Rights group denounces silence of African Union over Darfur strikes

May 2, 2007 (LONDON) — A Darfur right group denounced the silence of the African Union on the Sudanese army bombing of rebel positions in North Darfur. It said this aerial attacks aim to stop a conference designed to reunite various factions of the main rebel group.

Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development (DCHRD) voiced dismay over the silence of the African Union on the Sudanese army bombardment of rebel position in areas north of Kutum, Northern Darfur. “The attacks are an attempt to stop a reunification meeting of SLA factions.” The Centre said.

“These attacks have resulted in the massive destruction of local villages.” The DCHRD said.

On Sunday April 29, two rebel leaders told Sudan Tribune from Umrai that they downed a Sudanese army helicopter during an air strike. On Monday April 30 a joint fact finding mission from the AU and the UN visited the rebel positions but no statement is issued to deny rebel allegation or to denounce Sudanese government violation of the ceasefire.

Sudanese army accused the rebels of shooting a reconnaissance flight and killing one pilot and capturing another, denying the attack against Darfur rebels.

The DCHRD urged the “the UN and the International Community to take all reasonable measures to stop these villages being targeted.” It also asked for the immediate implementation of UN resolution 1706 on the deployment of blue helmets in the troubled region.

(ST)