Lenihan begins fact-finding mission in Darfur

Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Human Rights Conor Lenihan has begun a five-day fact-finding mission in the Sudanese province of Darfur.

Mr Lenihan's trip comes ahead of a donor conference on Sudan in Oslo next week and amid reports that up to 300,000 people may have been killed in the two-year-old conflict.

Mr Lenihan said: "The purpose of this visit is to see first hand what is going on on the ground in the Darfur region of Sudan and to listen to the views of local people and Irish and international organisations that are trying to deliver humanitarian relief in what appear to be very difficult circumstances."

He said: "There is no doubt that the ultimate solution to this humanitarian crisis is through political negotiation and continued and deeper engagement from the international community. In the meantime however it is critical that those who are suffering get access to adequate protection, humanitarian relief and care."

Several Irish journalists scheduled to accompany Mr Lenihan were denied visas by the Sudanese government.

Mr Lenihan said he intends to raise this issue with the Sudanese Ministers and with the international donor community on his return.

He is due to meet the deputy Sudanese foreign minister and the Sudanese minister for humanitarian affairs. The Minister will also meet the heads of the key Irish and international humanitarian relief agencies, the African Union and the United Nations.

Non-Arab rebels took up arms more than two years ago, accusing Khartoum of neglect. Sudan's government admits arming some militias to quell the rebellion but denies links to Arab militias known as Janjaweed who are accused of raping, killing and looting.

Additional reporting by Reuters