Khartoum, 29 January 2009: The AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Yipènè Bassole, expresses his grave concern about the recent military clashes in South Darfur involving the Government of Sudan, the JEM and the SLM – Minni Minawi. Reiterating the statements of UN Secretary General of 15 and 26 January 2009, the Joint Chief Mediator deplores the continued military actions which are putting civilian lives at risk and are undermining hopes for a peaceful settlement.

The escalation of violence violates the spirit of the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on the Conflict in Darfur of 2004 and constitutes a breach of various Security Council resolutions.

The Joint Chief Mediator calls on the parties to cease hostile military actions to minimise the suffering of the people of Darfur and to create a conducive environment for a political dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully.