Sudan FM speaks about ambiguity in AU resolution on Darfur

Mar 13, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Foreign Minister, Lam Akol, has said the resolution of the AU Peace and Security Council on Darfur was ambiguous on some aspects.

He said it was not part of the council’s mandate to include the questions of the International Criminal Court and the continuation of cooperation with the UN, saying that if there was any role for the UN it would be considered after the realization of peace, and in consultation with the Sudanese government to specify whether such a mandate would be part of Article 6 or 7.

The African Union Peace and Security Council urged Friday 10 March “the Government of the Sudan and the rebel movements, to cooperate with the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) of 31 March 2005 and to take all necessary steps to combat impunity to ensure lasting peace and reconciliation in Darfur, and requests the Commission to cooperate with the ICC”.

He said the official stand of the Sudanese government towards the resolution was clear and that the committee formed by the council of ministers would come out with the details on the issue.

The African Union decided to extend its peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s Darfur region for six months, giving it more time to try to mediate a peace agreement and allowing the United Nations to prepare to take over the job.

Sudan’s government, which had fiercely opposed allowing U.N. troops into the country, agreed Friday that U.N. peacekeepers could come to Darfur – but only after it reaches a peace deal with the region’s rebels.

(ST)