International commission condemns new Darfur clashes

By ABAKAR SALEH, Associated Press Writer

N’DJAMENA, Chad, Nov 25, 2004 (AP) — An international commission monitoring the cease-fire in Sudan’s western Darfur region condemned clashes recent between rebels and government-backed militias.

A rebel attack in south Darfur killed 25 people — including 25 police, a medical worker and two civilians — while African Union troops had to rescue 45 aid workers in north Darfur, are among two of the clashes reported this week.

The commission, which was established in April, includes representatives from Sudan’s government, the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement as well as France, the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.

“We have information related to violations of the cease-fire. We condemn this new development and we will take all necessary measures to preserve” the cease-fire and humanitarian assistance agreements, Nassour said, speaking during a break from the commissions’ monthly meeting in the Chadian capital, N’djamena.

He did not say what measures the commission would take.

The World Food Program said on Thursday that it had suspended its operations in most of North Darfur and relocated its staff to the capital due to renewed clashes between rebels and government forces.

Darfur’s conflict, which the U.N. calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Army and allied Justice and Equality Movement took up arms against what they saw as years of state neglect and discrimination against Sudanese of African origin.

The government responded with a counterinsurgency campaign in which the Janjaweed, an Arab militia, has committed wide-scale abuses against the African population. More than 1.8 million people are estimated to have been driven from their homes.

More than 70,000 people have died from violence, disease and malnutrition since March, according to aid agency estimates.