AFRICA/SUDAN - Darfur recent developments

Rome (Fides Service) - There are reports of fresh fighting in the western Sudan region of Darfur tormented by months of civil war. Today, 24 November, the Sudan Liberation Army one of the two anti-government rebel movements in the region said it had abandoned the town of Tawilla, in northern Darfur, taken two days ago. The rebels withdrew as government troops advanced to take back the town. International humanitarian organisations operating in the zone say the area had been bombed by government aircraft.
In fact the situation in Darfur is still tense and the international community is multiplying efforts to see the cease fire pact agreed between government and rebels on 9 November in Abuja (Nigeria) is respected.
The crisis in Darfur and prospects for peace in southern Sudan were discussed in a video conference organised by the American Ambassador in Rome with the political director for African Affairs of the US state department, Michael Ranneberger.
Ranneberger voiced full support for international efforts to promote peace for Darfur, saying he was certain that before the end of the year Khartoum and the SPLA Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Army would reach an agreement to end more than 20 years of war in southern Sudan. The US diplomat confirmed his government’s invitation to the parties to sign the agreement in Washington.
Ranneberger followed the UN Security Council meeting, held exceptionally in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, to discuss the situation in Sudan. He said that the UN resolution 1574 approved on that occasion unanimously by all five members (USA, Russia, Great Britain, Francia and China), was an important sign and a “final boost” to conclude negotiations between Khartoum and the SPLA. The resolution confirms the international community’s support for the peace process and calls for an end to violence in Darfur. It urges Khartoum and rebels to implement the agreement reached in Abuja for a cease fire and protection of civilians and humanitarian operators in the region. In this regard Ranneberger said the US government called on Khartoum and rebels in Darfur to respect the agreement and Khartoum to stop the Janjaweed from carrying out atrocities on civilians. At the moment the United States is not considering deploying troops to Darfur, but it does support the African Union mission of verification and observation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 24/11/2004 righe 40 parole 508)