KHARTOUM, Nov 16 (KUNA) -- The Sudanese government Sunday refused a request by the UN-African Union (AU) Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to visit a village north of Darfur for a second time to investigate claims that Sudanese forces raped 200 women.
UNAMID had already visited Tabet village and issued a statement denying the rape allegations, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Reports suggested that villagers were threatened not to talk about the alleged rape.
UNAMID's chief told the ministry he would submit a request tomorrow to visit the village for a second time, it said. But he went and got a permission to visit the village from the local authorities without obtaining the ministry's approval, added the ministry.
The ministry said locals were not feeling at ease in dealing with UNAMID because of great defamation caused by the rape allegations.
It however said it would continue to cooperate with UNAMID. (end) hhi.bs