Washington DC - Violent clashes between the warring factions in conflict-ravaged Darfur region of western Sudan have threaten humanitarian work and the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping operation in the region, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns in his latest report on the mission issued here Friday, urging all parties to end hostilities immediately.

Fighting on the western flank of Sudan “and displacement continue, humanitarian operations are at risk, clashes between the parties occur with regrettable regularity and the parties have not reached a negotiated peace agreement,” Mr. Ban writes.

In this environment the UN-AU hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), has focused on the protection of civilians, but are hampered by a severely under-deployed force.

The Secretary-General notes that almost one year after handing over peacekeeping responsibility to UNAMID, the number of troops on the ground falls far short of the 26,000 blue helmets authorized by the Security Council.

In addition, Mr. Ban reiterates that UN member states need to provide the units and equipment previously pledged to UNAMID, including 18 helicopters and additional units dealing with logistics, heavy transport, medium transport and aerial reconnaissance.

The effectiveness of the mission also depends on Sudan’s cooperation, Mr. Ban says, while welcoming President Omar Al-Bashir’s statement last month saying that the government had called a cessation to hostilities.

“However, I am greatly disappointed that military activity by the government continues,” he says, adding that the “reports of violence, clashes and aerial bombardments since the unilateral ceasefire declaration of 12 November are of serious concern.”

He stresses that a genuine ceasefire is an essential precondition for talks necessary for a peaceful resolution to the conflict to begin.

“The cessation of hostilities is also required to facilitate delivery of vital humanitarian assistance,” the Secretary-General says, adding “I am deeply concerned that insecurity continues to seriously affect civilians and hamper the humanitarian community’s efforts to provide them with life-saving assistance.”

He also calls on the government in Khartoum to comply with its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, in particular with respect to protection of civilians. “There are still disturbing reports of intimidation and harassment of internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially women, who are the victims of marauding militia groups.”

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