Dozens killed in clashes with Darfur peace partner
March 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — A Darfur tribal chief accused forces loyal to the leader of the only rebel group that signed a peace agreement of attacking two areas in South Darfur.
However there was no independent confirmation of the clashes.
Galis said that 12 civilians were killed and 3 injured when Minnawi’s forces entered the local market in 17 Land Cruisers vehicles. However he said that the people in the market repulsed the attack killing at least 5 people.
In May 2006, the SLM signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) with the Sudanese government and its head Minni Arcua Minnawi was appointed as the senior assistant of the Sudanese president in August.
However Minnawi’s faction has grown increasingly frustrated with Khartoum’s negligence of the DPA.
The tribal chief said that the assault was caused by differences between Minnawi’s faction and another SLM faction called “Free Will”. He called on the UN to intervene and enforce security arrangements as well as removing armed movements in the area.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in the conflict, which Washington calls genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use. The Sudan government says 9,000 people have been killed
(ST)