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World has just weeks to save Darfur: UN
 The world has just weeks to help restore peace in Sudan's Darfur region or risk watching it slide back into civil war with repercussions for the whole region, UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres says. Mr Guterres says a patchy cease-fire is falling apart as the two main rebel groups begin to disintegrate and an African Union (AU) peace force is hopelessly undermanned, under-equipped and under-funded. He also says the world appears to have lost interest. "Everything is getting out of control. This is happening on both sides," Mr Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said. "The crucial moment is from now to the end of the year." He added: "We are close to a moment in which a new major tragedy might occur in Darfur. It would have a major impact on the neighbours ... and on the whole African region." The United Nations says at least 2 million Sudanese have been turned into refugees in their own country by two-and-a-half years of fighting between rebels, the Sudanese Army and Arab militias known as Janjaweed, believed to be backed by Khartoum. Another 200,000 have been forced to flee to camps in neighbouring Chad. Rape, murder and robbery are rampant, and food is scarce despite the efforts of aid agencies. A sixth round of faltering peace talks in the Nigerian capital Abuja was adjourned until November on Thursday. Posted by: Fred 2005-10-22 |
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