UN force in Sudan’s Darfur only upon AU request – Pronk

Mar 4, 2006 (ABUJA) — UN envoy Jan Pronk has said the UN will not replace the AU peacekeeping force in Darfur unless the AU submits an official request, pointing out that one of the UN most crucial tasks was to protect civilians .

In a press statement after his meeting with the head of the government delegation in Abuja, Majdhub al-Khalifah, Pronk said talks on whether to hand over the AU’s mission in Sudan’s Darfur region to the UN should be held after the African Peace and Security Council meeting on 10 March.

Pronk said his meeting with Majzoub al-Khalifah tackled the importance of an all-inclusive Darfur conference, which required the participation of all the sons of Darfur, including the armed movements, the civil administrations and political parties.

Pronk said the meeting also discussed ways to stop militias attacking civilians pointing out that attacks were still continuing. He explained that his trip to Nigeria was part of his bi-weekly routine visits to Abuja.

(ST)