Persistent fighting in Sudan’s Darfur troubles – Annan

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 18, 2004 (PANA) — UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has
expressed concern over continued fighting in Darfur, western
Sudan despite ceasefire accords between the belligerents.

UN Secretery General Kofi Annan addresses the media in Nairobi, Kenya, where a special session of the UN Security Council is focusing on Sudan. (AFP).

Annan said Khartoum’s failure to protect civilians coupled with
the constant breach of the ceasefire agreements undermine UN
efforts to supply humanitarian aid to the war-torn region.

He called for more logistical and financial support for African
Union peacekeepers in the area.

“The strongest warning goes to all parties that are causing this
suffering. We cannot allow impunity,” Annan warned Thursday, when
he addressed a special session of the UN Security Council holding
in Nairobi.

The Security Council is meeting to pressurise the warring parties
in Sudan to sign a comprehensive peace accord aimed at ending two
decades of war in southern Sudan, as well as resolution of the
fighting in Darfur.

“The terrible situation in Darfur has been brought about mainly
by deliberate acts of violence against civilians, including
widespread killing and rape. Because of the magnitude and the
intensity of human suffering in that region, the conflict remains
a burning concern,” Annan said.

Sudan’s first Vice President Ali Osman Taha blamed rebels for the
ceasefire violations in Darfur.

“Violations have been recorded, but the government is not
involved. The UN should investigate the violations. We call for
the use of AU ceasefire monitors,” Taha said at the Nairobi
meeting.

“We have come along way and we are still committed to improving
the humanitarian situation there, and putting an end to the
fighting and hostilities,” he added.

The government in Khartoum said it needed an estimated 1.8
billion US dollars to effectively provide basic services to war-
ridden areas over the next three years.