AU says situation in Darfur worsening

Dec 16, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union (AU) said Saturday the situation in Sudan’s western region of Darfur was “fast deteriorating,” because the Janjaweed militias were re-armed and returned.

“The security situation in Darfur is fast deteriorating, mainly because of the re-emergence of the Janjaweed militias who seemed to have been re-supplied and re-armed, and have been carrying out nefarious activities with impunity in parts of Darfur,” said an AU communique, released after a meeting of the Joint Ceasefire Commission on Darfur in Addis Ababa.

The communique accused the Janjaweed militias of attacking innocent civilians, including internally displaced persons, saying that these activities “increased tension and led to further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur.”

In the communique, the pan-African body condemned these violations and called for a complete and comprehensive cessation of hostilities by all the parties, whether signatory or non-signatory.

“This was necessary not only because it will arrest the situation of killings and all kinds of abuses, but it will also give chance to the ongoing efforts to reenergize the peace process and make it more inclusive,” said the communique.

The AU currently has about 7,000 troops in Darfur. The troops, known as the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS), are reportedly lacking in funds, manpower and equipment.

Clashes flared up in Darfur in February 2003 when local farmers took up arms against the Sudanese government, accusing it of neglecting the barren area. Thousands of people have been killed and more displaced in the violence.

(Xinhua)