|TOP|Christian Aid has criticised the current level of protection for civilians in Darfur fleeing from war, as well as the ongoing debate over whether the United Nations or African Union (AU) should control the peacekeeping operation.

According to BBC reports, around 100 aid workers have been forced to flee the region of Darfur where rebels continue to fight for control of Golo, a government-held town in the west of the region.

As the situation continues to degenerate, aid agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to help the more than two million people who have fled their homes from the ongoing violence.

Amid the fierce fighting between the Sudanese government and rebels, there is another ongoing conflict over whether the AU should retain its control of the peacekeeping operation in Darfur.

|QUOTE|The new head of the AU, Dennis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, has had to fight off fierce criticism that the AU troops are unable to adequately perform their role of protecting the people of Darfur.

But Christian Aid believes there are two few AU troops with insufficient resources, “supported by a mandate that leaves the Sudanese government responsible for the security and safety of its population,” read a Christian Aid statement.

Darfur civilians continue to be attacked and intimidated by bandits and Sudanese government-backed militia – the Janajaweed in the Mershing camp in south Darfur.

Khartoum denies accusations that the attacks are taking place with the tacit support of the Sudanese government. The AU had promised to protect these refugee camps last autumn.

|AD|Neither AU troops nor the armed Sudanese police have stopped the latest spate of attacks, however, with around of 90 per cent of the people from Mershing’s eight camps – which hold 35,000 people – now fleeing and sleeping in the open without water or security.

All employees have been forced to leave a camp run in Mershing by Christian Aid partner, the Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO).

Amid the conflict and chaos, the debate still rages over whether the UN or the AU should control the Darfur operation.

“This discussion is immaterial,” said Stephanie Brigden, of Christian Aid’s Africa policy team.

“The question ought not be who will protect the people of Darfur, but how? We need a proper mandate that gives greater emphasis on protecting civilians – not a mandate that concentrates on documenting breeches of a fast-failing ceasefire.

“The mission must also be better resourced, logistically, financially and with more troops, to implement a proper protection mandate.”