Sudan army 'threatens Darfur truce'
- added September 14, 2008
- 12 responses
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- goldenways
- added this
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- SLA (3)
Minni Arcua Minnawi, a leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), said four of his troops were killed and 16 wounded after coming under attack at their base in Kolge in the east Jebel Marra region on Sunday.
"They attacked us with Antonov aircraft, helicopters and tanks," he said.
Minnawi became a presidential advisor after his group signed a peace agreement in 2006 with Khartoum - the Sudanese capital and the seat of president Omar al-Bashir's administration.
He accused the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of attempting to kill off the peace process.
"We want to respect the peace process, but we are fighting in self-defence," he said.
"If the peace agreement is over, it is over from one side – the NCP side," Minnawi said.
'New offensive'
He said he was considering closing his office in Sudan's presidential palace in protest at the action.
Mohammed Bashir Abdullah, the head of Minnawi's office, said it was the first time the army had launched a direct attack on his men.
The SLA said the new offensive started a week ago and had continued daily.
Areas controlled by SLA fighters have been attacked by government troops in the past, but Khartoum has denied carrying out any military action.
Leaders from three other rebel groups confirmed the attacks near Tabit, at least 50km southwest of el Fasher, north Darfur's capital, and said that other clashes with government forces had occurred across the region.
'Residents fleeing attacks'
Sherif Harir, an SLA member, said: "Bombing has been continuing up till now," adding that air attacks had forced residents to flee 200 villages in the remote area.
Peacekeepers confirmed there had been fighting between government and rebel forces in which aircraft were involved.
"The reports that we have indicate there has been heavy fighting," Kemal Saiki, a spokesman for the joint UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID), told the AFP news agency.
"We do not have exact details. But with reports of more than 100 vehicles with troops, this is not just a skirmish."
Richard Williamson, the US' special envoy to Sudan, said the new fighting was unacceptable at a time when efforts were being made to bring a ceasefire to the country's troubled western region.
'Grave concern'
"The government should honour the ceasefire. This descent into violence causes grave concern about the humanitarian situation," he said.
The UN has said up to 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since the conflict erupted in February 2003.
Sudan says 10,000 people have been killed.
The war began when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against the Arab-led Khartoum regime and state-backed Arab militias, fighting for resources and power.
The conflict has since deteriorated with the emergence of a multiplying array of rebel groups, breakaway militia groups and bandits.
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- goldenways
- 3 months ago
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This situation is so incredibly tragic and confusing. I have come to understand that it was initially a dispute over land, between the farmers and those who raised livestock. In the ensuing disputes, more and more splinter groups broke off, and now, as we know, those who would take advantage of the chaos, have. I feel that the international community has turned a blind eye to the incredible suffering that is ongoing in this region - and I would be very interested in any info on what can be done to raise awareness - I know that some years ago (maybe in 2000 or 2001), Jay Leno's wife was very active and had a video and a campaign underway, which I supported, and then 911 knocked us all to the carpet, and I lost my focus on this issue. I know we make a difference here, and I believe that this is going to be an effort that is primarily fueled by women.
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I am afraid that nothing is likely to happen as long as our present criminal administration is in power, and if and when Barack wins, then their will be so much on his plate Sudan is likely to remain on the back burner. Its a terrible situation Dubya has gotten us into. He has left us almost powerless to have a positive effect in the world.
About the only thing that can be done for the time being is to chant or pray that the spiritual power of all peace loving people be united to sway the influence darkness has over the planet. That and demanding a true change here at home is the only power at our disposal for now. If someone has a better plan, please let the world know what it is, so that we may start implementing it now.
Another thing to keep in mind is that everything is perfect, even the imperfect.
Peace
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- WhiteCrow22
- 3 months ago
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It never ceases to amaze me that when something can at least start to go in the right direction there's always one or more people who will screw it up. The whole situation in that region is heart-wrenching and it does seem like most of the world could care less. Though we've got a shit-ton of problems over here, to me it's incredibly difficult to think we could just turn a blind eye to it. Genocide...children being slaved into working in diamond mines...corruption in governments (kinda like ours)...It seems like there are so many problems encompassing the whole country, it's just unreal.
Thinking about it, maybe it's a good thing that Bush didn't do much of anything with this...we all know how Iraq has turned out...he'd probably just accuse them of uranium (he'd probably pronounce it 'uranimium') enrichment activities or something...then after invading hang a giant 'Mission Accomplished" banner from the top of the pyramid at Giza while giving us that trademark 'I'm a douchebag' grin of his...
...I don't like him.
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- myowndesignjf
- 3 months ago
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where are all the religious leaders of the world? why have they not sent their armies of believers? where are all the so called peace loving democracies? bet this would never happen in Poland or any other white nation. the UN could be a effective tool if they had real support from their members. someone should tell Dubya they have oil, him and Cheney would be right over.
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Check out this pod on the SLA.
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great job UN, you're doing exactly what everybody knows you will do, nothing.
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The UN sux they do nothing and just spend the money on them selves!!! Darful is long gone there is nothing left of it . hey there is oil is Sudan.!!! but china ones some how!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and cant even help the people of Darful.
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We cant only blame the UN...It's everyone's fault.
"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people." -MLK
Savedarfur.org
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Its everyone's fault and its no one's fault...
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no, it is the UN's fault. they are the ones who are supposed to be responsible for upholding human rights around the world. not the USA, not England, not China, the United Nations. they know of these things happening around the world yet they do nothing about it
