Sudan: UN may strengthen troops
2006-08-02 09:04
New York - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the security council to immediately strengthen the 6 200-strong African Union force in Darfur and more than double it if the Sudanese government gave a green light for the UN to take over peacekeeping in the conflict-wracked western region.
In a 30-page report to the council, circulated on Tuesday, Annan laid out three options for a much more muscular UN operation "to establish a stable and secure environment to protect civilians" and support implementation of a peace agreement signed by the government and one rebel group in May.
The three options envisioned a UN force of between 15 300 and 18 600 troops, depending on the number of aircraft, helicopters and rapid reaction troops.
Annan also proposed more than tripling the 1 560-strong AU police contingent to about 5 300 UN officers.
Peace taking root in Darfur
If approved by the council, the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur would become the largest, surpassing the 17 500-strong force in the DRC.
But Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, had vowed to never allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur and Annan said the UN can't take over without the government's consent and co-operation.
Annan said: "Securing the consent of the government of Sudan will require continued intensive discussions with Khartoum by council members, by key member states and regional organisations, as well as by the UN.
"No effort should be spared to send the simple, powerful message: International involvement will increase the chances of peace taking root in Darfur, will strengthen the credibility of the peace process and the protection of the suffering populations of Darfur."
UN 'has no hidden agenda'
Answering Sudanese opponents of a UN force, Annan again emphasised that "they have no hidden agenda," that troops for a UN force would primarily come from African and Asian countries, and that its primary goal would be to help implement the May peace agreement, "not to occupy the country".
The conflict in Darfur began after members of ethnic African tribes rose in revolt against the Arab-led Khartoum government in early 2003.
Annan said that more than 200 000 civilians had died, more than two million had fled their homes, and millions more had had their livelihoods destroyed.
He said that more than 2.5 million people affected by the war were receiving food, health care, shelter and other essentials from more than 13 000 humanitarian workers from over 80 organisations, the Red Cross and 13 UN agencies.
Annan warned that "the window of opportunity" provided by the Darfur Peace Agreement to stabilise the region "could close if there is no extra effort to implement it effectively."
He said if the ongoing violence isn't addressed, the overall situation could deteriorate.
- AP