Fresh Attacks in Darfur Hamper Relief Efforts

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In the past couple of years, gunmen that inhabit the region of Darfur have harassed and abducted humanitarian aid workers as also seized their vehicles to be used for military purposes. Before, these events occurred often but according to the All Africa News Agency, the number of these events in the past couple of months skyrocketed (especially in June and July).

The UN Mission in Sudan (UNIMS) has stated that humanitarian staff from both the UN agencies and the NGOs (non-governmental agencies) had difficulty distributing food because of these attacks.

"Carjacking and robbery of UN and NGO convoys have increased in the week from 17 to 23 July, with a total of three carjackings and eight attacks on convoys," UNMIS spokesperson, Radhia Achouri said. "The number of humanitarian vehicles hijacked this year has reached 76 and the number of convoys attacked and looted is 77."

The World Food Program (WFP) reported approximately 18 attacks on their food convoys and 4 carjacking incidences this year. The agency also reported that six vehicles have been stolen and 10 staff people were either detained or abducted.

"WFP staff and contractors are being stopped at gunpoint, dragged out of their vehicles and robbed with alarming frequency," said Kenro Oshidari, WFP Sudan representative. "These abhorrent attacks, which target the very people who are trying to help the most vulnerable in Darfur, must be brought under control."

WFP also stated that because of reduced security, accessing 170,000 people in June was impossible. Also, attacks on food convoys made the town of Kass that is located in South Darfur inaccessible.

Aid workers are calling for peace talks in between the rebels and the government to stop the bloodshed in the war-torn region.

So far, the UN Darfur envoy Jan Eliasson and his AU counterpart Salim Ahmed Salim stated that they have invited some of the rebel leaders to attend talks in Arusha, Tanzania. This is aimed at starting peace negotiations with the government.

However, they did not state which rebel group leaders were invited on the meeting which is supposed to be on August 3-5. They have only stated that the meeting is scheduled to speed up peace negotiations to end the conflict in Darfur.