Abuja deal must pave way for UN peacekeeper in Darfur

May 8, 2006 (WASHINGTON) — On the heels of a new peace deal
on Darfur, signed on Friday by the Sudanese government and only one of
the Darfuri rebel groups, Africa Action today urged immediate action
from the United Nations (UN) Security Council towards the rapid
deployment of a robust UN peacekeeping force to the region. Amid
concerns about the commitment of the Khartoum government to this peace
deal on Darfur, the failure of two rebel groups to sign the deal, and
the absence of a roadmap for its implementation, Africa Action
emphasized that this deal must now pave the way for a UN force to
supplement the African Union (AU) operation in Darfur and stabilize the
situation on the ground.

Ann-Louise Colgan, Acting Co-Executive Director of Africa Action, said
today, “If Friday’s deal marks a step towards peace in Darfur, the next
step on that path is now clearer than ever – a UN peacekeeping operation
must be sent to Darfur without delay. As the government of Sudan
indicates a new openness to this possibility, it is critical that the
Security Council act immediately. A resolution is needed to authorize a
UN operation that can enforce the new cease-fire and peace deal, protect
civilians and humanitarian operations, and ultimately facilitate the
voluntary return of displaced people to their homes.”

Africa Action notes that UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs, Jan Egeland, who arrived in Darfur yesterday, visited a number
of camps for internally displaced persons (IDP) in South Darfur, where
new attacks against civilians by Sudanese government forces and their
proxy militias were confirmed by the UN as recently as two weeks ago.
This morning’s violent protests in Kalma camp, with displaced persons
calling for an international intervention, demonstrates the rising
desperation and crumbling security in the camps. Africa Action
emphasizes the importance of an international presence in Darfur, in the
form of a UN peacekeeping operation, to afford security and protection
to the people of Darfur, and to offer international support for the
long-term goal of peace in Darfur.

Marie Clarke Brill, Acting Co-Executive Director of Africa Action, said
today, “As the international spotlight focused on Abuja in recent days
and weeks, the situation on the ground in Darfur has been deteriorating.
There are numerous reports of new violence against civilians, and an
ever-growing humanitarian crisis threatens to engulf the area with the
approach of the rainy season. The U.S. and international community must
now sharpen the focus on the people of Darfur, and must act now to
deploy an urgent peacekeeping mission to provide protection and
assistance to millions of vulnerable civilians. ”

For more information and analysis on Darfur, see
http://www.africaaction.org/darfur