SECRETARY-GENERAL EXTREMELY CONCERNED BY RENEWED VIOLENCE IN WEST DARFUR,

CALLS FOR HALT TO HOSTILITIES, COMMITMENT TO POLITICAL PROCESS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is extremely concerned by the renewed violence in West Darfur, and notes in particular that the bombing on 18-19 February of Aro Sharow, a camp for internally displaced persons which was deserted during hostilities over the last several days, is unacceptable.  Additional reports from Darfur indicating that Government and militia forces are amassing in the Jebel Moun area of West Darfur are a worrying sign that there will be continued hostilities in the area.  In addition to putting the lives of innocent civilians at risk, the ongoing violence significantly reduces the humanitarian community’s access to those in need of life-saving assistance. 

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to urgently cease hostilities and commit to the political process being led by the special envoys of the United Nations and African Union.  A negotiated settlement to the Darfur conflict cannot take place amid continuing violence and the massive displacement of civilians.

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For information media • not an official record