EU envoy praises AU’s efforts in Darfur
Sept 6, 2005 (Addis Ababa) — The European Union (EU) said here Tuesday they were highly delighted to see the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) on the ground to gain first hand information regarding its activities and functions.
Pekka Haavisto, EU special representative to Darfur, told journalists that his visit to Sudan’s western Darfur region was very impressive, adding that both the military and civilian police components were doing a remarkable job.
On the question of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the EU envoy said their protection was very vital, praising AU peacekeeping troops for the excellent efforts they were exerting in the IDPs camps by, among other things, encouraging people living there to report crimes and other infringements of the law.
The EU, he observed, considers support to AMIS as a very high priority and stressed that if there will be a peace agreement in Abuja, implementing and monitoring it will generate new challenges for AMIS.
The international donors, including the EU, have pledged huge funds in further aid to a bigger AU peacekeeping force in Darfur.
The 53-member pan-African agency has deployed over 2,270 soldiers, known as AMIS, to monitor a ceasefire in Darfur.
It is seeking 460 million US dollars in cash, military equipment and logistical support to reinforce its current troops to more than 7,700 by September.
Clashes flared up in Darfur in February 2003 when local farmers took up arms against the government, accusing it of neglecting the barren area. Thousands of people have been killed and more displaced in the violence.
Rounds of peace talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels in Abuja have failed to yield fruits.
Xinhuanet/ST.