UN pulls staff from Darfur amid violent backlash fears

THE United Nations was pulling non-essential staff from Darfur yesterday as Islamist protesters rallied behind Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir over allegations he masterminded a campaign of genocide in the war-torn region.

Fears of a violent backlash have mounted since the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor on Monday sought an arrest warrant against Beshir on 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.

The African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission said it would be flying out non-essential staff to Ethiopia and Uganda, despite assurances from Sudan to protect peacekeepers and humanitarian workers in the country.