'Wanton destruction' in Sudan's Darfur region, 'blatant violation' of international law.

The looting and destruction of UN food relief agency premises and property in Sudan, has prompted the UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and UN Country Team, to condemn the assault as a 'blatant violation of international humanitarian law'.

On 19 June, a group of protestors ransacked the World Food Programme's (WFP) Graida office, in South Darfur, stealing an unspecified amount of money and vandalizing four vehicles. They also invaded and destroyed offices and properties of the humanitarian organization, World Vision International (WVI).

'This behaviour is totally unacceptable, especially the looting and destruction of humanitarian property causing serious disruption to the work of humanitarians providing lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable people of Graida', said Gwi-Yeop Son, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan.

'These actions constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law', he spelled out.

Protect UN and other international staff -- UN Joint Chief Mediator

Attacks against civilian populations in Darfur continue and appear to be increasing in severity. Some 1.64 million internally displaced persons in Darfur remain especially vulnerable and sexual and gender-based violence continues to restrict women and girls' freedom of movement in IDP camps and areas of return, according to Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who briefed the Security Council last week.

She noted that this is part of a resurgence of grave crimes by former 'Janjaweed' militia fighters that are now part of the Transitional Military Council-sanctioned Rapid Support Forces and who were responsible more than a decade ago for...