Japan donates equipment to AU Darfur peacekeepers

Jan 31, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Japan donated equipment Wednesday to the African Union mission in the troubled Darfur region of Sudan to support the training of thousands of peacekeepers to protect children and fundamental human rights.

Equipment worth some US$200,000 (A154,400) was handed over to the AU by Japan’s ambassador at a ceremony in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province.

More than 200,000 people have been killed in Darfur, a vast arid region approximately the size of Texas, since violence erupted in February 2003. Fighting between government-backed militias and rebel groups has forced some 2.5 million people from their homes.

Ambassador Mryuichi Ishii said Japan made the donation because, “ordinary people in Darfur have no means to cope with these armed groups.” Women, children and the elderly are in particular need of protection, he said at the ceremony.

The donation includes computers, cameras, printers, and photocopiers to be used in a training program for the 7,300 AU forces and personnel in Darfur that is worth US$2.8 million (A2.2 million) and primarily managed by United Nations’ agencies.

(AP)