Sudan is confident of AU bid
2006-01-21 17:53
Khartoum - Sudan is confident of winning support for its bid to lead the African Union in next week's summit, despite concerns over the country's human rights record.
African leaders are meeting in Khartoum on Monday and Tuesday to decide whether to hand over the chair of the 53-nation body to Sudan.
Fighting in Darfur, the western province of Sudan, has left 300 000 dead since 2003.
Sudan faces a possible challenge to its bid from the Democratic Republic of Congo. There has also been discussion about allowing Nigeria, which has held the chair since 2004, to stay on in the position.
Gamal Ibrahim, spokesperson for Sudan's foreign ministry said: "We are confident that Sudan will be the chairman of the AU.
"The issue for us is the new image of Sudan that should be recognised.
"We are coming out of a period of war and conflict that has been going on for over two decades. We need support. Now that we managed to bring peace, we are expecting the African continent to support our efforts."
Human rights groups have appealed to African leaders to reject Sudan's candidacy for the AU chair, saying such a move would be tantamount to rewarding Sudanese president Omar al-Beshir.
Beshir has been accused of human rights violations in Darfur.