April 7, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese army warplanes killed 14 civilians during an airstrike carried out in Central Darfur state a week ago, said the UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

“The Joint AU-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is able to confirm the dropping of 10 bombs which led to the killing of 14 civilians and the wounding of 18 others in Rowata, Central Darfur, on 1 April,” Dujarric said at a press conference at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday.

The Sudanese army conducts regular aerial raids on the positions of rebel groups in the region since the start of this year. However, the government recently intensified the airstrikes in Darfur ahead of general elections which will take within a week.

The rebel groups vowed to disrupt the electoral process in solidarity with a campaign launched by the opposition forces calling to boycott the elections.

Dujarric said the army continue the attacks adding bombs dropped in the area failed to kill peacekeepers who were present in the area on Monday.

“Yesterday, a verification patrol was dispatched to Rowata; while it was in the village, the team witnessed another aerial bombardment, consisting of five bombs dropped close to where they were standing,” he said.

The UN mission strongly condemns such aerial bombings, which cause widespread death, destruction and displacement of populations, he further said.

UN agencies say there are 31,800 new displaced persons affected by the military campaign “Decisive Summer” on the rebel position in some parts of Jebel Marra area in Central and North Darfur states.

(ST)