Sudanese, rebel forces trade accusations over violence

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Sudanese and rebel forces traded accusations Sunday that the other is setting off a new wave of fighting in the ravaged Darfur region just days after the government had offered a cease-fire. Several Darfur rebel factions described government attacks, including aerial bombardments and militia raids in different locations, while the government said rebels had just attacked a government convoy. The deputy head of mission for the UN-African Union peacekeepers in Darfur, Henry Anyidoho, told The Associated Press his forces are investigating the claims, and he urged the armed forces to make good on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's cease-fire announcement last week - and for the rebels to accept with it. The exchange of accusations after Wednesday's cease-fire offer by the government highlights the volatility and complexity of the situation in Darfur, where many cease-fires have been announced only to quickly fail.