CAIRO ø Heavy fighting has been reported in the rebel-torn Sudanese
province of Darfour.
The United Nations mission in Sudan continued to report fighting in
parts of the western Sudanese province. The mission said heavy fighting took
place in a government-controlled area southwest of Nyala in southern Darfour
as well as shooting at a camp that housed displaced persons at Kalma on Dec.
2.
The fighting has hampered relief efforts in Darfour, Middle East Newsline reported. UN officials said
the north Geneina district in western Darfour has been declared a "no go"
area for UN staff. They said the decision was taken following an ambush on
police officers on Dec. 1.
The regime-backed Janjaweed was said to have participated in these
attacks. The UN said there were no reports of arrests of Janjaweed fighters
in November.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also reported
numerous cases of sexual violence and rape in all three of the regions of
Darfour. The office also reported a military attack on the village of
Masteri in western Darfour, which included the firing of 18 mortars into
that locality.
The UN said Darfour refugees continue to distrust and fear Sudanese
police. Officials said police have refused to record complaints of attacks
against
refugees.
The UN, however, has ruled out sanctions against Sudan. In the last two
resolutions, the Security Council discussed "measures" rather than
"sanctions" against Sudan.
"China is not going to impose sanctions, not going to be a party to
that," U.S. ambassador to the UN John Danforth said. "Even if they were
approved would sanctions work? The U.S. unilateral sanctions have certainly
not influenced the behavior of Sudan."