Secretary General Urges Sudan President to Commit to Ceasefire

DARFUR, Sudan – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Sudan’s president on Tuesday to commit to a ceasefire in Darfur.  He further emphasized that the recent increase in violence could have a negative impact on the upcoming political negotiations and peace talks to end the four-year conflict. 

Ban held two rounds of talks with President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum earlier this month.  During his visit Ban and al-Bashir announced that peace negotiations will take place in Tripoli, Libya beginning October 27.  On Friday, Ban and African Union Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare are chairing a high-level meeting at UN headquarters to discuss and map out a negotiation plan and strategy.

Ban held a news conference on Monday and stated that he was “very much concerned” at the recurrence of violence in Darfur.   He urged that the Sudanese government and the international community must increase their efforts to maintain the positive steps that have been taken towards peace.   Ban was especially “alarmed” at the increase in violence considering it came after the Sudanese government said in a joint statement during his visit that it was committed to a ceasefire.  The government had pledged “to contribute positively to a secure environment for the negotiations, fulfilling its commitment to a full cessation of hostilities in Darfur, and agreed upon ceasefire.” 

Ban cited recent attacks, including bombings by helicopter gunships and corresponding military clashes in Hashkanita in North Darfur on September 10-11 which led to the deaths of many civilians. He also recounted attacks in Adilla, South Darfur, and Wad Banda in neighboring Kordofan last month.   Ban’s statement on Monday was released as the UN Mission in Sudan reported that armed men in North Darfur attacked a vehicle belonging to a non-governmental organization over the weekend. 

The Darfur conflict began when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated government in 2003, accusing it of decades of neglect.  Sudan’s government is accused of retaliating by sending an Arab militia called the janjaweed.  The janjaweed are accused of serious human rights violations and the government continues to deny that they have any connection.  Since the conflict began, more than 200,000 people have died and over 2 million have been displaced.

Before peace talks can begin next month, the UN and its allies must persuade the fragmented rebel groups to sit down and talk together with the Sudanese government, which has caused serious problems in the past.  Recently, Abdel Wahid Nur, one of the most influential rebel leaders, has said he will not participate. 

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune (AP) - U.N. Chief hopes Sudan’s leader got message that Darfur fighting can hurt political negotiations – 18 September 2007

AllAfrica.com - Recent surge in Darfur Violence Threatens Peace Talks, Says Secretary-General – 17 September 2007

Voice of America News - Secretary-General Urges Sudan to Commit to Cease-fire – 18 September 2007

Washington Post - For Darfur, Accountability Before Peace – 19 September 2007