UN agency plans concert for Darfur refugees

LONDON, Nov 11, 2004 (AP) — Musicians including Chrissie Hynde, Mick Hucknall and Scottish band Franz Ferdinand will perform at a concert next month for the people of Sudan’s war-torn Darfur province, the United Nations refugee agency said Thursday.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said the “Refugee Voices for Darfur” concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall would feature singers performing the songs of Cole Porter, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

U.S. soprano Barbara Hendricks, disco diva Jocelyn Brown, singer Andrew Coleman and British R&B newcomer Lemar also will perform at the Dec. 8 event. Franz Ferdinand, currently one of Britain’s biggest bands, will play by video link from Mexico City.

Proceeds from the concert will go to help refugees who have fled their homes in Darfur during 21 months of violence. International officials say tens of thousands of people have been killed and 1.8 million forced from their homes.

Sudan’s Arab-dominated government and tribal militia who support it are accused of launching coordinated attacks on non-Arab farmers after two rebel groups rose up in February 2003. Sudan