UN, US urged to work for UN envoy to Darfur peace
Feb 10, 2006 (NEW YORK) — A rights group called on US president and the UN Secretary General to develop initiatives to end Darfur crisis. In letters sent to the both leaders, it invited Bush and Annan to express support for UN appointed envoy to Darfur.
Human Rights First (HRF) yesterday sent a letter to President Bush and to Secretary-General Kofi Annan urging them to use their upcoming meeting on Monday, February 13, to develop initiatives aimed at ending the Darfur conflict, which is becoming increasingly dire.
HRF urged President Bush and Secretary-General Annan to support the appointment by the United Nations, of a prominent public figure as an envoy to lead the diplomatic process. This envoy would provide new impetus for advancing the diplomatic process, and enhance the prospects for a political resolution of the conflict.
According to a HRF’s paper on the proposal, the special envoy for Darfur peace, should seek a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in Darfur. To undertake this mission, he should have both the stature and international support to enable him or her to engage in dialogue with all parties to the Darfur conflict.
The envoy should open talks with leaders of all communities in Darfur, as well as the leaders of rebel groups, Janjaweed and other militia, and the Sudanese Government.
This initiative would not replace the African Union mission on the ground in Darfur, and it would build on the efforts undertaken to date to bring the parties to the negotiating table. It would not delay or impede the work of the International Criminal Court with respect to Darfur.
Secretary-General Annan recently revealed that he has been trying to find “ways of re-energizing the political discussions on Darfur … taking place in Abuja.” Acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, Annan said that “the United Nations will have to take much more … action” on Darfur in 2006″.
Both the insufficient size of this force (7000 soldiers) and its limited mandate mean that AU force will not provide the level of protection that is needed by the people of Darfur or ensure security across Darfur, a region the size of France.
Actually, the protection of the civilian population is the responsibility of the Government of Sudan. The AU force has only to protect “civilians whom it encounters under imminent threat and in the immediate vicinity, within resources and capability”.
An estimated two million people remain unable to return to their homes because of the ongoing violence. They and others are increasingly subject to attacks by the Khartoum supported Janjaweed militia, in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591. The upturn in violence has now severed approximately 500,000 people from access to international humanitarian aid.
(ST)