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Official newsletter of the Police Component UNAMID

ISSUE: 57 JANUARY 2014

AFRICAN UNION - UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATIONS IN DARFUR

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unamid-pol-pio@un.org

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UNAMID POLICE

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CHRONICLE OF UNAMID POLICE

BY UNAMID POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT UNAMID

AFRICAN UNION - UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR

All copyright reserved to UNAMID Police Public Information 2014

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January 2014

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CONTENTS

WE ARE LOCATED AT Police Public Information Office Room No : N-20 Super Camp, El-Fasher Email: unamid-pol-pio@un.org Contact no : 0999606333 / 0922410673 192-8639/11067

MAGAZINE TEAMWORK CONTRIBUTORS

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Clara GUNDA Fanta Fatty Mohamed Aslan Adofina

Ayman R. TAWFIQ Mohammed AL-SAIRAFI Ali Aliota

STORY OF SUCCESS TANZANIAN 4 INDEFATIGABLE POLICE ADVISORS DELIVERED PEACE TO DARFURIANS

ON GROUND ACTIVITES

CHIEF POLICE PIO Ayman R. TAWFIQ

POLICE ADVISORS HELP CLEAN

TWO DAYS WORKSHOP IN HUMAN RIGHTS, GBV AND CHILD PROTECTION AT

HUMAN RIGHTS COURSE HELD AT SUDANESE TRAINING CENTRE

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HANDING OVER KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL

UNAMID ESCORTS ADDRESS NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY

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NEW TRAINING CENTRE UNDER QUICK IMPACT PROJECT FOR GOS POLICE IN

HAND OVER

BACK COVER PHOTO UNAMID Police Advisor from Egypt Police contingent during the activities of Egyptian Medal Parade in El-Fasher December, 2013.

Photo by Ayman TAWFIQ, UNAMID Police PIO.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TRAINING FOR

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FRONT COVER PHOTO 15 January 2014.

Shangil Tobaya: A UNAMID police officer interacts with women at a water point in Nifasha camp for Internally Displaced Persons, North Darfur.

Photo by Albert Gonzรกlez Farran, UNAMID

UPDATES FROM SECTORS

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UNAMID POLICE SECTOR WEST COMMANDER VISITS GoS POLICE AND DEPUTY

HOSPITAL VISIT WORKSHOP ON POLICE CUSTODY

ARABIC CORNER GENERAL PHASES

PHOTO GALLERY QUIPS

for reactive slideshow copy & share links www.issuu.com/unamid-police-pio https://www.facebook.com/pages/unamidpolicepio

JANUARY 2014

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EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR’s NOTE

F

HESTER PANERAS UNAMID Police Commissioner

DR. SYED KALEEM IMAM UNAMID Deputy Police Commissioner (Operations)

DR. MUTASEM ALMAJALI

irstly, let me congratulate myself and my fellow Police Advisors for our reaction to the request done by the senior Police Management in the year ended 2013 to work hard and take care of women and children and of course the empowering women from various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps, which resulted in establishment of different forms of activities on small scale businesses across Darfur.

That alone is unprecedented and deserves our commendation. If I recall, it has improved in the course of our recent peacekeeping history in Darfur where women would stand up and work towards developing programs without being afraid of men.

It shows that the Senior Management and the Police Commissioner are sensitive to the plight of the Darfuris as the reason of our coming.

The small scale businesses, sensitization programs and the capacity building initiatives allocated for the IDPs has really soiled our reputation as hardworking peacekeepers who care for the vulnerable.

The prompt reaction shows that we are human, after all, and that we can always do something to repair the reputation of peacekeepers which people always have as money collectors. It also shows that we respect other peacekeepers in civilian clothes by working hand in hand with them in achieving the UNAMID Police Mandated activities.

Let me also commend the quality town hall meetings by our Joint Special Representative Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas which reflected maturity and appreciation of the fact that at stake is a national issue that requires collective wisdom.

I wish this was the case for many other matters that are brought to be accomplished, where the greater interest, the public good and the overall welfare of the IDPs across the Darfur Region should always rule supreme in all our commitments especially with stake holders. I am sure if this was the case the past five years the peace keeping should have been instrumental in helping the IDPs

and community at large to achieve the sort of progress and development that still eludes the community today.

Allow me to say to say one or two things; One, subjecting or relegating matters affecting the IDPs

by Police Advisors and come up with reports, in my view, yield much. Implementation of such reports and their recommendations has always been a challenge, if the history of our peacekeeping is anything to go by.

