Press Statement by AMIS spokesman, on Darfur’s Kutum incident

African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS)

Press Statement by Noureddine Mezni, AMIS spokesman, On Kutum incident of 16 October 2005

Oct 17, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — We have received reports that in early hours of Sunday 16 October 2005, African Union Monitors in Kutum, north Darfur, heard sustained heavy bombardment in south -east of Kutum.Upon investigation, our team was informed that the fighting was started when the SLA attacked GoS military outpost near Kutum. The heavy bombardment earlier heard was apparently the reaction of GoS army in an effort to repulse the SLA attack whom they pursued up to Kenin and Nadi villages.

The African Mission in the Sudan is concerned that despite repeated appeals by the International Community as a whole , these incidents , attacks and counter- attacks continue unabated thus contributing to general slide towards widespread security deterioration in Darfur .

We, therefore, urge for restraint, and call upon parties involved to cooperate with the African Union team as they continue their investigation of the incident