Impose Africa troops in Darfur says analysis group
CAIRO, Aug 23 (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council should impose an African Union force of at least 3,000 troops on Sudan with a mandate to protect civilians in the western region of Darfur, the International Crisis Group said on Monday.
The U.N. Security Council, which has already given Sudan till the end of August to prove its commitment to solving the conflict in Darfur, should also impose sanctions on named government officials, the analysis group said in a report.
The African Union has discussed sending a force of 3,000 to Darfur, but Sudan rejected the idea on Monday.
The ICG report said Sudan’s government had acted in bad faith throughout the crisis in Darfur and was “adept at saying and doing just enough to avoid a robust international response.”
It criticized the U.N. Security Council’s first resolution, passed on July 30, for failing to take action against Khartoum and giving Sudanese officials the impression they can continue to fend off international pressure.
More than one million Darfuris have fled their homes in Darfur in the past 18 months for fear of attack by Arab militiamen known as Janjaweed, mobilized by the government as auxiliaries in a campaign to crush two rebel groups.
To make up for lost time, at the end of the month the U.N. Security Council should authorize the African Union to deploy a force of at least 3,000 troops to protect civilians, using force if necessary. The council should indicate it will urgently consider further action if Khartoum does not cooperate.
The council should put sanctions on the Sudanese officials most responsible for atrocities in Darfur and on the main businesses of the ruling National Congress party, especially those doing business abroad or in the oil sector, it added.
It should impose a mandatory, comprehensive and monitored arms embargo on the Khartoum government, it added. The July 230 resolution imposed an arms embargo only on the Janjaweed.
The council should also authorize an international commission of inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, including systematic rape, it said.
The group suggested the United States and the European Union prepare to help the African Union force with funding, equipment and transport logistics, and make contingency plans to reinforce the Africans militarily if they meet resistance.