Officials may not be behind north Darfur abuses

EL FASHER, Sudan, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Fighters acting without permission from their leaders could be responsible for recent violence against civilians in the north of Sudan’s Darfur region, officials from the African Union said on Monday.

A Rwandan African Union soldier patrols at Abushouk camp near El Fasher in North Darfur, Nov. 3. (AFP).

The AU observers monitoring a shaky April ceasefire have said incidents of rape, robberies and attacks against civilians in the area continue despite agreements signed between the government and rebels to increase security.

“It is believed that these banditry activities might have been perpetrated by some unscrupulous members of all the groups … that are outside the control of their leadership,” said Colonel Awwal Usman Mohammed, an African Union commander in North Darfur state.

Janjaweed militias, who aid workers and the rebels say are supported by the government, have been accused of attacking civilians.

“I believe there is a total lack of control … Even the Janjaweed, I don’t think the government of Sudan actually sanctions what they do,” Mohammed said.

The government admits arming some militia to fight the rebellion, which has killed tens of thousands and made about 2 million people homeless, but calls the Janjaweed outlaws.

The rebels took up arms against Khartoum in early 2003 after years of conflict over scare resources, accusing the government of neglect and arming the Janjaweed to loot and burn non-Arab villages.