UN chief sees obstacles to helping Darfur, Somalia

UN chief sees obstacles to helping Darfur, Somalia

AP - October 8, 2008

The Darfur conflict began in early 2003 when ethnic African rebels took up arms against Sudan's Arab-dominated central government, accusing it of discrimination. Many of the worst atrocities in the war have been blamed on the janjaweed militia of Arab nomads allied with the government.

Ban and other diplomats say the only way to end the fighting that has killed up to 300,000 people and forced 2.5 million to flee their homes is through political talks and a peace agreement.

On another matter, Ban said he was greatly concerned about the security of food aid that 3 million Somalis depend on in light of increasing piracy in waters around the Horn of Africa.

He said there was an Oct. 23 deadline for nations to replace a Canadian frigate that has been the only ship escorting the U.N.'s World Food Program food aid deliveries to Somalia. Before Canada, he said, the food program relied on security provided by ships from the Netherlands, France and Denmark. Read More.