Canada adds voice to world concern on Sudan’s Darfur conflict

OTTAWA, April 7 (AFP) — Canada urged Sudan to take “immediate action” to defuse a conflict between government forces and rebels in the Darfur region, estimated to have claimed 10,000 lives in just over a year.

Foreign Minister Bill Graham heeded a United Nations appeal for international pressure on the conflict, saying in a statement the Sudanese government had a responsibility to alleviate the plight of civilians.

“Canada calls on the government of Sudan to take immediate action to peacefully defuse the crisis in Darfur, and to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure the protection of civilians,” said Graham.

“We have raised our concerns with the government of Sudan, and have urged the government to take positive action in response to the statements of the Security Council.”

Graham also urged all parties in the conflict to agree to an immediate ceasefire, to show respect for human rights and to permit full access for humanitarian workers in the region.

The call came after members of the Sudanese government and rebels resumed direct talks on ending the devastating conflict.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had earlier urged world leaders to intervene swiftly to avoid any recurrence of atrocities similar to the genocide in Rwanda.

The fighting is estimated to have claimed more than 10,000 lives since it began in February 2003 and has been accompanied by reports from fleeing local people of serious rights abuses carried out by pro-government militias.

US President George W. Bush also called Wednesday on the Khartoum government to take immediate action to end “atrocities.”