Darfur remains calm after violence

KHARTOUM, Sudan, July 22 (UPI) -- Despite a recent surge in violence, the United Nations and the African Union say the security situation in Sudan has remained somewhat stable.

Security patrols have resumed in the region, and officials say a protest Sunday that included an estimated 2,000 people in Nyala, the South Darfur state capital, remained peaceful.

Rebel violence in the Darfur region of Sudan resulted in the deaths of seven U.N.-AU peacekeepers on July 8 and another killing on July 16. Additionally, Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir has been accused of genocide and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court prosecutor, which has led to concerns over a fresh wave of violence.

However, the security situation in Darfur has stabilized for the time being, according to U.N.-AU officials in the region, the United Nations reported.

"Essential life-saving services will continue to be provided to Darfur's most vulnerable citizens despite the ongoing insecurity, which has limited aid access to some areas," Ameerah Haq, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, said in the release.

Haq has called on the Sudanese authorities to increase efforts to ensure services reach the people of Darfur caught in the ongoing violence.