Darfur rebel leader hails UN resolution on peacekeeping force
August 1, 2007 (LONDON) — A key Darfur rebel group leader applauded the UN Security Council (UNSC) for adopting resolution 1769 authorizing up to 26,000 troops and police for Darfur.
“This is a historic moment for the people of Darfur” Abdelwahid al-Nur, leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) told Sudan Tribune.
Al-Nur commended the co-sponsors of the resolution UK and France for their “relentless efforts in getting the resolution adopted”.
Earlier today the UNSC voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize the force to help end more than four years of violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The Security Council resolution grants the peacekeeping mission authority to use military force to protect its personnel, humanitarian work and provide protection for civilians.
However Al-Nur cautioned that Sudan has to be held accountable to for the implementation of the resolution.
“We have seen many UNSC resolutions that Sudan has constantly violated. The international community has to see that Khartoum does renege on its commitments” Al-Nur said.
Asked whether he is ready to proceed with peace negotiations following the adoption of the resolution Al-Nur said that once the force is up and running “I will meet with the Sudanese government anywhere with no pre-conditions”.
However Al-Nur reiterated his position of boycotting the Arusha talks organized jointly by the AU and the United Nations to lay the groundwork with the non-signatory rebels for renewed negotiations with Khartoum.
“It is illogical to have peace talks without cessation of hostilities on the ground. A close example is South Sudan where a deal was struck only when a ceasefire was honored. Unfortunately Khartoum insists on a military solution in Darfur despite our commitment to a ceasefire” Al-Nur said.
The new force known as UNAMID (UN African Union Mission in Darfur) is expected to be the largest peacekeeping operation in the world costing more than two billion dollars. The US is expected to pay twenty six percent of the cost.
“The people of Darfur will forever be grateful to the US for their generosity and spearheading the humanitarian assistance efforts to heal their sufferings and pains” Al-Nur said.
The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 when ethnic African tribes rebelled against what they consider decades of neglect and discrimination by the Arab-dominated Khartoum government.
(ST)