KHARTOUM, Sudan, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The troubled Sudanese region of Darfur is embroiled in a violent and "terrible ordeal," the head of a joint African Union-U.N. peacekeeping mission said.
At least 100 people were killed this week when conflict erupted between rival tribes in East Darfur state, one of the five western states that make up the troubled Darfur region. The Sudan Social Development Organization, an aid group based in London, said fighting erupted after a cattle swap planned for Saturday never took place.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, head of the peacekeeping mission, met in Darfur to discuss the security situation with senior government officials.
"The violence must stop for the sake of everyone caught in this terrible ordeal," he said in a Wednesday statement. "Fighting is not the answer and I urge all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue."
The independent Sudan Tribune reported this week more than 300,000 people were forced to flee parts of Darfur this year because of ongoing fighting. Chambas said peacekeepers had increased their patrols in response to the violence.
