Atrocities by Sudanese soldiers and Janjaweed in Darfur continue despite ceasefire (4/14/04)

The forces of the Sudanese government and their allies in the Janjaweed (or Arab militias) continue to commit atrocities against black African civilians in Darfur despite the ceasefire between the government and rebel groups signed in the Chadian capital last week.

The RMCE received news about an attack on the Massaleit area of Mastrey, situated to the south of the city of El Geneina , by government soldiers and Janjaweed militia. Ten civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured. Much property was destroyed or stolen.

This violation of the ceasefire occurred just two days after the ceasefire went into force. Some of the delegates to the conference returned to ruined villages.

In addition, the government embarked on a campaign against intellectuals and government employees in Western Darfur . Educated members of the Massaleit, Fur, Zagawa and other African groups in Darfur have been targeted for detention, torture or even death allegedly for plotting to overthrow the government in Khartoum . The arrest of Dr. Hassan El Turabi, the Islamic fundamentalist leader who was formerly an integral figure in the N.I.F. regime, in connection with the same 'coup' is an attempt to deceive the international community about the premeditated purge of the army and government of Black Africans from Western Sudan .

The RMCE implores the international community to force the government of Sudan to accept the deployment of international monitors to ensure that the ceasefire is respected. Our experience in Sudan is that no agreement holds unless there is an active monitoring mechanism. The recent agreements in other parts of the Sudan , for instance the ceasefire in the Nuba Mountains , have held because they include mechanisms for checking violations and ensuring compliance.

The RMCE appreciates the support of the USA , European Union, African Union, Chad , Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, The Center for Prevention of Genocide, Sudan Human Rights Organization-Cairo, and other organizations as well as individuals for the suffering people of Darfur . We urge you to intensify your engagement until the threat of genocide is consigned to the history books once and for all, and when those responsible for these crimes against humanity are brought to book.