Sudanese army recapture East Darfur town, UNAMID deplores death of 4 civilians

April 16, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese army retook control of the town of Labado in East Darfur state that the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement- Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) had captured ten days ago UNAMID said on Tuesday, deploring the death of four civilians.

Following the capture of Labado and Mohajeria on 6 April, Sudanese defence minister, Abdel Rahim Hussein said the army was preparing to retake the control of the two towns.

UNAMID in a statement released saying that on Tuesday morning the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) retook Labado after “fierce fighting, which resulted in the death of four civilians and the wounding of six others”.

The head of the hybrid mission Mohamed Ibn Mohamed Ibn Chambas said concerned about the safety of civilians in Labado where some 8,000 people sought protection around the UNAMID base there.

“I am deeply concerned about their safety, security and well-being,” said the Joint Special Representative, said Chambas. He further urged the two parties to protect the civilians and respect international human rights and humanitarian law.

Chambas called also to cease hostilities and allow immediate humanitarian access to Mohajeria and Labado, including to UNAMID team sites in both locations.

Regarding Mohajeria which is not far from Labado, the statement said the situation is relatively calm but “remains tense”.

There are some 10,000 civilians around the UNAMID site in Mohajeria.

In Khartoum the Sudanese army did not issue a statement about the fighting in East Darfur.

(ST)