AU peacekeepers in Darfur suffer from lack of resources

Mar 16, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Head of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) Ambassador, Baba Ghana Kengaibi, said that African forces are still lack sufficient resources to accomplish their peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

In a press conference he held here Thursday, he said that the AU mission in Darfur is still suffering from lack of resources and logistic requirements, a matter which hampers the performance of the mission and prevents it from making quick access to the areas of security tension.

Baba Ghana disclosed that Senegalese forces are due to arrive in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region within weeks to support the AU forces.

He said that the donors have fulfilled their commitments, but they have not provided us with what we needed. He explained that the European Union (EU) has promised to provide additional financial support.

Baba Ghana also explained that Darfur is witnessing security tension, particularly in areas such as Geraida and Shiriya in South Darfur and Jabal-Moon in West Darfur State. He said that many parties are involved in the armed attacks including militias, some troops from the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (Menawi faction) and Chadian rebels.

He further said that they received information which indicate that the activities of Janjaweed militias are still ongoing and that are still receiving support from the government, adding that mission has not received any official information to confirm this matter.

The head of AMIS urged the negotiating parties to accelerate Abuja talks and strike a real breakthrough. He further called on the African Foreign Ministers to go to Abuja to push forward the ongoing negotiations.

(ST)