July 7, 2010 (Khartoum) — The head of the United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari, said government and rebel forces must stop blocking missions by aid workers and peacekeepers in Darfur or risk breaking international law.
Gambari told journalists that “both insurgents and government forces had prevented his mission from entering areas hit by a resurgence of violence over the past two months”.
“We are demanding the lifting of restrictions on UNAMID and on the humanitarian community … Persistent restriction of such movements is a violation of international humanitarian law”, he added.
Mr. Ibrahim admitted that some government restrictions were acceptable because there was active fighting in the area.
The head of mission acknowledged said that some government restrictions were acceptable because there was a fighting in the area.