Former rebels: Sudanese government forces attack central Darfur

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Sudanese government forces waging an offensive in northern Darfur have attacked rebel-held areas farther south, rebels said Sunday, including a base of a rebel group that signed a peace deal with the government. The attack on the base came just before sunset as the fighters in Kolge, in the east Jebel Marra area, were preparing for the Muslim meal to break the fast during the month of Ramadan, said Mohamed Bashir, chief of staff of former rebel Minni Minawi, who was the only one to sign a peace deal with the government in 2006. At least three fighters were killed and nine were injured, he said. "This is a breach of the agreement," Bashir said from Khartoum, Sudan's capital. "We don't know why the government attacks a base for a movement that signed a peace deal." Minawi was appointed presidential adviser soon after the 2006 deal. In June, he returned to Darfur, citing lack of implementation.