AFRICA/SUDAN Now that southern Sudan war has ended, tragedy in Darfur must not be forgotten

Friday, 28 May 2004

Roma (Fides Service)- Although a peace agreement has ended the war in southern Sudan (see Fides 27 May 2004), the conflict in the western Sudan region of Darfur is still a tragic reality.
In Darfur Arab government, militia are fighting Black African groups calling for more attention from the central government for the underdeveloped region. The groups are Sudan Liberation Army and Justice and Equality Movement. The conflict has already caused 10,000 dead and 1 million displaced persons, and 100,000 refugees in Chad.
The war in Darfur has made the food shortage in Sudan even more acute. A joint report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO and the World Food Programme says that about 3.6 million people will have to rely on food supplies from international humanitarian organisations. According to the report “the present conflict in Darfur has caused considerable damage to farmland and made at least 1.2 million people refugees”. Although a good harvest is expected this year, 6.3 million tons of cereal (60% more than last year), millions will need food aid.
In February this year through Fides (see Fides 12 February 2004), Bishop Macram Max Gassis, Bishop of El Obeid launched an appeal for dialogue. : “I ask the government to start dialogue immediately to end the war in Darfur. The government cannot kill innocent women, children and old people in its war on guerrilla groups. Arms are not a solution they only spread hatred which only fuels more violence. The government should know this considering that after years of war it decided to sit down and talk to end the war in southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains. With this in mind I fail to understand why they should choose violence to settle the question of Dafur seeing that violence has proved no solution to conflict in other areas of Sudan. The government must behave like a father who has a problem with his son and sits down to talk to solve it together”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/5/2004 righe 32 parole 384)


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