African Union says Sudan bombed Darfur villages near Chad
Feb 12, 2007 (AL-FASHER) –The African Union denounced air bombardment by government warplane of two localities in North Darfur near the Chadian border, saying Sudan ceasefire violations will hinder its effort for durable ceasefire.
“The AMIS Ceasefire Commission (CFC) notes with concern the bombardment by GoS Forces of Kariari and Bahai, 2 villages in North Darfur close to Chad – Sudan border on 11 February 2007, at about 1200hours.” Said a statement issued by the AU on Sunday 11 February.
The AU statement didn’t mention causalities.
“The AU CFC considers these acts unwarranted especially as efforts are on to ensure that the ceasefire to which all Parties expressed commitment holds in order to seek an enduring political solution to the Crisis.”
The Commission reiterated the “need for all parties to denounce violence and embrace dialogue as the best approach to resolving the Darfur Crisis.”
The Sudanese government routinely bombs, the African Union and the United Nations have regularly condemned Khartoum for these flagrant violations of ceasefire agreement.
Violence and repeated attacks against Darfur civilians by government backed militia, led to gradual evacuation of aid workers from many areas.
On 8 February, a joint UN team travelled from al-Fasher through Tawila to assess the security situation. The AU reported that since the humanitarian agencies left Tawila about 75 children and ten pregnant women died due to lack of medicine, a UN bulletin reported
UNDSS recommended that the UN and other humanitarian agencies who have left the area resume and continue their operations in Tawila.
(ST)