AU Suspends Sudan Peacekeeper Deployments

By ANTHONY MITCHELL, Associated Press Writer.

Sept 2, 2005 (Addis Ababa) — The African Union is suspending peacekeeper deployments to Sudan’s war-torn western Darfur region for nearly three weeks due to lack of jet fuel and heavy rains, an official said Friday.

The 53-nation bloc had planned to increase the mission to more than 7,000 troops and civilian police by the end of September. But the suspension — to be lifted Sept. 19 — means the expansion of the mission won’t be complete until Oct. 22, said a statement by Ambassador Ki Doulaye Corentin, head of the Darfur Integrated Taskforce.

The AU has about 5,500 peacekeepers, military observers and civilian police monitoring a shaky cease-fire.

The fuel shortage was caused by the closure of a main refinery in Khartoum for repairs. Heavy rains are pounding the region, making roads impassable and preventing the construction of troop housing.

The AU has said serious cash shortages threatened its Darfur operation and has appealed for help from the international community.

Darfur’s war began when rebels from ethnic African tribes took up arms in February 2003, complaining of discrimination and oppression by Sudan’s Arab-dominated government.

The government is accused of unleashing Arab tribal militia known as the Janjaweed against civilians in a campaign of murder, rape and arson.

At least 180,000 people have died — many from hunger and disease — while more than 2 million have been driven from their homes.

AP/ST.