Chronology of Darfur’s humanitarian crisis
LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Sudan’s Darfur region on Wednesday.
The United Nations says up to a million people have been forced from their homes. Washington says up to a million could die this year in camps because government-backed Arab militias have razed villages, burned crops and destroyed water sources.
Here is a short chronology of the crisis:
February 2003 – Two rebel groups rise up, saying government neglects arid region and arms Arab militia against civilians.
Dec 17 – Government and one rebel group, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), trade blame for collapse of peace talks.
Jan 13, 2004 – World Food Programme appeals for $11 million to feed and shelter Darfur refugees in Chad border areas.
Jan 19 – Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels say killed 1,000 soldiers and militia as new fighting flares.
Jan 26 – Reuters correspondent sees Sudanese aircraft bomb town of Tine; refugees tell of increasing, ferocious attacks on civilians by Janjaweed militia, which government denies backing.
Feb 17 – U.N. refugee agency announces emergency airlift for 110,000 refugees, now in Chad after fleeing Darfur militias.
March 6 – Red Cross says government disrupting aid efforts.
March 19 – Mukesh Kapila, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, likens militia killings to Rwandan genocide.
April 2 – U.N. aid chief Jan Egeland says “scorched-earth tactics” trigger “one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises”.
April 7 – U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan demands “swift and decisive action” from world community; U.S. President George W. Bush demands Sudan halt militia “atrocities”.
April 8 – Government, SLA and JEM agree 45-day ceasefire.
April 21 – U.N. human rights report accuses government troops and Arab militias of “reign of terror” in Darfur.
April 24 – Darfur peace talks begin in Khartoum.
April 27 – U.S. aid chief Andrew Natsios demands Sudan give his staff access to Darfur and warns of “catastrophic situation” by autumn if crisis not resolved by end of June, before rains.
May 5 – Sudanese military sources say fighting continues.
May 6 – U.N. says “forced starvation” in Darfur camps.
May 7 – U.N. human rights report says Sudanese troops and militia may be guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
May 28 – Government, rebels agree to African, EU ceasefire monitors; 12 people reported killed in air raid in Darfur.
June 3 – U.N. gathers international donors in Geneva, seeking $236 million in immediate aid for Darfur.
June 14 – U.N. says Sudan still blocking aid to Darfur.
June 17 – Chad says killed 69 Janjaweed in border clash.
June 18 – U.S. says considering sanctions against Sudan.
June 19 – Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir orders “complete mobilisation” to disarm all armed groups in Darfur.
June 22 – Kofi Annan tells U.N. not to use him “as an alibi” for their own inaction in helping two million people in Darfur.
June 29 – U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visits Khartoum and threatens Sudan with unspecified U.N. action.
June 30 – Powell visits Darfur; U.S. official say he is disappointed with Sudanese government response to his comments.