Sudan army denies UN charges over air raids on Darfur, Janjaweed attacks

KHARTOUM, Aug 12 (AFP) — The Sudanese armed forces have strongly denied UN accusations of government helicopter raids on parts of Darfur, and attacks by Janjaweed militiamen on camps of displaced people.

“The international and local media reported accusations by the UN, alleging that the armed forces resumed aerial raids on some areas of Darfur and that the so-called Janjaweeds are continuing their attacks on the displaced persons in South Darfur State,” said a statement issued by the office of army spokesman, General Mohamed Beshir Suleiman.

“From the outset, the armed forces general command would like to stress that this accusation is only a false and unfounded allegation and that the armed forces are still fully committed to the Ndjamena ceasefire agreement signed with the rebels, who, until now have not observed this agreement,” the statement said.

The statement refers to a ceasefire signed in the Chadian capital on April 8, but which has remained an ineffective initiative.

The statement also says that the army is fully committed to providing security to the estimated 1.2 mln Darfuris who have been displaced in the conflict, as well as to humanitarian aid.

Yesterday, President Omar al-Beshir voiced his anger at recent UN denouncements of fresh government-backed attacks on Darfur and alleged pressures on the displaced to return to their homes.