Sudanese arab militia says acting under government orders

LONDON, Aug 05, 2004 (Dow Jones) — Militia accused of atrocities in Sudan that have caused over a million people to flee have said they were acting under orders from the government. U.K. television station Sky News reports on its Web site Thursday.

Sky said it had gained exclusive access to the so-called Janjaweed fighters.

About two million people are believed to have been left homeless after an 18-month campaign waged by the Arab militia.

The violence has left up to 50,000 people dead.

The conflict began last year when rebels attacked government targets, accusing the authorities of oppressing black Africans in favor of Arabs.

The government in Khartoum admitted using what it calls “self-defense militias” to fight the rebels.

But it denied any links to the Janjaweed fighters.

However, Sky News Africa correspondent Stuart Ramsay visited a Janjaweed stronghold and talked to the tribal elders.

They told him they regretted the violence, but said the government had asked them to take up arms.

They said they wanted an end to the fighting – but Ramsay said few Africans believe they will disarm.

Janjaweed gunmen have been making overtures of peace lately, in an attempt to encourage some of the people they forced from their homes to return.

But Ramsay said the sight of young militiamen with AK-47 assault rifles slung over their shoulders meant the refugees were too scared to come back.

Sky News Web site: http://www.sky.com/skynews