Sudan told to accept UN troops
2006-07-19 12:14
Brussels - World powers pressed the Sudanese government to accept a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur to replace overstretched African Union troops who had struggled to protect civilians from rebels and pro-government militias.
Delegates from more than 70 nations at a conference on Sudan were united in calling for the UN force, which the Sudanese government was refusing to allow in to replace AU peacekeepers, and a halt to violence in the vast western region.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: "This must stop immediately", warning that those frustrating peace efforts could face international sanctions.
America provides $116m
The daylong conference raised $200m in fresh donations to support the 7 300-member AU force in Darfur - about half what the AU said it needed to keep the mission running until the end of the year, when the UN hoped to take over peacekeeping.
The United States provided $116m, the European Commission $38m and the Netherlands $25m. The head of the AU, Alpha Oumar Konare, said nations had assured him that more would be provided later.
Although Nato and the European Union had provided training and other support, the AU force was thinly spread around the remote area roughly the size of France.
'We are seeing people attacked, killed'
Aid agencies said the lack of manpower and equipment meant that the African force could not adequately protect villages and refugee camps.
Denis Caillaux, secretary-general of CARE international, said: "This lack of funding means patrols in and around camps are impossible or have been scaled back. We are seeing people attacked, killed or raped as a result."
The conference also increased pressure on two Darfur rebel groups that rejected a May peace deal with the government.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: "Those who have signed the Darfur peace agreement are not implementing it, and there remain two important parties who continue to refuse to sign it."
Darfur conflict killed 200 000
Solana said: "Meanwhile, the people of Darfur continue a third year of suffering." Since 2003, the Darfur conflict had killed at least 200 000 and forced two million people to flee their homes.
The violence in Darfur erupted after non-Arab tribes revolted against Sudan's Arab-led government, which was accused of responding by unleashing Arab militias known as Janjaweed, which had been blamed for the worst atrocities.
Delegates expressed hope that the Sudanese government was edging towards dropping its opposition to a UN force, which EU foreign ministers described as "the only viable and realistic" long-term option in Darfur.
Solana said: "We are closer probably to having a change in that position."
The US was pushing for the handover to a UN force to be carried out as soon as September. Jendayi Frazer, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said: "The key here is to move forward rapidly."
- AP