Sudan army denies UN charges over helicopter raids on Darfur

KHARTOUM – The Sudanese armed forces yesterday strongly denied UN accusations of government helicopter raids on parts of Darfur and attacks by Janjaweed militiamen on camps of displaced people there.

“The international and local media reported accusations by the UN alleging that the armed forces resumed aerial raids on some areas of Darfur and that the so-called Janjaweeds are continuing their attacks on the displaced persons in South Darfur State,” said a statement issued by the office of army spokesman General Mohamed Beshir Suleiman. “From the outset, the armed forces general command would like to stress that this accusation is only a false and unfounded allegation and that the armed forces are still fully committed to the Ndjamena ceasefire agreement signed with the rebels who until now have not observed this agreement,” the statement said.It was referring to a ceasefire signed in the Chadian capital on April 8 but which has remained a dead letter.The statement said the army was fully committed to providing security to the estimated 1,2 million Darfuris who have been displaced in the conflict as well as to humanitarian aid.Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on Wednesday voiced his anger at recent UN statements denouncing fresh government-backed attacks on Darfur and alleged pressures on the displaced to return to their homes.- Nampa-AFP”From the outset, the armed forces general command would like to stress that this accusation is only a false and unfounded allegation and that the armed forces are still fully committed to the Ndjamena ceasefire agreement signed with the rebels who until now have not observed this agreement,” the statement said.It was referring to a ceasefire signed in the Chadian capital on April 8 but which has remained a dead letter.The statement said the army was fully committed to providing security to the estimated 1,2 million Darfuris who have been displaced in the conflict as well as to humanitarian aid.Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on Wednesday voiced his anger at recent UN statements denouncing fresh government-backed attacks on Darfur and alleged pressures on the displaced to return to their homes.- Nampa-AFP