EU urges Sudan to disarm militias, open Darfur to aid

BRUSSELS, June 18 (AFP) — The European Union called on the Sudanese government Friday to disarm militias and open up the war-torn western region of Darfur to aid agencies.

The EU expressed its “deep concern at the continued humanitarian crisis and large scale human rights violations in Darfur,” EU leaders said in a summit statement.

“It calls on the government of Sudan to do its utmost to ensure humanitarian access, the protection and security of civilians and humanitarian workers, and to disarm the militias,” it added.

The 25-member bloc welcomed a ceasefire accord signed in April and urged the parties “to conclude a political agreement as soon as possible.

“It commends the efforts by the African Union (AU) to implement the ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the Darfur region and confirms the EU’s involvement in, and financial support to this mission,” it added.

A rebellion broke out in Darfur in February 2003, and the Sudanese government and pro-Khartoum Arab militias known as Janjawids have been accused of killings and massive human rights abuses, which have left at least 10,000 dead and up to a million displaced.

On Monday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur required immediate attention.