Uncertainty surrounds Darfur peace process - UN envoy

A top UN envoy to Darfur in Sudan says renewed military clashes are slowing down progress in the resolution of the Darfur conflict.

The conflict started in 2003 when clashes erupted between non-Arab tribes and the Arab led government in Khartoum.

The non-Arab tribes accused the government of discrimination.

“The political process to resolve the conflict through dialogue remains fragmented and progress so far limited. Major armed movements and opposition parties continue to boycott the current national dialogue framework,” Herve Ladsous, Under-Secretary General of the department of peacekeeping operations said.

Mass killings have seized but the Khartoum government has been accused of stepping up attacks on rebel groups who live in harsh conditions.

The government has refused any links to a militia group known as Janjaweed which burned villages and killed civilians.

A joint African Union- UN peacekeeping mission has been in Sudan since 2007 to protect civilians.

The UN says more than 2.5 million have been displaced while 4 million others need humanitarian assistance in Darfur.

The body further affirms that about 300, 000 people have been killed in Darfur as a result of the crisis.