KHARTOUM/JUBA — Sudan's Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed has said that the Darfur region is largely calm, despite tribal and other unrest which according to the UN forced almost 90,000 people to flee this month. Meanwhile, more than 20 people were killed in South Sudan violence. “The minister has affirmed (the) calmness of conditions in all Darfur states except some looting operations carried out by the rebel movements”, and attacks on commercial convoys, Hamed said according to remarks published Thursday by the official SUNA news agency. After rebel attacks and “possible” air strikes reported by peacekeepers in the Muhagiriya area of southern Darfur this month, the UN said about 36,000 people sought protection around bases of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). A rare 10-day rebel occupation of the area ended on Wednesday when the Sudanese army announced it “liberated” Muhagiriya but the insurgents said they withdrew in the face of massive force. Separately, at least 50,000 people fled in early April from southwestern Darfur, the United Nations said, after fighting between Salamat and Misseriya tribes. At a conference in the Gulf state of Qatar last week Canada said security in Darfur has “worsened.” Although violence continues, UN officials say parts of Darfur are “relatively stable” and offer good opportunities for rebuilding after a decade of war. In a violent outbreak in South Sudan, officials say more than 20 people were killed in clashes triggered by cattle rustling, including medical workers slaughtered in a rampage by security forces. Officials said the killings began after raiders stole at least 750 cattle last weekend. Felix Otuduha, a spokesman for Eastern Equatoria state, said Thursday that seven security forces, five cattle rustlers and two civilians died in a clash Monday. Following that clash, the government sent 150 soldiers and police after the cattle raiders. David Mayo Nailo, a member of parliament, said the security forces, enraged by the thefts and violence, attacked a hospital, killing four medical staff and a patient. He said the soldiers then set fire to the hospital. Most of South Sudan's internal clashes take place between rival tribes. — Agencies
