British ministers voice concern over Darfur
April 25, 2006 (ONDON ) — Reports of fresh fighting in western Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region prompted two senior British government ministers to voice their concern and call on all sides to make peace.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and International Development Secretary Hilary Benn were referring to reports that helicopter gunships, allegedly belonging to the Sudanese government, bombed a village called Joghada in southern Darfur on Monday, forcing women and children to flee.
Straw said: “I am appalled to hear of reports of the apparent use of helicopter gunships against a village in Darfur.”
He also highlighted other clashes between different rebel groups and said Britain was trying to confirm the reports.
Such violence in any event was unacceptable, he said, particularly against the backdrop of efforts by the African Union to secure a peace settlement.
“I call on all sides to stop fighting and to work in good faith for a settlement within the AU’s deadline of the end of April,” Straw said.
Pressure is mounting on the Sudanese government and the two rebel movements operating in Darfur to reach a deal to end a war that has left up to 300,000 people dead from violence or disease and more than 2.4 million homeless.
Benn reiterated figures of the casualties of the conflict.
“This massive human disaster can only begin to be put right once there is a peace deal,” he said in a joint statement with Straw.
“Time is running out for all sides in Darfur to live up to their responsibilities and work for a rapid settlement.”
(ST)