Secretary-General Urges Sudanese Government to Grant ‘Unfettered’ Access for Peace Mission to Investigate Mass Rape Allegations

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

The Secretary‑General is deeply troubled about persistent allegations of mass rape in Thabit, North Darfur.  The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) visited Thabit on 9 November.  However, the heavy presence of military and police in Thabit made a conclusive investigation difficult.  UNAMID has since then attempted to gain further access to shed light on what happened.

The Secretary‑General is concerned that after intense consultations with the Government in Khartoum and with local authorities in Darfur, UNAMID was yesterday denied access to Thabit.  Only a full investigation by UNAMID will help shed light over these serious allegations.  The Secretary‑General therefore urges the Government of Sudan to grant UNAMID unfettered access, without further delay, to Thabit and its population, so that these reports can be verified.