[Published: Tuesday June 08 2010]
Darfur death toll rises to two-year high in Sudan
Darfur, 08 June-(ANA)-About 600 people died in fighting in the Sudan region of Darfur in May, the highest monthly toll since peacekeepers were deployed in 2008, officials say.
The joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force said most had died in fighting between Sudan's army and rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem).
The number of deaths has risen sharply since Jem walked out of peace talks last month.
The rebels had signed a preliminary peace deal and ceasefire in February.
This meant Sudan's first multiparty elections for 24 years held in April, were relatively quiet in Darfur.
But Jem then left the negotiations in Qatar, claiming the government had launched new raids.
A report by the Unamid peacekeeping mission said 440 people died in fighting in May between rebels and government forces, 126 in tribal violence and 31 in other violence, including murder.(ANA)
FA/ANA/08 June 2010------- |