AU condemns recent clashes between Sudan govt and rebels in Darfur

By ANTHONY MITCHELL, Associated Press Writer

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Nov 23, 2004 (AP) — The African Union has strongly condemned recent clashes between the government and rebels in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, questioning both sides’ commitment to peace, an AU spokesman said Tuesday.

Government-backed militias, known as the Janjaweed, and rebels of the Sudan Liberation Army have fought since Sunday in the North Darfur town of Tawilla, killing at least six civilians and forcing the AU to rescue 45 aid workers Monday.

The latest clashes follow a cease-fire deal signed between rebels and the Sudanese government on Nov. 9 in Abuja, Nigeria.

“Fighting is still going on,” Assane Ba, an AU spokesman, told The Associated Press. “When we signed the cease-fire agreement in Abuja, it was to help people. But up to now, with this new fighting going on, it seems like we are not going anywhere.”

In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, U.N. spokesman George Somerwill said Monday that a tribal dispute over livestock sparked the clashes and resulted in Sudan Liberation Army forces attacking the Janjaweed.

“We call on them to stop fighting and to respect the cease-fire agreement and try to improve the humanitarian situation. People are dying,” Ba said.

“Our monitors cannot get into the area to confirm the numbers of casualties but there are casualties for sure,” he said.

The Darfur conflict started in February 2003 when two non-Arab African rebel groups took up arms to fight for more power and resources. The Sudanese government responded by backing the Janjaweed, which are now accused of targeting civilians in a campaign of murder, rape and arson.

The conflict has driven 1.8 million people from their homes. At least 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since March in the region because of disease, hunger and hardships from being uprooted.

Many more have been killed in fighting, but no firm estimate exists.