Annan warns of ‘catastrophe’ in Darfur, Sudan; fighting rages, aid blocked

ADDIS ABABA, July 6 (AFP) — Fighting is still raging in Sudan’s western region of Darfur and hampering emergency aid, despite pressure applied by UN secretary General Kofi Annan and US Secretary of State Colin Powell during recent visits, UN aid agencies said.

Earlier today, Annan warned that an “even greater humanitarian catastrophe” could unfold in Sudan’s western Darfur region, unless concrete action is taken to stop an Arab militia group massacring villagers and razing their homes.

“Despite the sincere hopes raised by the visits… violence and insecurity are carrying on”, World Food Programme (WFP) spokeswoman Christiane Berthiaume told journalists.

“The situation has not improved, the degree of insecurity is really complicating an already difficult humanitarian situation”, she said.

Annan and Powell are among a ream of senior officials and ministers who have visited Darfur and Khartoum in recent weeks to press the Sudanese authorities to stop attacks by government-backed Janjawid militia on villages in the area.

But, Berthiaume said local Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) rebels, who rose up last year against alleged government neglect and mistreatment in Darfur, are also to blame for the fighting.

“We have to be clear about this: the insecurity in Darfur, which really is the biggest obstacle at the moment, is not only due to the Janjawid, but also the SLA”, Berthiaume said.

Fighting has intensified in the south of Darfur, forcing 600 people to flee to the town of Ed Daein, south Darfur, over the weekend, she added.

A railway station there has been attacked and burned down by rebels, hampering the delivery of emergency food aid by train, while the main road between the city of Nyala and the southern town is also blocked by fighting, Berthiaume said.

The UN refugee agency also said heavy fighting is continuing to displace civilians in Darfur, where about 1.2 mln people have fled their homes.

The fighting has centred on an area south-east of Nyala, where the Sudanese government and militia last week reportedly launched an offensive against territory, largely held by the SLA rebels, UNHCR said.

Civilians reported that “their villages were bombed by Antonov aircraft and helicopter gunships,” according to UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis.

“After that, they tell us, armed men in pickup trucks and on horseback and camelback killed men, women and children, raped women, stole their possessions and animals, and burned down their homes”, she added.

The crisis in Darfur has become the focus of attention at the third summit of the African Union (AU), which opened today in Addis Ababa.

“Without action, the brutalities already inflicted on the civilian population of Darfur could be a prelude to even greater humanitarian catastrophe, a catastrophe that could destabilize the region,” Annan told the summit’s opening session.

“The threat of further brutal violence and massive civilian suffering will only recede if the crisis is dealt with in a comprehensive way,” he said.

“The climate of impunity that has prevailed for far too long must end now,” he added.

Other top UN officials have described the situation in Darfur, where a rebel uprising in February 2003 prompted a vicious response from government forces and allied militias, as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

Annan has commended the AU deployment of ceasefire observers as “vitally important”, saying they will “assist in the protection of civilians.”

The AU is also planning to deploy an armed protection force of some 300 troops to Darfur, to protect the ceasefire monitors and returning refugees.

“The United Nations will support these efforts, just as we will further intensify our work to bring life-saving relief to those who so desperately need it”, Annan added.

The heads of state attending the AU gathering are, themselves, likely to express their “grave concern” about Darfur, according to a draft proposal prepared by foreign ministers meeting ahead of the summit.

The text notes: “regular reports of human rights abuses carried out by the Janjawid militia”, but, falls short of openly criticising the Sudanese government.

The draft also stresses the need to prosecute those who have committed serious human rights violations in Darfur.