US condemns Sudan assault of UN staff in Darfur

Jan 23, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — The United States condemned the Sudanese government’s arrest and subsequent assault of 20 staff from the UN, African Union and non-governmental organizations in strife-torn Darfur.

Sudanese police raided the International Non Governmental Organization (INGO) compound in Nyala, southern Darfur on Friday and arrested 20 people, including INGO, UN and African Union staff gathered for a social function, according to the United Nations.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States “condemns” their arrest and assault and added that the Sudanese government had an obligation to protect humanitarian aid workers and others providing “life-saving” assistance to Sudanese.

“There is no justification for these appalling recent attacks on humanitarian aid workers,” he said in a statement.

But he pointed out that such attacks would not weaken international resolve to assist the people of war-ravaged Darfur.

“Rather, the Sudanese government’s actions will only bring about additional international scrutiny,” he said.

McCormack called on all parties in Darfur to demonstrate their commitment to peace and serving the needs of the people of Sudan.

More than 200,000 people have died, according to the United Nations, since the February 2003 civil war broke out in Darfur province where African Union peacekeepers supplemented by UN advisers struggle to maintain order.

(AFP)

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Below a statement by the US State Department on the UN, AU NGOs personnel arrest

– Press Statement
– Sean McCormack, Spokesman
– Washington, DC
– January 23, 2007

The United States condemns the Government of Sudan’s January 19, 2007 arrest and subsequent assault of 20 staff members from the UN, African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and seven non-governmental organizations in Nyala, South Darfur.

There is no justification for these appalling recent attacks on humanitarian aid workers. The Sudanese government has an obligation to protect humanitarian aid workers and others providing life-saving assistance to Sudan’s citizens. Attacks such as this one will not weaken the international community’s resolve to assist the suffering people of Darfur. Rather, the Sudanese government’s actions will only bring about additional international scrutiny. We call on all of the parties in Darfur to demonstrate their commitment to peace and to serving the needs of all the Sudanese people.

2007/045

Released on January 23, 2007