British premier demands tougher UN sanctions against Sudan

March 22, 2007 (LONDON) — British Prime Minister Tony Blair appealed Thursday for new U.N. sanctions to punish Sudan’s leadership because of its failure to end the violence in Darfur.

Blair outlined his concerns in a letter to Germany, which holds the European Union’s rotating presidency. Blair has criticized Sudan often in recent weeks, saying the conflict’s impact would be felt around the world if the situation is left to fester.

“The prime minister believes it’s time for a new tough U.N. resolution, which would mean targeted sanctions aimed at the top 100 members of the Sudanese government and also those who are supporting them,” his spokesman said on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.

Sanctions could include travel bans and the freezing of overseas assets of the country’s leaders.

Blair will discuss his proposal with fellow EU leaders at a summit in Berlin this weekend.

The pro-government janjaweed militia have been blamed for atrocities against ethnic African civilians in Darfur during a government campaign to quash rebels in western Sudan. More than 200,000 people have died and more than 2.5 million people were displaced in four years of fighting.

Last year, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir signed the Darfur Peace Agreement with the region’s largest rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Movement. But the violence has continued unabated and new rebel movements have emerged.

Sudanese officials agreed to a U.N. package in November that includes U.N. peacekeepers. But al-Bashir said in January that U.N. troops were not required in Darfur because the 7,000-strong African Union force on the ground could maintain order.

An official in Blair’s Downing Street office, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy, said the prime minister would have liked to propose the imposition of a no-fly zone over the conflict-ridden areas, but the need for international consensus has led to a softening in his demands.

“If he continues to ignore sanctions the prime minister wants to go further and establish a no fly zone to show al-Bashir he can not use his air force with impunity in support of the Janjaweed,” the official said.

In a television interview last week, Blair said that there is a risk of the conflict spreading to other parts of Africa, offering a recruiting tool for terrorists.

“I would today take a far tougher line on Sudan,” he told Sky news. “I don’t think we are able to send troops in, but I certainly think the international community should be.”

Sudanese Defense Minister Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein said last week that conditions in Darfur were improving and could be resolved without foreign intervention.

(AP)