Darfur rebel leader calls for a strong resolution on Darfur force
July 27, 2007 (LONDON) — A key Darfur rebel group leader called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to adopt a strong resolution on Darfur peacekeeping force.
Abdelwahid al-Nur, leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), told Sudan Tribune that any resolution without a Chapter Seven mandate is “simply unacceptable”.
A revised U.N. Security Council resolution drawn up by France and Britain and circulated this week invokes Chapter Seven to state that the Darfur peacekeeping force “is authorized to use all necessary means, prevent attacks and threats against civilians.”
But Sudan’s U.N. ambassador, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad said his government has problems with the mandate of the force.
Al-Nur blasted attempts by some UNSC members to remove or weaken language on the use of Chapter Seven in the resolution.
“Why are they desperately trying to accommodate and reward Khartoum? Does the suffering of the Darfurian people mean anything to them?” Al-Nur said.
Diplomats at the UN said China, Qatar and Indonesia were pushing for softer language on the use of Chapter Seven.
China’s UN envoy Wang Guangya, expressed his government’s support of changes in parts of the resolution dealing with Chapter Seven.
“Without a strong mandate how can these forces protect the people of Darfur? This is exactly why the SLM boycotted the Arusha talks; because I want to see security for my people on the ground first”.
Al-Nur expressed disappointment over South Africa, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, position on the hybrid force.
“The South Africans have felt what it is like to be oppressed during the apartheid years and we expected them to stand firmly by our people in the tragedy they are going through”. Al Nur said.
South Africa has objected to the original draft of the UN resolution because it contained a threat of further measures” if any of the parties “fail to fulfill their commitments or cooperate fully.”
Al Nur called on South Africa to reverse its support of Khartoum on the issue
“South Africa was supportive of the Darfurian people in some instances throughout the crisis. We encourage them to continue down that track” he said.
The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when an ethnic minority rose up against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum, which then enlisted the Janjaweed militia group to help crush the rebellion.
According to UN estimates, at least 200,000 people have died from the combined effect of war and famine since the conflict started in February 2003. But Khartoum disputes the figures.
(ST)