A/HRC/4/80 page 13 31. As violence and violations of human rights continued, so did attempts to stop the conflict. On 8 April 2004, the Government, the SLM/A, and JEM signed a humanitarian ceasefire agreement and protocols on establishing humanitarian assistance in Darfur. The ceasefire agreement called for the establishment of a Ceasefire Commission (CFC) to monitor the cessation of hostilities, supported by an AU Observer Mission. Appeals were made to the United Nations and the international community to support the CFC, to “ensure the scrupulous compliance” of warring parties to the ceasefire.9 32. Subsequent efforts for peace in Darfur took place in Addis Ababa and in Abuja mediated by the African Union and with all parties to the conflict participating. But against this backdrop, violence was again on the rise in Darfur as all parties sought military gains to advantage them in the talks. At the seventh round of negotiations, the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed on 5 May 2006, but only by the Government and by one faction of the SLM (that of Mini Minawi, SLM/MM). The SLA faction led by Abdul Wahid (SLM/AW) did not sign, nor did the JEM. 33. Since the signing of the DPA, the security situation in the region has deteriorated. Non-signatory rebel factions have splintered. Though hostilities have been significantly reduced between the two signatories to the DPA, fighting between signatories and those opposed to the DPA escalated in violation of the ceasefire agreements.10 Attempts by these factions to meet and develop common positions for renewed efforts to open the DPA to new negotiations have been attacked and bombed by Government forces.11 Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have increased by all parties to the conflict since the signing of the DPA. Armed banditry and other criminal activity have also increased. 34. People began to flee the fighting that erupted in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in early 2003. By the end of 2004, some 200,000 Sudanese had fled across the border to neighbouring Chad and an estimated 1.6 million were displaced within Darfur. The deteriorating security situation since the DPA has resulted in tens of thousands of newly displaced – now totalling well over two million displaced people in Darfur -- and 30,000 more refugees in the camps in Chad, with new arrivals daily.12 9 Fifth session of the Peace and Security Council, Addis Ababa, 13 April 2004, Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council, PSC/PR/Comm. (V). 10 See, inter alia, UN Security Council, monthly report of the SG on Darfur, S/2007/104 of 23 February 2007 and 63rd meeting of the Peace and the Security Council of 18 September 2006, Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Darfur, PSC/MIN/2(LXIII), p.11. 11 Security Council, monthly report of the Secretary-General on Darfur (S/2007/104 of 23 February 2007), p. 7 para. 31. 12 Briefings to HLM by UNHCR and OCHA, Geneva and Abeche, February 2007; “There are presently an estimated 2 million displaced persons in north, south and west Darfur, including 250,000 who have fled fighting in the past six months. In West Darfur alone, where UNHCR’s teams are mainly based, there are an estimated 700,000 displaced”.