News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

El Fasher, 19 March 2014— The situation in Saraf Omar, North Darfur, has stabilized and the majority of the displaced community have returned to their homes after the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement between the warring communities. Nevertheless, some of those displaced who lost all…

By Sharon Lukunka Water coming from a tap at the water point in Nifasha camp for internally displaced people, North Darfur. Photo by Albert González Farran As water shortages in camps for displaced people have become a harsh reality of life in Darfur, long queues of women and children at water…

El Fasher, 24 March 2014 — The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is providing protection to thousands of people who recently sought refuge at the Mission’s bases in Korma, North Darfur, and Khor Abeche, South Darfur, as a result of violent attacks by armed assailants on…

Um Jaras (Chad), 26 March 2014 — To move the peace process forward, and at the invitation of Chadian President Idris Deby, African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative (JSR) for Darfur Mohamed Ibn Chambas attended today the Um Jaras Forum in Chad. The forum, a gathering of Zaghawa…

Khartoum, 27 March 2014. - Joint statement attributable to the UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, Mr. Joseph Mutaboba, and the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Mr Ali Al-Za’tari, on increasing violence affecting civilians in Darfur and the growing constraints…

Harmonizing Darfur: An Interview with Omar Ihsas In an interview with Voices of Darfur, Mr. Omar Ihsas spoke about his career, the challenges he has faced and his belief in the pivotal role that music plays in the Darfur peace process. By Ala Mayyahi Born in 1958 in Nyala, South Darfur, Mr. Omar…

Darfur’s Struggle for Water As competition over Darfur’s natural water resources is one of the major drivers of the decade-long conflict here, UNAMID and its partners have been working to address this issue. By Albert González Farran Darfur’s rains usually fall between the months of June and…

Attitudes Shift on Female Circumcision The global campaign to identify female circumcision as female genital mutilation, a practice common in many parts of the world, is resulting in a slow but steady change in Darfur. By Emadeldin Rijal The communities that practice female circumcision in Darfur…

Nyala Evolves with Displacement, Development As Sudan’s second largest city and Darfur’s largest metropolitan area, Nyala serves as an example of the challenges towns in this region are facing due to the ongoing conflict and the resulting strain on an already overburdened infrastructure. By Mohamad…

Working with Communities for Peace UNAMID’s Civil Affairs personnel are playing a complex and vital role, helping to rebuild trust at the community level and re-establish a culture of peace in the conflict-torn region of Darfur. By Sharon Lukunka In early January 2013, a dispute over the ownership…

JSR Mohamed Ibn Chambas speaks to journalists following the UN Security Council session. Photo by Paulo Filgueiras, UN Photo. On 3 April 2014, African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative (JSR) for Darfur, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, briefed the members of the United Nations Security Council…

On 25 March 2014, a UNAMID peacekeeper marks with branches the location of a projectile abandoned in Mellit, North Darfur. Photo by Albert González Farran. By Sharon Lukunka [4 April 2014] While walking home on 5 July 2013, 14-year-old Kharsha from Zalingei, Central Darfur, picked up an object…