Partner's driver shot dead in Darfur

Children play near newly constructed shelters in Mershing camp, Darfur [Alistair Dutton]

A driver for a CAFOD partner was shot dead on Wednesday 19 July as violence continues to plague Darfur in Sudan

Abdul Bagi Ahmed was driving the vehicle on behalf of SUDO (Sudan Social Development Organisation), when he was stopped on the road from Mershing to Nyala by a man carrying a weapon.

After questioning Abdul Ahmed, the armed man jumped into the back of the vehicle and shot him three times in the back of the head. It is believed that Mr Ahmed died instantly. Mr Ahmed was in his forties and leaves a wife and family.

SUDO is a partner of the ACT-Caritas operation in Darfur, operating a health clinic and psychosocial centre on behalf of ACT and Caritas, as well as implementing water and sanitation services in the camps for displaced people in Mershing.

Action by Churches Together International (ACT) and Caritas International (CI) are working together in a joint response to the Darfur crisis. Caritas International is a confederation of 162 Catholic aid agencies that includes CAFOD.

The area around Mershing and Manaweshi is known to be one of the least secure in south Darfur. Following a series of attacks on vehicles travelling along the road to Nyala, and a large attack on displaced people's camps at the beginning of this year, humanitarian organisations have been advised to obtain an escort from the African Union (AU) for missions to the area.

Under-funded African Union

However, the AU is chronically understaffed and under-funded. There have been plans since last year for a permanent AU base to be located between Mershing and Manaweshi, but with the failure to obtain funding, the base has not been built. However, it is believed that this base will be a priority for the new battalions.

Last week donor governments met in Brussels to discuss the situation in Darfur. Ahead of the conference CAFOD joined other international aid agencies to ask these governments to respond urgently and generously and fully support the African Union force in Darfur.

Despite pledges from the UK, the US, the European Union, Canada and the Netherlands, at the end of the donor conference the African Union force was left $150m short of the resources it asked for. Even if the money pledged is delivered, according to the chairman of the African Union it will keep the mission afloat only until September.

CAFOD and the other aid agencies called on all donor countries that are concerned about what is happening in Darfur must now donate generously and work with the African Union to ensure civilians receive the protection they deserve.

For further information, please contact: Patrick Nicholson on 07979781015 or 020 7326 5559

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