Sudan rejects UN intervention

2004-04-08 11:29

Khartoum - Sudan rejected Thursday UN chief Kofi Annan's calls for international intervention in the war-torn western region of Darfur, insisting it was taking its own steps to rein in government-sponsored militias accused of a wave of atrocities.

"We are not in need of foreign forces in Darfur," said Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail.

"All we want from the international community is more humanitarian aid in addition to the government's commitment," he said.

In a speech on Wednesday marking the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, Annan called on the international community to consider military intervention in Darfur if Sudan continues to deny access to the region where at least 10 000 people have died in fighting over the past year, according to UN figures.

Full access to the region

"It is vital that international humanitarian workers and human rights experts be given full access to the region, and to the victims, without further delay," the UN chief said.

"If that is denied, the international community must be prepared to take swift and appropriate action. By 'action' in such situations I mean a continuum of steps, which may include military action."

The Sudanese foreign minister said the government had set up a cabinet committee to ensure aid reached the people of Darfur and rein in the pro-government Arab militias, who have been accused of launching a reign of terror against the region's indigenous non-Arab minorities.

The committee, composed of the ministers for defence, interior, foreign affairs, finance, humanitarian affairs and agriculture, had been charged with "rounding up and controlling" any armed group other than the army that attempted to harm civilians or obstruct relief operations, Ismail said.

The committee would also ensure that supply routes for humanitarian aid were kept open and shelter made available to the displaced before the advent of the rains in July, he told reporters.

An estimated 110 000 people have taken refuge in neighbouring Chad, while as many as a million people have been displaced within Sudan, according to the United Nations.

Ismail said the ministerial committee was due travel to Darfur later Thursday.

A UN fact-finding mission has be work in the refugee camps in Chad but has so far been denied permission by Khartoum to visit Darfur itself.

Twin rebel groups mainly drawn from the indigenous Fur, Zaghawa and Maasalit minorities, launched an armed rebellion early last year in protest at the depredations of the Arab militias and alleged discrimination by the Khartoum government.

- AFP