International community urged to act over Darfur

The human rights group Amnesty International has urged the international community to send human rights monitors to the Darfur region of Western Sudan in the face of worsening security there. In a statement, the organisation said government forces and government-organised Arab militias had intensified attacks against civilians, forcing thousands of villagers to flee their homes. In the latest incident, which occurred on 23 April, armed members of nomadic groups - some of whom were wearing uniforms and were said to be members of a government militia - attacked men around the mosque in West Darfur, Amnesty said. According to the organisation, they killed some 55 people, wounded at least 20 and took domestic animals. "The international community must not watch in silence while the choice of a military solution for human rights problems drags another area of Sudan into disaster," Amnesty said. Human rights groups have accused the Sudanese government of arming nomadic Arab groups from Darfur to attack indigenous sedentary agricultural groups in the region, burning homes and looting cattle and goats. The recent formation of the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) earlier this year by members of the sedentary groups has further complicated the situation in the region. "A conflict, which no one wants and which could be solved by clear recommendations and human rights protection mechanisms, must not be allowed to escalate," said Amnesty International. "The international community must act." Darfur, which is geographically situated in the northern part of the country, is not included in the ongoing peace negotiations in Kenya.