afrol News, 11 October - Amnesty International (AI) warned that the northern areas of Darfur are currently in the crosshairs of the Sudanese armed forces and that further deadly attacks are imminent.

The right group has received reports that Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) are gathering in large numbers in at least six towns in northern Darfur, including Tine, Kornoy, Um Baru, Kutum, which raised fears among local people that there will be further attacks by government or armed opposition forces before the Tripoli peace talks on 27 October.

"The northern area of North Darfur is under the control of armed opposition groups and it looks as though SAF want to attack this area before peace talks scheduled to take place in Libya," said Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of AI’s Africa Programme. "We fear that civilians will once more suffer killing and displacement, with no force able to protect them."

An attack carried out by SAF and Janjaweed militia in Muhajeria town on Monday has left more than 40 civilians killed and scores injured. The attack was reportedly supported by a SAF Antonov, painted white, in the colours of the United Nations. Antonovs have been supplied to SAF by Russia [the last known transfer in September 2006] and its bombings preceded the latest attack.

Local attempted to flee the attack, which left a large number of casualties from gunshot and shrapnel at the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) base in the town whose western part has been looted.

Since 2005, Sudan was prohibited from flying offensive flights over Darfur. It was also criticised for painting aircraft in the colours of the UN.

"The gathering of forces in the north, the burning of Haskanita last week, and yesterday's attack on Muhajeriya show the vital importance of ensuring that UNAMID is deployed as soon as possible and has the resources available to protect civilians," said Hondora.

"There is no time for delays. All signs are there that the people living in the northern area are at great risk and extra personnel and helicopters under military command must be urgently deployed to the area as soon as possible."

It is believed that as a result of the limited size of peacekeepers, AMIS could not protect civilians in Darfur. Besides, the Sudanese government is also accused of frequently preventing AMIS’ movement, insisting that the situation is insecure. Its forces only have access to chartered helicopters, whose pilots often refuse to fly troops into areas they consider insecure.

"It will be a betrayal of the people of Darfur if, after so much struggle to get a UN force deployed, the international community allows the UN forces to suffer from the same defects that the AU forces have -- Sudan government obstruction combined with a lack of international will to give the right resources," said Hondora.

Meanwhile, no group is yet to admit the 29 September attack on AMIS peacekeepers in Haskanita, although accusing fingers have been pointed at an armed opposition group. Haskanita, a town of 759 households, was reoccupied by SAF shortly after the attack. Except the mosque and school, the town was completely burnt down.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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