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The UN expressed concern over attacks by armed bandits on both civilians and humanitarian workers in western Sudan's Darfur region, according to a UN spokeswoman. UN News quoted Marie Okabe as telling journalists on Thursday that "UN officials in Sudan are concerned about recent attacks by highwaymen, including some raids on humanitarian convoys".
She noted that fighting was still continuing in Southern Darfur between the rebel Sudan Liberation Army and the government-allied Janjawid militia.
On 3 July, in a joint communiqué with the UN, Khartoum pledged to disarm the Janjawid, remove obstacles to the relief efforts, and bring to justice human rights abusers. The communiqué followed talks between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Sudanese President Umar Hasan al-Bashir, during the former's visit to the country.
UN News quoted Annan as telling journalists on Wednesday, during his tour of Africa that Sudan "would be flooded with investments, debt relief [and] economic assistance if it reaches a peace deal in Darfur", but would face "additional measures" from the Security Council if it failed to take credible steps to disarm the Janjawid and end the fighting.
Fighting between the government and rebels, which broke out in Darfur early last year, has displaced about two million people, with up to 200,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring Chad. The UN and other aid agencies have described the conflict in Darfur as "the world's worst humanitarian crisis".
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
