Violence continues despite Darfur peace accord
Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy
Press Release
May 19, 2006 — The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is concerned that chaos
continues in Darfur, despite the May 5th peace accord. Damanga
correspondents on the ground report that killings and rapes have not ceased.
One week before the peace accord, on April 26, Janjaweed attacked four
homes in the town of Beida. Reports indicate that three people were killed,
including a seventeen year old named Said Mohamed Abdullah. Additional
reports indicate that Janjaweed are increasing attacks on international aid
agencies as well.
Just two days after the peace accord was signed, the government forcibly
conscripted graduates from the Old High School of Al-Geneina for military
training. During the ‘training’ military officers severely beat the
conscripts, killing three. In the ensuing chaos the high school graduates
began demonstrating and many fled the area.
Government security forces are now sweeping Al-Geneina to arrest the
students for desertion. Reports on the ground indicate that those arrested
are being tortured.
– Mohamed Yahya, Chairman, Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy