The United Nations secretary general says peacekeepers in Darfur are facing increasing threats from fighting between government forces and rebels and military action between Sudan and neighbouring Chad.
Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the UN Security Council on Monday that four kidnappings since March are an extremely alarming development for international staff in Darfur.
He said the joint UN-African Union force has made significant strides towards full deployment and is now focusing on its critical tasks of protecting civilians and facilitating the delivery of food and other humanitarian aid.
But Ban said the military activity and increased threats to international staff are affecting the freedom of movement for the UN-AU force and humanitarian workers. — Sapa-AP