EDITOR’S NOTE

I'm pleased to introduce the March issue of Voices of Darfur, which continues in the 32-page format, giving the magazine the ability to tell the story of UNAMID and the people of Darfur with more in-depth coverage. The current issue, like other recent issues of Voices, contains news, features and interviews not only about unique aspects of life in Darfur but also about UNAMID’s ongoing efforts to facilitate lasting peace in the region.

Addis Ababa, 16 April 2013 – Concerns over an increase in the number of security incidents in Darfur and access by peacekeepers of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to those areas most affected by conflict were the primary focus of discussion of the 15th meeting of the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism on UNAMID. The forum was held yesterday at the African – Union’s (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

UNAMID deployed on Tuesday 26 March an inquiry team to its team site in Kass locality, South Darfur, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by an unidentified armed group at Arga checkpoint, in a border area between Central Darfur State and South Darfur State.

UNAMID investigation aims to ascertain all the facts surrounding this incident, including the identity of the perpetrators and their motives. The investigation comes after repeated efforts to access the incident area on 24 and 25 March.

El Fasher, 21 March 2013—Humanitarian aid, civilian protection and criminal elements were among the central issues raised in a 17-19 March visit to Sudan by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).

The mission of the 24 members of the AUPSC, led by Ambassador Bulus Paul Zom Lolo of Nigeria, was to gain a first-hand assessment of the situation in Darfur. This assessment was carried out largely through direct engagement with stakeholders at all levels, including the Government, Sudanese civilians and the international community working in Darfur.

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) concluded on 30 January 2013 a two-day workshop on restorative justice for juvenile offenders in Zalingei, Central Darfur. The workshop, which was attended by more than 32 participants, including teachers, police officers, civil servants and members of the civil society, was part of the efforts of the UNAMID's Human Rights Section to strengthen the capacity of the juvenile justice system players in applying restorative justice standards more effectively when dealing with children and young people in conflict with the law.

More than 70 former child soldiers, which included 24 girls, were recently registered in South Darfur for rehabilitation and reintegration. The former members of the Sudan Liberation Army / Historical Leadership (SLA/HL) were released in to the communities in 2011. A number of young adults identified as former child soldiers were also identified and registered to benefit from the reintegration program in compliance with a commitment made to the United Nations by the Movement.

El Fasher, 17 January 2013—The African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is committed to engaging with all stakeholders to address the current humanitarian needs of thousands of civilians who were displaced in the North Darfur villages of Saraf Omra, Kabkabya and El Sereif.

The commitment comes following a two-day assessment mission to assess the security and humanitarian situation and to verify reports of fighting, which UNAMID received on 6 January, between the Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes in the Jabel Amir area of North Darfur.

El Fasher, 9 January 2013 – Acting Joint Special Representative of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Aichatou Mindaoudou visited Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State, on 8 January. During this visit, she held talks with the Wali (Governor) of Central Darfur, Dr. Yousif Tibin, and expressed serious concerns over the ongoing fighting in west Jebel Marra.

The African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), in collaboration with UN agencies in the region, organized on 19 December a community dialogue on physical protection in Zam-Zam camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), North Darfur. The event geared towards raising women’s awareness on issues related to gender-based violence, which would protect them against abuses in their communities.