Annan calls for implementation of Darfur peace accord

July 18, 2006 (BRUSSELS) — UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called for the implementation of the Darfur peace agreement by Sudan’s warring factions.

“We have to maintain pressure on rebels that are not signing the agreement to come on board as quickly as possible. We are pressing those who have signed the agreement to begin implementing it effectively and immediately,” Annan told reporters.

The UN chief is in Brussels for an international conference on Sudan’s Darfur region.

Annan said the conference would not only analyze the situation in Darfur, but also seek support to strengthen the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in the region.

A senior European Union (EU) diplomat said prior to the conference that the agreement was yet to be implemented and security on the ground in Darfur had still not improved. Tuesday’s conference will have both security and political dimensions.

Annan hoped the AU mission could be strengthened by donors’ contributions to enable it to “build the ground” before transition to a UN mission.

The idea of upgrading the mandate of the AU mission in Sudan to a UN mission is supported by the West. However, Khartoum has not given it the green light.

“A UN operation is the only viable and realistic option in Darfur in the long term,” EU foreign ministers said on the eve of the Darfur conference.

Annan was still hopeful of support from the Sudanese government.

(ST/Xinhua)