Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan in Berlin

DBA: Spread of arms in Darfur resulted in 500,000 victims

Khartoum, Feb.9 (SUNA)- Darfur Bar Association (DBA) has revealed that the victims of violence and proliferation of weapons in Darfur is estimated at 500.000 persons and four million IDPs. While those staying in camps are estimated to 2.7 million people. Head of DBA advocate Salih Mahmoud explained at SUNA forum today that the phenomenon of arms spread among armed groups, tribes and individuals in Darfur threatened security and public safety. Advocate Mahmoud called for disarmament of all arm holders in Darfur.  He explained that the number of villages which were set on fire estimated to 15, 000 while the looted and destroyed properties in Darfur were unknown. He argued that the arms spread results in extrajudicial killing and committing crime against humanity including rape. He said Ingaz defunct regime had contributed in arming some tribes. Meanwhile DBA pointed out that all Darfur issues must remain under chapter (7) which deals with compensations, just trails, assisting refugees, displaced people and affected population, specially that the exit of UNAMID would create vacuum in Darfur. AA