UN Chief Alarmed By Darfur Violence, Chad-Sudan Tension
UNITED NATIONS (AFP)--U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about rising
violence in Sudan's West Darfur state and reports of bombings that threatened to
escalate tensions between Sudan and Chad, his press office said Monday.
"The secretary general is deeply concerned by the increasing violence in west
Darfur and along the Chad-Sudan border," said a statement released by Ban's
spokeswoman, Michele Montas.
Ban condemned an incident last week in which Chadian aircraft struck locations
near Umm Dukhun in west Darfur.
"These events put the lives of Sudanese civilians at risk and could increase
tensions between the two countries," the statement noted, adding that the U.N.
chief "takes note that the government of Sudan has rightly responded through
diplomatic means."
He urged both Khartoum and Ndjamena to exercise restraint, and make greater
efforts to improve their strained ties.
Sudan said earlier Monday that two Chadian aircraft on Thursday bombed Umm
Dukhun, an area believed to be the base for Chadian rebels opposed to the rule
of President Idriss Deby Itno.
Reports of fresh conflict in the border region raised fears of wider
hostilities between the two neighbors, although Sudan has said it will stick to
previous agreements unless threatened further.
Sudan also accused "some forces in the Security Council" of supporting the
reported attacks.
He didn't elaborate, but Chad's former colonial ruler, France, which is a
veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, has supported its
ripostes to rebel attacks in the past.
Ndjamena has denied Khartoum's accusations, saying it only bombed rebel
positions within its own territory.
Chadian rebels from the Union of Forces of Resistance said several civilians
were killed during raids inside Chad on Thursday. The claim couldn't be
independently verified.
Meanwhile, Ban also voiced concern about reports of bombings by Sudanese
government forces last week on rebel positions in the Jebel Moon area of West
Darfur.
He urged Khartoum and "all parties to the conflict to cease military actions,
comply with Security Council resolutions in this regard and to commit to a
cessation of hostilities."
Chad has accused Sudan of supporting rebels seeking to oust President Idriss
Deby Itno, while Khartoum has charged Ndjamena with backing ethnic minority
rebels in Darfur.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-20-092012ET
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