国际英语新闻:3 IDPs killed, 26 injured in protests against Sudanese president's visit to IDP camp in Dar

NYALA, SUDAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least three internally displaced persons (IDP) were killed and 26 others injured in clashes between government forces and IDPs who protested in Kalma IDP camp in South Darfur in rejection to a visit by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to the camp, United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) announced Friday.

"UNAMID is deeply concerned about clashes between government forces and internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing at Kalma camp, South Darfur, which have led to the death of at least three IDPs and injuries to some 26 others," said UNAMID in a statement Friday.

"The incident reportedly occurred this morning after Government of Sudan forces dispersed a group of IDPs protesting against Sudanese President, Omar Al-Bashir's visit to South Darfur," the statement added.

The mission, meanwhile, urged all conflicting parties to exercise utmost restraint, noting that it was doing everything it can to deescalate the situation.

"I call upon everyone involved in this situation to restore calm as soon as possible. A peaceful resolution of differences is the only way forward for the Darfuri people," UNAMID Joint Special Representative Jeremiah Mamabolo said in the statement.

A medical team from UNAMID is currently at Kalma camp to assist local authorities in treating the injured, the mission noted.

Kalma camp has been witnessing demonstrations by IDPs since Tuesday in protest against al-Bashir's visit to the camp, which accommodates thousands of IDPs.

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 Programme and the International Organization for Migration, Kalma, which accommodates 126,200 IDPs, is the biggest IDP camp in Darfur.

The IDPs started to arrive at the camp in 2004 to flee the fighting in Shattaya, villages in the southeast of Jebel Marra, as well as Mukjar and Murni in West Darfur State and areas around Netaiga.

The Sudanese authorities accuse the majority of Kalma IDPs of being loyal to the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul-Wahid Mohamed al Nur, a major armed rebel group in Darfur which refuses to sign a peace deal with the Khartoum government.