Despite Sudan Peace Pact, Darfur Violence Grows

ABC Online reports:

Fighting is spreading in Sudan's Darfur region and may intensify in the short term despite a landmark peace agreement between the Sudanese Government and rebels in the south.

The special United Nations envoy for Sudan, Jan Pronk, told the UN Security Council, arms were flooding into the region, violence was spreading beyond camps for the homeless, banditry was increasing and rebel groups were launching attacks in the area of oil facilities.

"We may move into a period of intense violence unless swift action is taken," Mr Pronk said.

Mr. Pronk is not telling the UN Security Council members anything they don't already know since they recently issued a report indicating as much. Last week, Kofi Annan was quoted saying that the situation is deteriorating and swift international action is required. The Security Council report also stated that the conflict in Darfur has "cost 70,000 lives, displaced 1.7 million people, and left 2.2 million dependent on aid." Even so, we'll have to wait until January 25 to find out if there is genocide occurring in Darfur. Inexplicably, that's when the UN will finally rule on the issue.

In summary, the situation in Darfur is normal. The UN is in charge. By every indication, essentially nothing is being done.