Menu
29/10/2004
Grim Darfur situation shows little improvement, says UN
Ahead of a visit to New York to report to the Security Council on the Darfur conflict in Sudan, the senior United Nations envoy to the country today warned that the situation in the strife-torn region "has not improved much during the past month".
Jan Pronk, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sudan, told reporters in Khartoum yesterday that the situation on the ground in Darfur "remains grim, and humanitarian access is limited".
More than 1.65 million people have had to flee their homes to escape either "brutal militia attacks" or fighting between two rebel groups and government forces. Tens of thousands of Sudanese have also been killed or have succumbed to hunger or disease.
Mr Pronk said rebel groups - the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) - were responsible for much of the recent violence, which is restricting humanitarian access to many areas within Darfur, a vast and desolate region in western Sudan.
Mr Pronk also briefed reporters on the status of the peace talks taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, between representatives of Khartoum and the SLA and JEM. The talks are being mediated by the African Union (AU), which also has a ceasefire-monitoring mission in Darfur.
Next week Mr Pronk will present his monthly report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council on what Khartoum is doing to meet the pledges it made to the UN earlier this year.
The Sudanese government in July pledged to take steps to disarm the Janjaweed militias considered responsible for the overwhelming majority of attacks against civilians and restore security to Darfur so that its large population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) can return to their home villages.
In mid-September, the Security Council said it would consider imposing measures, including sanctions, if Sudan failed to comply fully with earlier demands to protect civilians in Darfur.
(gmcg/sp)
Jan Pronk, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sudan, told reporters in Khartoum yesterday that the situation on the ground in Darfur "remains grim, and humanitarian access is limited".
More than 1.65 million people have had to flee their homes to escape either "brutal militia attacks" or fighting between two rebel groups and government forces. Tens of thousands of Sudanese have also been killed or have succumbed to hunger or disease.
Mr Pronk said rebel groups - the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) - were responsible for much of the recent violence, which is restricting humanitarian access to many areas within Darfur, a vast and desolate region in western Sudan.
Mr Pronk also briefed reporters on the status of the peace talks taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, between representatives of Khartoum and the SLA and JEM. The talks are being mediated by the African Union (AU), which also has a ceasefire-monitoring mission in Darfur.
Next week Mr Pronk will present his monthly report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council on what Khartoum is doing to meet the pledges it made to the UN earlier this year.
The Sudanese government in July pledged to take steps to disarm the Janjaweed militias considered responsible for the overwhelming majority of attacks against civilians and restore security to Darfur so that its large population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) can return to their home villages.
In mid-September, the Security Council said it would consider imposing measures, including sanctions, if Sudan failed to comply fully with earlier demands to protect civilians in Darfur.
(gmcg/sp)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 August 2004
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
30 March 2005
Darfur death toll 'grossly underestimated', MPs claim
British MPs have claimed that the death toll in the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan could be much higher than previously estimated. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had estimated that around 70,000 people had died since the conflict erupted in 2003.
Darfur death toll 'grossly underestimated', MPs claim
British MPs have claimed that the death toll in the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan could be much higher than previously estimated. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had estimated that around 70,000 people had died since the conflict erupted in 2003.
10 August 2004
UN to vaccinate children trapped behind Sudan's rebel frontlines
Rebel groups in Sudan's western Darfur region have agreed to allow some 500,000 children cut off from regular health services to be vaccinated against such potentially killer diseases as measles and polio, the UN has announced.
UN to vaccinate children trapped behind Sudan's rebel frontlines
Rebel groups in Sudan's western Darfur region have agreed to allow some 500,000 children cut off from regular health services to be vaccinated against such potentially killer diseases as measles and polio, the UN has announced.
30 July 2004
Action will be taken if militias are not disarmed, UN warns Sudan
The UN Security Council has voted today to take action against Sudan if it does not disarm the Arab militias accused of "indiscriminate murders, rapes and other attacks" against civilians in the troubled Darfur region. The vote, which saw two of the 15 members abstaining, has demanded that Sudan bring the leaders of Janjaweed militia to justice.
Action will be taken if militias are not disarmed, UN warns Sudan
The UN Security Council has voted today to take action against Sudan if it does not disarm the Arab militias accused of "indiscriminate murders, rapes and other attacks" against civilians in the troubled Darfur region. The vote, which saw two of the 15 members abstaining, has demanded that Sudan bring the leaders of Janjaweed militia to justice.
28 October 2004
Darfur aid hampered by security and transport problems
Lack of security and restrictions on transport are hampering the delivery and distribution of humanitarian relief to the massive population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the strife-torn Darfur region, the UN Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS) has reported.
Darfur aid hampered by security and transport problems
Lack of security and restrictions on transport are hampering the delivery and distribution of humanitarian relief to the massive population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the strife-torn Darfur region, the UN Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS) has reported.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
