U.S. Concern about Sharp Escalation of Violence and Insecurity in Darfur
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 26, 2014
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We are deeply concerned by the sharp escalation in violence and insecurity in Darfur resulting from actions committed by
Sudanese Government forces, government-sponsored militias, and Darfuri armed movements.
On March 22, 300 unidentified, heavily armed men reportedly attacked the Khor Abeche Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)
camp, and between March 15 and 17, the Sudanese Government-supported Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked sixteen
villages in North and South Darfur kidnapping and killing civilians. Additionally, we are disturbed by reports that on
March 18, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) bombed several villages in East Jebel Marra, which resulted in a number of
civilian casualties and the displacement of over 15,000 civilians. Equally alarming are reports of several incidents
involving elements of Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement/ Minni Minawi faction and the Sudan
Liberation Movement/ Abdul Wahid faction, which resulted in heavy civilian casualties in North Darfur.
The United States strongly condemns these attacks. We urge all parties to immediately halt attacks against civilians,
and further call upon the Government of Sudan to prevent further violence, particularly the indiscriminate attacks
committed by government-sponsored militias, such as the RSF, and to cease its own campaign of aerial bombardments.
We also reiterate our call for the Government of Sudan to immediately allow full and unfettered humanitarian access to
affected populations who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance and to cease obstructing the United
Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) as it works to carry out its mandate to protect civilians and
facilitate humanitarian access.
Violence and insecurity in Darfur so far this year have displaced an estimated 215,000 civilians. We urge the Government
of Sudan and armed movements to begin an inclusive and comprehensive political dialogue to bring peace to Sudan and to
reestablish the rule of law.
ENDS