Khartoum (Fides Service)- Peace seems unattainable in Darfur, the martyred north western region of Sudan where a violent civil war has raged for many months. On Sunday 21 November fresh fighting caused some 30,000 people to abandon their homes and villages to escape the onslaught of the Sudanese army and its allies the feared Janjaweed Arab militia. Humanitarian workers caught in the crossfire also had to leave in haste. About thirty were evacuated by helicopters of the African Union which has a small contingent of observers in the area. This fresh outbreak of violence comes two weeks after an agreement was signed in Abuja (Nigeria) for a cessation of hostilities fire, guarantee of free access for international aid agencies and respect for cease fire agreement signed in April but never put into practice.
The Sudanese authorities accused rebel militia of violating the cease fire and declared a state of emergency in northern Darfur. This was reported by pro-government newspaper 'al-Anbaa', which stated that the decision had been taken by the local governor Osman Yusuf Kibir, who also imposed a curfew in the areas. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2004 righe 20 parole 229)