that has been established to maintain security in the region took-up positions around the Zalingei site to secure it.
El Shafee Abdallah, coordinator of the camps for the displaced in Central Darfur, alleged to Radio Dabanga that the objective of taking over the site “by militias” was “to plunder the buildings”, however UNAMID spokesperson Ashraf Eissa denies this, explaining that the forces that began to occupy the site were doing so le