ACT-Caritas Guard Killed in Darfur Camp

As the security situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate, an ACT-Caritas employee has been killed in western Darfur, Christian Aid reports.

Adam Adam, an ACT-Caritas employee was shot dead on his way home on Sunday 17 June 2007. Adam was a guard and a pump operator at a water point in Khamsa Degaig camp for internally displaced persons in Zalingei, West Darfur. He was also one of the local leaders in the camp.

Mr Adam was on his way home when he was ordered to stop by three unidentified men in civilian clothes. After refusing to stop, one of the three men shot him three times at point blank range. The guard died immediately. The incident was witnessed by three women on their way to the water point. People in the camp tried to react, but the attackers fired shots into the crowd, dispersing them and allowing the gunmen to escape.

This killing follows a spate of attacks in the camps around Zalingei. Since the beginning of June, five camp residents have been shot and killed, huts set on fire, people beaten and women are being assaulted almost daily. Hijackings of vehicles belonging to the UN and other international organisations also continue.

The security situation in and around Zalingei, where some 100,000 people are living in camps which provide some security and food aid has continued to deteriorate over the past year. People are still arriving in the camps every day.

'We are deeply saddened by the loss of life of one of our local staff members, Mr Adam Adam, in West Darfur. We extend our prayers, sympathy and support to his family," said John Nduna, director of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) alliance in Geneva.

The victim was buried Monday. ACT-Caritas officials will meet with the deceased's family to discuss how to best to support the family. An investigation is ongoing.