Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Fides Service) - African Union negotiators at peace talks for Darfur taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, have said there is urgent need of a “Humanitarian cease fire” in Darfur where people continue to die of war, hunger and hardship.
“The destiny of two million suffering people is in your hands. The world is watching you. It is time to put an end to this pointless shedding of blood”, the African Union said in a statement addressed to the rebel movements and the government of Khartoum.
If the call for a “cease fire” to allow massive humanitarian intervention is not heeded the African Union, observers say, would be ready to call for a UN military intervention on the region, something which governments in the region would not welcome. The humanitarian situation in Darfur is ever more serious also because of a lack of funds: UN humanitarian operations in Darfur and Southern Sudan need 1.3 billion US dollars international support.
In the meantime displaced persons continue to cross the Chad/Sudan border, between 100 and 125 new arrivals from Sudan reach east Chad every day. The UN High Commission for Refugees reports that insecurity in Chad is pushing Chad citizens across the border into Darfur, causing a flow of refugees which renders conditions of security and humanitarian assistance increasingly difficult. (Agenzia Fides 14/3/2006 Righe: 25 Parole: 255)
