Sudan to check AU soldiers for AIDS

Jan 15, 2006 (ALFASHER) — The governor of North Darfur State, Mohamed Osman Kibir, has revealed that his government will carry out fresh tests on AU troops in his state.

Kibir pointed out in a press statement that following AIDS-related deaths among AU troops, citizens in the area had become worried.

He said the tests would be carried out by Sudanese doctors because previous tests had proven not to be as accurate as required.

According to the local press earlier in September 2005, two AU officers, one from Malawi and the other from Gambia, died of AIDS after they were flown from Darfur to Khartoum for treatment.

Since The Ministry of health said every member of the AU contingent entering the country should produce a certificate proving he is not infected with the HIV virus.

The AU confirmed the death of the two officers following complications arising from HIV/AIDS infection. However, said “two deaths is, therefore, statistically insignificant, as regrettable as it is any loss life”.

When a contingent of 150 Rwandan troops arrived in Darfur in August 2005, Tayeb Mustafa of the ruling National Congress party attacked the government for allowing them to come in without health certificates.

The press, pointing to the ease with which local women moved in and out of tents housing the AU observers and troops in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, had also called for tougher action.

(ST)