African Union says alarmed by Darfur fighting
September 11, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) said on Tuesday it was deeply concerned about recent fighting between government troops and rebels in south Darfur.
AMIS said it had received “extremely grave reports” about fighting on Monday in the town of Haskanita in Darfur between government forces and rebels that did not sign a 2006 peace deal with Khartoum.
“AMIS is deeply concerned about this fighting and calls for an immediate ceasefire by all parties,” it said in a statement.
“Given the critical stage of the peace process, the forthcoming negotiations in Libya and the commitments made by all parties to uphold the ceasefire, the nature, scale and timing of these attacks is astonishing.”
The African mission didn’t designate which party is responsible of the attack but confirmed that heavy fighting took place yesterday in Haskanita.
“While the exact details of what happened still have to be properly investigated, the evidence that fighting indeed took place involving use of heavy weapons including helicopter gunships is clear.” Said the statement.
Two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) unity faction as well as the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said they had managed to repel Monday’s attack, which a military spokesman in Khartoum denies took place.
Reports of the attack come days after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that peace talks between the Sudanese government and the Darfur rebel factions are set to resume in Libya on October 27.
(ST/AFP)
Below the text of AMIS statement:
September 11, 2007 — The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has received extremely grave reports about fighting between Government of Sudan armed forces and non-signatory rebel factions in the town of Haskanita South Darfur yesterday afternoon. According to those reports, fierce fighting took place in the area. They also allude to their proximity to the AMIS Military Group Site in the town forcing AMIS personnel to take cover and civilians to seek refuge around the camp.
While the exact details of what happened still have to be properly investigated, the evidence that fighting indeed took place involving use of heavy weapons including helicopter gunships is clear. Given the critical stage of the peace process, the forthcoming negotiations in Libya and the commitments made by all parties to uphold the ceasefire, the nature, scale and timing of these attacks is astonishing.
It is particularly alarming that these developments should take place so soon after the visit of the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon and the positive atmosphere which it created.
AMIS is deeply concerned about this fighting and calls for an immediate ceasefire by all parties. Retaliatory attacks by any of the belligerents when the International Community is engaged in diplomatic efforts to convene an inclusive conference to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Darfur cannot be condoned under any circumstances. All parties must resist any and all attempts to derail the Peace Process at this crucial and most sensitive time.
The holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week, is a time for peaceful reflection and contemplation; AMIS wishes that this will inspire all parties to strive with renewed vigour for an end to hostilities and a positive climate for the upcoming negotiations.