There is a system which dampens the speed of issues and urgency of great importance. I may be wrong, but if we count number of hot cases and how they have been dealt with before, you will agree with me that something is not adding up.

Matters of critical importance are always relegated to enquiry, with little tangible to show for at the end of the day.

My fellow peacekeepers lets work and make follow-up on cases this year 2014 so that we can see our returns if at all there are any clear penalties to end these criminality acts of abuse, so that the IDPs should not be in poverty and regression while others are making progress out of them.

Secondly, I must say I am disappointed because despite the hard work by peacekeepers we have lost our colleagues, now we don’t know who goes next and these evil characters are roaming freely in this great region, either stealing more of our resources or concealing evidence. And the most painful thing is that, we don’t know who does these killings. We as peacekeepers are ready to work 24/7 but we ask for consideration that we should not die unnecessarily.

I am writing all this in appreciation to madam Hester Paneras our Police Commissioner whose sound leadership as well as management style, vision and acclaimed statesmanship is being experienced in our police component undergo the massive plunder of our commitment and dedication to duty.

On behalf of Public Information Office, I wish you a pleasant reading,

UNAMID Deputy Police Commissioner (Policy and Planning)

Ayman TAWFIQ

unamid POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION TEAM

Mohammed AL-SAIRAFI

Chief of Graphic Designers

Ayman TAWFIQ Officer in Charge - Chief PIO

Clara L. GUNDA

Chief of Editors

AHMAD MUKARAM UNAMID Ag. Police Chief of Staff

Adolphine DZANSI

Muhammed ASLAN Fanta FATTY

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Ali ALOITA

POLICE COMMISSIONER'S FORWARD

W

e reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the crime committed on 13 October, 2013 in El

Geneina,

Sector

West,

when

our

Senegalese FPU Convoy heading to the

Water Point came under attack resulting to the death of three (3) Officers, Thierno B. Mbaye, Mamadou Ndaiye and Issa Faye and injuringseveral others.

This barbaric and cowardly attack on innocent

Police Officers whose only crime if any, is to contribute to the peace process in Darfur is against both divine and human laws and we condemned it in the strongest possible terms.

It is indeed senseless and very tormenting that innocent people who come to keep peace could be killed in cold blood by rogue elements and enemies of peace. We are indeed ashamed at the barbarism perpetuated by few individuals, who does not want their own people to see peace. This is extremely distressing and deplorable and every gentle human heart goes out to the victims of this heinous attack. We must collectively condemn this brutal terror act that befell our Senegalese colleagues.However, the perpetuators of this crime must know that they have created Widows and Orphans, but their actions will ever give us the ego and strengthen our resolve to further consolidate our efforts to the implementation of our mandate. The sacrifices

of these officers will not go in vein and we will not abandon their wishes until we see peace in Darfur. While we

express our sorrow and deepest sympathy to our fallen colleagues, who died in action whilst serving the people of Darfur, we are also calling on the Government of Sudan to do everything possible within their limits to apprehend those responsible for this inhumane and heinous act and bring them to justice.

We have become soft targets for far too long and it now about time that we respond to such unprovoked attacks with equal force. We must be robust in self defense to protect ourselves and the community we are here to serve in order to send a clear message to would be attackers to think twice before they try us again.

As we continue to mourn the deaths of our comrades, we express our condolences to their families, to the people and Government of Senegal for this tragic lost.

May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

Hester A. Paneras

UNAMID Police Commissioner

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WOMEN’S NEWTWOK UNAMID JSR Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, pays tribute to the fallen Senegalese Police Officers along with several members of the senior managment of the mission Police component Inset (Top) Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Dr. Syed Kaleem, (Bottom) Deputy Police Commissioner Police and Planning Dr. Mutasem Almajali.)

Photos by: Ayman Tawfiq, UNAMID Police PIO.

THE EL RAHAMAN MULT-PURPOSE CENTER IN ABUSHOUK IDPs CAMP CLARA GUNDA

In Darfur, 10 years after crisis began; both women and children have been disproportionately affected by conflict as casualties of violence, as internally displaced persons and as refugees. Due to the conflicts, women and children fear returning to their homes, as a result, the women and children are still in the internally displaced persons camps, towns and some, are in streets in search of food and shelter.

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NAMID Police Women`s Network in Darfur on daily basis during their routine patrols, spend more time providing some useful lessons to women on income-generating activities to families in the IDP Camps in various parts of Darfur, to try to make ends meet. These include farming

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tips, confectionery, and micro or small rural businesses. Women usually conduct income-generating activities of one kind or another in the IDPs to improve living standards and household income.

Located about 7 miles north-east of El-fasher town in Northern Darfur, Abu-shock Internally Displaced

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Persons (IDPs) Camp, contains 30 blocks and more than 80,000 persons from nearly all ethnic groups in Darfur, but mostly from the Fur, Tunjur, Berti, Zaghawa, Gimer, Fellata and Hawara tribes.

During their interaction, UNAMID Women`s Network members discovered that women brick layers and those who

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make handcrafts suffer during rainy season and also from the sun, because they had no market and every day the women use to talk about the nature of their market which had no shade. The brick making and weaving/handcrafts provides work for the women and thus tackles the pervasive problem of poverty amongst them.

The Sector NORTH UNAMID Police women`s network coordinator Police Adviser Maimouna Mego Andji called for a meeting with the IDPs to discuss issues regarding building a multipurpose center for their household income. It was on this day, that, the women asked her to assist them in upgrading their businesses. The IDPs women complained of not having a good place to show their products and Police Adviser Maimouna Mego Andji asked the women to find a place where they can build a multi-purpose center so that they can be selling their products.

Since women in Darfur are hardworking and they can build houses much more than Men, the women promised to build the center if UNAMID women`s network will help them with the roofing, since some of the women in the camp are doing brick making business and some are builders.

The IDPs Camp has 179 women and they all agreed and contributed one pound Sudanese pound to buy water for building the structure.

“We would like our generation to continue to nurture the work because it is so nice to see us all working and busy,” Awatif Suleiman says. “It’s not just a job, it’s an art, and we nurture it and teach it to others, so future generations can do it and improve it even more.

Awatif Suleiman is the supervisor of the IDPs women project and she said due to the hardships women face in the camp, they started small scale businesses and one of the incomes generating

activity was brick making and handcrafts but it was not as serious as it is because they had no empowerment till the time when Maimouna Mego Andji and other women from UNAMID started giving them ideas on how to improve their activities, she says, things started moving.

Maimouna Mego Andji from UNAMID, told us not to ask for money but ask for solution of getting money. `We were struggling in our families. We were begging but still went hungry every day, thanks to UNAMID things are better now’’. Added Suleiman.

Still going on with the quarry of the clay, Sudanese Humanitarian Aid gave the land for charity as one way of helping the women and children in the IDPs Camp. Women started building and UNAMID Police Women`s Network in sector North was monitoring the construction. After the construction of the wall was finished, Sector North UNAMID Police Women`s Network roofed the building and the center was called El-rahaman multi-purpose Women Center. El-Rahaman Women Center is a woman driven initiative

JANUARY 2014

towards economic development and poverty eradication. The center is located in Abu-shock Internally Displaced Camp (IDP).

The El-rahaman multi-purpose Women Center was inauguration on the 14th November, 2013, by Sector North Police Commander, Mohammad Abdulahel BAKI, who said, the efforts and creativity of women is a good example to the other IDPs and advised them to keep the good momentum. He promised to continue sending more women Police Advisers to the IDPs Camp to establish more projects. He concluded by saying “No society can develop without women”.

The women at the center sell different things, including charcoal, householdbased food processing, crafts such as basket-weaving, confectionery, and petty trading. Women switch from one activity to another according to what is most likely to be profitable at a given time.

The income women generate from their operations is small, but it plays a significant role in meeting family needs because many of the households have

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WOMEN’S NEWTWOK lost fathers and brothers leaving women as the heads of households. In Darfur region women often do not provide only household needs but small farming which they do to meet their needs, because the Sudanese women are very strong and hard working.

On 07 January, 2014, the UNAMID women`s network coordinator Police Adviser Maimouna Mego Andji made a follow-up at the women center and noted that, after the inauguration of the center, the women and the youth are acquiring skills from the center and

others are earning some money, also the project moves on through the various milestones, and consequently benefit the community as a whole.

Generally women in IDPs Camps experience several socio-economic, political, and cultural problems and spiritual upheavals in their lives.

