UN calls for end to fighting in Sudan

JUBA: The United Nations called on Saturday for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" in Sudan's contested border region of Abyei as the south's army accused the north of bombing raids.

The appeal came as a UN Security Council delegation began a tour of three African states to assess peace and security threats, with a special focus on Abyei.

"We strongly encourage all parties to resume dialogue towards reaching a lasting political settlement," the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said.

Abyei's future is the most sensitive of a raft of issues that the two sides are struggling to reach agreement on before the south is recognised as an independent state in July.

"The United Nations Mission in Sudan is deeply concerned over the troop build-up and reported fighting, including the use of heavy artillery and bombing in the Abyei area," the statement read.

Philip Aguer, spokesman for the south's army, said fighting continued for a third day and accused the north's Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of bombing raids.

"The SAF have bombed several places in Abyei," the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesman said.

The SAF could not be immediately contacted for a response.

Shooting broke out late Thursday as UN peacekeepers escorted 200 northern SAF troops out of the contested area, with both armies accusing each other of starting the fight.

Fighting in Abyei has pitted former civil war enemies against each other since January when it was due to vote on its future alongside a referendum on the south's secession.

But the plebiscite was postponed indefinitely as the north and south disagree on who should be eligible to vote in an area where conflicted loyalties and land disputes keep tensions high.

The UN urged all parties to "protect civilians" and called for "withdrawal of all unauthorized forces" from the area, in line with earlier agreements.

The Security Council on Saturday began its five-day tour in Ethiopia and is due to visit Sudan's capital Khartoum, the southern capital Juba, and then head on to Kenya.

Fighting in several southern areas has alarmed the UN.

It warned civilians are being targeted in "heightened violence" between south's army and a rebel militia in the oil-rich Unity state.

Rebels led by former southern army general Peter Gadet have been fighting the southern army in intermittent clashes since April, leaving over 100 dead and forcing thousands to flee.

Land mines and heavy weapons are being used against civilians, the UN said. Renewed fighting broke out on Friday in Unity's Mayom area, leaving "several casualties," according to both rebels and southern officials.

Mayom is near key oil-pumping areas critical to Sudan's economy and close to the disputed north-south border and Abyei.

Fighting also spread to parts of neighbouring Warrap state, where the UN reports "serious violations of basic human rights."

The spike in violence comes as the south gears up for full independence in less than two months time, after almost 99 percent voted in a January referendum to separate from the north.

There are least seven different militia groups across the south fighting the government, which is also struggling to contain heavily armed cattle raiders, who fight regularly.

Over 1,000 people have died in violence and more than 100,000 forced from their homes across the south this year, according to UN and official figures. (AFP)