U.N.: Darfur Peace Deal 'Doomed'

A peace deal signed three months ago between Sudan's government and the main rebel group in Darfur has failed to halt violence in the region, the United Nations said Wednesday, citing an increase in rape and continued attacks by militias and rebel factions.

The global body said the May 5 peace deal, signed in Nigeria, was "doomed to failure" without more support from the Sudanese government, "with the population of Darfur continuing to suffer grave violations of human rights as violence among competing armed groups in Darfur persists."

The 20-page report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledged that fighting between Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan Liberation Army, the main rebel group, has decreased since the deal.

But, the report added, "attacks by militias and rebel factions continued unabated, mainly in south and north Darfur."

"Civilian populations continued to be targeted by militia and the government and rebel movements are in breach of the new cease-fire," the report said. After the signing of the peace agreement, "violence resulted in numerous civilian deaths and aggravated the already severe humanitarian situation in Darfur."

The report indicates that armed militias continued to attack villages and were supported on at least one occasion by government forces. Clashes between militias and the SLA and between rebel factions were also cited.

"These attacks also resulted in the torture and killing of civilians and sexual abuse, including rape, as well as in further displacement of the population," the U.N. said, adding that it has noted an increase in rape and attempted rape cases.

Violence also has affected humanitarian efforts to help civilians in need of assistance. The U.N. said there were at least 250,000 people at the end of June who were in need but could not be reached by organizations impeded by the insecurity.

It also warned that the security situation in Darfur has worsened even further in the last month, estimating that 25,000 people were newly displaced.

The report called on Sudan's government and all parties of the peace deal to immediately comply with its cease-fire provisions.

"The government should disarm the militia and protect the physical security of all Darfurians by putting in place a credible, capable, and professional police force and judiciary," the report said.

It added that Khartoum also needed to do more to investigate reports of sexual violence and bring those responsible to justice — "whether the crime is perpetrated by government agents, armed groups or private individuals."

The United Nations also called on the international community to support the African Union's peacekeeping force in Sudan until a U.N. operation can be deployed to Darfur.