However, in spite of these problems some have found faith, tolerance and courage, while others have bitter disappointment and failure. Women are the most disadvantaged, the poorest of the poor in terms of welfare, the

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provision of basic needs, access to resources for development and production, and equal control over the factors of production and distribution of labor. The majorities of women has rural backgrounds and are illiterate. On one hand, many women are in poorly paid jobs and their labor is exploited by their employers. In any case, the little income women earn is consumed at home due to the fact that a big number of the IDPs lost their husbands.

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INTERVIEW INTERVIEW WITH A POLICE ADVISOR

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he Public Information Unit at the Mission Headquarters had interview with Julius Linje a Police Advisers who survived two serious ambushes in Khorabeche Team Site. Those who know him closely see him as a principled man of honour and a truly devoted peace-keeper, both in mind and in action. In this story, you will hear how the Induction Training and the use of body amour/ Bullet proof saved his life.

Here is his story: PIO: Can you share with us your Policing background?

Julius: I was enlisted in the Tanzania Police Force In 1999, after graduating from college in 1998. After pursuing series of professional courses in the Tanzania Police Force, I am in the Field Force Unit as an Instructor.

training?

Julius: This training brings issues which are relevant to the operational field, and provide personnel with detailed information on how to carry out peacekeeping activities.

During induction training, we were told the importance of using body amour (bullet proofs) which I took it seriously and at the end of the day it served me when I was under serious attack.

We were also told to keep some money when we are going for patrols because experience has it that the attackers/rebels sometimes, will ask for money to release you if you are kidnapped. I also experienced this when we were ambushed and I was taken away from my patrol team, the attackers wanted to kill me but because they found money in my wallet, I survived.

PIO: What qualities do you feel are necessary to be a successful Police Advisor?

Julius: As a Police Advisor, you have to be honest and diligent, most of all. A Police Advisor also has to be on his toes and be prepared for anything. This line of work is not easy and you never know what could happen in the course of your shift. I think you must also have your emotions in check, because at some point you have to deal with horrific

PIO: What do you like best about your job?

Julius: I like the fact that it is something different every day. I’ve always been interested in working with people, and I like to learn about different cultures, as well as equal opportunity for justice.

PIO: When did you start your career in the United Nations?

Julius: I arrived in Darfur on 24 September, 2012, and I was deployed to Khorabeche for 10 months and later redeployment to Zam Zam Team Site as a patrol officer on 26 August, 2013. Lastly I got re-deployment to Sector Headquarters as a Public Information Officer.

UNAMID JSR Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, pays tribute to the fallen Senegalese Police Officers along with several members of the senior managment of the mission Police component Inset (Top) Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Dr. Syed Kaleem, (Bottom) Deputy Police Commissioner Police and Planning Dr. Mutasem Almajali.)

Photos by: Ayman Tawfiq, UNAMID Police PIO.

PIO: How effective is induction

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INTERVIEW accidents and people who are under severe emotional stress. In the beginning it is the Induction training which should be paramount because there are a lot of useful topics covered.

PIO: Can you share with us your unforgettable moment in Darfur?

Julius: On 28 June 2013, I was involved into an ambush, while on patrol between Panjed Abouman and Hialiwaydy Villages, about 12 Km away from Khorabeche. It was a first experience but no one was killed or injured on this day these unknown gun men just went away with four UNAMID vehicles.

Another incident happened on 13, July, 2013, two weeks after the first incident, this was but a terrible experience .We were again for a morning Patrol to Debra IDPs Camp in Mershing Town, about 25 KM away from the Korabeche Team Site. I was one of the drivers on that day when our conoy was attacked by unknown armed men. I heard a gunshot, then the three Vehicles in front of me stopped and each vehicle was reversing, before I reversed the engine was off. I started the engine again but I was not successful because as i was to drive I sustained two bullets direct on my chest, the bullet bounced back since I was wearing a blue helmet and hit my left shoulder and left arm. I couldn’t drive because I was traumatized and the armed men also covered the road. We were two Male Police Advisers and a female Police Adviser in our vehicle, the other man was shot on the leg and both of us were losing a lot of blood. We rolled out of the vehicle to the nearby bush but we had nowhere to go since the whole place was covered by the attackers. While we had our heads down I heard a sound of someone walking toward us, as I was trying to see what was about to happen, the man started talking to me but I

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couldn’t understand, I tried to beg him but he couldn’t hear me because of the language barrier.

