Sudan 'fails to end violence'
2006-08-09 17:30
Geneva - A peace deal signed three months ago between Sudan's government and the main rebel group in Darfur had failed to halt violence in the region, said the United Nations on Wednesday, citing an increase in rape and continued attacks by militias and rebel factions.
The global body said the May 05 peace deal, signed in Nigeria, was "doomed to failure" without more support from the Sudanese government, "with the population of Darfur continuing to suffer grave violations of human rights as violence among competing armed groups in Darfur persists".
The 20-page report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledged that fighting between Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan Liberation Army, the main rebel group, had decreased since the deal.
But, the report added, "attacks by militias and rebel factions continued unabated, mainly in south and north Darfur".
Violence 'results in civilian deaths'
The report said: "Civilian populations continued to be targeted by militia and the government and rebel movements are in breach of the new cease-fire."
After the signing of the peace agreement, "violence resulted in numerous civilian deaths and aggravated the already severe humanitarian situation in Darfur".
The report indicated that armed militias continued to attack villages and were supported on at least one occasion by the government forces. Clashes between militias and the SLA and between rebel factions were also cited.
The UN said: "These attacks also resulted in the torture and killing of civilians and sexual abuse, including rape, as well as in further displacement of the population", adding that it had noted an increase in rape and attempted rape cases.
Security situation 'worsened'
Violence also affected humanitarian efforts to help civilians in need of assistance. The UN said there were at least 250 000 people at the end of June who were in need, but could not be reached by organisations impeded by the insecurity.
It also warned that the security situation in Darfur had worsened even further in the last month, estimating that 25 000 people were newly displaced.
The report called on Sudan's government and all parties of the peace deal to immediately comply with its cease-fire provisions.
The report said: "The government should disarm the militia and protect the physical security of all Darfurians by putting in place a credible, capable, and professional police force and judiciary."
It added that Khartoum also needed to do more to investigate reports of sexual violence and bring those responsible to justice - "whether the crime is perpetrated by government agents, armed groups or private individuals".
The UN also called on the international community to support the African Union's peacekeeping force in Sudan until its operation could be deployed to Darfur.
- AP