UNITED NATIONS, April 7 (UPI) — The United Nations marked the four-year anniversary of the organization's involvement in the Darfur region of Sudan by saying the situation remains grim.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the continued instability fueled by violence from rebel groups and government forces continued to plague Darfur. Ban called on the international community to refocus efforts in the war-torn region and commit to bring peace and protection to the millions of civilians who have been forced to flee, the United Nations reported.
“Continued suffering is both unforgivable and preventable, and the potential for peace and progress is great,” Ban said in a statement. “Let us not dwell on what has been lost in Darfur, but call upon all parties and stakeholders to immediately focus on what can be achieved by ending the hostilities, protecting civilians and coming to the negotiating table in good faith to secure the peace the Darfurians desperately need now.”
Ban said the continuing conflict threatens the whole region, which is already under great strain. He said that despite close to $1 billion per year being spent on peacekeeping missions in Darfur, humanitarian aid would not resolve the conflict alone. Ban called on all government officials and rebel groups to end the violence and lay down their arms.
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