British ministers alarmed by recent Darfur attacks

February 27, 2008 (LONDON) — British ministers expressed concern over recent violence in West Darfur state. They said this fighting caused huge suffering among innocent civilians and denounced aerial bombing that transgressing UN resolutions.

Since February 8, 2008, Sudanese government troops and Janjaweed militia backed by Antonov bombers and helicopter gunships have carried out a series of attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians. Also UNHCR said February attacks prompted about 12,000 more refugees to flee into eastern Chad.

The British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and the Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, today expressed their deep concern about continued reports of ongoing violence in West Darfur.

“I am particularly concerned by reports of aerial bombardment by Government of Sudan forces, in contravention of UN Security Council Resolutions, and of violence by the Justice and Equality Movement, led by Khalil Ibrahim;” said David Miliband.

While the British minister for International Development urged to stop fighting to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected population.

“I join the United Nations Secretary-General and others in calling on all parties to act now to stop the violence, to allow immediate humanitarian access to the affected areas, and to respect their responsibility under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.” Douglas Alexander said.

British foreign minister also called on Chad and Sudan to stop their support to rebel groups in the region. He said “This further fighting comes on the heels of violence in Chad and across the Darfur-Chad border that has caused a worsening in the humanitarian situation in Chad.”

He also said these attacks underline the need for speedy deployment of the UN-AU peacekeepers to protect civilians and to work actively for a comprehensive negotiated solution for the five year conflict in western Sudan.

The new mission, the UN’s largest, will eventually consist of 26,600 troops and police but only 9,200 such personnel are currently deployed.

International organisations estimate that 200,000 people have died since 2003 with more than a third of the six-million population displaced, although the Khartoum government puts the death toll at 9,000.

(ST)