Darfur rebels says Sudanese army attacks and bombs villages
Jan 30, 2007 (JEBEL MARRA) — Sudanese troops has carried out today a ground and air attack against Villages in Jebel Marra in South Darfur state, a Darfur rebel group said
The Sudan Liberation Movement faction led by Ahmed Abdelshafei said Tuesday that the Sudanese army troops and military airplanes attacked villages in Eastern Jebel Marra and Rokiro area.
The spokesperson of the SLM/A group, Jaffer Monro, said the SLA forces repelled the assailant troops “Our troops (SLA) repulsed the GoS troops as the protection of the people of Darfur is our sole duty.”
Menro denounced the silence of the international community over the organized killing of the civilians in western Sudan. He urged pressure on Khartoum to abide by the ceasefire agreement signed in the Chadian capital in April 2004.
Yesterday African Union commission president Alpha Oumar Konare urged the Sudanese government to stop aerial bombing in Darfur. “Sudan should stop the bombardments and massacres” in Darfur, Konare told African heads of state gathered at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.
(ST)
The following is the text of the press release:
Press Release regarding a ground and air assault by the GoS on Jebel Marra
Early today, GoS troops and airplanes attacked villages in Eastern Jebel Marra and Rokiro area. The attack took place, only days after Dr. Alpha Omour Konare, chairman of the AU, has condemned the recent GoS air assaults on villages in Northern Darfur during his (Konare) opening remarks at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa this weekend. Dr. Konare’s words have also been echoed by, the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon at the AU Summit as well. Our troops (SLA) repulsed the GoS troops as the protection of the people of Darfur is our sole duty.
The scorched-earth policy of the NCP on the people of Darfur is becoming apparent and every call to pressure the GoS to abide by previously signed ceasefire agreements and find a peaceful settlement to the Darfur conflict is falling in deaf ears. Today, the world community is sitting idle and watching the greatest human tragedy of the century unfolding before our own eyes.
Jaffer Monro, Spokesman
Sudan Liberation Movement/Army
Date: January 30, 2007