AU threatens to leave Darfur

2006-08-17 07:38

Alfred de Montesquiou

Cairo - The African Union lacks the funds to maintain its peacekeeping force or to boost its efficiency amid a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Sudan's Darfur, says a top official as the United Nations security council prepares to discuss a force for the region.

While the United States, the AU and others had called for deployment of a strong UN peacekeeping force to replace the ill-equipped and underfunded AU force in Darfur by October 01, the Sudanese government vocally opposed the move.

The UN had asked the 7 000-strong AU force to stay beyond the end of its mandate in September. But, the chief AU negotiator in Sudan said they had not yet decided whether they would prolong their mission.

Sam Ibok said: "We can only stay if we are provided the adequate funding and equipment. We came to help the Darfurians."

Insecurity 'worsened' in Sudan

He said: "But, Darfur rebels are attacking our people and killing our people, enough is enough", echoing a widespread feeling of dismay among AU personnel as they faced rising hostility from various Darfurian factions that accused it of failing to end the violence.

International aid agencies also said insecurity had worsened in Sudan's remote western region since the signing of a peace agreement last May.

Only one rebel force joined the government in signing the agreement, and infighting among rebel factions was blamed for much of the increased violence since May.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday that insufficient funding could force it to reduce the food rations it distributed to more than six million people in Darfur.

Situation in Sudan 'dangerous'

WFP said: "But, funding is not the only problem. The deteriorating security situation ... has made it too dangerous for truck convoys to drive through large areas in north and south Darfur, where fresh outbreaks of fighting and banditry have occurred."

WFP's representative in Sudan, Kenro Oshidari, said: "While the news cameras are focused on the conflict in Lebanon, the situation in Sudan has quietly grown more dangerous and desperate than ever."

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had laid out options for a much more muscular UN operation "to establish a stable and secure environment to protect civilians" and support implementation of the peace deal in Darfur.

The plan 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.

If approved by the council, the peacekeeping mission in Darfur would become the UN's largest. But, Annan had said that the UN can't take over peacekeeping without the Sudanese government's consent and co-operation.

- AP