UN chief condemns JEM attack in Khartoum

May 10, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) — The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned today attack by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) forces that has broken out on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

“condemns strongly the use of armed force and military means by JEM for the achievement of political ends and calls for an immediate cessation of fighting and a renewed commitment to a peaceful resolution of outstanding issues,”. Ban said in a statement issued today.

Sudanese forces Saturday repulsed an unprecedented attack on the capital Khartoum by Darfur rebels following heavy clashes in the streets of the capital’s twin city, Omdurman and the imposition of an emergency curfew.

Ban further expressed his anxiety over the impact of the recent violence on the overall situation in Sudan, as well as on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the Darfur Agreement, targeting the war-torn region on the country’s western flank.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General voiced concern over the “possible effect on the civilian lives and property of any escalation of such attack.”

(ST)