The African Union strongly condemned Friday the latest escalation of violence in Darfur by both the government side and the two rebel movements operating in western Sudan. It expressed deep concern in particular over the resumption of hostilities by the Sudanese government in the town of Tawillo in northern Darfur, and attacks on the town of Um-Asal by the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the occupation by force of the town of Draida by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The Chairperson of the Commission of the AU, Alpha Oumar Konare, condemned the escalating violence, which he said threatened relief activities and placed civilian lives at risk. Konare called on the two rebel movements and the Sudanese government to exercise maximum restraint and to recommit themselves to the ceasefire agreement signed in Chad in April. ---SP 2225 Local Time 1925 GMT
