Press Releases
Press Release on the situation in El-Fasher from African Union Mission in the Sudan AMIS
By [unknown placeholder $article.art_field1$]
Dec 5, 2006 - 3:09:00 PM

AFRICAN UNION		UNION AFRICAINE
		UNI�O AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA   P. O. Box 3243 Telephone (251-11) 551 77 00 Fax: (251-11) 551 93 21 Email: [email protected]

Press Release

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has received with great concern reports from AMIS Force Headquarters in El Fasher that on 4 December 2006, armed Arab militias invaded the cattle market in the city of El Fasher where they opened fire and harassed people in the market.  Five SLA (M) soldiers in the area, who were not armed, decided to intervene leading to extensive firing from the Arab militia. The quick intervention of AMIS Forces succeeded in preventing further escalation of the fighting. The reports indicate that the five soldiers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were treated at the AMIS Hospital in El Fasher. Two of the injured SLA soldiers and two militia elements have been reported dead, while the number of injured Arab militias is unknown.

The situation continues to be extremely tense and the further reports received earlier today from the field indicate that the city of El Fasher is under threat of attack within 24 hours by a coalition comprising the SLA (M), the G19 and the National Redemption Front (NRF) and that the AMIS Camp at Force Headquarters could be a target.

The Chairperson in this connection, condemns these acts of violence and is warning, in the strongest terms the said coalition and all the parties, that any threat to AMIS camps, personnel and properties, would be viewed as a deliberate violation of the ceasefire Agreements and Protocols, as well as a provocation against AMIS Forces whose main objective is to ensure that peace and stability are restored to the region.

Furthermore, the Chairperson appeals to all the parties to immediately cease any kind of hostilities since only a political solution remains the viable option for a comprehensive and lasting peace to the conflict in Darfur.

Addis Ababa, 05 December, 2006