He came straight to me and his gun was on my head, he started searching my pockets and took my wallet, then two other men followed. While he was still searching my pockets another man came and pushed me in the vehicle and drove away leaving my colleagues. They were talking to but the gun was still on my head these people wanted to kill me but God was on my side he indeed protected me. They drove about a kilometer and stopped the vehicle, they wanted to kill me but one Man said Lalalala which means no, while showing them the 100 pounds which he found in my wallet, they immediately kicked me out of the vehicle and they drove away.

I forced myself to go back to the scene of accident but I was surprised to hear some gun shots again at a distance, I dint know what to do because I was losing blood and became very weak, I found cover under a tree then I saw the other two Police Advisors also hiding nearby also waiting for rescue team.

While waiting, we heard gun shots again, as we were forcing ourselves to move from that place I saw a curve and wanted to hide in that curve, unfortunately there was a very big python with its mouth was open, I cried bitterly and left the place, fortunately the ones firing were the UNAMID protection force who came to rescue us.

PIO: How did peacekeeping change your life in Darfur?

Julius: I have grown to be a Man of patience, resilience and my passion for people in need has grown in the mission because living under tough conditions is a gratifying experience which needs courage and the strength of will to move ahead and to overcome all challenges. The mission is complex, but

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at the same time more and more interesting. My life will never be the same, I have learnt a lot, be it technological awareness, I tell you; I am more competent than before. I have learnt the importance of teaching people skills than giving them money.

Peacekeeping has opened my eyes and my life has changed for the better.

PIO: How do you want your fellow peacekeepers to remember you?

Julius: They should remember me as a strong man who, despite being shot with seven bullets but never surrender the peacekeeping mission in Darfur.

PIO: What have you achieved as a Peacekeeper in Darfur?

Julius: Working as an international Police Officer gave me that chance to

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see different types of Police practice and share experiences with people. I drew my inspiration from many people inside and outside Police and discovered that I am capable as other men in the corporate world.

PIO: Do you remember having

happy moments during your stay as a Peacekeeper in Darfur?

Julius: Yes, Proud moments were when I put a smile on children’s faces and give hope to people in the IDPs/community.

PIO: What are some of your professional goals for the future?

Julius: That is a very good question; I plan to study Law, do some volunteer

work with underprivileged kids and enforcing the rule of law.

PIO: What advise do you have for colleagues in Darfur?

Julius: I would like to encourage all peace keepers especially Police Advisers to take induction course very seriously because in induction course, they stressed on the importance of using bullet proof jackets (body amour) which indeed saved my life. If I had not received the induction training tips on protective jackets I wouldn’t be here today but the life jackets really supported me, I sustained seven bullets but here I am still living strong.

The induction is also very effective because it makes you ready for the field work and guides you on how to interact with the Local leaders, which I also experienced , that by bringing the community closer, the work becomes easier for Peacekeepers since these people are land owners and they know the ground situation more than us.

Whenever you are out on patrols or outreach programs I urge you my fellow peacekeepers to wear full kit of protective jackets and never remove the plates inside the body amour.

My fellow peace keepers’ stay true to yourself, stay genuine and treat others how you want to be treated.

NEWS BRIEFS

PIO: Do you have any comments?

Julius:: Many thanks and appreciation to the UNAMID Police Component especially the Police Commissioner Madam Hester Paneras for the motherly love given to me when I was in the hospital, Tanzania Peacekeeping Force and Police Advisers in Khorabeche and Nyala who stood by me all the time, they encouraged me supported and gave me realization that God loves me.

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POLICE PATROLS

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ONGROUND UNAMID JSR Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, pays tribute to the fallen Senegalese Police Officers along with several members of the senior managment of the mission Police component Photos by: Ayman Tawfiq, UNAMID Police PIO.

ENGLISH ENHANCING COURSE AT ABU SHOUK INTERNALLY DISPLACE CAMP

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n 29 December, 2013, the UNAMID Community Policing Unit and the UNAMID Family and Child protection Unit visited the Omai School at Abu Shouk internally displace camp (IDPs) to formally launch the English Enhancing Course for displaced girls and women.

English Enhancing Course is critically important to the IDPs because being able to read and write makes a huge difference to doing many simple day to day activities.

This is reflected in some of the reasons community members have given for joining the classes, including wanting to be able to

read the newspaper instead of just looking at the pictures, to help their children with English, to understand forms, to write letters, to join the library, and to read a simple story to their children.

