|The Darfur crisis has gained increasing publicity over the
years [GALLO/GETTY] February 2003 - Two anti-government groups
rise up, saying Khartoum neglects arid region and arms Arab
militia against civilians. January 2004 - The army moves to
quell uprising in western region of Darfur; hundreds of
thousands of refugees flee to neighbouring Chad. March 2004 - UN
says pro-government Janjawid militias are carrying out
systematic killings of African villagers in Darfur. April 2004 -
Government, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality
Movement (Jem) fighters agree on ceasefire. September 2004 - UN
says Sudan had not met targets for disarming pro-government
militias and must accept outside help to protect civilians.
Colin Powell, US secretary of state, describes Darfur killings
as genocide. January 2005 - UN report accuses the government and
militias of systematic abuses in Darfur, but stops short of
calling the violence genocide. March 2005 - UN Security Council
authorises sanctions against those who