UN chief condemns recrudesce of violence in Darfur

January 26, 2009 (NEW YORK) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned today’s clashes between Sudanese army and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in North Darfur, warning that military actions threaten civilian lives and jeopardize political to achieve peace.

Sudanese troops and JEM rebels fought today at 25 km from the capital of North Darfur Al-Fasher. These clashes come ten days after the seizure of Muhageriya, 80km, by JEM rebels after fierce fighting with Minnawi fighters.

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease ongoing hostilities and to abide by their obligations under international law,” worded a statement issued by his spokesperson.

While the rebels said they repelled an attack by the Sudanese army following heavy bombardment during the night, the Sudanese army didn’t issue any statement on the fighting.

The hybrid peacekeeping mission which has its headquarters in the city expressed concern over the safety of the civilians. Also the head of the UNAMID Rodolphe Adada said that escalation of violence and insecurity would hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid to the IDPS.

“I call upon all warring parties to instantly cease hostilities and end this cycle of violence that would only add to the suffering of the people of Darfur” Adada stressed.

Fighting in Darfur erupted in 2003, pitting rebels against Government forces and allied Janjaweed militiamen and causing an estimated 300,000 deaths, while forcing some 2.7 million people to flee their homes.

Following the fighting of January 15 between the former rebels of Minanawi and JEM rebels over Muhageriya some combatants have taken refuge at UNAMID camps, a move that seen as endangering the safety and security of the peacekeepers and the civilians who are under their protection.

In a spate statement the UNAMID said concerned by the deployment in the vicinity of its camps in south Darfur of fighters by the warring parties.

“UNAMID reminds all parties involved in the fighting of the neutral position of the Mission and that UNAMID is deployed in Darfur to implement its mandated tasks including the protection of civilians.”

(ST)