The Sudanese government has rushed military reinforcements to the north Darfur state following reports that militias allied to the feared Janjaweed militia are preparing an attack.
Last Saturday, the governor of North Darfur state, Mr Mohamed Yousif Kibir, called on the central government to urgently intervene following clashes in the area.
Sudanese minister of Defence Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussien arrived in Elfashir, the capital of the state, on Monday to chair urgent top level security meetings.
The minister confirmed the government has sent heavy military reinforcements to support the local government in North Darfur, in addition to aid.
Mr Hussien told reporters after the meeting that they had discussed how to prevent any extension of the current conflict.
Suspected Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal has declared war on President Omar Al-Bashir’s government.
Hilal is said by the US State Department to be the leader of the famous pro-government Janjaweed that fights in Darfur.
Heavy fighting has been reported in Saraf Omra area in the state considered as a Hilal stronghold.
Meanwhile the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has said that thousands of people fleeing the widespread fighting were seeking refuge at the UN compound in north Darfur.
UNAMID said in a press release Monday that thousands of displaced from the town of Saraf Omra, are currently seeking refuge in the vicinity of UNAMID’s base.
Looting
“The Mission is providing protection and water to those affected, as well as medical treatment for more than 30 wounded people. It is working with the humanitarian community in taking the necessary steps to provide further much needed assistance,” the statement said.
UNAMID “patrols have observed looting around the town and the destruction of the local market. Reconciliation efforts among the tribes are taking place, however the situation remains tense and those displaced are in need of critical of food and proper sanitary conditions.
“The incident in Saraf Omra comes in the wake of other recent episodes of violence in Darfur, most notably in El Taweisha and Alliet areas in North Darfur, and in South Darfur, where thousands were displaced following the looting and destruction of villages in the areas of Um Gunja and Hijer.”
“We continue to call upon the authorities to allow it unhindered and immediate access to these areas, so that it can carry out its core activity for the protection of civilians as mandated by the AU and the UN, and as consented to by the Sudanese government.”
NMG
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