Secretary-General condemns large-scale militia attacks in west Darfur, sudan

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General condemns the large-scale militia attacks in the Jebel Moon area of West Darfur on 29 and 30 October.  The attacks on eight civilian settlements, including a camp harbouring some 3,500 internally displaced persons, caused scores of civilian deaths and forced thousands to flee the area.  The Secretary-General is particularly distressed on hearing reports that 27 of those killed were children under the age of 12.

The Secretary-General calls again in the strongest possible terms on the parties to respect their agreements and the provisions of international humanitarian law.  He appeals once more to the Government of the Sudan to take all necessary measures to prevent further attacks against civilians, particularly by militia forces.

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For information media • not an official record