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African Union Force Ineffective, Complain Refugees in Darfur
African Union peacekeepers and a U.S. adviser, center in fatigues, listen to refugees living in the Fata Borno camp.
(By Alfred De Montesquiou -- Associated Press)
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Tribal leaders say armed men now plunder the camp at will.
"Four days ago, they came in broad daylight and stole 84 goats," said Abdallah Shariff. He said nights are even worse.
"We can't sleep. We go to bed with our shoes on," he said, in case they have to flee.
Egyptian Maj. Ahmed El Serafy, who commands African Union police in the sector of Darfur that includes Kassab, said improving security in Kassab is an urgent task for what few forces he has -- 82 police officers for an area of 13,000 square miles.
"I knew it was going to be bad, but I never thought it would be this bad," he said.
Serafy said that police would resume day patrols in Kassab next week and that he hoped this show of force would improve security. But the African Union's officers go unarmed, and he said some were afraid to return to the refugee camp.
Even though refugees are frustrated with the A.U. peacekeepers, camp leaders pleaded with the delegation last week to return soon, saying time is running out.
"For now, we're on our own," said Youssouf Aldoun. "He is all we have for protection" he said, pointing his palms toward the sky in a Muslim gesture that signifies God.
