Amnesty International wants the UN to extend its mission in Sudan’s Darfur region for six months citing the inability of the government to protect civilians.

The human rights group said Sudanese forces were unreachable during recent attacks in areas controlled by the government.

Amnesty claimed the officers' phones were switched off when residents tried to call them.

It said residents had also described a nine-hour delay by officers in responding to an attack in Fata Borno.

Amnesty said it is “deeply concerned about the preparedness of the Sudanese forces to take on the sensitive responsibility of civilian protection”.

The UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has been lauded for protecting civilians during attacks.

Hundreds of thousands of people have died in fighting between government forces and rebel groups since 2003. Millions have been forced from their homes.