SUDAN ACCEPTS UN-AFRICAN FORCE FOR DARFUR WITHOUT CONDITIONS -- COUNCIL OFFICIAL
New York, Jun 17 2007 11:00PM
Sudan's Government has agreed to support unconditionally the deployment of a hybrid United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in the Darfur region following talks in Khartoum with a delegation of the Security Council, which said that it would seek funding for the operation from the UN budget.
"I can tell you that the Foreign Minister told us in no uncertain terms that the Government of Sudan accepted the hybrid operation without any conditionality. The President himself just confirmed the same thing to us," Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa said at a press conference following the meetings.
"The Sudanese leadership, at the level of the President of the Republic, has confirmed that the State of Sudan is committed to all the agreements signed -- including the recent agreement signed in Addis Ababa on a hybrid operation in Darfur," Sudan's Foreign Minister, Lam Akol, told reporters.
"The President of the Republic has made it clear that the ball is now in the court of the United Nations," he added.
Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom said the Security Council's would seek financing for the force from the UN's regular peacekeeping budget, meaning that the cost would be borne by all UN Member States.
"We all laid heavy emphasis in two long constructive meetings and over lunch" on the hybrid force with emphasis on the need "to accelerate the implementation and get that in place as soon as possible," he said.
Stressing that "there isn't going to be an enduring peace unless there is a political settlement," he said Council members called for accelerated efforts on that front. "The Government confirmed its commitment to pursue that, and I quote the Minister, 'aggressively' -- meaning that the Government is fully committed to it."
Sudanese officials also provided "certain assurances" on humanitarian access to those in need.
On the need for a ceasefire, Ambassador Jon
members stressed that Government "should exercise a measure of self-restraint faced with lots of temptations given the performance of the rebels."
The purpose of the visit was to reaffirm the Council's commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan while encouraging its Government and other parties to engage constructively in the Darfur peace process, said Ambassador Kumalo.
In addition the aim was to "achieve without delay, full agreement" on deploying the hybrid operation. The Council also "came to encourage all parties here to fully implement the ceasefire agreement," he added.
Asked when the Council would recommend that the General Assembly authorize funding for the hybrid force, Ambassador Kumalo said this would happen "within a month."
"Assurances" from officials in Kharoum are not satisfactory. A robust civilian protection force must be accepted in Darfur. Because of China’s extensive economic interests in Sudan, leaders in Beijing are in a unique - indeed unrivaled - position to persuade Sudan to consent immediately to a true and robust U.N. operation in Darfur. China’s immense interest in hosting a successful Olympics makes its leaders susceptible to pressure from the global community – this is already proving true regarding Sudan, as Dan noted. As the Games approach, advocates for security in Darfur have an extraordinary opportunity to reach out to the Chinese government, in its role as host, to urge Beijing’s leaders to use their considerable influence with Sudan. Please visit www.dreamfordarfur.org to learn more about the Olympic Dream for Darfur campaign, and to find out how individuals can encourage China to pressure Sudan to accept a robust civilian protection force in Darfur.