"This is the latest in a series of grave cease-fire violations that have resulted in a large number of civilian casualties, the displacement of thousands of people, and severe access restrictions for relief workers," Eckhard said in a statement.
Achouri said African Union observers at the scene had reported "almost 100 casualties" but did not specify how many were dead and how many wounded. "But 100 casualties is 100 too many, be they wounded or dead," she said. "It is definitely one of the most serious violations of the cease-fire" signed by the government and the Darfur rebels last year.
The United Nations' deputy chief envoy to Sudan, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, spoke to the Sudanese Foreign Ministry about the bombardment, but had not received a reply, Achouri said. Sudan's government had issued no statement about the incident by last night. The chief spokesman of the Foreign Ministry did not answer his cellphone yesterday, the Islamic sabbath.
Aid workers based in Shangil Tobaya, 40 miles south of El Fasher, said they saw bombs exploding on the ground Wednesday afternoon and an air force Antonov, a Soviet-built aircraft, circling overhead. Later Wednesday, the African Union, which has 1,400 cease-fire monitors and protection troops in Darfur, confirmed the aerial bombardment, calling it a "major violation" of the cease-fire.
"The government of Sudan always says aerial bombardments are not government policy and that President Omar el-Bashir has issued firm instructions that there should be no use of Antonovs for aerial bombardment," Achouri said.
The Sudanese government often has been accused of employing its air force against civilians in Darfur, and it has usually denied the allegations. It is rare that the African Union confirms an aerial bombardment.
Achouri also said that rebels were believed to be responsible for the destruction of Hamada village in southern Darfur last week.
Earlier this week, the United Nations announced the attack on Hamada, singling it out as the worst case of the escalated fighting in Darfur. More than 100 people, mainly women and children, were feared killed.
Hamada and Shangil Tobaya lie in the northeast part of South Darfur. Fighting has displaced more than 10,000 people there in the past two weeks, the UN said.
