Janjaweed militia attacks villagers despite peace deal

May 16, 2006 (KHARTUOM) — The Janjawid militia have launched a widespread attack against the villages of Kori, Karbi and Lari Kangra on the outskirts of Kutum in North Darfur State.

A first estimate indicates that in Kori village alone 15 men have been killed and 1,000 heads of livestock rustled and army and security authorities moved to contain the situation.

Meanwhile, the AU launched two appeals, one to the government to control the situation and contain the outlaws, and another to the Sudan Liberation Movement to exercise self-restraint, particularly as this was the first attack after the signing of the Abuja peace agreement.

The independent Al-Ayam reported that an AU delegation visited Kori area and counted the bodies.

The attack against the village was carried out by 500 members of the Janjawid militia. They said the army and security forces pursued the attackers and managed to seize some of them while the rest fled.

The attack has resulted in large numbers of residents fleeing towards Kutum town in search of security. This is the first attack against villages following the singing of the Abuja peace agreement last week.

(ST)