U.S. urges Sudan to investigate violent clashes in Darfur's refugee camp

Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-27 06:39:13|Editor: yan
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KHARTOUM, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday urged the Sudanese government to launch a transparent investigation into recent clashes in a camp for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur region.

"The United States is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by government forces in the Sept. 22 clashes with the internally displaced persons at Kalma camp in South Darfur," said U.S. Embassy in Khartoum in a statement.

The U.S. calls on the government of Sudan to "immediately launch a thorough and transparent investigation of the incident," the statement said.

Sudanese security forces reportedly fired upon the IDPs during a protest, resulting in five deaths of both men and women and more than 26 injured, it added.

The U.S. further stressed the importance for the Sudanese government forces to respond to protests with restraint, even if provoked.

It also called on civilians to protest peacefully and to avoid any physical confrontation with security forces.

The United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) announced that at least three IDPs were killed and 26 others injured in the clashes between government forces and IDPs, who protested in Kalma IDP camp in South Darfur in protesting a visit by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to the camp.

The Kalma camp was established in February 2004 in Bileil, some 15 km east of Nyala, the capital city of South Darfur State.

According to the UN World Food Program and the International Organization for Migration, Kalma, which accommodates 126,200 IDPs, is the biggest IDP camp in Darfur.

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