20 July - The Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative has warned that the continuing tensions between Sudan and neighbouring Chad remains one of the major obstacles to the peace and security of the troubled Darfur region.

Mr Rodolphe Adada has urged the two neighbours to end hostilities along their border amid fresh accusations by Sudan of air strikes carried out in Umm Dukhum, a West Darfur village on its border with Chad.

“We are deeply concerned at such reports, which are being investigated by UNAMID, and I once again urge all parties to refrain from such escalation,” he said, emphasising that dialogue is the only solution for the tensions between Chad and Sudan.

He also urged the neighbours to desist from conflict while diplomatic efforts are being undertaken to bring an end to the ongoing tensions, saying good relations between Chad and Sudan are a key to ensuring lasting peace in the area.

In the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report to the Security Council on the work of UNAMID, he said he is deeply concerned by the ongoing instability along the border and the “inflammatory rhetoric” of both sides.

Mr Ban called on Khartoum and N’Djamena to end their support for one another’s rebel groups and to normalise their bilateral relations.

The Secretary-General has recommended that UNAMID’s mandate be extended at least through the end of July 2010, citing the numerous challenges in Darfur, despite the decrease in large-scale conflict.

An estimated 2.6 million Darfurians remain displaced from their homes and as many as 4.7 million people in total depend on humanitarian assistance, while sexual violence and banditry are also prevalent.

UN said close to 300,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted in 2003, pitting rebels against government forces and allied Janjaweed militiamen.

By staff writer

© afrol News