Secretary-General Welcomes Sudan’s Granting of Amnesty to Five South Darfur Sheikhs

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the Government of Sudan’s decision to grant amnesty to five sheikhs (community leaders) who were sheltering at the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) Community Policing Centre in Kalma, South Darfur.  The sheikhs, who returned to their homes today, were under the protection of UNAMID following an outbreak of violence in Kalma internally displaced persons camp in July of last year.

The Secretary-General is gratified that the sheikhs have, with the support of UNAMID, been reunited with their families in time to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.  He urges community leaders and members of the camp to refrain from all acts of violence.

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For information media • not an official record