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Kereinek second locality in West Darfur to be declared free of explosive remnants of war

Photo by Elsadig Daud, UNAMID.

On 28 February 2018, thousands of people from Kereinek, a locality in West Darfur, gathered to celebrate the declaration of all registered areas in the locality as free of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and unexploded ordnance (UXO). The project in Kereinek, initiated jointly by UNAMID’s Ordnance Disposal Office (ODO) and the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC), marks the second milestone in community safety and stabilization in the region, following the successful completion of a similar project in Forobaranga in 2017. 

The event was attended by the Wali (Governor) of West Darfur, Fadl Elmula Elhaja; the State Minister of Defense, Lietenant-General Ali Salim; the Charge d'Affaires, United States of America, Steven Koutsis as well as representatives of the Italian and Japanese embassies, Government of Sudan officials and UNAMID staff.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Elhaja highlighted that this development is expected to pave the way for a more stable, secure future for Kereinek locality, by ensuring safe farmlands and pastures which will enhance peaceful coexistence among the people residing here. Echoing Mr. Elhaja, Oumar Kane, Head of Office, UNAMID, West Darfur, stated that the Mission’s projects across West Darfur in support of fostering peaceful inter-communal relations and the rule of law are intended to fortify the Government of Sudan’s efforts to improve security in a bid to encourage displaced persons as well as refugees return to their areas of origin.

On his part, Mr. Koutsis applauded endeavors made by the Government and the international community in combating the dangers posed to civilian communities by ERW and UXO. “What we witness today was brought by a strategic decision made by the Sudanese government in 2016 to enter into a cessation of hostilities  and move toward a permanent peace in Darfur,” he said.

UNAMID ODO works in collaboration with relevant Government of Sudan agencies on clearance exercises and sensitizes people on ERW-related risks across all five Darfur states.