Powell urges Sudan to act in Darfur after U.N. vote

KUWAIT, July 31 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Sudan and the African Union to use a month’s ultimatum set by the United Nations to restore security in the crisis-hit Darfur region.

The U.N. Security Council on Friday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution which threatened to clamp sanctions on Sudan in 30 days if it does not disarm and prosecute marauding Janjaweed militia in Darfur.

Sudan rejected the move as “misguided”.

“They can say whatever they wish to say. The Security Council has spoken (and) in a rather strong vote,” Powell told reporters on Saturday on a visit to Kuwait.

“I hope the Sudanese government will use the time provided in the resolution to do everything it can to bring the Janjaweed under control.”

After long conflict between Arab nomads and black African farmers, rebel groups in Darfur launched a revolt in February 2003. Janjaweed militias, which Washington says are backed by Sudanese government forces, went on the rampage, driving black Africans into barren camps.

The African Union has 96 military observers monitoring an April ceasefire between the Sudanese government and rebel groups. It also plans to send 270 troops, mainly from Nigeria, South Africa and Rwanda.

“I hope the African Union will move forward aggressively as they have said they would in order to help these people and help to restore a sense of security,” Powell said.

The United Nations estimates that the conflict has killed at least 30,000 people and displaced more than a million.

“We can have polemics about the resolution but let’s not forget the fact that hundreds of thousands of people are in need,” said Powell. “They’re the ones we need to be trying to help”