Tightened restrictions on media

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KULBUS, Sudan, Nov 8 (UNI) Sudan has tightened restrictions on aid workers and journalists traveling to Darfur, and analysts say the aim is to conceal renewed hostilities between rebels and the army.

Journalists have been detained, aid workers obstructed and rules changed weekly for foreigners in the strifetorn region.

A British Sunday Times reporter this week was detained on arrival at the main airport, initially on the grounds she was wearing a cap belonging to a different news organisation. Then her passport was seized over alleged irregularities.

She is just one example.

''Definitely there's been a massive crackdown in the last few months,'' said Leslie Lefkow of Human Rights Watch.

''It's the same old pattern of the government in trying to restrict the flow of information.''

''They've managed to conduct a massive media campaign that is subverting the reality of what's happening in Darfur.'' She said the two main targets were journalists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Darfur has the world's largest aid operation, with 14,000 aid workers supplying humanitarian help to miserable camps in the region.

The stakes are high. An estimated 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced in fighting since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in Darfur in 2003.

Khartoum and one Darfur faction signed a peace deal in May, but violence has erupted again after a new alliance of guerrillas who reject the accord-resumed hostilities.