UN warn of surge in violence in Sudan’s Darfur
Oct 12, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The UN warned Wednesday of a grave deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation throughout Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region following a recent escalation of violence.
The gloomy UN assessment follows the recent rebel kidnappings – and later release – of almost 40 members of an African Union team near the Chad border and killing of three Nigerian soldiers working as AU peacekeepers and their two Sudanese civilian drivers in southern Darfur.
The chairman of the African Union commission, Alpha Oumar Konare, for the first time directly blamed the Sudan Liberation Army for Saturday’s killings, which were the first of AU soldiers since they deployed to Darfur in April 2004 to monitor a shaky cease-fire deal.
The Darfur conflict started in 2003 after rebels led by the SLA and another group, the Justice and Equality Movement, took up arms against Sudan’s government claiming discrimination and neglect.
The government has been accused of unleashing Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, in a campaign of murder, rape and arson against African tribes people in Darfur. The crisis has claimed the lives of more than 180,000 people and displaced several million from their homes.
Radhia Achouri, spokesperson for the UN’s envoy to Sudan, complained Wednesday of recurring incidents of armed looting, banditry, robbery and unconfirmed reports of renewed clashes between government forces and rebels throughout Darfur in recent days.
“Given the prevailing security situation, almost two-thirds of the areas of operation of the humanitarian community in southern Darfur are considered hazardous for the safety of humanitarian personnel and have been declared no go areas,” Achouri said during a press briefing.
There have been preliminary reports of a SLA attack against a Sudanese government convoy late Tuesday in Kafod, a town near the city of Kutum in North Darfur state, according to AU acting head of mission in Darfur, Jean-Baptiste Natama. No further details were available.
UN official Achouri said areas in northern Darfur, particularly the Zam Zam refugee camp, continues to receive thousands of displaced people from throughout the vast region.
In the western Darfur city of Geneina, humanitarian agencies are facing “increasing constraints in delivering assistance” after the UN ordered that roads into the town be placed under restricted access because of armed clashes and “increased banditry,” Achouri said.
The African Union called on the Sudanese government Wednesday to issue clearances for 105 armored personnel carriers provided by Canada so they can be delivered to peacekeeping troops in the field, Natama said in a statement.
The pan-African body’s peace and security council has also decided to send a high-level team of military experts to Darfur immediately to assess the security situation and examine ways to improve protection for the AU team.
(AP/ST)