The Teachers, Mr. Abass Abdallah Idriss and Mr. Abduod Ghafar Adam Abdallah received 114 Female between the age of 30 – 40 who attended the first course and they were in high spirit with the availability of this course within their community. The course will be done by the local Teachers in collaboration with UNAMID Police Advisers Most participants were drawn from the

Secondary Schools and University because their extension courses in the University are conducted in English. Most of the students never had the chance to learn English in school, but now they are taking advantage of this opportunity.

Darfurians deserve all the support they can get to see their dreams through. It is this commitment which will transform a child from a clever young person in the community, to becoming a qualified doctor, accountant, teacher, or professional, and will transform their life and the opportunities they will be able to make for themselves forever.

NEWS BRIEFS

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ARTICLES UNAMID JSR Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, pays tribute to the fallen Senegalese Police Officers along with several members of the senior managment of the mission Police component Inset (Top) Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Dr. Syed Kaleem, (Bottom) Deputy Police Commissioner Police and Planning Dr. Mutasem Almajali.)

Photos by: Ayman Tawfiq, UNAMID Police PIO.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INITIATIVES IN DARFUR Domestic violence in its widest sense refers to the physical, psychological, emotional , sexual or economic abuse committed by a person against a spouse, child, and any other person who is a member of the household, dependent or parent of a child of that household. Domestic violence has negative health consequences on the victims and more especially on the reproductive health of women. It contributes to the maternal mortality rates as it results in healthrelated problems like gynecological problems.

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NAMID Police Advisers on their routine patrols brings attention to this violence against Women in Darfur, to promote women’s rights by redressing a range of discriminatory practices against women and unequal gender relations in public and domestic life; they also focus on some of the horrors women face during wartime.

To maintain respect from the community, the society discourage women from talking about their experiences of domestic violence domestic violence and this is one of the most pervasive means by which gender inequalities are manifested in Darfur.

Because of this resistance, the collection of data on domestic violence is challenging, women may

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not disclose issues of domestic violence as it is regarded as bringing shame to their family and because some partners are not open to one another.

In response to the international and regional instruments on women’s rights, UNAMID Police Training Unit started to implement various initiatives aimed at creating awareness of the dangers of gender-based

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ARTICLES violence and changing the social order in which a woman is assumed to be of lesser status and her husband leads in all family aspects.

These trainings are aimed at providing knowledge to the women on Access to Justice, Domestic Violence, and Basis Human Rights among others.

Experience has it that most of the time men are the offended and women are the victims but to fight against domestic violence it requires a person of integrity and respect. There are some specific cultural issues like when a woman is raped she has provoked by wearing indecent clothes, being flirtatious or being at the wrong place which is not the true, and if women are to contribute their vast potential to rebuilding more peaceful, stable communities they must be safe both inside and outside their own homes.

Women are therefore, taught about domestic violence so that if they have been abused they should report issue of domestic violence to the local Police or to UNAMID Police. These initiatives gives voice to survivors, highlighting their desires and needs to find solutions to problems that prevents them from taking advantage of the new opportunities that peace presents. The fears that result from the violence keep women from participating in development programs and instead they are resistance, they stay quiet and spend most of their time lamenting. This however, deprives women of their ability to achieve their full potential by threatening their safety, freedom and autonomy.

In all the Sectors of Darfur, the UNAMID Police Gender Unit in collaboration with the Training unit

apart from training the vulnerable women, it also trains the Government of Sudan Police women who do the community training with community members (train of trainers). The phenomenon of violence is only one aspect of the discriminatory practices and unequal relations women face in conflict situations of, but it is a significant and widespread one. This is most shockingly on display in conditions of war, where women and girls have been subjected to organized, assault and abuse.

The story of Marriam in Sector East is a case in point. In 2010 she was raped after man attempted to kill her with a knife and got pregnant, she was chased out of her home and endured violent beatings throughout her pregnancy by her relatives claiming she knew who the man was. “We used to go to the bush, about 5 Km from home, I went with other seven girls and some men started following us, we tried to run but two of us our donkeys were tired and the men over powered us and we were raped.” Ms. Marriam said. “We managed to get back home very late which provoked my parents and started beating me.

They said I brought shame to the family and they treated me as an outcast. I abandoned my family because of abuse and went to urban area in search of obtaining refuge.”

Rape and sexual violence are used as weapons of war to shame and destroy families and communities.

