US slams Sudan attacks against civilians in Darfur

May 6, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — The U. S. State Department condemned air strikes by the Sudanese army killing 14 civilians in North Darfur last week.

“We condemn the aerial bombings by the Sudanese Armed Forces of civilian targets in North Darfur, including the reported May 4 attack on a primary school and marketplace which took the lives of several civilians.” a statement issued today read.

Last Friday, An Antonov of the Sudanese army killed 11 civilians in Shegeg Karo area in North Darfur state and wounded 4 child and 2 women, the attack occurred on the market day. The army bomber also killed three brothers in Ain Bassir area, east of Jebel Midoub.

Washington urged the Sudanese government and the rebel groups to “adhere to their existing ceasefire commitments, end hostilities, and pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

The head of the ceasefire commission, General Martin Luther Agwai, who is also UNAMID’s Force Commander, slammed yesterday the recent attacks saying “are unacceptable acts against civilians, compounding the extent of displacement, insecurity and untold human suffering.”

Khartoum which denies systematically the bombing, didn’t react to the different reactions from the regional and international institutions.

On the occasion of the second anniversary of Darfur Peace Agreement, the statement also reiterated the US commitment to the full implementation of Abuja agreement and “the pursuit of a prosperous, peaceful, and democratic Sudan.”

However, the Department said peace remains elusive abd civilians continue ti be victims of violence and human rights abuses.

UN experts estimate some 300,000 have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes in five years of revolt in Darfur. Washington calls the violence genocide, a term Khartoum rejects and European governments are reluctant to use. Sudan blames the Western media for exaggerating the conflict and puts the death toll at about 10,000.

(ST)