United Nations Radio

The Special envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Jan Pronk, has expressed his concern at the escalation of fighting in Darfur as talks between the Sudanese Government and the rebel Sudan Liberation Army resume in Abuja Nigeria.

Mr. Pronk says the fighting is in direct violation of the N'jamena ceasefire agreement and the Abuja protocols on humanitarian and security issues. He has also drawn attention to the military actions of the Sudanese Government on the roads around El Fasher, which have led to a new round of fighting in Darfur this week. Mr. Pronk says he is worried about the possible impact of the fighting on the Abuja talks on Darfur and fears that this round of negotiations is headed for failure.