Such cultural norms put girls in subservient positions for their whole life. Even in the camps women and girls face a lot of challenges. Many other instances have been identified where women and girls are abducted for the purposes of supplying combatants with sexual services.

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Women are always forced to do various things with the combatants and they obey for fear of being killed.

There is a lot of abandonment of women. The country has registered killings, marriages going sour, wife battering, and children being punished beyond their little ages.

This is why UNAMID Police Advisers go around the Internally Displaced Camps for sensitization programs if left like that these physical and psychological outcomes of Domestic violence may inhibit a woman’s capability, not only to herself, but also her relationships with her family and community.

During interactions, a female in Kab-kabya in North Dafur, testified how her husband abused her and also how he defiled their two daughters, including one who is now ten years old. She said she was pushed back each time she wanted the issue addressed on the basis that the story would bring shame to the family.

When I complained to my husband’s relatives, they appeared as if nothing was happening and discouraged me from taking the issue further.” complained Hamida.

She said she struggled to get justice adding that her husband run away when she reported the case to the Government of Sudan Police leaving her with five children behind without food. She said the Government of Sudan Police is now doing investigations to find the man for charges of abuse and defilement.

UNAMD Police Advisers will continue addressing these issues to serve the vulnerable women and children of Darfur especially girls who always leave in fear to address their concerns.

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ONGROUND ONGROUND ACTIVITIES

UNAMID JSR Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, pays tribute to the fallen Senegalese Police Officers along with several members of the senior managment of the mission Police component

HOSPITAL VISIT ON NEW YEAR DAY Hospital visits, Juvenile detention cells and school visitations forms a key part of the Family and Child Protection Units routine activities. The aim is to monitor Sexual and Gender Base Violence cases, to eradicate sexual assault on children, sensitize on personal hygiene and child safety.

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gainst these ethics, Mandate implementation Officer, Juliana Abah, and her entourage from Sector North Headquarters visited the maternity and delivery wards of Al Saudi Government hospital in El Fasher on 1 January 2014 The team interacted with Dr. Sami Ibrahim and Dr. Muftabo Eltigoni, Medical Director and in- charge Fistula department respectively. During their visit at the Delivery ward, the entourage was informed that, the department recorded the birth of 20 babies on that fateful day. and also received 3 rape victims including that of a medical student from El Fasher University.

The doctors at the hospital appreciated UNAMID police mandated

activities and stressed the need for UNAMID Police to intensify their sensitization programs within the Internally Displaced Persons Camps where the majority of Sexual Gender Based Violence cases are recorded due to their vulnerability giving an example of the three rape patients who had been admitted at the hospital on the same day of their visit. They said it’s not only in the IDPs where such cruel acts are being raped but also in outside the camp because one of the said victims was a University student.

The Mandate implementation officer thanked the hospital staff for their continuous support and assistance given to Sector North Family and Child Protection Unit during their routine daily activities. She emphasized the

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importance of information sharing ,which according to her, is key to successful monitoring and investigation of gender related offences and concluded by saying it was time to unite to fight and eradicate violence against women and children.

Two wheel chairs were handed over to enhance their performance. Soap, milk, sweets, sugar, and dates were also distributed to the patients on admission.

Both doctors thanked the UNAMID team for their kind gestures and indicated that the gifts could not have come at a better time, since the hospital was in dire needs of such items and like Oliver Twist were asking UNAMID to assist by providing a delivery bed since the current one is in a deplorable state.

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WORKSHOP

Indonesian FPU Officer monitor and protect the movement of a UNAMID convoy Photo: UNAMID - Olivier Chassot

FORMED POLICE UNITS PRACTICUM IN EL-FASHER Formed Police Units are police officers who are law enforcement officials assigned to serve as “Experts on Mission” with the UN on secondment by the Governments of Member States at the request of the Secretary –General.

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n 2008, the African Union- United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) force replaced an African Union force, which was previously in place to monitor the violence and ensure that humanitarian aid reached those that required it. The conflict situation in Darfur made hundreds of thousands of people dead and some suffered displacement, starvation, torture and rape since the conflicts started.

Due to difficulties and continued fighting between the government and several rebel groups, Humanitarian Aid being blocked from reaching those who need it, women and children suffering it eventually brought , the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which authorized the deployment of Formed

Police Units to Darfur.

These Formed Police Units are police officers who are law enforcement officials assigned to serve as “Experts on Mission” with the UN on secondment by the Governments of Member States at the request of the Secretary –General.

