14 May 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) confirmed that care will be taken to those asylums in Sudan from former Ethiopian peacekeepers stationed in Darfur.
This comes after about 120 ex-peacekeepers, primarily from Ethiopia’s Tigray region, expressed their concerns about their safety in the Sudan.
The Tigrayan peacekeepers, speaking anonymously to Voice of America (VOA) due to safety fears, worried about accusations from Sudan’s Rapid Response Forces (RRF) about the interference of TIgray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces in the Sudanese conflict.
The RRF accused TPLF militants of involvement in the Sudanese conflict, which raised anxieties for the refugees.
“This statement created a threat to us,” a former peacekeeper told VOA, fearing attacks on refugees in shelters.
The UNHCR acknowledged the refugees’ security concerns. “We understand the situation and are seeking solutions,” a UNHCR spokesperson said in an email to VOA.
The former peacekeepers were part of the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which concluded its mandate in December 2021. With ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, these peacekeepers fear returning home and have sought asylum in Sudan. Tensions between Sudan and Tigrayan forces add another layer of complexity to their situation.
Uncertainties Remain that while Sudan is considering their asylum requests, the long-term safety and status of these former peacekeepers remain unclear. The UNHCR’s efforts to find a solution will be crucial in addressing their concerns.
