Special Representative of Secretary-General deeply

 

concerned at escalating violence in Darfur

 

Following is the text of a statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan on the latest upsurge of violence in Darfur:

KHARTOUM, 23 November -- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Jan Pronk, has expressed his deep concern at the escalating violence in Darfur over the last two days.  The attack by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), taking Tawila town, constitutes a clear violation of the recently signed Abuja Security Protocol, and places tens of thousands of civilians at risk.  The fighting has already forced the suspension of humanitarian activities around El Fashir and threatens other humanitarian activities in the region.

Mr. Pronk condemns in the strongest terms the killing of policemen and civilians around Kalma camp.  He calls on the Government of Sudan and the SLA to halt all fighting immediately.  “The parties have committed themselves to refrain from all hostilities and military actions”, he said.  “I fully expect them to live up to their obligations.  Parties should understand that the recent aggression goes directly against the spirit and letter of the Abuja Protocols, and cannot be justified on the basis of self-defence or grievances that pre-date the 9 November agreement to cease hostile actions.” 

Mr. Pronk expects the parties to account for their actions at the 25 November meeting of the Joint Commission in N’Djamena, Chad.

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