AU slams Sudan attack
2008-05-11 21:07
Nairobi - The African Union on Sunday condemned an attack on the Sudanese capital by a Darfur rebel group and called for restraint, a statement said.
The AU Commission "strongly condemns this attack, which can only further complicate the efforts aimed at finding a political solution to the crisis in Darfur", the statement said.
"The commission calls on all parties to desist from the use of force and to recommit themselves to dialogue as the only means for ending the conflict in Darfur and the suffering inflicted on the civilian population."
Sudanese authorities said the army had repulsed Saturday's attack by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on the capital Khartoum after heavy clashes.
Sudan blamed its neighbour Chad for supporting the rebels and severed diplomatic relations. Chad denied any involvement and condemned the attack.
The JEM is the most powerful of the rebel groups currently actively in the western Darfur province of Sudan.