08.09.10 Sahara Focus Violence in Darfur higher than in previous two years

Sudan has admitted an increase in violence in Darfur, estimating around 1,200 people killed in conflict and armed clashes. Sudan's State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Mutrif Siddiq said that violence in the region has “increased this year compared to the previous two years".

"The increase in violence rates is attributed to two reasons. The first is infiltration of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) into Darfur after the reconciliation between Sudan and Chad, and the second was the tribal clashes," he said.

The minister said that Khartoum has "a comprehensive plan to enhance the security in Darfur," and stressed the significance of disarmament, particularly inside the camps of internally displaced persons (IDPs), further adding that "the humanitarian principles must be applied in the IDP camps which should not be turned into hotbeds for the rebel movements."

Siddiq confirmed Sudanese government's commitment to disarm all persons inside IDP camps, saying "arms must be at the hands of the regular forces only". In order to speed up the realisation of peace in Darfur, the Sudanse government plans to strengthen the presence of official institutions in the region, develop security and improve relations with the neighbouring countries.

Source: People's Daily Online

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