DARFUR CRISIS 'SPILLING INTO CAR' !
By Karen Allen BBC News, Central African Republic.
Map of Darfur conflict zones
The crisis in Darfur is spilling over from Sudan into a second African country, prompting fears that instability could worsen in the region.
The Central African Republic has now seen nearly 3,000 refugees arriving in the past few months following air strikes in south Darfur.
There are fears that the Darfur conflict is being fought on foreign soil, UN officials in the region say.
The neighbouring Chad already has more than 200,000 refugees from Darfur.
Arab militia 'sightings'
Central African Republic, a former French colony roughly the size of France, is already bruised by its own internal conflicts.
Now it is playing host to nearly 3,000 refugees from across the border in Sudan.
Men, women and children made for the border when the town of Dafak in south Darfur was the scene of a heavy aerial bombardment by Sudanese forces back in May.
Darfur's rebels have amassed along the border, and senior UN officials based in Central African Republic say sightings of what appear to be Arab militia here on foreign soil constitutes a disturbing development.
Efforts are under way to establish a multinational peacekeeping force along Sudan's borders, mostly close to the boundary with Chad.
But with rebels and refugees now in Central African Republic, this remote and embattled country will be pressing for a security force of at least 500 to keep its borders free from attack.
BBC NEWS REPORT
The Central African Republic has now seen nearly 3,000 refugees arriving in the past few months following air strikes in south Darfur.
There are fears that the Darfur conflict is being fought on foreign soil, UN officials in the region say.
The neighbouring Chad already has more than 200,000 refugees from Darfur.
Arab militia 'sightings'
Central African Republic, a former French colony roughly the size of France, is already bruised by its own internal conflicts.
Now it is playing host to nearly 3,000 refugees from across the border in Sudan.
Men, women and children made for the border when the town of Dafak in south Darfur was the scene of a heavy aerial bombardment by Sudanese forces back in May.
Darfur's rebels have amassed along the border, and senior UN officials based in Central African Republic say sightings of what appear to be Arab militia here on foreign soil constitutes a disturbing development.
Efforts are under way to establish a multinational peacekeeping force along Sudan's borders, mostly close to the boundary with Chad.
But with rebels and refugees now in Central African Republic, this remote and embattled country will be pressing for a security force of at least 500 to keep its borders free from attack.
posted by jackaranda at 7:59 am
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