Rebel JEM urges UN-AU force to probe Darfur recent bombing
April 3, 2008 (LONDON) — Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement condemned government bombardment of civilian areas in north Darfur, urging the hybrid peacekeeping force to probe the responsibility of Sudanese government in this attack.
Ahmed Hussein Adam, the spokesperson of the rebel JEM denounced the indiscriminate bombing with blatant disregard for civilian lives last Friday in Madu, North Darfur state. He further said one child was killed while another child and a woman were wounded.
“They killed, a 8 year old child named Asim Abdel-Magid Musa and wounded gravely another 7 year old child, his name Nour al-Dayem Al-Doma Adam and a woman, Maryam Ismaeel.” he said.
Last Friday Sudanese Antonov plane bombed Madu village. The aerial attack was confirmed by different rebel groups.
The U.N. Security Council banned aerial bombardment in Darfur although the government has reserved the right to defend itself.
JEM spokesperson said that attacks against civilians are clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Ahmed demanded the joint Untied Nations and African Union peacekeeping operation to probe the attack. He wondered why this silence from the UNAMID which is supposed to protect the civilians from aggression.
He warned that Darfur people could reject this peacekeeping mission because they more and more see its inefficiency.
Only 9,000 of the required 26,000 U.N.-African Union peacekeepers have been deployed in Sudan’s war-racked Darfur region. Ethiopian and Egyptian troops were expected to start deployment but their deployment was delayed for logistical reasons.
International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million been driven from their homes in Darfur since a rebellion broke out there in 2003. The world’s largest aid operation is trying to help the Darfuris, but the AU force has been unable to stop the violence in the desert region.
Ahmed also underlined that the yesterday reshuffle of the army command indicts Khartoum intention to escalate military operations in Darfur. He added that the appointment of Gen. Awad Mohamed bin Oaf, as Deputy Chief of Joint Staff, goes in this direct.
He said the Sudanese army is undertaking a massive military build-up in Darfur and neighboring Kordufan. However he further said that JEM troops are ready for such eventuality and
West Darfur had been the scene of heavy fighting between JEM and the Sudanese army trying to flush out flush out the rebel presence in Silea, Sirba, Abu- Sorouj.
The recent offensive has drawn criticism by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon who urged a ceasefire in Darfur saying deteriorating security is undermining efforts to help thousands of civilians caught in an upsurge in fighting.
(ST)