AU forces asked to leave Darfur

KHARTOUM, Monday

Peacekeepers on Sunday said Sudan’s Government had asked them to withdraw from a rebel-held Darfur town, amid reports state troops were preparing to attack the settlement.

The joint United Nations/African Union UNAMID peacekeeping force said it was trying to convince Sudan to let its troops stay in their base in the south Darfur town of Muhajiriya so they could continue to protect more than 30,000 civilians in the battle-scarred area.

Muhajiriya has been the scene of more than two weeks of fierce fighting between Sudan Government forces, troops from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and other fighters.

Fighting in Darfur has escalated in the build up to an expected decision from the International Criminal Court on whether to issue an arrest warrant against Sudan’s president on charges of orchestrating genocide in Darfur.

JEM, which holds Muhajiriya, told Reuters its commanders had reported four columns of Sudanese army troops, including one unit with tanks, were approaching the south Darfur town from different directions on Sunday afternoon.

Bear the brunt

“We think they are planning a large attack,” said JEM official Al-Tahir al-Feki. “Our main concern is for the civilians because they will bear the brunt of any fighting. ... They (the government forces) are bringing tanks so they must be preparing to pound the town.”

Mr Al-Feki said he had reports government troops from Nyala and El Fasher, the capitals of south and north Darfur, were being supported by militias and other fighters loyal to Minni Arcua Minnawi, the only Darfur rebel leader to sign a peace agreement with Khartoum in 2006.

JEM seized Muhajiriya from Mr Minnawi’s forces mid-January. (Reuters)