Sudan govt committed to ceasefire, says Darfur governor

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Mar 16, 2005 (PANA) — The government in Khartoum remains committed to the ceasefire agreement signed with rebels in the troubled Darfur region, despite repeated violations by the rebel groups, South Darfur governor Al Haj Atta Al Mannan said Wednesday.

He told a news conference here that the rebels recently attacked Abu Karinka, 60km southeast Nyala, south Darfur’s capital, leaving at least five civilians killed and 19 others injured.

Governor Mannan said, however, the security and humanitarian
situation was improving in the troubled region where two rebel groups are revolting against the Khartoum government.

He announced that some 103,000 persons had voluntarily returned to their villages, while the government was exerting efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate the war-affected areas in the region.

Mannan said already 21 of 40 villages devastated in the conflict have been reconstructed and provided basic social services such as health centres, schools and water supply.

He confirmed reports of a looming food crisis, but said federal and state authorities were exerting efforts to contain the situation in collaboration with the World Food Programme.