These are cohesive mobile police units, providing support to United Nations operations and ensuring the safety and security of United Nations personnel and mission. FPUs consist of a minimum operational capacity, a command and logistics elements to make up an approximate total strength of 140.

In addition to their roles they can be called upon to support the host state police to maintain law and order even though public order management in most cases are handled by the local police but, public order

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management is the most central competence of FPUs and this is applied within a strict legal framework focusing on the minimum appropriate use of force, facilitate the population’s exercise of their fundamental rights without any disturbance or unjustified hindrance and to prevent assemblies from threatening or actually harming public safety, keeping in mind the principle of proportionality and the necessity of continued negotiation. This is because their special weapons and equipment gives them a heightened robustness compared to Individual Police Officers.

Their effectiveness is dependent on a sound threat assessment and information gathering as well as on knowledge of local conditions.

FPUs provide 24 hours protections to 48 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps through confidence building and

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WORKSHOP security patrols in 21 camps which are normally conducted in three shifts; morning, afternoon and night patrols together with police advisers. FPUs are stationed at 11 team sites whiles the rest are covered by military.

In order to be equal to the Hercules tasks, and to ensure Uniform standards for the conduct of operational tasks and further enhance operational capabilities of the Units, a two days workshop was held on 16 January, 2014.

The workshop aimed at providing the FPUs Commanders with the guidelines for the proper handling of FPUs administrative and operational tasks, to review security situation and the FPU operation in the last three months, address lapses identified, highlighting lessons learnt, analyze FPUs operational readiness for critical scenarios and to develop proper coordination for the joint operations with GoS Police, Movement Police and Government of Sudan Military, and to update and equip the participants on changing trends, development and expectations for the year.

In attendance were the FPU Commanders, FPU coordinators, Operation Officers from all the team sites, FPU coordinators from all the sectors and various Unit heads.

In his opening address the Officer Incharge Police Component, Deputy Police

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Commissioner Operations Dr. Syed Imam, welcomed the course participants and stressed the need to continue with patrols in the IDP Camps since, it provides a sense of security and assurance to the IDPs. He encouraged the FPU commanders to put more effort in the introduced anti-ambush exercise which started some weeks ago to be abreast with current trends and maneuvering skills to enable them overcome any obstacles in their day to day activities. ‘The success of the mission in Darfur largely depends on specialized FPUs who have the ability to cope with the challenging environment in Darfur and deliver their services to the people of Darfur,� said Dr. Syed Imam.

He advised the Commanders and participants to share the work shop results to their counterparts and advise them to be vigilant all the time in order to avoid frequent loss of peacekeepers and to protect UNAMID property. The deputy, however, was not happy with frequent lost of lives and urged all to take security serious.

The Acting Chief of Staff, Planning and Budget coordinator Mr. Ahmed Mukarram spoke on having a data base for all FPUs and to update the existing 2010 Policy Guidelines. He coded them on the coming of Humanitarian Experts from UNAMID Headquarters who are interested in Contingent own Equipments, the Command and Control

and the working relationship between FPUs, Police Advisers and Military. He noted that Peacekeepers are losing lives because of lack of training and emphasized on the use of training which he said well trained and developed officers will be a valuable asset to the organization and thereby increasing the chances of their efficiency in discharging their duties.

Presentations were made by political Affairs officer Mr. Hasting Puri Chief of Humanitarian Affairs, Chief of Unexploded Ordinance Mr. Max Millia Dyck, OIC Contingent own Equipment Mr. Anton, Conduct and Discipline Officer Ms. Wanda Carter, OIC Board of Inquiry Mr. Zia Khan, Chief of Civil Affairs Ms. Rita Reddy, Chief Security Advisor Mr. Philipo Tarakinikini, and the FPU Coordinator Mr.?// . The political Affairs officer Mr. Hasting Puri spoke on the different types of conflict, the genesis of the Darfur conflict the various actors and factors, the major constraints facing Peacekeepers, and the political dynamics.

The workshop was vibrant and interactive, and the information provided was invaluable to participants. The participants were cautioned from concealing information which results in the lost of time and lives, hence the need to share information. Further, sustaining the rule of law and long term peace is paramount.

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PHOTO GALLERY

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UNAMID Police Advisor from Egypt Police contingent during the activities of Egyptian Medal Parade in El-Fasher December, 2013.

UNAMID AFRICAN UNION - UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR

UNAMID POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT