Violence Continues Despite New Peace Accord

May 19, 2006

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is concerned that chaos continues in Darfur, despite the May 5th peace accord.  Damanga correspondents on the ground report that killings and rapes have not ceased.

One week before the peace accord, on April 26,  Janjaweed attacked four homes in the town of Beida.  Reports indicate that three people were killed, including a seventeen year old named Said Mohamed Abdullah. Additional reports indicate that Janjaweed are increasing attacks on international aid agencies as well.

Just two days after the peace accord was signed, the government forcibly conscripted graduates from the Old High School of Al-Geneina for military training.  During the 'training' military officers severely beat the conscripts, killing three.  In the ensuing chaos the high school graduates began demonstrating and many fled the area.  

Government security forces are now sweeping Al-Geneina to arrest the students for desertion.  Reports on the ground indicate that those arrested are being tortured.