Truce violations, violence continue in Darfur, UNMIS says

The security situation in the strife-torn western Sudanese region remains volatile as government and rebel forces continue to violate a ceasefire deal amid incidents of banditry, looting and possibly rape, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said on Tuesday. In South Darfur, militia activity seemed to have increased, with several reported attacks on villages reported; UN News reported citing a UNMIS statement. Harassment, beatings and the killing of internally displaced persons grazing cattle outside their camps are still being reported, along with allegations of rape and the attempted rape of women as well as girls in Tawila, North Darfur. Eleven vehicles of the rebel Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) reportedly attacked South Darfur’s Marla area on 19 and 20 December, leaving five people dead and four wounded in what was perceived by some to be retaliation for the government army’s attack on Bajo on 13 December and on Duwana on 18 December, UNMIS said. Two government helicopter gunships were observed patrolling over Marla on Saturday, it added. In a related development, armed men suspected to be SLA fighters ambushed a government army administrative convoy on its way from Nyala to Rockero in Rokoro District, South Darfur. Fourteen army troops were reportedly killed and 18 wounded. The attackers stole the soldiers’ rations and money. After the attack last week by "armed elements" on Abu Sarouj, Chad, and on Chadian opposition groups, the security situation in West Darfur has remained tense, UNMIS reported. The Darfur conflict erupted in February 2003 when rebels took up arms to fight what they saw as "discrimination and oppression" by the central government. The government is accused of unleashing militia on civilians in an attempt to quash the rebellion. At least 3.4 million people have been affected by the conflict.